price of air travel over time

Airfare priced at $100 in 1963 → $1,127.80 in 2024

Airfare inflation calculator.

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Prices for Airfare, 1963-2024 ($100)

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for airline fares are 1,027.80% higher in 2024 versus 1963 (a $1,027.80 difference in value).

Between 1963 and 2024: Airfare experienced an average inflation rate of 4.05% per year . This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, airfare costing $100 in the year 1963 would cost $1,127.80 in 2024 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 3.88% during this same period, inflation for airfare was higher.

Price Inflation for Airline fares since 1963

Consumer price index, u.s. bureau of labor statistics, buying power of $100.00 since 1963.

Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Airfare, over time, for $100 beginning in 1963. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:

* Not final. See inflation summary for latest details. ** Extended periods of 0% inflation usually indicate incomplete underlying data. This can manifest as a sharp increase in inflation later on.

Raw Consumer Price Index data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for Airline fares :

Adjust airfare prices for inflation

» Read more about inflation and investment .

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Table of Contents

How airfares have changed

How hotels room rates have changed, how rental car prices have changed, how restaurant prices have changed, how the price of movies, theaters and concerts has changed, smart money move: use travel rewards cards to book, if you’re planning to travel in 2024 ….

Some good news for travelers: Airfares, car rental and hotel prices in May were down compared to the same month last year. Falling travel prices is a bright spot for customers, considering that the price of pretty much everything else is going up. In fact, average consumer prices across all items rose 3.3% year-over-year through May.

According to NerdWallet's Travel Price Index, the overall cost of travel is down 2% from the same month in 2023 and up 12% compared with May 2019 (the last fully-normal May before lockdowns). In short, expect the same trip taken this year to cost slightly less than it did this time last year, but more than it would if you had taken the trip before the pandemic.

Despite travel costs declining year-over-year, there are still things you can do to reduce the price of your trip. Check out our smart money suggestions below.

NerdWallet's Travel Price Index combines data from individual travel categories tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Consumer Price Index data, such as airfares, lodging, meals and rental cars.

Overall prices for the past 12 months through May 2024 rose 3.3% before seasonal adjustment. Still, not every individual line item experiences inflation at the same rate — especially when it comes to travel prices. Some types of trips might actually be more or less expensive than in the past, depending on if your trip involves airfare versus driving, if you’re staying in a hotel and whether it involves a rental car.

To help you better understand how travel prices have changed, NerdWallet honed in on five categories:

Car rentals.

Food away from home.

Movies, theaters and concerts.

NerdWallet then compared those costs to their same prices a month ago and a year ago. And given how significantly COVID-19 altered the state of travel, the data also compares today’s prices to the same cost of those things pre-pandemic. For example, May 2024 is compared to May 2019 as the last corresponding pre-pandemic month.

Here’s what today’s travel prices look like:

When comparing May 2024 prices versus May 2023, U.S. airfares are down 5.9%. What's more — when compared to pre-pandemic prices — airfares are also down (ever so slightly). That's pretty staggering to see such a minimal change in airfares versus their pre-pandemic pricing. After all, average prices as a whole are up by 22.7% since May 2019.

Prices for lodging away from home — including hotels and motels in U.S. cities — did increase 1.7% month-over-month. Though, they are actually down from last year, falling by 1.7% versus May 2023.

Unlike airfares that are barely higher than pre-pandemic prices, hotel and motel prices are significantly higher than what they were pre-pandemic — though still not as high as the 22.7% all-items average increase.

High rental car prices were one of the biggest stories of pandemic-era travel. Though prices have leveled off, they are still up an astounding 34.8% versus the same month in 2019. Still, the costs are better now than they were a year ago. Car rental prices are down 8.8% year-over-year.

Food prices consistently rise nearly every month, and this month was no exception. In May 2024, the cost of food away from home was up 4% versus the same month in 2023.

And prices are far higher than pre-pandemic, with May 2024 prices coming in at 29.5% higher than what they were in May 2019. That's higher than the inflation rate across all items, suggesting that restaurant prices have risen more than many other categories of goods.

Like restaurants, entertainment prices see fairly consistent increases — save for a small dip in 2020. Prices are now up 20.5% from what they were in May 2019. That's just under the general rate of inflation of 22.7% for that same period.

The price for tickets to movies, theaters and concerts is up 3.4% year-over-year.

Paying for travel with points and miles versus cash isn’t as daunting a task as it may seem. Frequent flyer miles and hotel points can be accrued not just for recurring travel, but through other outlets as well. Credit card rewards and welcome bonuses can be one of the most popular ways to accrue a big stash of points for a lot less effort than living your life out of a suitcase.

In addition, travel credit cards can offer various money saving perks, like:

Complimentary trip insurance .

Savings on checked bags .

Waived foreign transaction fees .

Airport lounge access .

Cash back credits that can offset the annual fee.

Here's a sampling of cards that offer travel-related statement credits.

on Bank of America's website

on Citibank's application

• 10 points per $1 on Chase Dining, hotel stays and car rentals purchased through Chase.

• 5 points per $1 on air travel purchased through Chase.

• 3 points per $1 on other travel and dining not booked with Chase.

• 1 point per $1 on other purchases.

• 5 points per $1 on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Altitude Rewards Center.

• 3 points per $1 on eligible travel purchases and mobile wallet spending on Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay.

• 1 point per $1 on all other purchases.

• 10 ThankYou® points per $1 spent on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked through the Citi Travel site.

• 3 points per $1 on air travel and other hotel purchases.

• 3 points per $1 on supermarkets.

• 3 points per $1 on gas stations and EV charging stations.

• 3 points per $1 on restaurants.

$300 annual travel credit .

$325 annual credit.

$100 in airline incidental statement credits.

If you’re building your next vacation budget based on an early-pandemic-era trip, expect to pay far more now for pretty much every expense. Yet even though prices constantly feel like they’re getting higher, you can still save on travel with a little planning.

To avoid the costs of eating out, head to local grocery stores — which can be a fun activity on its own — or pack snacks from home. While in an airport, head to the lounge. Many credit cards have partnerships with airport lounge operators ( Priority Pass is a popular one) where you can typically expect complimentary snacks and drinks.

Methodology

NerdWallet conducted an analysis of the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index data released by the U.S. Department of Labor, which was most recently updated in June 2024 and measures prices of items like travel, groceries and cars. Prices usually change every month, but some prices change more than others.

Keep in mind, this data is based on May 2024 information, even though it is released in June 2024. Thus, prices you actually see may have actually improved (or gotten even worse) than this data, because it lags one month behind.

And even within the realm of travel, some expenses might go up, while others might go down.

The NerdWallet Travel Price Index combines data from the Consumer Price Index, weighted by the estimated spending in each category, which is based on 2019 travel expenditure data from the BLS.

Here are the spending categories considered, and how heavily each was weighted:

Flights: 29%.

Car rental: 13%.

Lodging: 30%.

Entertainment: 7%.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024 :

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1.5%-5% Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

Up to $300 Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

on Capital One's website

2x-5x Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options.

75,000 Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

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This page presents inflation-adjusted and unadjusted average air fares since 1995. Averages are computed using data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics' Passenger Origin and Destination (O&D) Survey, a 10% sample of all airline tickets for U.S. carriers, excluding charter air travel.

Average Fares are based on domestic itinerary fares. Itinerary fares consist of round-trip fares unless the customer does not purchase a return trip. In that case, the one-way fare is included. Fares are based on the total ticket value which consists of the price charged by the airlines plus any additional taxes and fees levied by an outside entity at the time of purchase. Fares include only the price paid at the time of the ticket purchase and do not include fees for optional services, such as baggage fees. Averages do not include frequent-flyer or “zero fares.” The inflation adjustment is calculated using dollars for the most recent year of air fare data.

The most recent data are from the  4th Quarter of 2023 .

Air Fare Press Releases  (Tables 1-6)

National Level Fares since 1995

Average Fares – Top 100 Airports and eight Metropolitan Areas

• Table 7. Fares at Airports with 2,000,000+ Originating Passengers 4th Quarter 2023
• Table 8. Fares at Airports with 1.5M-1.99M Originating Passengers 4th Quarter 2023
• Table 9. Fares at Airports with 1M-1.49M Originating Passengers 4th Quarter 2023
• Table 10. Fares at Airports with 500K-999,999K Originating Passengers 4th Quarter 2023
• Table 11. Fares at Airports with 100K-499,999K Originating Passengers 4th Quarter 2023
• Table 12. Fares at Metropolitan Areas 4th Quarter 2023

Search for Average Fares at up to three of the Top 100 Airports and eight Metropolitan Areas

All Airports – Average Fares by Quarter since 1993

Fares by Route

Find out how airfare prices vary over time by entering your departure and arrival cities above or choose your departure

Airfare history charts - See how fares vary over time

Notes on finding cheap airfares

Looking at various points in time when looking for airplane tickets can save you a lot of time and money. Choosing the right tine for your flight is critical, so that you can get a cheap airplane tickets.

This tool will make this process easy for you. Simply get started by entering the two airports on the left or selecting a departure airport from our most popular list below. Have fun!

Popular destinations

Easily find the most popular flight destinations.

The above overview gives you a good idea about the most popular destination airports. This should help you to be able to analyze historical airfare data as quickly as possible. Of course, we have far more destination data in our database, so that you can take a closer look at up to 1 million different flight route combinations. If you have suggestions for new destination airports or flight routes, which we should include, please let us know then we will try to expand our flight price database for you.

Simple Flying

50 years of airfares: the evolution of price and what you got in 1970 vs now.

As the aviation industry has changed, so too have the prices.

• Historical airfares show a significant drop over time, making flying more affordable.
• Airlines faced tough regulation in the past, but now have pricing freedom.
• Flights were sweetened in the past, but now operate on slimmer margins with added costs.

It may be a popular belief that airfares have skyrocketed in recent times, particularly when taking into account the rise in fuel prices and airport taxes. However, if we look at historical prices of airline tickets, we can see that flying has become an accessible and more affordable mode of travel. While it may still be more expensive than land or sea transport, airfares have significantly gone down in the past few decades.

Were flights cheaper 50 years ago?

Over the past 50 years, the airline industry has been transformed; much has changed for better or worse. For instance, you probably won’t be getting a martini upon boarding, and legroom has become a luxury for most. Meanwhile, flying has also become a more accessible mode of transport, offering a level of connectivity that was inconceivable in the 1970s.

While flying was once considered a luxury, it is now more common thanks to the rise of international air travel and the growth of the low-cost travel model . These days, you can get a cheap flight by purchasing your ticket with a budget carrier. Yet, for the most part, airfares still feel costly – especially after adding on that luggage allowance.

Love aviation history ? Discover more of our stories here

During much of the 1970s, airfares in the US were regulated by the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB). It had been regulating flights since 1938, controlling commercial aviation schedules and prices. However, recession-inflation in the 1970s began to raise concerns for the government, fearing that high prices for customers in a weak economy could lead to a collapse in the airline industry.

As such, in 1978, a momentous bill was passed through US Congress that gradually eliminated the regulation of airlines. By 1983, all airlines were free of domestic CAB regulation, which meant they could set prices and effectively compete with other carriers.

Airfares: Then vs. Now

The table below shows a comparison of airfares between Los Angeles (LAX) and Boston (BOS).

In the 1940s, the average domestic ticket within the continental United States cost thousands and took nearly an entire day to complete. That is because the aircraft were smaller and short-ranged, requiring multiple stops along the way. In the 1970s, the deregulation act significantly brought domestic airfares down to hundreds of dollars. However, the aircraft and technology limitations still require higher airfares than today.

As highlighted in a study by Compass Lexecon , commissioned by Airlines for America, a cross-country flight between Los Angeles and Boston cost $4,439 in 1941, $915.82 in 1978, $408.89 in 2015, and a mere $119.67 in 2024. It is also worth mentioning that airport fees and taxes have significantly increased in recent years. For example, the typical airport fee for a ticket has risen from $1.65 in 1979 to $29.70 in 2024.

Are we getting more bang for our buck?

Flights in the 1970s may have been a lot more expensive, but passengers also got much more in terms of service. As airlines didn’t set their own rates, they were guaranteed profits. As a result, with the money travelers paid, airlines could offer crystal glasses, complimentary champagne, and real cutlery, a sharp contrast to today’s plastic cups and boxed meals.

Taxes, airport fees, skyrocketing fuel prices, and other additional charges have ramped up overall operational costs. Even after the 1978 deregulation, airlines had more freedom and benefitted from lower overheads. Airlines back in the day were able to operate at higher profit margins. These days, it’s a much different story.

Want answers to more key questions in aviation? Check out the rest of our guides here

The adoption of ancillary service-based fares has also added a different edge to operations. While you may be able to scoop up an affordable ticket at base fare, tacking on seat bookings, suitcases, carry-on luggage, and other services once offered as part of a standard ticket can quickly cause your cheap flight to double or even triple in price. Once exclusive to low-cost carriers, the model has slowly evolved to be included in ticket prices for major airlines and flag carriers, to mixed public reception.

Contrasting Markets: 5 Reasons Why Budget Airfares Are Cheaper In Europe Than The US

Passenger numbers keep increasing.

A report from One World In Data shows that global airline passengers have continued to increase since the 1940s. A rather exponential increase in air passengers was recorded in the last three decades, particularly between 1990 and 2019. While 2020 saw a significant downturn due to the pandemic, the aviation industry recovered within a span of three years.

Asia Pacific Airlines Add 26.4 Million Passengers In 1Q 2024

The bottom line.

Proportionally (inflation considered), flights are much cheaper now than they were 50 years ago. Consequently, flying is a more accessible mode of transport for many and has resulted in the soaring popularity of air travel, which began after deregulation. However, despite the cost drop, the base cost of flying has increased as airlines operate small profit margins and seek to remain competitive.

In the future, if the current financial climate continues, demand for low-cost travel is likely to increase, prompting airlines to offer lower fares, in turn pushing airports and governments to cut fees and taxes.

Have you noticed a difference in airfare prices during your lifetime? Have you got a story to share about how flying used to be? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section.

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What Flights Used to Cost in the 'Golden Age' of Air Travel

Flying is actually cheaper and better than it's ever been.

In spite of all our complaints about smaller seats, poor customer service, and the burn of basic economy, when put in the proper historical perspective, air travel is more accessible, affordable, and comfortable than ever.

Need proof?

Just picture yourself booking a roundtrip “tourist class” flight to Amsterdam for $4,168.55, or paying $12,089.55 for a 30-day flight around the world.

In the mood for a quick, cheap getaway? How about New York City to Chicago for $445.25? Or, go all the way to Los Angeles , with a quick stop in Chicago, on a 13-hour journey for upwards of $1,600.

If you value time as money, today’s air travel saves you a bundle. And in cash adjusted for inflation, the cost of flying has plummeted.

According to a study by Compass Lexecon, commissioned by Airlines for America, the average flight from L.A. to Boston in 1941 was worth $4,539.24 per person in today’s money, and it would have taken 15 hours and 15 minutes with 12 stops along the way. By comparison, a nonstop flight in 2015 would cost $480.89 and take only six hours. Thanks to intensifying low-cost competition, we can find airfares as cheap as $283 today.

But we don’t need to go all the way back to the 1940s to see how cheap airfare has become.

Part of the reason flying was so exclusive and relatively luxurious in the '40s, '50s, and '60s was that it was very expensive. Until the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978 , airlines were considered a public utility and airfares were set by the federal government, which ensured airlines always made more than enough money.

Even after deregulation, a basic domestic round-trip airfare in 1979 averaged $615.82 in today's money. That average fare dropped to $344.22 by 2016. Fees have risen dramatically from the equivalent of $1.65 in 1979 to $22.70 by 2016, but even with those fees added back in, airfares are much cheaper.

The Compass Lexecon study showed that, between 1990 and 2016, the domestic price per mile to fly decreased by 40 percent (and by 36 percent when you factor in fees). At the same time, fuel costs have risen for airlines by 110 percent since 1998, and airlines faced sharp drops in demand during the Great Recession of 2008-2009. With no regulatory protections for the industry, these set-backs and high costs led to bankruptcies and mergers, as they have in the past. But low-cost competitors ensure consumers can still pick between two or more airlines in most U.S. markets, which keeps the pressure on other airlines to keep those airfares affordable.

Because flying is cheap, many more people fly today in larger planes with more seats onboard. Air travel has evolved from the privilege of a few into a service for many.

And it has grown in staggering numbers. In 2000, airlines carried 1.6 billion passengers, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). By 2005, that number had grown to 2.1 billion. By 2015, airlines had served 3.5 billion passengers and they are expected to serve 4 billion passengers this year.

Security risks are greater and security lines are longer. People don’t wear their best suits to fly anymore. Deregulated, democratized, affordable air travel is very different from the glamorous air travel of those far-gone days, but at least more of us get the pleasure of complaining about it.

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Travel price index.

MONTHLY INSIGHTS December 20, 2023

The Travel Price Index (TPI) measures the cost of travel away from home in the United States. It is based on the U.S. Department of Labor price data collected for the monthly Consumer Price Index (CPI). The TPI is released monthly and is directly comparable to the CPI. 

Please see attached table for the latest data.

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Is air travel getting more expensive?

Recent increases in flight costs reflect broad inflation and higher gas prices.

Updated on Fri, November 18, 2022 by the USAFacts Team

The cost of air travel in the US is up in 2022 compared with last year. After adjusting for inflation though, the price of an average plane ticket is still decreasing over the past decade.

Air traffic declined sharply at the beginning of the pandemic, but the number of flights is now near pre-pandemic levels. However, air travel’s recovery since the COVID-19 pandemic has been turbulent. Despite fewer passengers, airlines are on time less often . And prices are on the rise thanks to higher gas prices and widespread inflation, even before the upcoming holiday travel season.

How have air fares changed?

Recent increases in inflation mean prices have increased for most common goods and services, and air fares are no exception. The overall inflation rate from September 2021 to 2022 was 8.2% for all items in the Consumer Price Index . By comparison, airline fares saw one of the greatest 12-month increases in price for items in the index, rising 42.9% over the same time period.

This increase can be attributed in part to the low cost and low demand of flights in 2021, in addition to the growth of inflation this year.

Another contributor to rising air fare prices is the increase in fuel costs. In June 2022, the average cost per gallon of fuel for airlines surpassed $4 for the first time. For Q2 of 2022, fuel costs accounted for 24.2% of domestic operating expenses for airlines, compared with 14.6% in 2021, and 34.0% of international expenses, compared with 20.0% in 2021.

While airlines can engage in hedging , or using fuel contracts to limit exposure to future price changes, unexpected or drastic changes in fuel costs will still impact an airline’s financials.

Accounting for inflation, air fares increased from 2021 to 2022, but this year’s prices overall continued a long-run decline in the cost to fly. The recent increase in prices is reflective of air travel’s recovery from the pandemic, but air fare increases have generally matched or been slightly below inflation levels.

Which airports are the most expensive to fly out of?

Of the top 50 busiest airports in the US by number of passengers, Washington Dulles International Airport in Washington, DC was the most expensive to fly out of, with an average domestic airfare from April to June 2022 of $525.70. Average domestic airline fares are influenced by the most common flight routes, seat types, and airlines for each airport, as well as regional differences in expenses.

Of the 50 busiest airports, 18 have seen current flight prices surpass 2019 prices, adjusted for inflation.

With air travel rising back to pre-pandemic levels, Americans across the country will be impacted by the increased cost of flights throughout the holidays.

Learn more about air travel and which airlines have the best on-time performance and get the facts every week by signing up for our newsletter .

Explore more of USAFacts

Related articles, gas and used car prices are over 20% above their levels last year.

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Consumer price index for all urban consumers: airline fares in u.s. city average (cusr0000setg01).

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Units:   Index 1982-1984=100 , Seasonally Adjusted

Frequency:   Monthly

Suggested Citation:

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Airline Fares in U.S. City Average [CUSR0000SETG01], retrieved from FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis; https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/CUSR0000SETG01, June 12, 2024.

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US flight prices are over $200 cheaper than they were 30 years ago when adjusting for inflation. Here's why it doesn't feel like it.

• Adjusting for inflation, airfares are much more affordable than they were nearly 30 years ago. 
• But plenty of Americans remain frustrated by flight prices. 
• BI asked experts why inflation-adjusted airfares have fallen and why some people haven't noticed. 

The last time you bought a plane ticket, you probably got a better deal than you realized. That's because, believe it or not, airfares are much more affordable than they were three decades ago.

In 1995, the average US domestic airfare was $292 — excluding optional fees, like ones related to baggage — according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. In 2023, the average fare was $382 , up over 30% from 1995. However, the story changes dramatically when adjusting for inflation. In 2023 dollars, the average airfare fell from $584 to $382 between 1995 and 2023, a nearly 35% decline.

It means that flying, like the prices of televisions and toys , is much more affordable than it used to be. But if you ask some Americans , airfares have gotten out of control in recent years.

"There's little doubt in my mind that people think airfare is at historic highs and getting more expensive," Scott Keyes, an airline industry expert and the founder of travel-membership service Going.com , told Business Insider via email. "We are living in the golden age of cheap flights, but few people recognize it."

Additionally, Mike Daher, a transportation expert at Deloitte, said in a report published in May that there's "a perception that airfares and room rates are high, and some Americans are sitting out travel this summer as they look for softer pricing."

It's not just domestic flights that have gotten more affordable. Keyes said international inflation-adjusted airfares for US passengers have also generally fallen over the past decade.

Frustrations over flying costs could be among the reasons the share of Americans with a negative opinion of the airline industry is at the highest level since 2011, according to a Gallup survey of over 1,000 US adults conducted last August. The federal government seems to have taken notice. In January, a federal judge blocked the JetBlue-Spirit Airlines merger after the Biden Administration raised concerns about the impact it would have on flight prices. In April, the Department of Transportation announced a rule it said would protect consumers from "surprise junk fees" — such as the costs of additional baggage and reservation changes — and save fliers over $500 million a year.

To be sure, any frustrations about airfare prices haven't stopped many Americans from flying. When pandemic restrictions eased, Americans unleashed their pent-up travel demand on the airline industry. And that momentum has continued: on May 24, TSA officers screened nearly three million passengers, a record figure.

Still, the overall decline in actual airfare prices over the last two years suggests passenger demand "seems to have subsided" a bit, Kerry Tan, a professor of economics at Loyola University Maryland, told BI via email. He said this suggests demand could be normalizing and that some Americans balked at 2022's uptick in flight prices — even though tickets remained more affordable than pre-pandemic levels when adjusted for inflation.

Going forward, airlines will continue to be impacted by Americans' perception of flight prices. To the extent this perception influences Americans' broader feelings about inflation and the economy , it could play a role in the presidential election this fall.

Business Insider spoke with airline industry experts to learn why inflation-adjusted airfares have fallen over the past two decades — and why some Americans don't seem to have noticed.

Why flights have become more affordable

Airline industry experts told BI that one of the biggest factors driving down inflation-adjusted airfares is the rise of lower-cost, budget airlines.

In 2000, United, American, and Delta flights accounted for 73% of US domestic passengers, according to an analysis of Department of Transportation data by the trade association Airlines for America. By 2023, their share of passengers had fallen to 52% as lower-cost airlines like Southwest, JetBlue, Spirit, and Frontier emerged.

This development led to cheaper airfares through what airline insiders call the "Southwest Effect."

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"When researchers have studied airfare, they've found that when a low-cost carrier like Southwest or Spirit begins flying a new route, fares fall an average of 20% on all airlines operating that route," Keyes said. "That's because price is by far the most important factor for leisure travelers' purchase decision, and so competition from new airlines — especially low-cost carriers — drives down fares across the board."

Keyes said another factor that has pushed down fares is "more and larger airplanes."

In addition to having more planes in their fleets than they used to, airlines have retired smaller planes in recent decades and replaced them with larger aircraft. In 2005, 11% of commercial airplanes had at least 151 seats — compared to 48% as of 2023.

"Larger planes, better fuel efficiency, and more seats are lowering the overall flight costs for airlines, and those savings are being passed onto travelers," Keyes said.

Despite the competition of cheaper airlines — and the lower inflation-adjusted fares they helped bring about — airlines like United, American, and Delta haven't suffered for it financially.

"The decline in inflation-adjusted airfares appears to be uncorrelated with the financial performance of the 'big three' airlines," Tan said.

Keyes said the years between 2015 and 2019 were "among the most profitable ever" for US airlines. He said declining inflation-adjusted fares haven't hindered airline profits because their business models aren't as reliant on ticket revenue as they used to be.

"Today, airline revenue comes primarily from sources other than economy tickets," he said. "This includes premium cabin revenue, credit cards, business travel, ancillary fees, cargo, and other sources."

Why Americans don't feel like they're getting a deal on airfares

If airfare prices are more affordable than they used to be, there could be several explanations why Americans remain frustrated.

"Consumers may not always think about inflation-adjusted airfares, so their frustration could be due to the higher nominal level of prices," ​​Tan said. "It could also be that travelers are more frustrated by their travel experience as there's been a slight increase in flight delays since the COVID-19 pandemic."

It's also possible that after airfare prices plummeted due to the pandemic, 2022's swift rise in airfares caught Americans off guard. In September 2022, airfares rose roughly 43% compared to the prior year, the highest rate on record.

Additionally, airfare isn't the only cost of flying — many passengers pay fees for things like extra baggage and seat assignments. These fees can be tacked on well into the booking process, something the Biden Administration is trying to crack down on . Fourty-four percent of Americans said they at least sometimes pay more for airfares than the initial price they were shown, according to a YouGov survey conducted last July. This year, United, American, and Delta have each raised their checked bag fees .

But while these fees may be costly to some customers, Keyes said they haven't done much to offset the decline in inflation-adjusted airfares. The Airlines for America analysis found that including fees for baggage and reservation changes, the average US roundtrip ticket was $406 in 2023. Since 2010, only 2020 and 2021 offered more affordable flights — much of which was due to the decline in demand tied to the pandemic.

It's also possible the rising prices of goods and services across the US economy have left Americans with less money to spend on airfares, which is what's making their plane tickets feel particularly expensive. Some people have stuck with their pandemic habit of booking flights only a few weeks in advance due to uncertainty surrounding their travel plans, Hayley Berg, Hopper's lead economist, told NerdWallet. She recommended booking at least one month in advance to get lower airfares.

For some Americans, plane tickets are among the most expensive purchases they make on a semi-regular basis, something that could make people particularly sensitive to price increases. For others, flying is something they rarely do — which could make them less likely to notice a decadeslong shift in inflation-adjuted prices.

Lastly, the unpredictable nature of airfare price swings could be frustrating for consumers, Keyes said. And when it comes to economic issues like travel costs, it's not uncommon for Americans to have negative feelings that don't jive with the data .

"Airfare is the single most confusing and volatile purchase we regularly make," he said. "Combine that with negativity bias and it's no surprise that even as airfare hits historic lows, people are more likely to think it's at historic highs."

Have you found a creative way to save money on travel or flights? Are you willing to share your story? If so, reach out to this reporter at [email protected] .

Watch: Thousands of bags pile up at US airports after flight cancellations

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Airline ticket prices are up 25%, outpacing inflation — here are the ways you can still save

Flight prices are skyrocketing. here's what you can do to save money on your next flight..

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While inflation has regularly made headlines lately, with many pointing to the roughly 8% figure from the Consumer Price Index , there are still several consumer spending categories surpassing it, including the price of airline tickets. In the last year, the consumer price index for airline tickets has shot up by 25% — the largest jump since the Federal Reserve of St. Louis began tracking the index in 1989. In April alone, airfares spiked 18.6%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics .

Regardless of soaring prices, Americans aren't hesitating to break out their credit cards and book a trip. A recent Bank of America Institute survey showed spending at airlines and travel agencies is up a whopping 60% year-over-year. At the same time, as Americans continue to grapple with 40-year high inflation rates and resource-strapped airlines work to get more planes in the air, traveling on a budget seems to be nearly impossible.

Below, Select details the current state of airline prices and what consumers can do to find deals for their upcoming summer travels.

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Flight prices are leaving travelers frustrated

Since the beginning of the pandemic, many airlines have been drowning in debt and struggling to return to a state of profitability. Now, with travel restrictions easing across the world and higher operating costs to deal with (like higher jet fuel prices), airlines are salivating to serve travel-deprived consumers — and for a major profit.

As a result, ticket prices are near all-time highs at the moment. For starters, there are simply not enough seats to provide for how many people want to fly. Henry Harteveldt , travel industry analyst at Atmosphere Research Group , tells Select that while travel demand has come roaring back, seat capacity is still down 6% compared to pre-pandemic numbers. Additionally, consumers aren't the only ones facing high gas prices at the tank — the airlines are feeling it, too. According to IATA , the price of jet fuel has increased nearly 150% in the last year. Airlines are also facing the reality of not having enough pilots and flight attendants to run their flights, as well as higher labor costs. All of these forces have combined to create rising ticket prices. Harteveldt refers to this as, "market forces at work."

Desiree Anderson, 28, recently booked a round-trip flight from Los Angeles to Philadelphia and paid $685 for an economy ticket. She tells Select that in the past, that same ticket would cost roughly $320, expressing her frustration by saying, "for those prices, I should be able to fly internationally round-trip." Anderson iterates her frustration as an avid traveler, saying that because of skyrocketing flight prices and the rising cost of living, she's had to cut back on leisure travel and is only making trips for weddings she's a bridesmaid in.

Unfortunately, Harteveldt indicates these kinds of high ticket costs are expected to last throughout the summer as oil prices continue to climb. Luckily, there are several tools available to help you save money on your future travel plans.

How to save money on airline tickets

Two years after the pandemic's economic shockwaves, the airline industry is largely changing its pricing models, according to Harteveldt. Now, the 'rules' of finding affordable travel have changed. If you're hunting for affordable travel in the coming months, here's where you can get started.

Consider using a travel agent

Travel agents may feel like a relic of the past, but now it seems this underrated industry is experiencing a resurgence , largely due to countries quickly and constantly changing their Covid-19 travel restrictions. As a result, consumers are flocking to travel agents as a trusted and reliable source of verifiable information.

Aside from their many useful resources, travel agents can also help you save a decent amount of money by booking vacations packages. Harteveldt told Select he's seen discounts up to 10% off retail prices simply by booking through an agent, especially since "not all fares are publicly available."

Note that those with AAA or AARP memberships have complimentary travel agent access. If you happen to have a Costco membership, consider visiting the Costco Travel website for more deals.

Be flexible and plan ahead of time

Prior to the pandemic flexibility when booking travel was the key to saving money, but now, even more flexibility is needed. Consider traveling to an alternative airport for a cheaper fare. For example, if you're flying internationally, it could be worth driving or taking a train to a nearby airport to score a better price overall.

It might also be worth flying with a budget airline, especially as the U.S. now has six low-cost carriers: Spirit Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, Allegiant Air, Breeze Airways and Avelo Airlines. Note that these will be no-frills flights and you'll have to pay more for extras (including carry-on bags), but if you can fly with a small amount of luggage and sacrifice luxury for a few hours, you could potentially save hundreds of dollars.

If at all possible, consider putting off travel until the fall or winter months. Scott Keyes, founder of Scott's Cheap Flights , tells Select there are affordable flights readily available after Labor Day in the $400 round-trip range. He also recommends booking within the "Goldilocks windows" for best pricing, which for domestic travel means 1–3 months ahead and for international travel, 2–8 months ahead. With this ideal timing in mind, he urges those who wish to travel for Christmas or New Year's to begin booking flights now.

Domestic travel is surging, so consider traveling abroad

For those looking to save money, Keyes recommends pulling out your passports and heading overseas. Domestic travel is extremely popular right now, especially since there is still a mandate in place for American travelers to present negative Covid-19 test results before returning to the U.S. He says this is keeping Americans within the U.S., as they don't want to risk the possibility of testing positive and being stuck in a foreign country for an extended period of time.

This trend also happens to be keeping international travel down 20-40% compared to pre-pandemic levels, leaving a great opportunity to score affordable flights abroad. Keyes specifically recommends Europe as a place to travel for the best savings at the moment. Plus, the dollar to euro exchange rate is currently at it's most favorable point in years for U.S.-based travelers — meaning your dollars will go even further in Europe than they did in years past.

Redeem points and miles

Now is arguably one of the best times to use the points and miles you've earned by traveling or from having a trusty travel rewards credit card in your wallet. While award prices have also been on the rise lately, money staying in your wallet is always the best solution.

For example, I recently looked into booking two round-trip flights from Fort Lauderdale to Las Vegas for the Fourth of July. With Southwest Airlines, the retail price was showing as nearly $1,500, however I was able to pay just $22 out of pocket for both tickets. Here's how:

I applied for the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card when it had a welcome bonus that included the valuable Companion Pass + 30,000 miles ( offer no longer available) . After meeting the minimum-spending requirement of $1,000 within the first three months of card membership, I was able to transfer some of the Chase Ultimate Rewards® points I'd earned through my Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card to my Southwest account and have enough Rapid Rewards points to book one flight. From there, I used the Companion Pass for my partner's flight and spent a total of $22 in fees to redeem my points.

While this is just one example of how you can earn points and miles and fly for nearly free, there are plenty of other great travel rewards credit cards out there to help you offset skyrocketing flight prices, including the following options. Just the welcome bonus alone from these cards can get you over $750 in travel if you use your points right.

For instance, you can use the 75,000 points from the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card 's welcome bonus (after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of account opening) to book over $937.50 in travel through Chase Travel℠ (including airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises). Or you could transfer those points to British Airways to book flights on its Oneworld partners, American Airlines or Alaska Airlines, and book domestic U.S. flights. You could book three round-trip tickets on American Airlines from New York to San Francisco for 78,000 British Airways Avios points — but if you were to pay cash you'd pay over $2,000 during many dates this summer.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

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Citi Premier® Card

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4X Membership Rewards® points at Restaurants (plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.) and at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X), 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, 1X points on all other purchases

Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.

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Bottom line

Lately, everything has become dramatically more expensive when it comes to travel. From airline tickets to hotels and rental cars, there is nearly no escape from rising prices, but with the right strategy, there are ways to easily cut costs so you can still enjoy your summer vacation.

Most importantly, it's important to maintain a budget throughout your travels. While the idea of taking a trip is extremely enticing after more than two years of pandemic-related restrictions, it's always important to spend within your means, fill your emergency fund and invest for the future .

Catch up on Select's in-depth coverage of  personal finance ,  tech and tools ,  wellness  and more, and follow us on  Facebook ,  Instagram  and  Twitter  to stay up to date.

For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, click here .

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Flight tickets: buy or wait ?

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Because our airfare predictions were designed to check the price patterns of one airline at a time and this can only mean an increased accuracy prediction. While the other price comparison websites base their predictions on a general one-size-fits-all model, we customize our tool depending on the airline's flight price patterns. The number of flights may be a bit more limited, but this is a small price to pay for the high accuracy of predictions. We're all about cheap prices!

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Why do airlines change prices so often?

This is a great question. Airlines change ticket prices frequently depending on several factors, such as the flight's popularity, the season, school holidays, special events and above all, the balance between supply and demand of seats. Budget airlines usually start with default higher price and adjust airfares depending on current demand. AirHint wants to be one step ahead of these changes! Our team is dedicated to find ticket price patterns and predict price changes for many airlines around the world.

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Our cheapest flight deals page is regularly updated with best deals for all the popular routes.

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We do our best to earn your trust and respect. We provide statistical recommendations and there is a margin of error. Airlines, especially budget ones change ticket prices often, and sometimes no one can predict the exact behavior. So it is not possible to guarantee 100% accuracy. However, objective and informed hints are definitely possible and this is exactly what we offer. AirHint is your best chance to track and find deals and get the best price for your flight.

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Bangkok flights

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Istanbul flights

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Rome flights

• Flights from New York to Rome
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Manila flights

• Flights from Los Angeles to Manila
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• Flights from Ontario to Manila
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Orlando flights

• Flights from New York to Orlando
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• Flights from Detroit to Orlando
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• Flights from Houston to Orlando

How to find cheap flight deals with momondo

• How does momondo find such cheap airfare? momondo searches across hundreds of airlines and travel sites, from major booking sites to individual company sites, to give you as many cheap airfare options as possible. When you conduct a single search on momondo, you can find and compare cheap airline tickets like you’ve done hundreds of searches at once. momondo is completely free to use - with no hidden charges or fees - and the prices you see are never affected by your searches, no matter how many you make. We believe in an open world, where traveling and getting acquainted across borders and cultures is available to us all, so we’re committed to showing you the cheapest flights in our flight finder.
• How do I find the best price on plane tickets? Choose your destination and preferred travel dates, and we’ll provide you with an overview of the cheapest, quickest, and best flights so you can compare prices and book flights with confidence. Flexible on dates? It’s even easier to find cheap flights by using our Price Calendar (found above your search results), which shows you the cheapest travel dates. This is available on all of our most popular flight routes.
• How can Mix & Match save me money? Sometimes you can save money by combining flight tickets from different suppliers, and we call that Mix & Match. This means you can book your outbound flight with one supplier, and your return flight with another. If you can save money by combining tickets from different suppliers, we’ll automatically include this option in your flight results and label it Mix & Match. You’ll have to complete two separate booking flows after you select this deal on our site, but it’s worth it if you can save money over a traditional round-trip with one supplier. It’s an advanced way of getting the cheapest flights even if they’re offered by different suppliers.
• How do I make sure I don’t miss a flight deal? Sign up for Price Alerts on your favorite flight routes and automatically get live price updates, so you can book flights when the price is right. You can do so next to your flight search results or in the profile menu. If you're on our app, you will find Price Alerts in the navigation menu. You can also subscribe to special offers and limited-time flight deals from our partners. Just sign in, go to Notifications in your profile and subscribe to the topics you’re interested in.

Compare flights from 100s of sites.

Big names, great deals, filter for what you want, track prices, more than flights, search cheap flights by destination, find cheap flights.

Save money on airfare by searching for cheap flight tickets on KAYAK. KAYAK searches for flight deals on hundreds of airline tickets sites to help you find the cheapest flights. Whether you are looking for a last minute flight or a cheap plane ticket for a later date, you can find the best deals faster at KAYAK.

New York Flights

• Flight Fort Lauderdale - Newark (FLL - EWR) $33+
• Flight Atlanta - New York (ATL - LGA) $42+
• Flight Miami - Newark (MIA - EWR) $54+
• Flight Miami - New York (MIA - LGA) $55+
• Flight Chicago - New York (ORD - LGA) $59+
• Flight Dallas - New York (DFW - LGA) $60+
• Flight Fort Lauderdale - New York (FLL - LGA) $61+
• Flight Dallas - Newark (DFW - EWR) $66+
• Flight Tampa - Newark (TPA - EWR) $69+
• Flight Chicago - Newark (ORD - EWR) $78+
• Flight Orlando - Newark (MCO - EWR) $78+
• Flight Orlando - New York (MCO - LGA) $79+
• Flight Houston - New York (HOU - LGA) $90+
• Flight Chicago - New York (ORD - JFK) $95+
• Flight Fort Lauderdale - New York (FLL - JFK) $111+
• Flight Miami - New York (MIA - JFK) $115+
• Flight Dallas - New York (DFW - JFK) $159+
• Flight Los Angeles - New York (LAX - LGA) $163+
• Flight Los Angeles - Newark (LAX - EWR) $167+
• Flight San Francisco - New York (SFO - LGA) $187+
• Flight San Francisco - Newark (SFO - EWR) $246+
• Flight Seattle - New York (SEA - JFK) $259+
• Flight Los Angeles - New York (LAX - JFK) $263+
• Flight San Francisco - New York (SFO - JFK) $263+

Orlando Flights

• Flight Atlanta - Orlando (ATL - MCO) $40+
• Flight Baltimore - Orlando (BWI - MCO) $43+
• Flight Cleveland - Orlando (CLE - MCO) $52+
• Flight Houston - Orlando (HOU - MCO) $54+
• Flight Houston - Orlando (IAH - MCO) $54+
• Flight Detroit - Orlando (DTW - MCO) $58+
• Flight Dallas - Orlando (DFW - MCO) $65+

London Flights

• Flight New York - London (JFK - LGW) $306+
• Flight Boston - London (BOS - LHR) $323+
• Flight Newark - London (EWR - LHR) $327+
• Flight New Windsor - London (SWF - STN) $367+
• Flight New York - London (JFK - LHR) $378+
• Flight Boston - London (BOS - LGW) $389+
• Flight New York - London (JFK - LTN) $412+
• Flight New York - London (LGA - LHR) $427+
• Flight Atlanta - London (ATL - LHR) $439+

Fort Lauderdale Flights

• Flight Atlanta - Fort Lauderdale (ATL - FLL) $35+
• Flight Newark - Fort Lauderdale (EWR - FLL) $40+
• Flight Philadelphia - Fort Lauderdale (PHL - FLL) $40+
• Flight Raleigh - Fort Lauderdale (RDU - FLL) $43+
• Flight Atlantic City - Fort Lauderdale (ACY - FLL) $45+
• Flight Cleveland - Fort Lauderdale (CLE - FLL) $46+
• Flight Chicago - Fort Lauderdale (ORD - FLL) $50+

Boston Flights

• Flight Chicago - Boston (ORD - BOS) $50+
• Flight Newark - Boston (EWR - BOS) $51+
• Flight Baltimore - Boston (BWI - BOS) $61+
• Flight Charlotte - Boston (CLT - BOS) $62+
• Flight Raleigh - Boston (RDU - BOS) $63+
• Flight Philadelphia - Boston (PHL - BOS) $68+
• Flight Fort Lauderdale - Boston (FLL - BOS) $72+

India Flights

• Flight New York - Mumbai (JFK - BOM) $596+
• Flight Washington, D.C. - New Delhi (IAD - DEL) $631+
• Flight San Francisco - New Delhi (SFO - DEL) $678+
• Flight Chicago - New Delhi (ORD - DEL) $687+
• Flight New York - New Delhi (JFK - DEL) $697+
• Flight Dallas - New Delhi (DFW - DEL) $704+
• Flight New York - Ahmedabad (JFK - AMD) $717+

Japan Flights

• Flight Los Angeles - Tokyo (LAX - NRT) $567+
• Flight San Francisco - Tokyo (SFO - NRT) $628+
• Flight Dallas - Tokyo (DFW - NRT) $743+
• Flight Seattle - Tokyo (SEA - NRT) $756+
• Flight Chicago - Tokyo (ORD - NRT) $790+
• Flight Ontario - Tokyo (ONT - NRT) $806+
• Flight San Francisco - Tokyo (SFO - HND) $807+

Phoenix Flights

• Flight Ontario - Phoenix (ONT - PHX) $38+
• Flight San Diego - Phoenix (SAN - PHX) $51+
• Flight Salt Lake City - Phoenix (SLC - PHX) $53+
• Flight Dallas - Phoenix (DFW - PHX) $58+
• Flight San Francisco - Phoenix (SFO - PHX) $59+
• Flight Portland - Phoenix (PDX - PHX) $63+
• Flight Denver - Phoenix (DEN - PHX) $64+

Honolulu Flights

• Flight Los Angeles - Honolulu (LAX - HNL) $96+
• Flight San Francisco - Honolulu (SFO - HNL) $153+
• Flight San Diego - Honolulu (SAN - HNL) $197+
• Flight San Jose - Honolulu (SJC - HNL) $202+
• Flight Ontario - Honolulu (ONT - HNL) $236+
• Flight Seattle - Honolulu (SEA - HNL) $251+
• Flight Oakland - Honolulu (OAK - HNL) $267+

Los Angeles Flights

• Flight Oakland - Los Angeles (OAK - LAX) $39+
• Flight San Jose - Los Angeles (SJC - LAX) $48+
• Flight Phoenix - Los Angeles (PHX - LAX) $57+
• Flight San Francisco - Los Angeles (SFO - LAX) $59+
• Flight Seattle - Los Angeles (SEA - LAX) $61+
• Flight Portland - Los Angeles (PDX - LAX) $68+
• Flight Atlanta - Los Angeles (ATL - LAX) $79+
• Flight Denver - Los Angeles (DEN - LAX) $83+
• Flight Baltimore - Los Angeles (BWI - LAX) $87+

Chicago Flights

• Flight Atlanta - Chicago (ATL - MDW) $37+
• Flight Boston - Chicago (BOS - ORD) $40+
• Flight Dallas - Chicago (DFW - ORD) $51+
• Flight Atlanta - Chicago (ATL - ORD) $53+
• Flight Dallas - Chicago (DFW - MDW) $55+
• Flight New York - Chicago (LGA - ORD) $59+
• Flight Fort Lauderdale - Chicago (FLL - ORD) $60+

Denver Flights

• Flight Ontario - Denver (ONT - DEN) $53+
• Flight Atlanta - Denver (ATL - DEN) $60+
• Flight Chicago - Denver (ORD - DEN) $65+
• Flight Baltimore - Denver (BWI - DEN) $66+
• Flight Houston - Denver (HOU - DEN) $66+
• Flight Houston - Denver (IAH - DEN) $66+
• Flight Los Angeles - Denver (LAX - DEN) $67+

Washington, D.C. Flights

• Flight Atlanta - Baltimore (ATL - BWI) $54+
• Flight Tampa - Baltimore (TPA - BWI) $55+
• Flight Orlando - Baltimore (MCO - BWI) $56+
• Flight Boston - Baltimore (BOS - BWI) $61+
• Flight Dallas - Baltimore (DFW - BWI) $66+
• Flight Los Angeles - Baltimore (LAX - BWI) $84+
• Flight Chicago - Baltimore (ORD - BWI) $95+
• Flight Houston - Baltimore (HOU - BWI) $114+
• Flight Atlanta - Washington, D.C. (ATL - IAD) $115+
• Flight Chicago - Washington, D.C. (ORD - IAD) $115+
• Flight Miami - Washington, D.C. (MIA - DCA) $127+
• Flight Boston - Washington, D.C. (BOS - DCA) $133+
• Flight Atlanta - Washington, D.C. (ATL - DCA) $137+
• Flight Boston - Washington, D.C. (BOS - IAD) $139+
• Flight Dallas - Washington, D.C. (DFW - DCA) $143+
• Flight Chicago - Washington, D.C. (ORD - DCA) $174+
• Flight San Francisco - Baltimore (SFO - BWI) $181+
• Flight Los Angeles - Washington, D.C. (LAX - DCA) $182+
• Flight San Francisco - Washington, D.C. (SFO - DCA) $188+
• Flight Los Angeles - Washington, D.C. (LAX - IAD) $197+
• Flight Seattle - Washington, D.C. (SEA - DCA) $203+
• Flight Dallas - Washington, D.C. (DFW - IAD) $208+
• Flight Seattle - Washington, D.C. (SEA - IAD) $274+
• Flight San Francisco - Washington, D.C. (SFO - IAD) $297+

Atlanta Flights

• Flight Chicago - Atlanta (MDW - ATL) $37+
• Flight Fort Lauderdale - Atlanta (FLL - ATL) $39+
• Flight Philadelphia - Atlanta (PHL - ATL) $41+
• Flight New York - Atlanta (LGA - ATL) $42+
• Flight Baltimore - Atlanta (BWI - ATL) $43+
• Flight Detroit - Atlanta (DTW - ATL) $46+
• Flight Chicago - Atlanta (ORD - ATL) $47+

United States Flights

• Flight Newark - Miami (EWR - MIA) $40+
• Flight Los Angeles - Seattle (LAX - SEA) $53+
• Flight New York - Dallas (LGA - DFW) $60+
• Flight Dallas - New York (DFW - LGA) $66+
• Flight Dallas - Newark (DFW - EWR) $68+

Hawaii Flights

• Flight Los Angeles - Hawaii (LAX - USHI) $96+
• Flight San Francisco - Hawaii (SFO - USHI) $151+
• Flight San Diego - Hawaii (SAN - USHI) $197+
• Flight San Jose - Hawaii (SJC - USHI) $202+
• Flight Seattle - Hawaii (SEA - USHI) $211+
• Flight Ontario - Hawaii (ONT - USHI) $236+
• Flight Salt Lake City - Hawaii (SLC - USHI) $300+

Tampa Flights

• Flight Atlanta - Tampa (ATL - TPA) $44+
• Flight Cincinnati - Tampa (CVG - TPA) $48+
• Flight Raleigh - Tampa (RDU - TPA) $55+
• Flight Baltimore - Tampa (BWI - TPA) $56+
• Flight Newark - Tampa (EWR - TPA) $67+
• Flight Philadelphia - Tampa (PHL - TPA) $67+
• Flight Richmond - Tampa (RIC - TPA) $75+

Houston Flights

• Flight Atlanta - Houston (ATL - IAH) $50+
• Flight Orlando - Houston (MCO - IAH) $57+
• Flight Chicago - Houston (ORD - IAH) $60+
• Flight Dallas - Houston (DFW - IAH) $63+
• Flight Newark - Houston (EWR - IAH) $71+
• Flight Detroit - Houston (DTW - IAH) $78+
• Flight Fort Lauderdale - Houston (FLL - IAH) $78+

Las Vegas Flights

• Flight Burbank - Las Vegas (BUR - LAS) $25+
• Flight Los Angeles - Las Vegas (LAX - LAS) $34+
• Flight San Francisco - Las Vegas (SFO - LAS) $38+
• Flight Oakland - Las Vegas (OAK - LAS) $42+
• Flight Seattle - Las Vegas (SEA - LAS) $50+
• Flight Fort Lauderdale - Las Vegas (FLL - LAS) $67+
• Flight Dallas - Las Vegas (DFW - LAS) $69+
• Flight Detroit - Las Vegas (DTW - LAS) $69+
• Flight Santa Ana - Las Vegas (SNA - LAS) $69+
• Flight Houston - Las Vegas (HOU - LAS) $72+
• Flight Houston - Las Vegas (IAH - LAS) $72+
• Flight Chicago - Las Vegas (ORD - LAS) $77+
• Flight Denver - Las Vegas (DEN - LAS) $96+
• Flight Atlanta - Las Vegas (ATL - LAS) $99+

Miami Flights

• Flight Philadelphia - Miami (PHL - MIA) $40+
• Flight Atlanta - Miami (ATL - MIA) $50+
• Flight Detroit - Miami (DTW - MIA) $50+
• Flight Baltimore - Miami (BWI - MIA) $51+
• Flight Chicago - Miami (ORD - MIA) $53+
• Flight Dallas - Miami (DFW - MIA) $53+
• Flight Charlotte - Miami (CLT - MIA) $55+
• Flight Boston - Miami (BOS - MIA) $63+
• Flight Houston - Miami (HOU - MIA) $70+
• Flight Houston - Miami (IAH - MIA) $70+
• Flight New York - Miami (LGA - MIA) $73+
• Flight Raleigh - Miami (RDU - MIA) $97+
• Flight New York - Miami (JFK - MIA) $117+
• Flight Denver - Miami (DEN - MIA) $123+
• Flight Washington, D.C. - Miami (DCA - MIA) $127+
• Flight Washington, D.C. - Miami (IAD - MIA) $127+
• Flight Minneapolis - Miami (MSP - MIA) $142+
• Flight Los Angeles - Miami (LAX - MIA) $147+
• Flight Las Vegas - Miami (LAS - MIA) $148+
• Flight Ontario - Miami (ONT - MIA) $158+
• Flight Austin - Miami (AUS - MIA) $171+

San Francisco Flights

• Flight Ontario - San Francisco (ONT - SFO) $43+
• Flight Chicago - San Francisco (MDW - SFO) $55+
• Flight Los Angeles - San Francisco (LAX - SFO) $59+
• Flight Phoenix - San Francisco (PHX - SFO) $68+
• Flight San Diego - San Francisco (SAN - SFO) $72+
• Flight Portland - San Francisco (PDX - SFO) $88+
• Flight Denver - San Francisco (DEN - SFO) $113+
• Flight Dallas - San Francisco (DFW - SFO) $129+
• Flight Atlanta - San Francisco (ATL - SFO) $138+
• Flight Seattle - San Francisco (SEA - SFO) $145+
• Flight Chicago - San Francisco (ORD - SFO) $156+
• Flight Houston - San Francisco (HOU - SFO) $157+
• Flight Baltimore - San Francisco (BWI - SFO) $166+
• Flight Washington, D.C. - San Francisco (DCA - SFO) $170+

Seattle Flights

• Flight Denver - Seattle (DEN - SEA) $76+
• Flight Ontario - Seattle (ONT - SEA) $81+
• Flight Phoenix - Seattle (PHX - SEA) $81+
• Flight San Diego - Seattle (SAN - SEA) $90+
• Flight Burbank - Seattle (BUR - SEA) $97+
• Flight Chicago - Seattle (ORD - SEA) $97+

Paris Flights

• Flight Los Angeles - Paris (LAX - CDG) $286+
• Flight New Windsor - Paris (SWF - CDG) $311+
• Flight Baltimore - Paris (BWI - CDG) $322+
• Flight Washington, D.C. - Paris (IAD - CDG) $323+
• Flight Boston - Paris (BOS - CDG) $324+
• Flight New York - Paris (JFK - CDG) $341+
• Flight Boston - Paris (BOS - ORY) $345+

Europe Flights

• Flight New York - Barcelona (JFK - BCN) $205+
• Flight New York - Athens (JFK - ATH) $255+
• Flight Miami - Madrid (MIA - MAD) $283+
• Flight New York - Rome (JFK - FCO) $285+

Florida Flights

• Flight Baltimore - Florida (BWI - USFL) $38+
• Flight Newark - Florida (EWR - USFL) $40+
• Flight Atlanta - Florida (ATL - USFL) $50+
• Flight Chicago - Florida (ORD - USFL) $50+
• Flight Dallas - Florida (DFW - USFL) $52+
• Flight Boston - Florida (BOS - USFL) $61+
• Flight New York - Florida (LGA - USFL) $62+

Dallas Flights

• Flight Fort Lauderdale - Dallas (FLL - DFW) $33+
• Flight Miami - Dallas (MIA - DFW) $40+
• Flight Atlanta - Dallas (ATL - DFW) $55+
• Flight Chicago - Dallas (ORD - DFW) $58+
• Flight Baltimore - Dallas (BWI - DFW) $61+
• Flight Philadelphia - Dallas (PHL - DFW) $69+

San Diego Flights

• Flight Oakland - San Diego (OAK - SAN) $50+
• Flight San Jose - San Diego (SJC - SAN) $50+
• Flight Houston - San Diego (HOU - SAN) $60+
• Flight Houston - San Diego (IAH - SAN) $60+
• Flight Phoenix - San Diego (PHX - SAN) $71+
• Flight San Francisco - San Diego (SFO - SAN) $73+
• Flight Denver - San Diego (DEN - SAN) $81+

Frequently asked questions

What do i need to know before booking a flight.

There are various factors to consider when booking a flight including cost, fare classes, baggage policies, the complications of flying long haul, and complying with airport regulations. To make your booking journey smoother KAYAK has developed a comprehensive flight guide including insights on finding affordable flights, packing efficiently, and utilizing the best travel tools.

What is the cheapest day of the week to book a flight?

The best day to book your flight depends on a number of factors, but there are general trends that you can follow to increase your chances of cheaper plane tickets. Based on an analysis of KAYAK data for all flights departing from inside United States over the last 12 months, the cheapest day to fly for domestic flights is Wednesday. For international flights, Tuesday had the cheapest tickets on average.

Which month of the year are flight prices lowest?

It’s well established that flights in the low season are generally cheaper than ticket prices during the high season. That means that knowing which month to find the lowest priced plane tickets will depend heavily on seasonality and your destination. While avoiding peak travel times can help you keep costs down, our data shows that the month with the lowest priced plane tickets for domestic flights based on all searches made on KAYAK in the last 12 months was January, while the most expensive was June. If you’re booking an international flight, then January is the cheapest month to fly and June the most expensive.

When is the best time to buy plane tickets - Last minute or in advance?

Last minute flight deals are definitely up for grabs but when exactly to purchase your plane tickets will depend on where you’re traveling to and from. Based on all data for flight searches made on KAYAK over the last 12 months, prices for domestic flights remained below the average price up to 1 weeks before departure. For international flights, deals could still be had up to 1 weeks prior to the departure date, with prices remaining below average. If you’re flexible, KAYAK brings you both advance and last minute one-way and round-trip flight deals.

Can flying international flights with a layover save money on airfare?

For many long-haul international flights, flying non-stop is not possible and you will have to fly with a layover. Some routes will offer both and you could consider flying with a layover for a number of reasons. Firstly, breaking up what would otherwise be a long-haul flight, taking a rest and then completing the journey might make the flight more manageable. Secondly, prices can also be lower than non-stop flights, so while it might take longer for you to reach your destination, you could save money. We’ve looked at prices over the last 12 months for the 100 most popular international destinations for KAYAK users and on average, prices for non-stop flights were cheaper than flights with a layover.

How does KAYAK find such low flight prices?

KAYAK processes over 2 billion flight queries annually and displays results from hundreds of airlines and third party sites, allowing it to find a variety of flight prices and options. It also displays results from 2M+ properties along with rental cars, vacation packages, activities and millions of verified reviews so users can see as many available travel options as possible.

How do I find the best flight deals on KAYAK?

A simple flight search at https://www.kayak.com/flights scans for prices on hundreds of travel sites in seconds. We gather flight deals from across the web and put them in one place. Then on the search results page you can use various filters to compare options for the same flight and easily choose the best flight deal from all of the deals coming straight from the travel sites to your screen, with no extra fee from KAYAK.

How can Hacker Fares save me money?

Hacker Fares allow you to combine one-way tickets on different airlines when it can save you money over a traditional round-trip ticket.

Does KAYAK query more flight providers than competitors?

Yes, KAYAK has access to more data and information than online travel agencies and consistently outperforms the competition in accuracy, globally.

How does KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy?

KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a given destination and date is likely to change within 7 days, so travelers know whether to wait or book now.

What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care?

Sometimes travel dates aren't set in stone. If your preferred travel dates have some wiggle room, flexible dates will show you flights up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. That way, you can see if leaving a day or two earlier will find you a better deal. You can also select the flexible "weekend" or "month" search options to widen your search range and find the cheapest price that works for you.

Search cheap flights with KAYAK. Search for the cheapest airline tickets for all the top airlines around the world, airports around the world and the top international flight routes . KAYAK searches hundreds of travel sites to help you find cheap airfare and book a flight that suits you best. Since KAYAK searches many plane tickets sites at once, you can find cheap tickets from cheap airlines and for trains and buses quickly.

KAYAK also helps you find the right hotels for your needs.

Flight Time Calculator

Flying time between cities.

Travelmath provides an online flight time calculator for all types of travel routes. You can enter airports, cities, states, countries, or zip codes to find the flying time between any two points. The database uses the great circle distance and the average airspeed of a commercial airliner to figure out how long a typical flight would take. Find your travel time to estimate the length of a flight between airports, or ask how long it takes to fly from one city to another.

You can also search for the closest airport to any city in the world or check the flying distance between airports. If you're thinking about a road trip, compare the driving time for the same route.

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Summer travel season is heating up and that can lead to fluctuating airfare prices

Travelers queue up at a United Airlines ticket counter in Denver International Airport, Thursday, July 13, 2023, in Denver.(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

The summer travel season is heating up, but airfares to select destinations from Anchorage are cooling off.

There are several reasons why fares could go down in the middle of peak season, but there’s one overriding consideration: competition. Fares are going down only in those markets where there is more than one airline serving the market.

Airfares change all the time. For example: last week there was great fare between Anchorage and Seattle for $128 one-way for travel through mid-September. The fare was due to expire on Friday, June 7. Will the sale be extended? Maybe ... maybe not. It’s worth checking at Delta.com .

Fares to specific parts of the U.S. and Hawaii are dropping, but they can change at any time. Here are some favorites:

Anchorage-San Francisco. Both Alaska Air and United fly nonstop through the summer, but Alaska Air has better prices: $167 one-way between Aug. 20 and Sept. 30. The nonstop flights to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) are much less than tickets to other airports in the Bay Area such as San Jose and Oakland.

Anchorage-Los Angeles (LAX). Again, the nonstop flights are the cheapest. Alaska Air flies each day and the best prices are for travel between Aug. 20 and Nov. 18: $177 each way. Flights to suburban airports like Ontario, Burbank or Long Beach cost more than $200 each way.

Anchorage-Denver. Both Alaska Air and United fly nonstop from Anchorage to the Mile High City. But Alaska’s nonstop only operates through Sept. 15. The best prices ($187 one-way) are available from Aug. 20 to Nov. 19. So if you want to fly nonstop this fall, United is the way to go.

Anchorage-Dallas. American Airlines has the only nonstop from Anchorage to Dallas. They charge a little bit more for it. If you don’t mind stopping along the way, both United and Delta offer rates as low as $418 roundtrip, starting July 22. American charges more: $480 roundtrip, between Aug. 19 and Aug. 29. After that, the fares go up. Then, they come down again to $480 roundtrip starting Oct. 2, through Dec. 18.

American charges much more for a one-way Anchorage-Dallas flight: $350.

Anchorage-Minneapolis. Alaska, Delta and Sun Country all fly nonstop between Anchorage and Minneapolis. But Sun Country is cheaper every day. That’s because they charge a cheap fare and make sure you pay extra for everything, including a regular-size carry-on rolling suitcase. One-way fares from Anchorage start at $177, between June 16 and Sept. 7. Return flights on Sun Country are cheaper in the fall: $121 one-way between Aug. 15 and Sept. 7. Before that, one-way rates are $179. Delta and Alaska are at least $50 more roundtrip.

Anchorage-Chicago. United and Alaska fly nonstop from Anchorage to O’Hare International Airport. American Air also flies the route in the summer, but their rates are not competitive (translated: more expensive). Both Alaska and United offer one-way tickets for as little as $195, between June 27 and Oct. 26.

Anchorage-Detroit. Delta just dropped the price of tickets from Anchorage to Detroit to $199 one-way. Unfortunately, it does not apply to its seasonal nonstop, which ends on Sept. 8. The next day, on Sept. 9, is the first date available at the lower rate (via Seattle).

Anchorage-New York. Two airlines fly nonstop from Anchorage to New York. United flies to Newark and Alaska Air flies to JFK. There does not appear to be a particular pricing advantage to hopping aboard a nonstop flight versus connecting service. But I prefer a nonstop.

Alaska Air charges between $275 and $289 one-way between June 20 and July 18. The nonstop flight is the longest in Alaska’s system.

United charges $285 one-way nonstop from Anchorage to Newark between June 27 and Aug. 29.

Anchorage-Copenhagen. Prices for travel to Europe in the fall are starting to come down. Fly Delta between Anchorage and Copenhagen for $491-531 roundtrip between Aug. 14 and Oct. 15.

Anchorage-Dublin. Fly United from Anchorage to Dublin for $490-$516 roundtrip between Oct. 16 and Dec. 18.

Anchorage-Frankfurt. Condor is flying three times a week from Anchorage to Frankfurt. Prices in economy have slipped to $610-$670 roundtrip between now and July 2. Later in the summer, between July 30 and Sept. 12, fly from $600-$660 roundtrip. Check the Premium Economy prices, too. Between Aug. 20-27, premium seats are priced $429-$479 each way.

Anchorage-Honolulu. Sometimes you have to break a fare at an intermediate gateway like Honolulu to get a good rate. Fly on Alaska Air’s nonstop for $187 one-way between July 7 and Nov. 18.

Combine the Honolulu ticket with another ticket to save money to Australia.

Honolulu-Sydney/Melbourne. Outbound tickets from Honolulu to either Melbourne or Sydney on Jetstar cost between $109-$150 one-way for travel July 26-Sept. 23. That doesn’t include Jetstar’s multitude of extra fees for luggage, meals and pre-assigned seats. Return seats back to Hawaii start at $205 one-way.

The advantage of traveling via Hawaii is that you get to visit the islands on your way across the Pacific. But the disadvantage is you must pay for accommodations for your overnight layover. That may wipe out any cost savings, unless you really want to visit Hawaii on the way ... and on the way back.

Remember: Almost all the fares listed here are Basic Economy or Saver tickets. That means you’ll probably get a middle seat on the plane and fewer frequent flyer miles (if any at all). But when Saver tickets go down, the prices for premium seats on the same flight also are reduced.

Sources: AlaskaAir.com , Delta.com , United.com ‚ Google’s ITA Matrix site , Google Flights.

Scott McMurren

Scott McMurren is an Anchorage-based marketing consultant, serving clients in the transportation, hospitality, media and specialty destination sectors, among others. Contact him by email at [email protected]. Subscribe to his e-newsletter at alaskatravelgram.com. For more information, visit alaskatravelgram.com/about.

Protect Your Trip »

What to do if your flight is canceled.

Follow these steps in the event your flight is canceled.

Flight Canceled or Delayed? What to Do

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Key Takeaways

• Airlines will soon be required to automatically refund travelers for canceled flights.
• You will be eligible for a refund if your domestic flight is delayed by more than three hours, or if your international flight delay exceeds six hours.
• Using the airline's app or calling an international airline number is often the quickest way to rebook a flight.
• The DOT Cancellation and Delay Dashboard shows what each major domestic airline will or will not provide in the event of a cancellation or delay currently.

In April 2024, the Department of Transportation announced a new series of protections for air travelers , including automatic refunds for canceled flights and, in some cases, flight delays. Airlines in the U.S. have six months until they will be expected to start implementing the new rule.

If your flight has been canceled or delayed, read on for step-by-step instructions on how to rearrange your travel plans and whether or not you are eligible for a refund at this time.

What to do if your flight is canceled

1. get on the airline's app – or make an international call.

First, pull up the airline's app on your phone. Most airline apps allow you to easily rebook your flight for free, provided you can supply your six-character reservation code. Getting in line to speak with an agent and calling the airline while you wait is also a good idea (albeit slower than using an app), and social media messaging, texting or WhatsApp may prove helpful. "During times of mass travel disruption, you should try all different avenues for getting help," says Nick Ewen, director of content at The Points Guy.

Ewen also recommends a lesser-known tactic: calling the airline's international numbers. Airlines have offices in Canada, Mexico, the U.K. and more. "While it can be costly, you can often get through to an agent more quickly," Ewen says.

Note that, depending on why your flight was canceled, finding seats on a new flight may alter your travel plans considerably.

2. Book a hotel

Next, determine if you need overnight accommodations. "If you were originally booked on the last flight of the night and there are no other options, grab a hotel room near the airport before they're all taken," Ewen advises.

3. Ask for a refund

If the airline cancels your flight and you're forced to change your travel plans, you are entitled to a cash refund per federal law . Unfortunately, getting a refund can be a lengthy and frustrating process. Most airlines will instead offer a credit for future travel, but before you accept, note that travel credits can come with restrictions, such as blackout dates

Soon, airlines will be expected to issue refunds within seven business days — either in cash or on the credit card you used to book your flight — if you turn down a travel credit.

4. Reference the DOT Cancellation and Delay Dashboard

While you're entitled to a full refund, other flight cancellation policies may vary by airline. Go to the DOT's Cancellation and Delay Dashboard to see what each major airline will and will not offer in the event of a controllable cancellation.

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What to do if your flight is delayed

Currently, airlines are not legally obligated to give you a refund for a flight delay unless the DOT determines the delay to be "significant," a term that's defined on a case-by-case basis.

The DOT's new rule defines "significant changes" for the first time, and when it goes into effect later this year, you will be eligible for a refund in the following scenarios:

• Departure or arrival times for domestic flights exceed three hours
• Departure or arrival times for international flights exceed six hours
• There's an increase in the number of connections
• Departures or arrivals take place at a different airport than the one(s) you booked
• You're downgraded to a lower flight class than the one you booked
• You have a disability and your connections are at different airports and/or on different flights that are less accessible

Research other flights

Investigate what other flights on that airline are headed to your destination and ask an agent if they can get you on one of them (without charging change fees). Also be sure to look into what's available on other airlines: If your original airline doesn't have any flights available on your departure date, an agent may be able to book you on a flight with a different carrier at no additional cost to you. Note, however, that airlines are not legally required to do this.

Inquire about other compensation

If you've been stranded at the airport for several hours, check in with an agent and reference the Commitments for Controllable Delays section on the DOT's Cancellation and Delay Dashboard – regardless of whether you're able to get on another flight. Some airlines may provide amenities such as vouchers for meals or overnight accommodations.

Frequently Asked Questions

"The main causes for flight disruptions are bad weather, understaffed air traffic control, and factors within the airline’s control,"  says Katy Nastro, a spokesperson at Going.com, formerly Scott's Cheap Flights. She explains the following:

• Weather:  This is outside of the airline's control and is the single biggest reason for why we see flight disruptions. We saw this play out over the winter holidays in 2022, and even to some extent during the 2023 holiday season. Even if the weather is accurately predicted, it cannot be controlled, which means at times flight disruptions are unavoidable.
• Understaffed air traffic control:  The U.S. air travel industry has made strides in pilot hiring year over year, but when it comes to air traffic control, we are still down roughly 1,000 fewer air traffic controllers from a decade ago. New York metro area airports specifically have felt the brunt of this deficit, so much so that airlines were permitted to reduce schedules without penalty from the summer until the end of Q4 in 2023. At its lowest, the decrease in flights in the New York metro area resulted in about 11% fewer flights per day. With less trained staff, current air traffic controllers are stretched to the limit, and schedule reductions only temporarily solve this problem. Even with aggressive hiring efforts, training takes time and will not be a quick fix.

The TSA saw some of its busiest travel days on record in May and June 2024, which means this summer could be the busiest season for air travel in history.

It's almost impossible to avoid canceled or delayed flights these days. But there are a few things you can do when booking flights to lessen your chances for travel disruptions.

Keep tabs on your aircraft: On your departure date, check your flight information before heading to the airport. You can keep a watchful eye on the flight's status – including the aircraft scheduled to operate your flight – using the airline's app or a third-party app such as FlightAware Flight Tracker (which also offers a website ), FlightRadar24 or TripIt Pro.

"As an example, if you're flying from Orlando to New York, and your plane is flying in from Chicago, the initial flight from Chicago to Orlando might be delayed (or canceled) before yours is," Ewen explains. "Airlines will try to find replacement aircraft in that case, but if you can identify a potential cancellation before it officially happens, you may be able to get rebooked ahead of the other 100-plus passengers on your flight."

Consider an alternate airport: When booking your flight, you may consider flying out of a different airport than the one you typically depart from. For example, a small regional airport with limited routes may mean less travel delays and hassle overall – or it may be worth driving further to another international airport for a nonstop flight to your destination rather than opting for a connecting flight close to home.

Fly in the morning: While flight disruptions are unpredictable, historically fewer cancellations and delays occur in the morning.

Avoid weekend travel: Fly on off-peak days like Tuesday or Wednesday. You'll often find cheaper flights on these days, too.

Opt for longer layovers: If you need to take more than one flight to reach your destination, book a flight with a longer layover to provide enough time to make your connecting flight. Keep in mind that at some airports you may need to go through security or customs for your connection. For longer journeys, you can reduce the risk of missing connecting flights by planning a city stopover. For example, Icelandair offers Iceland stopovers for no additional airfare.

Consider a credit card with travel protections: You don't need to be a frequent traveler to take advantage of credit card travel protections and perks. Here are a couple options to consider:

• Chase Sapphire Preferred :  This travel credit card ($95 annually) provides coverage for delays and cancellations when used to book flights. It also provides other travel protections such as delayed baggage coverage. "Even someone who travels just once or twice a year can still get phenomenal value from this card," Ewen says.
• American Express Platinum Card :  This card ($695 annually) offers travel insurance that reimburses some nonrefundable expenses like hotel accommodations, meals and other essentials as long as the trip was purchased using the card.

When choosing a travel credit card, you should also pay attention to other benefits. Even the most basic airline credit cards can offer travel perks like discounts on in-flight purchases and waived baggage fees, while premium travel credit cards (which require a higher annual fee) can include access to an airport lounge with food, drinks and Wi-Fi. Some also provide a concierge service to rebook flights or built-in trip insurance to cover unforeseen expenses.

Purchase travel insurance: If your credit card doesn't include travel protections, consider purchasing insurance with flight coverages – even a cheap travel policy can help protect your investment. Covered reasons include a travel carrier delay and loss or theft of travel documents, among other scenarios. If you're interested in purchasing a policy, you can browse the best travel insurance companies here .

Talk to a travel advisor: "Booking directly with your travel advisor provides more leverage and support if something goes wrong," explains Jessica Parker, founder of Trip Whisperer . "We can advocate for a better outcome should there be cancellations or hiccups in the itinerary."

Charlotte French, owner of Cavatica Luxury Travel , agrees, sharing this recent example: "My clients were booked on a nonstop United Flight from Tokyo (HND) to EWR (Newark) in business class, when it was canceled (due to technical issues). The clients were waiting in line to find other options for their return flight home; however, these were very limited. In parallel, I was able to speak to the United Airlines corporate desk (as a travel advisor) and was able to secure them in business class on a flight out of Tokyo the same day."

Avoid checking luggage: Travelers who only travel with a carry-on bag and/or personal item (such as a backpack or purse) that meet carry-on size restrictions will have the most flexibility in rebooking – and will also avoid the chance of lost luggage, another common issue. Some carriers will try to move checked luggage to a later flight for you and will make every effort to keep you and your belongings together. However, when airlines don't have interline agreements with other carriers, you'll have to allow enough time to retrieve and recheck your own luggage.

You might also be interested in:

• The Top Luggage Trackers
• Is a Travel Agent Worth It? The Pros and Cons
• Can I Use My Own Airplane Seatbelt Extender?
• How to Get Airport Wheelchair Assistance
• The Top Cheap Weekend Getaways

Top All-Inclusive Resorts in the U.S.

Tags: Travel , Travel Tips

World's Best Places To Visit

• # 1 South Island, New Zealand
• # 4 Bora Bora

If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content.

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14 best travel credit cards of June 2024

The best travel credit cards offer an array of premium perks and benefits . For both occasional travelers and frequent flyers, adding a travel credit card to your wallet is a great way to earn rewards and save money on every trip you take. At The Points Guy, our team has done the legwork and curated a selection of the best travel credit cards for any globe-trotter, whether you prefer to backpack through mountains or settle into a luxury villa for some relaxation. From generous travel credits to premium lounge access, we’ve chosen the cards packed with the best benefits to elevate your next travel experience.

Check out our list below and discover which travel credit card from our partners makes the best addition to your wallet for all of your adventures.

• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card : Best for earning miles
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card : Best for premium travel
• Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card : Best for maximizing business purchases
• The Platinum Card® from American Express : Best for lounge access
• American Express® Gold Card : Best for dining at restaurants
• Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card : Best for no annual fee
• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express : Best for business travel
• Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card : Best for unlimited point earning
• Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card : Best for variety of bonus categories
• American Express® Business Gold Card : Best for flexible rewards earning
• Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card : Best for travel rewards beginners
• Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card : Best for Alaska Airlines miles

Browse by card categories

Comparing the best credit cards, more details on the best credit cards, credit pointers with brian kelly, what is a travel credit card, helpful tools, how we rate cards, how to maximize travel credit cards, how to choose the best travel credit card, ask our experts, pros + cons of travel credit cards, frequently asked questions.

• Airport Lounge Access

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

When it comes to simplicity and strong rewards, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a solid choice for most travelers. You’ll earn earns 2 miles per dollar on every purchase with no bonus categories to memorize, making it an ideal card for those with busy lives. Read our full review of the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card .

• This flexible rewards card delivers a solid sign-up bonus of 75,000 miles, worth $1,388 based on TPG valuations and not provided by the issuer.
• You'll earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, which means you won't have to worry about memorizing bonus categories.
• Rewards earned are versatile as they can be redeemed for any hotel or airline purchase for a statement credit or transferred to 15+ travel partners.
• Highest bonus-earning categories only on travel booked via Capital One Travel
• Capital One airline partners do not include any large U.S. airlines.
• Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
• Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
• Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
• Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
• Enrich every hotel stay from the Lifestyle Collection with a suite of cardholder benefits, like a $50 experience credit, room upgrades, and more
• Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

If you can maximize the  $300 credit toward Capital One Travel, the Venture X’s annual fee effectively comes down to $95, the same annual fee pegged to the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card (see rates and fees ). Add in a 10,000-mile bonus every account anniversary (worth $185, according to TPG valuations ) and lounge access, and the card may become the strongest option out there for a lot of travelers. Read our full  review of the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card .

• 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
• 10,000 bonus miles every account anniversary
• $395 annual fee
• $300 credit annually, only applicable for bookings made through Capital One Travel portal
• Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
• Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
• Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
• Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
• Elevate every hotel stay from the Premier or Lifestyle Collections with a suite of cardholder benefits, like an experience credit, room upgrades, and more

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

The Ink Business Preferred Credit Card’s sign-up bonus is among the highest we’ve seen from Chase. Plus earn points across the four bonus categories (travel, shipping, advertising and telecommunication providers) that are most popular with businesses. The card comes with travel protections, shopping protections and will also have primary coverage when renting a car for business purposes for you and your employees. Read our full  review of the Ink Business Preferred Credit Card .

• One of the highest sign-up bonuses we’ve seen — 100,000 bonus points after $8,000 worth of spend in the first three months after card opening.
• Access to the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal for points redemption.
• Reasonable $95 annual fee.
• Bonus categories that are most relevant to business owners; primary car insurance.
• Perks including cellphone and purchase protection; extended warranty; trip cancellation/interruption insurance; trip delay reimbursement.
• Yearly cap on bonus categories.
• No travel perks.
• Subject to Chase's 5/24 rule on card applications.
• Earn 100k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,000 cash back or $1,250 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠
• Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
• Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
• With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
• Redeem points for cash back, gift cards, travel and more - your points don't expire as long as your account is open
• Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase Travel℠
• Purchase Protection covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
• Member FDIC

The Platinum Card® from American Express

The Amex Platinum is unmatched when it comes to travel perks and benefits. If lounge access, hotel elite status and annual statement credits are important to you, this card is well worth the high annual fee. Read our full  review of the Platinum Card from American Express .

• The current welcome offer on this card is quite lucrative. TPG values it at $1,600.
• This card comes with a long list of benefits, including access to Centurion Lounges, complimentary elite status with Hilton and Marriott, and more than $1,400 in assorted annual statement credits and so much more. (enrollment required)
• The Amex Platinum comes with access to a premium concierge service that can help you with everything from booking hard-to-get reservations to finding destination guides to help you plan out your next getaway.
• The $695 annual fee is only worth it if you’re taking full advantage of the card’s benefits. Seldom travelers may not get enough value to warrant the cost.
• Outside of the current welcome bonus, you’re only earning bonus rewards on specific airfare and hotel purchases, so it’s not a great card for other spending categories.
• The annual airline fee credit and other monthly statement credits can be complicated to take advantage of compared to the broader travel credits offered by competing premium cards.
• Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
• Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
• $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
• The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
• $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Terms Apply.
• $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
• Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 year period for TSA PreCheck® application fee for a 5-year plan only (through a TSA PreCheck® official enrollment provider), when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
• Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
• $695 annual fee.
• Terms Apply.
• See Rates & Fees

American Express® Gold Card

This isn’t just a card that’s nice to look at. It packs a real punch, offering 4 points per dollar on dining at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar). There’s also an up to $120 annual dining credit at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com ,  Milk Bar, and select Shake Shack locations, plus it added an up to $120 annually ($10 per month) in Uber Cash, which can be used on Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S. All this make it a very strong contender for all food purchases, which has become a popular spending category. Enrollment is required for select benefits. Read our full review of the Amex Gold .

• 4 points per dollar on dining at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar)
• 3 points per dollar on flights booked directly with the airline or with Amex Travel.
• Welcome bonus of 60,000 points after spending $6,000 in the first six months of account opening.
• Weak on travel and everyday spending bonus categories.
• Not as effective for those living outside the U.S.
• Some may have trouble using Uber/food credits.
• Few travel perks and protections.
• Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
• $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
• $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
• Get a $100 experience credit with a minimum two-night stay when you book The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel. Experience credit varies by property.
• Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• Annual Fee is $250.

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

If you’re looking to dip your toes into the world of travel rewards, the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card is a great way to get started. With no annual fee and a simple 1.25 miles per dollar on all your purchases, you won’t have to keep up with multiple bonus categories — just earn rewards on everything you purchase! Coupled with the 20,000-mile sign-up bonus, you can use your rewards to book travel, transfer to Capital One’s loyalty partners and more. Read our full review of the  Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card .

• No annual fee.
• Earn a bonus of 20,000 bonus miles once you spend $500 within the first three months from account opening.
• Use your miles to book or pay for travel at a 1-cent value, or transfer your miles to loyalty programs to gain potentially even greater value for your rewards.
• Earn 1.25 miles per dollar on all purchases.
• No foreign transaction fees.
• Other credit cards can offer you higher rewards for your common purchase categories.
• Capital One airline transfer partners do not include any large U.S. airlines.
• $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
• Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel
• Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase, every day
• Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.99% - 29.99% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

The Business Platinum Card from American Express is a great card for frequent travelers looking to add a touch of luxury to their business trips. While the card does come with a high annual fee, you’re also getting a ton of valuable benefits in return. They include generous annual travel credits, unparalleled lounge access that includes Amex Centurion Lounges and more. Read our full  review on The Business Platinum Card from American Express .

• Up to $100 statement credit for Global Entry every 4 years or $85 TSA PreCheck credit every 4.5 years (enrollment is required)
• Up to $400 annual statement credit for U.S. Dell purchases (enrollment required)
• Gold status at Marriott and Hilton hotels; access to the Fine Hotels & Resorts program and Hotel Collection (enrollment required)
• Steep $695 annual fee.
• High spend needed for welcome offer.
• Limited high bonus categories outside of travel.
• Welcome Offer: Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
• 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com, and 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases.
• Earn 1.5X points (that’s an extra half point per dollar) on each eligible purchase at US construction material, hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers, and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else, on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year.
• Unlock over $1,000 in statement credits on select purchases, including tech, recruiting and wireless in the first year of membership with the Business Platinum Card®. Enrollment required. See how you can unlock over $1,000 annually in credits on select purchases with the Business Platinum Card®, here.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to the Card.
• $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Use your card and get up to $189 in statement credits per calendar year on your CLEAR® Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use the Business Platinum Card®.
• The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market as of 03/2023.
• $695 Annual Fee.

Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card

The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey credit card offers healthy reward earning rates on top of uncapped point-earning meaning the sky's the limit — especially if you strategize and spend in popular categories.

• No foreign transaction fees
• Uncapped earning potential
• $50 annual statement credit
• Solid point earning rates in popular categories
• This card features an annual fee
• Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
• Earn 60,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 in purchases in the first 3 months – that’s $600 toward your next trip.
• Earn unlimited 5X points on hotels, 4X points on airlines, 3X points on other travel and restaurants, and 1X points on other purchases.
• $95 annual fee.
• Book your travel with the Autograph Journey Card and enjoy Travel Accident Insurance, Lost Baggage Reimbursement, Trip Cancellation and Interruption Protection and Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver.
• Earn a $50 annual statement credit with $50 minimum airline purchase.
• Up to $1,000 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
• Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.

Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

The Wells Fargo Autograph card packs a punch for a no-annual-fee product, with an array of bonus categories plus solid perks and straightforward redemption options. Read our  full review of the Wells Fargo Autograph here .

• This card offers 3 points per dollar on various everyday purchases with no annual fee. It also comes with a 20,000-point welcome bonus and an introductory APR offer on purchases. Plus, you'll enjoy up to $600 in cellphone protection when you pay your monthly bill with the card. Subject to a $25 deductible.
• Despite the lucrative earning structure, Wells Fargo doesn't offer any ways to maximize your redemptions — you're limited to fixed-value rewards like gift cards and statement credits.
• Select "Apply Now" to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
• Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value.
• Earn unlimited 3X points on the things that really add up - like restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans. Plus, earn 1X points on other purchases.
• $0 annual fee.
• 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases. 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable APR thereafter.
• Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
• Redeem your rewards points for travel, gift cards, or statement credits. Or shop at millions of online stores and redeem your rewards when you check out with PayPal.

American Express® Business Gold Card

The Amex Business Gold card is a solid choice for high-spending small businesses with the flexibility to earn 4 points per dollar in the two categories where you spend the most. The card is ideal for businesses who value simplicity above all. Read our full  review of the American Express Business Gold Card .

• You'll earn 4 Membership Rewards points per dollar in the top 2 spending categories each month (on the first $150,000 in combined purchases each calendar year).
• Hefty $375 annual fee.
• There may be better options for small businesses who don't spend a lot.
• Welcome Offer: Earn 70,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $10,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.*
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points on the 2 categories where your business spends the most each billing cycle from 6 eligible categories. While your top 2 categories may change, you will earn 4X points on the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these categories each calendar year (then 1X thereafter). Only the top 2 categories each billing cycle will count towards the $150,000 cap.
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com using your Business Gold Card.
• Earn up to $20 in statement credits monthly after you use the Business Gold Card for eligible U.S. purchases at FedEx, Grubhub, and Office Supply Stores. This can be an annual savings of up to $240. Enrollment required.
• Get up to a $12.95** statement credit back each month after you pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with your Business Gold Card. **Up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes on one membership fee.
• Your Card – Your Choice. Choose from Gold or Rose Gold.
• *Terms Apply

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

The Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card is a great starter card thanks to its no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees when you travel internationally. Earning and redeeming is effortless, with no confusing bonus categories to keep track of and the ability to redeem your points for all of your travel needs. Read our  full review of the Bank of America Travel Rewards  card.

• 1.5 points per dollar on all purchases
• No annual fee
• Bank of America does not offer airline or hotel transfer partners like other banks such as American Express, Chase or Capital One.
• No travel and purchase protections.
• Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
• 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
• Use your card to book your trip how and where you want - you're not limited to specific websites with blackout dates or restrictions.
• Redeem points for a statement credit to pay for travel or dining purchases, such as flights, hotel stays, car and vacation rentals, baggage fees, and also at restaurants including takeout.
• 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 19.24% - 29.24% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%.
• If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means instead of earning an unlimited 1.5 points for every $1, you could earn 1.87-2.62 points for every $1 you spend on purchases.
• Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
• This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.

Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card

There’s a lot to love about the Alaska Airlines credit card, in part due to its highly valuable loyalty program: Alaska Airlines MileagePlan. Whether you’re a loyal Alaska flyer or a points maximizer looking to diversify your rewards portfolio, this card has a lot to offer. For starters, you’ll receive Alaska’s Famous Companion Pass each year from $122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) each account anniversary after you spend $6,000 or more on purchases within the prior anniversary year, free checked bags for you and up to six guests on your itinerary, 20% back on in-flight purchases and more. Plus, Alaska has joined the oneworld alliance, opening up endless redemption opportunities. Read our  full review of the Alaska Airline credit card.

• Free checked bag for you and up to six guests on your reservation.
• Alaska discounts, including 20% back on in-flight purchases.
• Limited Time Online Offer—60,000 Bonus Miles!
• Get 60,000 bonus miles plus Alaska's Famous Companion Fare™ ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) with this offer. To qualify, make $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account.
• Get Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare™ ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) each account anniversary after you spend $6,000 or more on purchases within the prior anniversary year. Valid on all Alaska Airlines flights booked on alaskaair.com.
• Earn unlimited 3 miles for every $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases. Earn unlimited 2 miles for every $1 spent on eligible gas, EV charging station, cable, streaming services and local transit (including ride share) purchases. And earn unlimited 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases. And, your miles don’t expire on active accounts.
• Earn a 10% rewards bonus on all miles earned from card purchases if you have an eligible Bank of America® account.
• Free checked bag and enjoy priority boarding for you and up to 6 guests on the same reservation, when you pay for your flight with your card — Also available for authorized users when they book a reservation too!
• With oneworld® Alliance member airlines and Alaska’s Global Partners, Alaska has expanded their global reach to over 1,000 destinations worldwide bringing more airline partners and more ways to earn and redeem miles.
• Plus, no foreign transaction fees and a low $95 annual fee.
• This online only offer may not be available elsewhere if you leave this page. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.

With the Capital One Venture, you’re earning 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, which makes it easy to rack up rewards without having to juggle different bonus categories or spending caps. And with flexible redemption options and a manageable annual fee, this card is an excellent choice if you’re looking to keep just one credit card in your wallet for all spending.

Those looking to earn flexible rewards should use the Capital One Venture card as it allows you to redeem miles for a fixed value or transfer the miles you earn to 15+ airline and hotel transfer partners , including Avianca, Etihad Airways, Turkish Airlines and Singapore Airlines.

“The Capital One Venture is a great card that can add value to pretty much anyone’s wallet. I use it to earn 2 miles per dollar on the purchases that fall outside of my other cards’ bonus categories. The annual fee is low, Capital One miles are easy to redeem and the card does come with a few nice perks — including TSA PreCheck/Global Entry application fee reimbursement.” — Madison Blancaflor , senior content operations editor

Even if you’re a casual traveler, consider jumping to the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card  (see  rates and fees ). The card’s up to $300 annual credit for purchases made with Capital One Travel immediately covers the higher annual fee — and that’s not even considering the added perks you’ll enjoy.

At $395 per year (see rates and fees ), this premium card is cheaper than all of its competitors without sacrificing the breadth of valuable perks it includes. Cardholders will get unlimited visits to Capital One’s premium network of lounges and 1,300-plus Priority Pass lounges worldwide  and able to bring up to two guests for no additional charge.

For frequent travelers, the Capital One Venture X is a must-have and is well worth the $395 annual fee. If you travel frequently with your significant other, family or friends, you can even add some authorized users for no additional cost. This will grant them their own lounge access (and the ability to bring up to two guests for no fee), among many other benefits, making this a huge cost-saver for those who travel in groups.

“With an annual fee that is $300 less than The Platinum Card® from American Express (see Amex Platinum rates and fees ), the Capital One Venture X card is my favorite travel credit card. The card comes with an annual $300 Capital One Travel credit, which I use to book flights. That effectively brings the annual fee down to $95 per year (see rates and fees ). Cardholders enjoy a Priority Pass Select membership. Authorized users — you geta number of them at no cost — also enjoy their own Priority Pass Select membership. I use my Venture X card to earn 2 miles per dollar (a 3.7% return at TPG’s valuations ) in spending categories where most cards would only accrue 1 mile — like auto maintenance, pharmacies and medical bills.” — Kyle Olsen , former points and miles reporter

Those turned off by the Venture X’s annual fee could opt for the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card , which has a $95 annual fee (see rates and fees ), identical sign-up bonus and similar earning and redemption options.

The Ink Business Preferred earns 3 points per dollar on the first $150,000 in combined travel, shipping, internet, cable, phone services and advertising purchases made on social media sites and search engines each account anniversary year. TPG’s most recent valuations  peg the value of Chase Ultimate Rewards points at 2 cents apiece, so you’ll get a fantastic return of 6% on purchases in these categories.

If you spend a lot on business travel or social media advertising, you’ll be able to earn significant points using the Ink Business Preferred card .

“I originally signed up for the Ink Business Preferred primarily for its sign-up bonus. But, over the last year, I’ve found myself making it my go-to card when booking travel. After all, the Ink Business Preferred earns 3 points per dollar spent on travel and provides excellent travel protections, including trip delay protection and rental car insurance.” — Katie Genter , senior writer

If you don’t want to worry about maximizing specific purchases and are looking for a lower spending requirement to earn a sign-up bonus, consider the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card , which offers 1.5% cash back on all purchases and carries no annual fee.

The Amex Platinum is a stellar premium travel card that can provide amazing redemptions . Besides the welcome offer, it comes with more than $1,400 in credits each year and various lounge access options. Enrollment is required for select benefits.

Anyone looking for luxury travel benefits will find that the ton of annual statement credits make the annual fee worth it. Plus, you’ll get unparalleled lounge access , automatic Gold status with Hilton and Marriott, and extra perks with Avis Preferred , Hertz Gold Plus Rewards and National Car Rental Emerald Club . Enrollment is required for select benefits.

“While this card has a high annual fee, it more than justifies itself for frequent travelers like me. The lounge access options that come with the Platinum are unrivaled by competitors. I put all of my flights on this card to earn 5 points per dollar spent and trip protection insurance. I make sure to take full advantage of the Uber, Saks Fifth Avenue, Hulu/Disney+ and Clear credits (enrollment is required). And, honestly, pulling a Platinum card out of your wallet to pay for something does feel pretty fancy.” — Matt Moffitt , senior credit cards editor

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card  can be a great alternative to the Amex Platinum, with a notably lower annual fee, similar perks and a more rewarding earning rate on everyday purchases.

The Amex Gold earns 4 points per dollar on dining at restaurants, with no foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees ), meaning you’ll get an 8% return on purchases (based on TPG’s valuations ). While a few other cards temporarily offer higher return rates on dining, this is the best option for long-term spending, making it one of the best dining cards and best rewards cards .

Those looking for a great return on dining and purchases at U.S. supermarkets will get a lot of value from this card.

“Groceries and dining at restaurants are two of my top spending categories, and I love that the Amex Gold rewards those purchases with 4 points per dollar. When you factor in the $10 dining credit and $10 in Uber Cash each month, the $250 annual fee is a net cost of $10.” — Senitra Horbrook , former credit cards editor

For those who dine out a lot and also want additional bonus categories and other valuable perks for a lower annual fee, consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card .

The no-annual-fee Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card (see  rates and fees ) has the same redemption options as its sibling card (the Venture Rewards card) but with a lower rewards rate and fewer perks. The miles earned on the card can also be transferred to airline and hotel partners, a benefit not usually seen with a no-annual-fee card.

The VentureOne is a strong card to have in your arsenal and great if you are budgeting. After all, there aren’t many no-annual-fee cards with the ability to transfer points and miles directly to travel partners, so it’s a big bonus that this card offers that (see rates and fees ).

“I wanted a credit card that earns Capital One miles without an annual fee, and this is a winner (see rates and fees ). It doesn’t have the bells and whistles of some other cards, but I’m happy earning 1.25 miles per dollar on all purchases without paying a fee to keep this card year after year. I’ll never cancel this card.” — Ryan Smith , former credit cards writer

For a small annual fee, many travelers could benefit from the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card . You’ll earn at least 2 miles per dollar on all purchases and receive a statement credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry membership.

There are certain ways to earn bonus points for spending on the Amex Business Platinum Card, but it’s the array of perks on the card that make it a great option. Beyond airport lounge access and automatic hotel elite status, there are a number of statement credits that are specifically targeted to common business expenses.

If you travel for business frequently, this card could help you upgrade your experience in the air and on the ground while saving you money on select business-related services. And the current welcome bonus is just the icing on the cake.

“I find that the annual perks and credits vastly outweigh the large annual fee. And that’s even without using some of them. By using the benefits with Priority Pass and Amex lounges, the airline incidental credits, plus the statement credits for Clear, our cellphone plan and restocking my home printer with ink and paper from Dell (enrollment required), I get more value out of the card than it costs to keep it. Plus, it earns my favorite points — American Express Membership Rewards — earning 5 points per dollar on flights and hotels booked with Amex Travel.” — Ryan Smith , former credit cards writer

For less-frequent travelers, consider the American Express®  Business Gold Card , which offers 4 points per dollar spent on your top two spending categories each month on the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these categories each calendar year (then 1 point per dollar thereafter).

The Autograph Journey offers cardholders the chance to earn elevated rates across travel categories including 5 points per dollar spent on hotels, 4 points per dollar on airline purchases and 3 points per dollar on restaurants and 'other travel' which includes timeshares, car rentals, cruise lines, travel agencies, discount travel sites and campgrounds. On top of this, cardholders also get the added benefit of earning a flat rate of 1 point per dollar on other purchases for a $95 annual fee.

If you travel frequently and are looking for a card to help you rack up points you can redeem for future travel, this card is a decent option. Additionally, those looking for a way to fill gaps in their points earning strategy will benefit from the flat 1 point per dollar spent on other purchases outside of the main travel categories.

Another great perk the Autograph Journey features is an annual $50 statement credit triggered by an airline purchase of at least $50. This is on top of elevated earning rates in the certain travel categories and a solid welcome offer for new applicants. There's also no foreign transaction fees on the Autograph Journey card making it a good first travel card as well as a decent supplemental card to add to your travel credit card roster.

If you're looking for a more general use credit card with no annual fee, consider the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card (see  rates and fees ). It earns a flat rate of 2% cash rewards on purchases making an excellent choice to help fill gaps in your reward earning strategy. The best part? Like the Autograph Journey card, the Active Cash Card doesn't put a cap on the amount of cash back you can earn.

The Wells Fargo Autograph is a great no-annual-fee card that offers quality earning categories and travel and shopping protection.

Travel card beginners who are looking to get into points earning should consider the Wells Fargo Autograph, which offers a welcome bonus, 3 points per dollar on a variety of everyday spending categories and cellphone protection.

If you’re just getting into the travel credit card world and are not sure travel cards are for you, consider the Wells Fargo Autograph, which will allow you to earn bonus points on travel spending without the commitment of an annual fee.

If you’re looking to earn transferable reward points but still maintain a similar earning structure, consider the Bilt Mastercard® (see rates and fees ). The card earns 3 points per dollar on dining and 2 points per dollar on travel purchases for no annual fee. Plus, Bilt points can be transferred to any of its multiple travel partners. 

The American Express Business Gold card comes packed with perks and benefits, but its most unique feature is the ability to shift your monthly bonus categories. Cardholders will automatically earn 4 points per dollar in their top two spending categories on the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these categories each calendar year (then 1 point per dollar thereafter), so if your business spending varies month to month, you won’t have to commit to a bonus category.

The American Express Business Gold card is an excellent choice for business owners who are looking for a premium business card with premium business perks like monthly office supply statement credits, travel and shopping protection and access to The Hotel Collection.

The American Express Business Gold is an excellent choice for small businesses that have changing bonus categories but still want more premium business perks and benefits.

If you still want to earn Membership Rewards points without paying an annual fee, consider The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express (see rates and fees ), which earns 2 Membership Rewards points on all business purchases (up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar).

The Bank of America Travel Rewards card operates similarly to the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card . You’re earning flat-rate rewards across all spending, and then you can use those rewards as a statement credit to cover eligible travel purchases.

It’s perfect for low-budget beginner travelers  who want a card with no annual fee and a simple way to earn and redeem points.

“I’m happy earning 1.5 points per dollar on all purchases on a card without an annual fee. I can’t pay for everything in life with transferable points, and it’s nice to have a card with fixed-value points for those situations. I use this card for travel purchases where I need to pay in cash, then I can reimburse myself with the points.” — Ryan Smith , former credit cards writer

If you’re interested in a card with transferable miles that still has no annual fee (see  rates and fees ), consider the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card .

The Alaska Airlines Visa earns 3 miles per dollar on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases; 2 miles per dollar on eligible gas, EV charging stations, cable, streaming services and transit (including local ride share purchases); and 1 mile per dollar on everything else. You get a free checked bag on Alaska flights for you and up to six guests on your reservation, an annual Companion Fare on your account anniversary and 20% back on all inflight purchases.

Whether you live on the West Coast or not, the Alaska Airlines Visa is a good cobranded airline card to consider adding to your wallet. The Seattle-based airline is mostly limited to North American routes, but international destinations through Oneworld partners make this card valuable for all travelers.

“With new benefits, this card is even more valuable to me — even with its higher annual fee. It provides a free first checked bag, discounts on inflight purchases and priority boarding. My favorite feature, however, is the annual Companion Fare. I get hundreds of dollars in annual value from this perk.” — Ryan Smith , former credit cards writer

If you’re not looking to collect airline-specific miles, a general travel card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card might be a better option.

Travel rewards credit cards earn points, miles or cash back that are redeemable for travel expenses or are geared toward travel spending. The cards on this list are some of the best credit cards to book flights , hotels and more with their many perks and rewards . 

Travel credit cards offer rewards on different purchases that can help you book flights, hotels and more for little to no out-of-pocket expenses. Some cards also provide valuable perks and benefits that upgrade the overall travel experience — from Global Entry application fee credits to lounge access to complimentary elite status . If you have the right card (or cards) in your wallet, the sky is the limit on where your travels can take you — literally.

Additionally, it’s often advantageous to travel with more than one credit card for a variety of reasons. Carrying a backup credit card when you travel can provide peace of mind in the case of bank or issuer problems or if you have a card flagged for fraud while you travel. (In this case, knowing if your card requires you to set up travel alerts for lengthy travel could be worthwhile).

Are you new to travel rewards? Check out our beginner’s guide to all things points and miles . You’ll learn about top loyalty programs, how to maximize your credit card strategy to reach your travel goals and so much more.

Related: The complete history of credit cards, from antiquity to today

We have researched various types of travel credit cards to help you figure out which one is best for you.

Travel vs cash back credit cards

A travel credit card is a card that is geared toward travel spending and a cash-back credit card is a card that earns cash back on purchases made with the card.

Generally, when we are talking about travel credit cards we refer to cards that earn points and miles like the Platinum Card from American Express or the Hilton Honors Aspire card. The Platinum Amex earns transferable points which can be used with any of Amex's travel partners while the Hilton Honors Aspire card only earns Hilton points which can be redeemed at Hilton properties. These cards do not earn cash back on any purchases.

Cash back cards generally offer cash back as a flat rate or feature bonus categories that earn an elevated cash back rate. Select cash-back cards can also be a great travel card such as the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express which offers 3% cash back on transit including rideshare, trains, buses, and more. Even though it is a cash-back card, the Blue Cash Preferred offers an elevated return on select transportation which potentially makes it a solid travel card option.

How do travel credit cards work?

Travel credit cards work like other reward credit cards: They help you earn rewards, primarily points and miles, on your purchases. This section will primarily focus on transferable rewards credit cards, like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and The Platinum Card® from American Express, as they are what are typically considered travel credit cards.

Related: How to redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards points for maximum value

How to earn transferable points

Transferable points credit cards earn points or miles when you make a purchase on the cards. These points and miles can then be transferred to travel partners for rewards like flights, hotel stays and more. Different cards will have different currencies, but they are generally called either “points” or “miles” (depending on the issuer). All transferable reward credit cards, airline credit cards and hotel credit cards will have their own currency that is redeemable for travel rewards. 

Travel cards have varying rates for different purchase categories. For example, the American Express® Gold Card card earns 4 points per dollar spent on restaurants but only 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or Amex Travel. While the Amex Platinum may be a better card for travel as it earns 5 points per dollar spent on flights (booked directly with airline or Amex Travel and up to $500,000 per calendar year), the Amex Gold can be a good addition for Platinum holders who spend a lot of money on dining out.

Related: How to redeem American Express Membership Rewards for maximum value

How to redeem points and miles  

Once you’ve decided on a travel credit card and earned a welcome bonus, it’s time to put those points or miles toward free travel. There are many ways to redeem your rewards with travel credit cards. Many cards feature an online booking portal through which you can use your rewards to book things like flights, hotels and car rentals. Before booking your flight, you should consider doing a  flight portal comparison to ensure you're getting the best redemption. Others allow you to transfer your points or miles to individual loyalty programs. Depending on the redemption, this could unlock even more value.

There are plenty of ways to ensure you don’t make mistakes with your travel rewards . For instance, be sure you do your research with your rewards to get a high-value redemption and make sure your accounts are in good standing so you don’t risk losing them.  

Related: Tips and tricks to get maximum value from your Capital One miles

It’s up to you to decide whether a specific trip is worth spending your rewards. You can use TPG’s monthly valuations to help you determine if the price of your flight or hotel room is worth your points and miles. Some travels are more affordable in cash, but you can always save your points to splurge on a business-class flight to Europe or an overwater bungalow at a luxury resort. 

How to use travel credit card portals  

In the world of travel credit cards, the four major players are American Express, Capital One, Chase and Citi. These issuers also have their own travel portals which can be used to earn and redeem points for travel. 

Some issuers, like Capital One and Chase , offer an incentive to book travel through the bank’s portal but it is not always worth booking through a portal. 

We do not recommend booking hotel travel through card portals as it typically does not honor elite-status benefits or elite-qualifying stay credits. 

Luckily, flights typically allow you to earn bonus points through a card issuer’s portal and with the airline. Keep in mind that this does not apply to all cards. When purchasing in cash, there generally is little variance in booking through a portal or on the airline’s website so if your travel credit card offers incentives to book through the portal , it can be a great way to earn extra points. 

Related: Ultimate guide to the Citi travel portal

Points and miles redemptions will have a fair variance, especially if there are incentives to book through the travel portals. Overall, travel portals can be a great addition to your points redemption journey if properly used. Always remember to compare the price or redemption value of booking through a portal or directly with an airline. 

Booking through a portal may make matters complicated if you ever need to change or cancel your flight. 

Related: Battle of the credit card travel portals: Which is the best for booking flights?

Types of travel credit cards

Travel credit cards are cards that are geared towards travel spending. Luckily, there are many types of travel credit cards which means there is a good option for any traveler. Typically, when talking about travel credit cards, we are referring to transfer rewards credit cards, airline credit cards and hotel credit cards. There are additional types of travel credit cards that are less popular but can still be a good option for the right traveler.

Transferable rewards credit cards earn points and miles that can be redeemed through a card’s rewards program directly or by transferring them to a travel partner . Many of our best travel credit cards fall under this category because they are the most valuable type of points you can earn. Transferable rewards give you the flexibility to redeem your rewards in a way that will be most beneficial to you. Examples of top transferable rewards cards are the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and The Platinum Card® from American Express .

Airline cobranded cards earn a specific type of airline miles. These cards also generally come with perks specific to that airline. For example, an airline card may offer free checked bags , a certain number of elite-qualifying miles to help you reach status, priority boarding privileges, inflight discounts and more.

Hotel cobranded cards work like airline cards. You’ll earn rewards that are redeemable for a particular hotel program, such as Hilton or Marriott. Hotel cards come with their own benefits, such as complimentary elite status or free award-night stays. In addition, hotel cards can help you stack your earnings on hotel stays with the hotel’s program.

For example, if you have a Marriott credit card , you’ll earn bonus points for every dollar spent at participating Marriott properties on top of the 10 base points you get as a member of the Bonvoy program. This can really amplify the rewards you can earn when you use your hotel card to pay for your booking.

The points and miles world can be confusing for new credit card users but it doesn’t have to be. While transferable rewards cards are arguably the best way to earn points and miles for travel, they can also be incredibly confusing. Fixed-value credit cards and cash-back credit cards are good alternatives for beginners who are looking to get into the travel credit card world.

Fixed-value cards earn points or miles that are always redeemed for the same value. For example, the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card earns points worth 1 cent each. These cards are great for beginners who haven’t quite gotten the hang of maximizing transferable points or casual travelers who are looking for their first travel credit card . Fixed-value credit cards are often the best travel credit cards for beginners. 

As more hotels and airlines move to a dynamic pricing model where award pricing shifts dramatically, fixed-value rewards programs are becoming more popular.

Another great credit card option for casual travelers or credit card beginners is cash-back credit cards. You don’t have to worry about points, transfer partners or maximizing your rewards with these cards. Cash-back cards provide a percentage of cash back on your spending and provide a simple way to save on your upcoming travels. 

The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card (see rates and fees ) is a great option for beginners to travel rewards. It earns unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and has no annual fee.

Travel credit card benefits

Some travel cards offer automatic elite status with various programs when you sign up and can also accelerate the journey to elite airline status by converting points to air miles. If you are loyal to a particular hotel brand, status with that brand will be valuable. You’ll be entitled to room upgrades, resort credits, early check-in, late checkout and more. If you’re not loyal, it won’t. The same goes for elite status with an airline — you’ll get lounge access, upgrades, increased baggage allowance, etc. When comparing the perks of various cards like elite status, be realistic about which ones you will and won’t use.

One of the coveted perks of premium travel credit cards is complimentary airport lounge access. Many premium travel credit cards come with Priority Pass lounge access , a membership that allows access to airport lounges across the world. These lounges are a great place to relax before your flight or have a snack during a long layover. Amenities will vary between lounges but most lounges provide wifi, private seating and refreshments. Be sure to check the priority pass guest policy as many lounges allow you to bring a complimentary guest (or guests).

TSA PreCheck and Global Entry are both expedited screening programs for travelers. TSA PreCheck is reserved for expedited security screening for domestic flights and Global Entry provides expedited customs screening for international travelers when entering the United States. 

The application fee for TSA PreCheck is up to $85 and $100 for Global Entry. If you are approved for the program, the membership is valid for 5 years. Many travel credit cards will offer statement credit for the application . 

What TPG readers have to say about their favorite travel credit cards

Fan favorites among top travel credit cards include those that earn both points and miles. In addition to helping offset the cost of travel — whether it’s for rental cars, hotel stays or flights — some TPG readers love that travel cards also offer travel insurance (including protections for things like delayed or lost baggage). We asked our readers which credit card has made the biggest impact when they travel and why — here are their responses.

Note: Responses have not been edited.

“Allowed me to justify staying at nicer hotels and just overall leveling up with how I travel.” — Jackie C via Facebook  

“ Venture X for me - lounge access and my first long haul biz [sic] class flight on points! Changing my travel game for the better!” — Lauren R via Facebook

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

“Can't beat the flexibility of the $300 travel credit from the Chase Sapphire Reserve .” — Armando S via Facebook

• Awards vs cash calculator Compare the cost in points or miles to cash.
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Earn the welcome bonus

One of the best ways to maximize your travel credit cards is to earn the welcome bonus . Most travel credit cards will offer a welcome or sign-up bonus that allows cardmembers to earn points or miles that would otherwise require a very high spend. Welcome bonuses are a crucial part of a card’s value, so before you apply for your next travel card, be sure to plan for how you will meet the spending requirement. Ideally, you would align large purchases with your card opening so that you don’t need to spend frivolously to earn that lucrative welcome bonus .

Use a travel card that matches your travel style

There is a travel credit card for everyone, but not every travel card is the best fit for your wallet . Consider what type of traveler you are, whether you have any brand loyalty and what perks you are looking for from your next credit card. If you travel often and in luxury, consider premium cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express or Chase Sapphire Reserve® . These cards are loaded with tons of luxury perks like lounge access and automatic elite status . 

Alternatively, if you’re a more thrifty traveler who likes to maximize your travel earnings, consider a mid-tier travel card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card . These cards allow you to earn points on your travel, and while they don’t come with a long list of luxury perks, they’re much more cost-effective for a traveler on a budget .

And even beginners don’t have to veer away from travel cards, since many products out there offer an introduction to the travel rewards world without incurring an annual fee.

It’s important to consider where you’re looking to go when you book trips, as certain cards are especially useful for international travel . Plus, if you’re someone who frequents the skies (such as a digital nomad), there are certain credit cards best for long-term travelers .

Knowing what your travel style is like will help you determine what type of travel card you need.

Use loyalty programs to stack your rewards

You don’t have to limit your earnings to just travel credit cards . Many airlines and hotel chains have loyalty programs that can be used in conjunction with your travel card to unlock added perks when doing business with a specific brand. In addition, many travel credit cards allow you to transfer points from your card to your eligible loyalty programs . This can open up nearly endless redemption options, including award chart sweet spots that can get you the most maximized redemptions for your points and miles.

• 1 Sign-up bonus Choosing a card with a healthy sign-up bonus will help jumpstart the possibility of unlocking elite status across different areas, including airline and hotel loyalty programs.
• 2 Annual fee Premium travel credit cards typically feature higher annual fees. Double-check that the card you choose suits your spending habits and travel needs before applying.
• 3 Bonus categories It also helps to check which bonus categories a card offers to ensure that they align with your spending, whether it’s at restaurants, at grocery stores or on streaming subscriptions.

What's your favorite travel credit card — and why?

• Using credit cards responsibly can help build your credit score
• Travel credit cards can earn cash back, points or miles on every dollar you spend.
• Travel credit cards can provide purchase, theft and fraud protection.
• Travel credit cards provide perks like travel insurance, complimentary hotel stays and more.
• Credit cards can encourage overspending.
• Carrying a balance and using your card irresponsibly can damage your credit score
• The cost of borrowing on credit cards is higher than traditional loans
• Having too many card applications can negatively affect your credit score
• Travel credit cards may be too complicated (or expensive) for those who aren’t frequent travelers.

Generally speaking, you need at least a very good credit score in order to get many popular travel credit cards. According to FICO, the scoring model used by most lenders, this is a score of at least 740. However, there’s no hard-and-fast rule, as each individual credit card issuer looks at a variety of factors in addition to your credit score when deciding whether to approve or decline your application.

Thankfully, there are a number of ways to check your credit score for free , so you can get an idea of where you stand before wasting an application (and a hard inquiry on your credit report) for a card for which you’re unlikely to qualify.

Points and miles are simply two different ways to describe the same thing: the rewards you earn on a credit card. As an example, many popular Capital One credit cards earn miles, whereas cards that participate in Chase Ultimate Rewards accrue points. There’s no appreciable difference between the two words.

This gets a little more complicated when you begin discussing cash-back credit cards. Some of these show earnings with a dollar amount, while others show cash-back rewards in points. However, here too there’s no significant difference. It’s simply how the card issuer chooses to describe the rewards you’re earning.

It depends entirely on your typical travel habits. Many popular travel credit cards feature rewards, benefits and redemption options that only come into play when you’re actually on the road. This includes perks like airport lounge access,  rental car insurance  or statement credits for certain travel purchases. Ultimately, you should look at how much value you expect to get out of a given travel card in one year. Then, compare that to the card’s annual fee to make sure you’re getting at least that much value.

It depends. Generally speaking, you should aim to use your rewards from travel credit cards for travel-related purchases – like flights or hotel rooms. However, everyone has a different version of what “value” looks like here. Some travelers are perfectly content redeeming 25,000 miles for a $250 economy flight. Others would rather save up and use 100,000 miles for a $5,000 business-class ticket. The important thing is to avoid redemptions like gift cards or merchandise, since those typically offer poor value for your points and miles.

Ultimately, it’s up to you to determine whether you want to keep cash in your pocket by using rewards for a particular purchase instead.

Many of the luxury travel cards on this list offer hundreds of dollars in annual travel statement credits. However, not all annual travel statements are created equal. While some cards feature easy redemptions, other cards feature redemptions that come with more restrictions. 

Out of the various cards that offer annual travel credits, the Chase Sapphire Reserve has the easiest redemption process for travel credits . The Chase Sapphire Reserve's travel credit covers a broad selection of charges, including flights, hotels, campgrounds and more. Additionally, the travel does not have to be booked through Chase’s travel portal, and the statement credit will automatically post when you make an eligible purchase.