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USA TODAY 10Best

Where to buy E-ZPass and how to use it

December 24, 2022 // By Sharon Nolan

By Sharon Nolan Travel Expert December 24, 2022

Approaching toll booths and paying the ticketed amount can mean added travel time, inconvenience and the necessity of traveling with small amounts of cash at all times. The introduction of E-ZPass across many states offers anyone traveling the roads a better way to pay and keep their travel time to a minimum with less interruptions for toll payment.

Understanding and implementing the process is quick and easy, and it may be just the thing to simplify your road trips, whether they be short or long, frequent or not that often. Is E-ZPass the option that works best for you? Here’s what you need to know to see if this electronic option will make your trips easier.

Understanding E-ZPass

E-ZPass is a method of paying road, bridge and tunnel tolls faster, easier and more efficiently. This multi-state electronic toll pass system eliminates the need to stop to pay fees while traveling toll roads. Instead of toll booths, the system works via overhead readers that pick up account information and charge your fee via a transponder mounted on your windshield.

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It offers an easy, speedy, touchless way to handle tolls, and eliminates the need to get and keep track of a ticket, the time to stop to pay the amount due, as well as the hassle of finding the correct amount of money due. The system translates the steps to an electronic transaction and streamlines the entire travel toll process.

As an additional bonus, the transponders also work to provide traffic data. Readers provide information on the speed and flow of traffic so that traffic reports can be accurate. They do not work to track individual speeders but help to inform traffic reporters of congestion on roads, travel time, slowdowns and the like.

The concept of E-ZPass was introduced in 1987, and its goal was to unite several states’ toll collection systems into one. The current setup now includes 19 states and is the largest, most successful interoperable toll collection program anywhere in the world.

Where E-ZPass can be used

E-ZPass works in states from Florida up to Maine and west to Illinois. It’s good on toll roads, bridges and tunnels. More than 49 million E-ZPass devices are currently in circulation. Once you’ve received a transponder, simply adhere it to the windshield of your vehicle and, when passing through an E-ZPass-labeled toll center, observe as the reader detects and processes your toll due and sends you on your way.

Signs in states and gateways that participate will indicate appropriate lanes to be in to use the system, and then simply following the directions once you’re there will allow you to pass through quickly and easily. The toll amount will be deducted from your E-ZPass account (usually secured with a credit card or paid on a toll-by-toll basis). Should you want to see your charges at any times, you may log into your account and view them, update your payment information or a variety of other options.

How to get E-ZPass

Each participating state operates its own E-ZPass service center. You’ll want to decide if a personal or commercial account is best for your situation. E-ZPasses may be obtained by visiting the correct state’s E-ZPass website and applying via their online form. You may also print out the forms and apply by mail or fax. You may include up to four tags under each account.

Users receive their transponders typically within a few days to a week and can begin travel at that point. Additionally, E-ZPass Go Paks can be purchased locally for a small convenience fee, so you’re up and running faster. Merchants like Walmart, AAA and area supermarkets often carry them, making the process one that’s easily added to your daily to-do list and gets you out on the road in no time.

About Sharon Nolan

Sharon is a native to the Philadelphia area, but loves to wander from its familiar borders. She has traveled to more than 30 countries, trekked five continents, ventured out with family, friends and on solo trips and tackled numerous adventures that were both in and well out of her comfort zone. When she's not traveling, you may find her out on her bicycle on the local roads and trails dreaming up her next adventure. Her other works can be found at AAA The Extra Mile, Trekaroo.com, FWT Magazine, NJ Family and a variety of other online publications.

Read more about Sharon Nolan here.

Connect with Sharon via: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest

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Vodafone EasyTravel

Mit EasyTravel nimmst Du Deinen Handy-Tarif mit auf Reisen – z.B. in die Türkei, die USA, die Schweiz oder nach Kanada.

Schweiz, Türkei, USA, Kanada, Monaco, Andorra, Färöer-Inseln, Isle of Man, Jersey, Guernsey. Um ein EasyTravel-Paket buchen zu können, brauchst Du einen Handy-Tarif von uns.

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EasyTravel Tag

Dein Tagespaket: Zahl nur, wenn Du Deinen Tarif nutzt

Nutz Deinen Handy-Tarif auf Reisen wie zuhause. Und das nur an den Tagen, an denen Du es willst. EasyTravel Tag wird automatisch aktiviert, wenn Du mit Deinem Handy in den EasyTravel-Ländern telefonierst, simst oder surfst. Mit der MeinVodafone-App behältst Du Deinen Verbrauch immer im Blick. Du zahlst nur an Tagen, an denen Du Deinen Tarif im Ausland nutzt. Dabei gilt die deutsche Ortszeit. EasyTravel Tag läuft zum Ende eines Tages oder bei Deiner Einreise nach Deutschland aus. Du musst die Option nicht selbst stornieren oder deaktivieren.

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7 Tage online mit der EasyTravel Woche

Mit der EasyTravel Woche musst Du Dich eine Woche lang um nichts kümmern. Buch Dein Wochenpaket schon einen Tag vor Deiner Abreise. Und nutz Deinen Handy-Tarif sofort bei der Ankunft am Reiseziel wie zuhause. Schick einfach eine kostenlose SMS mit Easy7 an die 70127 .

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Hol Dir die Flex-Option für 6 Monate

Du planst eine längere Reise? Hol Dir die EasyTravel Flat Flex für 6 Monate. 1 Du kannst die Option mit einer Frist von einem Monat zum Ende der Vertragslaufzeit kündigen. Kündigst Du nicht rechtzeitig, verlängern wir die Option auf unbestimmte Zeit. Du kannst dann mit einer Frist von einem Monat kündigen.

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In allen EasyTravel-Paketen inklusive

500 Minuten pro Tag nach Deutschland oder innerhalb des Reiselands telefonieren

500 SMS pro Tag nach Deutschland oder innerhalb des Reiselands verschicken

Datenvolumen zum Surfen wie im Inland nutzen – je nach Tarif

Buch EasyTravel Woche oder EasyTravel Flat Flex in MeinVodafone oder der MeinVodafone-App

So buchst Du Dein EasyTravel-Paket

Logg Dich bei MeinVodafone oder in der MeinVodafone-App ein. Unter Mein Vertrag findest Du Optionen . Klick drauf und wähl dann den Reiter Ausland . Hier findest Du die EasyTravel Flat Flex und die EasyTravel Woche . Such Dir eine aus. Und bestätige mit Akzeptieren & zahlungspflichtig kaufen .

Dann ist das ReisePaket Plus die richtige Option für Reisen in die USA, die Türkei, Schweiz oder nach Kanada. Für 5,99 € pro Tag sicherst Du Dir 50 Minuten zum Telefonieren, 50 SMS und 100 MB Datenvolumen . Für das ReisePaket Plus gilt die deutsche Ortszeit. Hast Du Deine Freiminuten, SMS oder Dein Datenvolumen verbraucht, zahlst Du 20 Cent pro Minute, SMS oder MB. Wir informieren Dich per SMS über Deinen Verbrauch. Buch das ReisePaket Plus in der MeinVodafone-App . Oder schick eine kostenlose SMS mit dem Stichwort Plus an die  70127 .

Mit unseren ReisePaketen bleibst Du auf Fernreisen günstig vernetzt.

Rechtliche Hinweise zu EasyTravel

• InfoDok 4607: EasyTravel Tag und Woche
• InfoDok 4608: EasyTravel Flat Flex
• Widerrufsbelehrung

1 Hinweise zur EasyTravel Flat Flex : Du kannst die EasyTravel Flat Flex zu diesen Tarifen buchen:

• alle GigaMobil-Tarife
• alle GigaMobil Young-Tarife
• alle Red-Tarife
• alle FamilyCard-Tarife
• alle Young-Tarife
• alle Smart 2022 Tarife, bis Smart 2017 in den Tarifstufen Smart L, L+, XL
• alle Vodafone Easy-Tarife

Nach den Richtlinien der fairen Nutzung hast Du in den Ländern Schweiz, Türkei, USA und Kanada folgendes Datenvolumen pro Monat:

• 87 GB im Tarif Red XL
• 87 GB im Tarif GigaMobil XL
• 76 GB in den Tarifen Young XL (Young 2020) und Young XXL (Young 2017)
• 76 GB im Tarif GigaMobil Young XL

Nach Verbrauch dieses Datenvolumens zahlst Du 0,18 Cent pro MB. Nach Beendigung der EasyTravel Flat Flex gelten automatisch die Konditionen von EasyTravel Tag. So bleibt Dein Tarif weiterhin zur Nutzung in den EasyTravel-Ländern aktiviert. In den Ländern Schweiz, Türkei, USA und Kanada zahlst Du 7,99 Euro pro Kalendertag, an dem Du telefonierst, simst oder Dein Datenvolumen nutzt. Dabei gilt die deutsche Ortszeit. Mehr Infos über EasyTravel Tag findest Du im InfoDok 4607. Abweichend von der Nutzung im Inland gilt in den Ländern Schweiz, Türkei, USA und Kanada eine Begrenzung bei Telefonie und SMS im Ausland: Bei Verbrauch von über 500 Minuten oder 500 SMS pro Tag zahlst Du nach den Richtlinien der fairen Nutzung zusätzlich 20 Cent pro Minute oder pro SMS. Nach Verbrauch Deiner Highspeed-MB gilt SpeedGo aus Deinem jeweiligen Tarif.

• How To Install Your E-ZPass
• E-ZPass Read Zones
• E-ZPass Retail Locations
• Fare Calculator

E-ZPass FAQ

• Forms & Policies
• Pay Unpaid Toll

If there's a question we haven't answered, just contact our Customer Service Center (CSC) at (440) 971-2222 to get the information you need

Q: What is  E-ZPass ®  and how does it work?

Q: What are the benefits of having an  E-ZPass ®  transponder?

Q: Is Ohio's  E-ZPass ®  program compatible with other states offering  E-ZPass ® ?

Q: Will I receive the discounted Ohio  E-ZPass ®  toll rate when using an out-of-state transponder?

Q: Are there administrative fees charged for using an out-of-state transponder on the Ohio Turnpike?

Q: Where can I obtain a transponder?

Q: What is the cost to obtain an  E-ZPass ®  transponder?

Q: How long will it take to receive and activate my Ohio Turnpike  E-ZPass ®  transponder?

Q: Where should the  E-ZPass ®  transponder be installed in my vehicle?

Q: Can I hold the transponder up, instead of mounting it to my windshield?

Q: Can vehicles share an  E-ZPass ®  transponder?

Q: Can I use my E-ZPass in a rental vehicle?

Q: Can I use my E-ZPass while pulling a trailer or camper?

Q: Are there dedicated  E-ZPass ®  lanes?

Q: How often will I receive statements showing my  E-ZPass ®  usage?

Q: How do I update my billing information?

Q: I haven't traveled recently, why has my credit card been charged?

Q: What if my transponder is not working?

Q: What is the lifespan of my transponder?

Q: What if I have a mischarge on my account?

Q: How can I close my Ohio Turnpike  E-ZPass ®  account?

Q: Where can I return the transponder?

Q: What are the electronic tolling rules?

Q: How do I sign up or open a new  E-ZPass ®  account?

Q: I left my transponder at home and went through an E-ZPass lane. Now what?

Q: How do I pay my Unpaid Toll Invoice?

Q: I received an Unpaid Toll Ticket in the lanes with a toll collector. How do I pay?

Q: I'd like to dispute my toll. How can I request a hearing?

Q: Why am I paying a higher toll rate on my E-ZPass with a license plate transaction?

Q: What is  E-ZPass ®  and how does it work? A:  E-ZPass ®  is an electronic toll collection system that allows you to enter and exit the Turnpike without stopping to get a ticket or having to stop to pay the toll. The  E-ZPass ®  system uses a transponder to electronically record your fares. As you enter or exit the Turnpike, an overhead antenna reads the information stored in the transponder. Fares are automatically deducted from your account and the toll booth gate rises automatically.

Q: What are the benefits of having an  E-ZPass ®  transponder? A:  Travelers can save 33% on average with  E-ZPass ® on their Ohio Turnpike tolls. If you travel on the Ohio Turnpike or on other toll roads that accept  E-ZPass ® , your savings can add up fast. Using  E-ZPass ®  also reduces travel time and helps reduce fuel consumption by eliminating the need to fully stop when entering or exiting the Turnpike. And, because  E-ZPass ®  records each toll transaction, it's a fast way to keep track of your travel expenses for business or tax purposes.

Q: Is Ohio's  E-ZPass ®  program compatible with other states offering  E-ZPass ® ? A: Yes, customers with an account from any of the agencies listed below can use their transponder on the Ohio Turnpike. Likewise, the Ohio Turnpike  E-ZPass ®  transponder will work on any of the systems listed below:

Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority Burlington County Bridge Commission Chicago Skyway Delaware Department of Transportation Delaware River and Bay Authority Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission Delaware River Port Authority Illinois State Toll Highway Authority Indiana Toll Road Maine Turnpike Authority Maryland Transportation Authority MTA Bridges and Tunnels Massachusetts Department of Transportation New Hampshire DOT Bureau of Turnpikes New Jersey Turnpike Authority New York State Bridge Authority New York State Thruway Authority North Carolina Turnpike Authority Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission Port Authority of New York/New Jersey Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority South Jersey Transportation Authority Virginia Department of Transportation West Virginia Parkways Authority Niagara Falls Bridge Commission Kentucky Public Transportation Infrastructure Authority Thousand Islands Bridge Authority Central Florida Expressway Authority  Florida Turnpike (Sun Pass)

Q: Will I receive the discounted Ohio  E-ZPass ®  toll rate when using an out-of-state transponder? A: Customers using a transponder from any of the agencies listed above will receive the discounted toll rate when traveling on the Ohio Turnpike.

Q: Are there administrative fees charged for using an out-of-state transponder on the Ohio Turnpike? A: If a customer has already established an  E-ZPass ®  account with another toll agency, there is no "administrative", or "service" fee paid to the Ohio Turnpike.

Q: Where can I obtain a transponder? A: You can open a new  E-ZPass ®  account and obtain a transponder several ways: 1.) ONLINE: Just click  HERE . 2.) CALL: (440) 971-2222 3.) IN-PERSON: At any Ohio Turnpike Service Plaza or retail location found  HERE .

Q: What is the cost to obtain an  E-ZPass ®  transponder? A: Transponder pricing varies by toll agency. For Prepaid Accounts, an initial minimum deposit of $25.00 per transponder is required to establish your account, and a credit card is required to maintain the account. Toll fares will be deducted from your account when the transponder is read at an interchange. When the balance on the  E-ZPass ®  account reaches or falls below $10.00 per transponder, the customer's credit card on file will be charged to replenish the  E-ZPass ®  balance for future use. A one-time $3.00 charge is deducted when the customer's transponder is activated. *International shipping rates will apply.

For Commercial Accounts, an initial minimum deposit of $50.00 per transponder is required to establish your account, and a credit card is required to maintain the account. Toll fares will be deducted from your account when the transponder is read at an interchange. When the balance on the  E-ZPass ®  account reaches or falls below $20.00 per transponder, the customer's credit card on file will be charged to replenish the  E-ZPass ®  balance for future use. A one-time $3.00 charge is deducted when the customer's transponder is shipped. *International shipping rates will apply. Transponder pricing varies by toll agency. While some charge an upfront fee, the Ohio Turnpike leases transponders to Ohio  E-ZPass ®  customers for $0.75 per month. NOTE: The $0.75 per month maintenance fee will be waived for all Ohio Turnpike E-ZPass transponders that are used for 30 single or 15 round trips in Ohio in the previous month.

Q: How long will it take to receive and activate my Ohio Turnpike  E-ZPass ®  transponder? A: Once you have ordered your transponder online, via phone, or US Mail, allow 7-10 days to receive your transponder. It will already be active when you receive it. If you obtained a transponder at an Ohio Turnpike Retail Location, it will need to be activated by calling (440) 971-2222 or by clicking the  E-ZPass ®  button on the website. Your transponder will be active and ready to use the following day for travel on the Ohio Turnpike. Note: Please allow 24-48 hours for activation and use of the transponder in other states.

Q: Where should the  E-ZPass ®  transponder be installed in my vehicle? A: The transponder should be installed near the rear-view mirror on the inside of the front windshield, below any tinting. Velcro mounting strips are included with your transponder.

*Certain vehicles require special mounting. Some newer vehicles may have devices that can interfere with the signal of the  E-ZPass ® . Make sure the  E-ZPass ®  is not mounted near these devices (remote start, GPS, satellite radio, rain sensors or anything else that is metal or mechanical). The best location is typically in a lower corner close to the dashboard and still on the windshield.

Q: Can I hold the transponder up, instead of mounting it to my windshield? A: No. The  E-ZPass ®  antenna is located overhead, well in advance of the toll booth. If you do not have the transponder properly mounted as you pass the "read zone" then it may not work properly. Transponders must be in place prior to approaching the toll lanes.

Q: Can vehicles share an  E-ZPass ®  transponder? A: Transponders are not linked to one vehicle and can be moved. We ask that you add all vehicles to your account while in use to avoid any violations, and the device must be in the vehicle at the time of use. This can be updated online at  www.ezpassoh.com  or by calling (440) 971-2222.

Q: Can I use my  E-ZPass ®  in a rental vehicle? A: Transponders can be used in rental vehicles. All vehicles should be added to your account while in use to avoid any violations, be sure to remove rental vehicles when you turn them back in. Be advised you are responsible for tolls until the rental is removed from your account. This can be added and removed online at  www.ezpassoh.com  or by calling (440) 971-2222.

Q: Can I use my  E-ZPass ®  while pulling a trailer or camper? A: You can use your transponder while pulling a trailer or camper. When you enter the lanes in Ohio, it will count the number of axles associated with the  E-ZPass ®  transponder and charge you accordingly. We ask that you register all vehicles, including trailers and campers, to your account to avoid violations. This can be done online at  www.ezpassoh.com  or by calling (440) 971-2222.

Q: Are there dedicated  E-ZPass ®  lanes? A: The majority of toll plazas have dedicated lanes available exclusively for  E-ZPass ®  customers. Smaller toll plazas with fewer lanes and lower traffic volume may not have dedicated  E-ZPass ®  lanes, but all open lanes are  E-ZPass ®  compatible.

Q: How often will I receive statements showing my  E-ZPass ®  usage? A: Customers are able to access their  E-ZPass ®  account information online 24/7. Transactions are generally recorded within 1-3 days of a trip. Statements are generated every month on the account anniversary date. However, transactions can be viewed and exported to PDF or CSV for any time period within the My Transactions module in the online account. Note: If a customer requests to receive a paper statement via U.S. mail, a processing fee will apply.

Q: How do I update my billing information? A: Visit www.ezpassoh.com to access your account and update your billing information under Billing & Payments. Self-Service is also available 24 hours a day by calling (440) 971-2222.

Q: I haven't traveled recently, why has my credit card been charged? A: There is a $0.75 monthly fee per transponder regardless of use; this is deducted on the monthly anniversary of the account open date. The monthly fee may have taken your account balance below the low balance threshold.

Q: What if my transponder is not working? A: All Ohio Turnpike issued  E-ZPass ®  transponders have been tested and should be in good working order. Customers who experience problems with a transponder can contact the Ohio Turnpike  E-ZPass ®  Customer Service Center at (440) 971-2222. Note: Windshields containing metallic tinting and/or heating features may prevent the  E-ZPass ®  signal from being read properly. A CSC representative can advise these customers of another location to place the transponder in certain vehicles.

Q: What is the lifespan of my transponder? A: The transponder does have a battery with a current life of 8-15 years. If you are traveling in Ohio and the battery stops working the gate will not go up. If you are traveling out of state, you may receive a red-light warning in the lanes. If the transponder fails to read in Ohio, and the account is valid, the toll collector can manually enter the serial number on the  E-ZPass ®  to ensure that you receive the  E-ZPass ®  rate. After your travels, you can return the device and request a replacement.

Q: What if I have a mischarge on my account? A: If you have an Ohio account, please contact the Customer Service Center at (440) 971-2222 to dispute this charge. If you have a device issued from another agency, you will need to contact them directly and advise of the mischarge. At this time, we are not able to adjust out of state accounts and you will have to contact your home agency.

Q: How can I close my Ohio Turnpike  E-ZPass ®  account? A: Customers may close their  E-ZPass ®  account at any time by returning the transponder to:

Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission P.O. Box 460 Berea, OH 44017

If a customer's  E-ZPass ®  account is terminated, the customer must return all transponders. Be sure to put the transponder in the Mylar bag it came with, or wrap it in aluminum foil, to prevent it from reading in transit. Upon termination, any positive balance on the account will be refunded by crediting the customer's credit card on file. This refund is given approximately 60 days from the account closure. All transponders remain the property of the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission and the customer agrees to surrender possession of all transponders immediately upon request by the Commission. A $10.00 fee will be assessed on each unreturned transponder.

Q: Where can I return the transponder? A: Transponders may be mailed to:

Q: What are the electronic tolling rules? A: Click  HERE  to view a PDF of the electronic toll rules.

Q: How do I sign up or open a new  E-ZPass ®  account? A: Click  HERE  to sign up for an  E-ZPass ®  account.

Q: I left my transponder at home and went through an E-ZPass lane. Now what? A: If your license plate is registered to an active E-ZPass account, the tolls will be posted to the account at the V-Toll rate. If the license plate is not listed to an active E-ZPass account, an Unpaid Toll Invoice will be mailed to the address associated with the license plate registration.

Q: How do I pay my Unpaid Toll Invoice? A: You can pay online at www.ezpassoh.com with a credit or debit card. For payments made with check or money order send the invoice to:

Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission P.O. Box 94672 Cleveland, OH 44101

Q: I received an Unpaid Toll Ticket in the lanes with a toll collector. How do I pay? A: You can pay online at www.ezpassoh.com with a credit or debit card. For payments made with check or money order send the notice to:

Q: I'd like to dispute my toll. How can I request a hearing? A: To dispute any transaction on an invoice, please visit www.ezpassoh.com . You can file a hearing request by selecting Pay Your Unpaid Toll or under the Contact Us page.

Q: Why am I paying a higher toll rate on my E-ZPass with a license plate transaction? A: The Schedule of Tolls describes how tolls are determined. Customers paying their tolls electronically with  E-ZPass ®  transponders pay a reduced toll rate.

Is E-ZPass one company?

The E-ZPass Group is an association of toll entities in 19 states which provides the public with a seamless, accurate method for paying tolls at E‑ZPass facilities.

Do I have to sign up for E‑ZPass in each state that I want to travel in? Which one do I need?

No, you only have to sign up with one agency in order to experience the convenience of using E‑ZPass anywhere E‑ZPass is accepted.

Certain toll agencies offer discount programs to their frequent customers. It is suggested that you inquire about any discount programs offered by the agency whose facilities you will most frequently use and, if applicable, establish your account with that agency's E-ZPass service provider.  

I need to update my credit card, address or other account information.

Please visit the website for the agency that issued your transponder and go to the account management section or the contact us section of their website.

My E‑ZPass did not work. Can I change the battery?

The E‑ZPass must be mounted to the vehicle as prescribed by the agency who issued the transponder. In most cases the transponder must be mounted to the top of the windshield oriented with the label so that you can read it normally and not upside down.

The Standard E‑ZPass battery has about a 10 year life under normal usage conditions.

There are no user replaceable components in your E‑ZPass.

If you have a properly mounted device and are having problems please contact your E‑ZPass service center for assistance.

I have an E‑ZPass and got a violation notice or bill from another state.

This usually means one of two things.

Your transponder was not read and a photo of your license plate was taken and the license plate is not listed on your account as required.

Your account may have had insufficient funds when the transaction was attempted.

You will need to contact your Customer Service Center to assist you in identifying the problem.

How can I speak with a real person?

Please visit the website of the agency that issued your transponder for their contact information.

Most agencies have staffed service centers that you may physically visit if needed. Please see their website for more information on locations of their service centers.

How do I know which agency issued my E‑ZPass?

If you look at your transponder it will have the agency who issued your transponder along with their phone number and address as well as a serial number of the transponder.

I tried logging in to my E‑ZPass account and my password does not work.

If you are trying to login on this website www.e‑zpassiag.com you are in the wrong place. You will need to visit the website of the agency that issued your account and try to login there. Their site should have password recovery tools to assist you with access to your account.

Can I use my E-ZPass in Florida?

A s of May 28th 2021 E-ZPass can be used througout Florida.

Peach Pass & E-ZPass: Your Passport to Travel

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Still Have Questions?

Statements will be sent by the toll agency that issued the customer’s transponder. Peach Pass statements will include toll charges for travel throughout Georgia and participating states. Customers can check their statements for free online, as sent via email or, for a fee, mailed via USPS.

Toll invoices will only be sent to Peach Pass customers if your transponder is not mounted properly, or you have a negative account balance. An invoice will be sent from the agency operating the toll road where you traveled.

If you are a Peach Pass customer: You can dispute a toll charge through one of the following methods: Mypeachpass.com Website, Mail/Fax, SRTA Walk-In Center or Peach Pass GO! 2.0 Mobile App. You may also call the Peach Pass Customer Service Center at 1-888-PCH-PASS (724-7277). To submit a dispute online as a Peach Pass account holder, log in to your Peach Pass account, select “Online Support” and follow the steps to submit your dispute.

If you are not a Peach Pass customer but received a Peach Pass Toll Invoice: Select “Contact Us” on the bottom of the Peachpass.com home page and select “Email Peach Pass.” Then, follow the steps to submit your dispute.

If you are a customer of an out-of-state toll agency: Contact your toll agency for information on how to file a dispute.

Having more than one transponder in your vehicle could allow you to be double charged. We recommend only having one toll account for each vehicle.

Only Peach Pass account holders are eligible to travel without paying the toll on I-85 through toll-exempt or non-toll mode accounts. Peach Pass customers are not able to take advantage of occupancy discounts in other states. We recommend keeping the account from the state where you travel the most frequently.

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Swiss Travel Pass.

Discover Switzerland with just a single ticket: the Swiss Travel Pass lets you travel by public transport to Switzerland’s most scenic regions.

The Swiss Travel Pass gives you unlimited travel by train, bus and boat, as well as many other advantages.

The advantages for you.

• Unlimited travel by train, bus and boat
• Unlimited travel on premium panorama trains (seat reservation fees and/or surcharges apply)
• Unlimited use of public transport in more than 90 towns & cities
• Free admission to more than  500 museums Link opens in new window.
• Mountain excursions included: Rigi, Stanserhorn and Stoos
• Discount of up to 50% on other mountain excursions
• Discount of up to 50% on leisure travel offers

Please note.

• The Swiss Travel Pass has been developed for guests from abroad. It is available to persons permanently resident outside Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein.
• For online purchasing, purchase as a “guest”. You do not need a login.
• To receive the Swiss Family Card directly, add the child as a passenger under ‘Add passengers’ when you buy your Swiss Travel Pass.
• The Swiss Travel Pass / Swiss Half Fare Card / and the Family Card cannot be loaded onto a SwissPass card. You will not receive a customer number or an additional card.

Offers for adults aged 25 or over.

Choose 3, 4, 6, 8 or 15 consecutive days of travel.

Prices effective until 31.12.2024. Prices and product specifications subject to change.

Swiss Travel Pass Flex.

Valid on 3, 4, 6, 8 or 15 freely selectable days within one month.

Offers for young persons under 25.

The Swiss Travel Pass Youth gives young persons under 25 a 30% discount on the Swiss Travel Pass. It offers the same validity.

Swiss Travel Pass Youth.

Swiss travel pass flex youth., children aged between 6 and 16..

Children from their 6th up to their 16th birthday accompanied by at least one parent (holding a Swiss Travel System ticket) travel free of charge on train, bus, boat and mountain railway with the complimentary Swiss Family Card.

Children under 6.

Children under 6 years of age travel free of charge.

Further content

Swiss travel pass, more on the topic..

• Children travel for free with the Swiss Family Card Link opens in new window.
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• Area of validity Swiss Travel Pass (PDF, 2,0 MB) Link opens in new window. This document is not barrier-free.

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The Indiana Toll Road does NOT send out text messages asking for sensitive information. If you receive a message, please contact Customer Service (574) 675-4010 or visit https://www.indianatollroad.org/contact/.

About E-ZPass

• Purchase an E-ZPass

Activate your E-ZPass

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• Pay Unpaid Toll
• Dispute a Toll Amount 

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E-ZPass is the fastest, easiest way to pay your tolls on the Indiana Toll Road. There’s no need to waste travel time searching for coins, credit cards or tickets which can add unnecessary time and stress to your day. All you need is a transponder in your vehicle and you can simply drive through E-ZPass designated toll lanes. Your toll is debited from a prepaid account.

E-ZPass is accepted in these states

• Chicago Skyway
• Illinois State Toll Highway Authority
• Louisville-Southern Indiana Ohio River Bridges
• Massachusetts
• New Hampshire
• North Carolina
• Ohio Turnpike
• Pennsylvania Turnpike
• Rhode Island
• West Virginia Parkways
• Please note, Indiana Toll Road E-ZPass is not accepted in Georgia

Want to learn more about E-ZPass?

More e-zpass resources.

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It’s quick and easy to sign up and purchase your E-ZPass.

Once you have your E-ZPass, you need to activate it.

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Already have your E-ZPass? Access your account here.

PUBLIC NOTICE: New toll rates effective 07/01/2024. You can find the rates here .

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E-ZPass Personal Account

E-ZPass is the most convenient, least expensive way to travel the PA Turnpike. E‑ZPass customers save nearly 60% on tolls.

Manage Your Personal E‑ZPass Account Online

Manage your account.

• Update your Contact, Vehicle and Billing Information
• Access Transactions and Statements 
• Make a Payment

Open an E-ZPass Account

• Apply for an E‑ZPass online
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Find an E-ZPass Go Pak Retailer

Learn about e‑zpass.

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Visit the E-ZPass Website

Become a Road Pro with E‑ZPass

Using E-ZPass is the most convenient and least expensive way to travel the PA Turnpike. Make sure your transponder is mounted in your windshield, drive through a Toll Point and your toll will be deducted from your pre-paid account balance. You save nearly 60% on your tolls and don’t have to be on the lookout for an invoice in the mail.

Grabbing an E-ZPass Go Pak at one of 600-plus retailers is your shortcut to E-ZPass convenience.

Shop E-ZPass

Manage Your Account with the PA Toll Pay App

Download the PA Toll Pay app to manage your account. Customers can add or remove vehicles including rentals with the snap of a photo, update payment information, activate your transponder and review account activity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can i use e-zpass.

View a list of E-ZPass locations here .

What is E-ZPass Plus?

E-ZPass Plus is a benefit for E-ZPass customers that allows them to use their transponders to pay for charges at participating facilities displaying the E-ZPass Plus logo. There is no additional charge for the E‑ZPass Plus program. You only pay the charges when they occur. Charges less than $20 are deducted from your prepaid E-ZPass account. Charges of $20 or more are charged directly to the credit card used to replenish your E-ZPass account. All E-ZPass Plus transactions are recorded on your statement.

All accounts with a prepaid balance and a valid credit card for primary replenishment are automatically enrolled in E-ZPass Plus. If you decide not to participate in the E-ZPass Plus program, you can make that change by either accessing your account online, through our mobile app, PA Toll Pay, or by contacting the PA Turnpike E-ZPass Customer Service Center at 1-877-736-6727 and when prompted, say "Customer Service" then select 1.

The E-ZPass Plus program is not available for E-ZPass customers who replenish via ACH or Manual. Auto replenishment using a credit card is required to participate.  If you have chosen ACH or Manual as your primary form of replenishment and you would like to participate in E-ZPass Plus, please contact the PA Turnpike E-ZPass Customer Service Center at 1-877-736-6727.  When prompted, say "Customer Service" then select 1. 

By participating in the E-ZPass Plus program, you consent to the release of your name and address to E‑ZPass Plus facility operators.

Where is E-ZPass Plus available?

E-ZPass Plus is currently available at the following sites:

• Albany International Airport, New York, NY
• JFK International Airport, New York, NY
• LaGuardia International Airport, New York, NY
• Newark Liberty International Airport, Newark, NJ
• New York Avenue Garage, Atlantic City, NJ
• Atlantic City International Airport, Atlantic City, NJ
• Great New York State Fair, Syracuse, NY (Seasonal)

Click here for a complete list of participating facilities.

Can I purchase E-ZPass as a gift?

Yes. The PA Turnpike Commission offers E-ZPass gift certificates as a convenient way of gift giving. E‑ZPass gift certificates may be used to open a new E-ZPass account or to add funds to the prepaid balance of an existing PA Turnpike E-ZPass account. Gift certificates must be redeemed with the PA Turnpike E‑ZPass Customer Service Center.

E-ZPass gift certificates can be purchased in amounts starting at $38 (the minimum required to open a new account) to a maximum of $100. Visit the PA Turnpike E-ZPass Customer Service Center at 300 East Park Drive in Harrisburg, PA 17111 or call 1-877-736-6727  and when prompted, say "Customer Service" then select 1 to purchase gift certificates.

What happens if I’m in a rental vehicle? How will I be invoiced?

E-ZPass customers can add their rental vehicle information to their existing PA Turnpike E-ZPass account. To add a rental vehicle, access your account  online  or via our mobile app,  PA Toll Pay . When adding the vehicle to your account, indicate the vehicle is a rental. Enter the start and end dates when prompted. You can also call the PA Turnpike E-ZPass Customer Service Center at 1-877-736-6727 and when prompted, say "Customer Service".

The PA Turnpike is required by statute to send TBP invoices to the vehicle’s registered owner. Customers with rental vehicles should check with the rental company regarding their toll policy and payment options before traveling on the PA Turnpike. Each rental company has a different policy for the payment of tolls.

Customers who do not have an E-ZPass account but want to pay the toll for a rental vehicle when traveling on the PA Turnpike, can do so by opening a Toll By Plate account online or via our mobile app, PA Toll Pay .

Customers are responsible for any tolls incurred while the vehicle registration is listed on their account.

See the Rental Vehicles page on our website for more details.

View more E-ZPass questions on the FAQs page .

E-ZPass Resources

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Global Entry

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Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States. Members enter the United States by accessing the Global Entry processing technology at selected airports .

At airports, program members proceed to the Global Entry lanes where processing technology will be used to expedite the members by capturing a photo to verify their membership. Once the photo has been captured, the member will receive on-screen instructions and proceed to a CBP officer who will confirm that you have successfully completed the process.

Travelers must be pre-approved for the Global Entry program. All applicants undergo a rigorous background check and in-person interview before enrollment. If a traveler was unable to schedule an interview at an Enrollment Center prior to their international travel, they have an option to complete their interview via Enrollment on Arrival upon their arrival to the United States.

Another upcoming processing technology option for travelers will be the Global Entry Mobile App. This app will enable members to validate their arrival to the U.S. on their iOS or Android device prior to entering the Federal Inspection Services area.

While Global Entry’s goal is to speed travelers through the process, members may still be selected for further examination when entering the United States. Any violation of the program’s terms and conditions will result in the appropriate enforcement action and termination of the traveler’s membership privileges.

Global Entry Benefits

• No processing lines
• No paperwork
• Access to expedited entry
• Available at major U.S. airports
• Reduced wait times

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Plan ahead and see your savings!​

Use the toll calculator to plan your next trip with NC Quick Pass.

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TravelPass® FAQs

TravelPass lets you take your talk, text and data with you to 210+ countries and destinations for a set daily fee. For more information about using your device internationally, visit our Trip Planner .

TravelPass days on us

What is travelpass.

TravelPass lets you use your domestic talk, text and data* in 210+ countries and destinations outside the US for a set daily fee. Calling within the country you're visiting and back to the US are both included with this plan. *High speed data applies for the first 2 GB/day with 3G speeds thereafter. If more than 50% of your talk, text or data usage in a 60-day period is in Canada or Mexico, use of those services in those countries may be removed or limited.

How will I be charged for TravelPass?

You're only charged on days you use your device in a TravelPass country :

• $5/day in Mexico and Canada. Remember, calling, texting and data use in Mexico and Canada are included at no extra cost in our Unlimited mobile plans.
• $10/day in other TravelPass countries.
• If you travel to 2 countries within a single 24-hour session or have a layover in a different country on your way to your final destination, you're still only charged for the first session.
• There's no charge when you're in the US.

What will I be charged if I call another country other than the one I'm visiting or the US?

You will be charged as per your International Long Distance plan. If you do not have one, you will be charged international long distance pay per minute rates.

How does TravelPass work?

After you add TravelPass to your line:

• A 24-hour TravelPass session starts automatically when you use your device in a TravelPass country (e.g., make or answer a phone call, send a text or use data).
• You must turn on cellular data or data roaming when you go to the TravelPass country to use Travel Pass.
• App content refreshing (e.g., Weather apps, Fitness Tracker, etc.)
• Syncing (e.g., with email)
• Device or app software updates
• 2 hours after the session starts we send you a text letting you know when your 24-hour TravelPass session ends. Using your device after that time will start a new session.

Which countries can I call with TravelPass?

With TravelPass, you can call within the country you're visiting and you can call back to the US. If you want to call a different country, add an International Long Distance Plan to your line in My Verizon website or the My Verizon app. If you don't add an international long distance plan you'll be charged international long distance pay per minute rates for these calls.

Can I use Wi-Fi calling with TravelPass?

Wi-Fi calling isn't included with TravelPass. Wi-Fi calling to a country other than the US is charged international long distance rates regardless of whether or not you have an international travel plan.

Can I use my device while traveling outside the US?

Most smartphones and some tablets can be used when you travel abroad. Use our Trip Planner to find out if your device will work for your trip.

How do I get my device ready to use outside the US?

Before you use your device while traveling, make sure your device's roaming is turned on. Roaming must be on so your device can connect to cellular networks in your destination country. For instructions to turn roaming on and off:

• Visit Let's Troubleshoot Your Devices to learn how to adjust your roaming settings.
• Enter your device in the search field under Filter (e.g., "Samsung" or "S23", etc.) and choose your device.
• Select Troubleshoot under the device's name on the device tile.
• In the Search Another Issue field, type "Turn data roaming on or off." Follow the instructions for your device.

How do I add TravelPass to my line?

You can add TravelPass to your line by:

• Visiting the Trip Planner in My Verizon.
• Texting the word Travel to 4004.
• For TravelPass to work, you must turn on cellular data or data roaming when you go to the TravelPass country.

Do I have to opt in every day to use TravelPass?

No, you don't need to opt in every day. Add TravelPass once and it stays on your line so you're all set for your next trip. You're only charged for the days that you use your device in a TravelPass country . There's no charge when you're in the US.

How do I get more high speed data once I've reached my limit?

TravelPass gives you high-speed data for the first 2 GB/day. After that, you'll have unlimited data at 3G speeds for the remainder of your TravelPass session. To get more high speed data after you use the daily 2 GB:

• This additional data costs $5 in Mexico and Canada, $10 in all other TravelPass countries.
• Reply speed to get the added high speed data.

You can buy additional 2 GB of high speed data multiple times during a single 24-hour session. Note: Additional high speed data sessions are not available in Andorra, Burundi, Bahrain, Ethiopia, Kiribati, Kosovo, Mauritius, Namibia, Nepal, Pakistan, Sudan, South Sudan, Zimbabwe.

How do I get TravelPass days on us?

You get TravelPass days on us when you have:

• 5G Get More*, 5G Do More* – Get a TravelPass day each month.
• Verizon Visa Card – You get 2 TravelPass days per calendar year if you apply and are approved for the Verizon Visa Card.

*No longer available to add to your account.

Can I see how many TravelPass days I have?

All of your TravelPass days are stored in your TravelPass bank. To view your TravelPass bank:

• In the My Verizon app, tap the Menu icon in the top left corner of the screen.
• Tap Verizon Up .
• Scroll down to Manage your TravelPass days.

You’ll see the number of TravelPass days you have. You can tap Manage to see the expiration dates of each of your TravelPass days and/or transfer* them to another eligible line on your account. *TravelPass days earned with 5G Get More or 5G Do More phone plans can't be transferred to other lines.

How do I use my TravelPass days?

The TravelPass days assigned to your line are automatically used when you have TravelPass active on your line and travel outside the US to a TravelPass country. When you arrive at your international destination, you receive a text message telling you how many TravelPass days you have. Once all your TravelPass days are used, the normal TravelPass daily fee will be applied. Note: TravelPass days aren't eligible for use on cruise ships .

Can I transfer my TravelPass days to another line on my account?

TravelPass days you get through the Verizon Visa Card can be transferred to another eligible line on the account. The Account Owner or Account Manager can make the transfer through the My Verizon app:

• Go to your TravelPass bank in the My Verizon app.
• Tap Manage .
• Tap Reassign next to the TravelPass day you want to transfer to another line.
• Select the eligible line you want to reassign the TravelPass day to.

The TravelPass day is now assigned to that line. Note:

• TravelPass days you receive from your Verizon Visa Card won't automatically be assigned. You can view them and assign them on the Use Rewards tab of the Verizon Up screen in the My Verizon app.
• TravelPass days earned with 5G Get More* or 5G Do More* phone plans can't be transferred to other lines.

Do my TravelPass days expire?

Here's when your TravelPass days expire:

• Verizon Visa Card: TravelPass days expire at the end of the calendar year.
• 5G Get More* and 5G Do More* TravelPass days expire 12 months after you receive them.

Tips on using TravelPass

Length: 1:00

Video Transcript

Verizon TravelPass Hi there! If you're planning on traveling abroad, we have a few simple tips to help you get the most out of your Verizon phone and your TravelPass. Make sure you enable roaming before you go, so that you can use data and voice services internationally. Go to settings, select cellular, then roaming, and make sure data and voice roaming are turned on. Remember, it may take up to three minutes for your phone to connect to local networks. If you experience service issues, be sure to turn your device off, then back on. This is a simple, yet effective way to reconnect your device to the international network while traveling. Making calls while outside the US will always need the international access code followed by a country code, and then the number you're calling. So on your iPhone, hold down the zero until you see the plus sign appear, enter the country code, then dial the number you want to call. And if you call a contact stored on your phone, double check that you've included the "+" and the country code. For more travel tips from Verizon, follow the link below: www.go.vzw.com/traveltips That's all for now! Enjoy your trip!

Additional support

International travel faqs, prepaid travelpass faqs.

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19 Best Travel Credit Cards Of June 2024

Expert Reviewed

Updated: May 30, 2024, 2:57pm

For anyone who travels enough to have a separate savings account, like I do, credit cards are a valuable resource toward booking and paying for your trip. The rewards can offset a huge portion of your out-of-pocket expenses, and the best travel cards often pay for themselves in money saved and headaches avoided.

Why you can trust Forbes Advisor

Our editors are committed to bringing you unbiased ratings and information. Our editorial content is not influenced by advertisers. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and companies, so all are measured equally. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and the credit card methodology for the ratings below.

• 113 countries visited
• 5,500 hotel nights spent
• 93,000,000 miles and points redeemed
• 29 loyalty programs covered

Best Travel Rewards Credit Cards

• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card : Best Travel Credit Card for Beginners
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card : Best Premium Travel Rewards Card
• Chase Sapphire Reserve® : Best Travel Credit Card for International Travel
• The Platinum Card® from American Express : Best Travel Rewards Credit Card for Lounge Access
• American Express® Gold Card : Best Travel Rewards Earning for Foodies
• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card : Best Flat-Rate Rewards Credit Card for Travel
• Bilt World Elite Mastercard® : Best Travel Rewards Credit Card With No Annual Fee
• Credit One Bank Wander® Card : Best Travel Credit Card for Fair Credit
• Aeroplan® Credit Card : Best Airline Rewards Program for International Travel
• United Quest℠ Card : Best United Credit Card
• United Club℠ Infinite Card : Best Premium Airline Card
• British Airways Visa Signature® Card : Best for British Airways Passengers
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card : Best for Southwest Passengers
• IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card : Best Midrange Hotel Card
• The World of Hyatt Credit Card : Best Travel Credit Card for Hyatt Loyalists
• Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card * : Best for Marriott Customers
• Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express * : Best Premium Hotel Card
• Wyndham Rewards Earner® Card * : Best No Annual Fee Hotel Card
• Best Credit Cards Of 2024
• Credit Cards With Travel Insurance
• Best Hotel Credit Cards
• Best Credit Card For Lounge Access
• Best No-Annual-Fee Cards For Travel
• Best Airline Credit Cards

Best General Purpose Travel Credit Cards

Best travel credit card for beginners, chase sapphire preferred® card.

Up to 5x Reward Rate

Earn 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all Read More

Welcome Bonus

75,000 bonus points

Regular APR

21.49%-28.49% Variable

Credit Score

Excellent, Good (700 - 749)

I jumped at the chance to get the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card when it was first launched. More than a decade later, I’m still a loyal cardholder.

Why We Like It

For a modest annual fee (which is partially justified with an annual hotel credit) you get a rare mix of high rewards rates and redemption flexibility.

What We Don’t Like

The highest earning rate requires making reservations through Chase Travel℠ and doesn’t include direct bookings or online travel agencies.

Who It’s Best For

Travelers who want to earn transferable points without a steep annual fee.

I​​t’s the granddaddy of travel credit cards, but it still earns its reputation as one of the best around with solid bonus categories, strong travel protections, a great set of domestic and international transfer partners and a reasonable annual fee to boot. You can’t go wrong with it as your first travel credit card.

• Earn high rewards on several areas of spending
• Transfer points to travel partners at 1:1 rate
• Many travel and shopping protections
• No intro APR offer
• Best travel earning rates are only for bookings through Chase
• Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
• Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
• Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 75,000 points are worth $937.50 toward travel.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
• Member FDIC

Best Premium Travel Rewards Card

Capital one venture x rewards credit card.

Up to 10X Reward Rate

Earn 2 miles per dollar on all eligible purchases, 5 miles per dollar on flights and 10 miles per dollar Read More

Earn 75,000 bonus miles

19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)

Excellent (750 - 850)

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card ( rates & fees ) is packed with extras that put it firmly in competition with other upscale credit cards. Just as important, the easy earnings structure is ideal for anyone who doesn’t want to stress over details.

Its annual fee is easily recouped through an annual travel credit and bonus miles, which makes the perks feel almost free.

The flat-rate earnings mean that if you have high spending in a single category, you might be better off with a different card.

Travelers who want premium benefits and are willing to book through Capital One travel at least once a year.

If you’re looking for lofty perks without a lofty annual fee, the Venture X fits the bill. While other cards with elite benefits can run close to $700 a year, the Venture X is nearly half that. And you’ll still get Capital One and Priority Pass airport lounge access for you and your eligible guests, an annual travel credit and solid earnings on everyday purchases.

• Annual fee lower than others in its category
• Annual travel credit through Capital One Travel and anniversary miles alone could justify the annual fee
• Miles are easy to earn and easy to use
• Lack of domestic airline and upscale hotel travel partners
• Capital One lounge network in its infancy
• Lack of hotel status benefits
• 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
• Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®

Best Travel Credit Card for International Travel

Chase sapphire reserve®.

Up to 10x Reward Rate

Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Read More

22.49%-29.49% Variable

Earn superior points rates if you spend frequently on travel and dining out with the Chase Sapphire Reserve® . Its greatest selling point, though, is the awesome list of 1:1 transfer partners.

The $300 travel credit compensates for much of the annual fee, and the travel protection benefits have personally reimbursed me more than $1,000.

There’s an extra fee to add an authorized user to your account.

Anyone looking to take advantage of built-in travel insurance protections.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card is one of the most valuable flexible rewards credit cards thanks to its lucrative bonus categories and easy-to-use travel credit. Cardholders can offset the annual fee and get great value when redeeming Chase Ultimate Rewards points earned on the card, thanks to partnerships with numerous airlines and hotels and its convenient travel booking portal, Chase Travel.

• $300 annual travel credit is incredibly flexible
• Generous welcome bonus
• Get 50% more value when you redeem points for travel through Chase
• Points transfer to valuable airline and hotel partners
• High annual fee
• High variable APR on purchases
• Excellent credit recommended
• Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $1,125 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
• $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
• Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 75,000 points are worth $1125 toward travel.
• 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
• Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®

Best Travel Rewards Credit Card for Lounge Access

The platinum card® from american express.

5X Reward Rate

Earn 5 Membership Rewards Points per dollar on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel and on flights booked directly Read More

Earn 80,000 points

See Pay Over Time APR

Good,Excellent (700 - 749)

The Platinum Card® from American Express (terms apply, see rates & fees ) is destined for frequent travelers who intend to fully leverage the rich set of travel benefits. Trust me when I say the perks can make you feel like a VIP. The staggering annual fee for this classic status card won’t be worth it for everyone, but in the right hands the expense can be well justified.

Lounge access with this card extends beyond the Priority Pass membership you see on other premium cards.

Many of the statement credits and other offers have limitations for how you can use them.

Cardholders who will track and maximize the long list of member benefits.

Being an Amex Platinum cardholder grants access to the International Airline Program, which can save you money on first and business-class seats on more than 20 airlines, as well as premium economy tickets for you and up to seven traveling companions. Start your search on the Amex Travel website to find international flights departing or arriving in the U.S. for any of those premium cabins.

• High reward potential on flights and hotels booked through American Express Travel
• Multiple credits can help justify the fee
• Comprehensive airport lounge access
• Luxury travel benefits and elite status with Hilton and Marriott with enrollment
• Very high annual fee
• Maximizing the statement credits takes some work and could be impractical for many
• Reward rate outside of travel is sub-par for a premium card
• 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.

Runner-Up Travel Cards

Best travel rewards earning for foodies, american express® gold card.

Up to 4X Reward Rate

Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.; Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at Read More

Earn 60,000 points

Excellent/Good (700 - 749)

Foodies and travelers can leverage the American Express® Gold Card (terms apply, see rates & fees ) to the hilt, earning up to 4 points per dollar. The annual fee may seem intimidating—I get that. But my household comes out ahead by taking advantage of the card’s dining credits and rotating Amex Offers.

The grocery earnings on this card are impressive and rare for a travel card. Earn on everyday spending and redeem toward vacation: perfect.

The dining credits and Uber Cash are provided monthly rather than in an annual lump sum.

Cardholders with high spending on food expenses.

This card makes it easy to earn Membership Rewards points while doing regular grocery shopping since the card earns bonus points at supermarkets. And for the nights that cardholders don’t want to cook, they can make use of the monthly dining and Uber credits (which can be used on Uber Eats orders).

• High rewards earnings possibilities
• Points transfer option to many partners
• Add up to 5 authorized users for no additional annual fee
• Can choose from regular or rose gold versions
• No lounge benefits
• Limited options to carry a balance
• High APR for pay over time feature
• High pay over time penalty APR
• 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.

Best Flat-Rate Rewards Credit Card for Travel

Capital one venture rewards credit card.

Up to 5X Reward Rate

Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn 5X miles on Capital One Entertainment Read More

Casual travelers who don’t plan to carry a balance will find good value in the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card‘s ( rates & fees ) earnings rates. And if you appreciate the skip-the-line perks of TSA PreCheck® and Global Entry as much as I do, you’ll be grateful for the up to $100 credit toward program fees.

You can earn double miles on every purchase and access transfer partners without ponying up a triple-digit annual fee.

The card is light on big-ticket benefits compared to peers.

Cardholders who want to earn travel rewards at a flat rate.

The Capital One Venture Rewards card is extremely low maintenance as far as travel reward cards go. It provides consistent value and flexibility when it comes to earning and redeeming points for travel and is an excellent alternative for anyone a bit leery of the high Venture X annual fee ( rates & fees ).

• Solid rewards rate
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® statement credit (up to $100)
• No foreign transaction fees
• Miles are easy to redeem either via partner transfers or by applying against travel purchases
• $95 annual fee
• No introductory APR on purchases or transfers
• 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
• 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

Best Travel Rewards Credit Card With No Annual Fee

Bilt world elite mastercard®.

Up to 3x Reward Rate

1x on rent payments with no transaction fee (on up to 100,000 points each calendar year). 2x points on travel Read More

Good/Excellent (700 - 749)

Pay rent, earn rewards and use your earnings for travel. I wish the Bilt World Elite Mastercard® ( rates & fees ) existed when I was still renting, so something positive would have come out of those expenses. Even without a rent payment, the earning rates and redemption options aren’t too shabby.

There aren’t many options to earn transferable miles without an annual fee or a card pairing, especially considering how many partners Bilt has.

There’s no welcome offer on this card whatsoever.

Anyone who regularly makes rent payments.

It’s almost impossible to earn rewards on what is the biggest monthly expense for many people, which is why anyone who pays rent should have a Bilt Mastercard in their wallet. Not only will you earn points just from paying your rent, you’ll do it without being charged a fee for the transaction, and Bilt points are among the most versatile travel points around. ( Pro Tip: Don’t redeem Bilt points to pay rent when you can get much more value for them for travel!).

• Earn rewards on rent
• Primary car rental and cell phone insurance
• Points can be transferred to partners
• Requires five card transactions per statement period to earn rewards
• No welcome bonus
• High regular APR range
• Rewards outside of rent spend are relatively low compared to other cards
• Earn points when you make 5 transactions that post each statement period
• $0 annual fee
• 1x points on rent payments with no transaction fee (on up to 100,000 points each calendar year)
• 2x points on travel (when booked directly with an airline, hotel, car rental or cruise company)
• 3x points on dining
• Plus 1x points on other purchases
• Cell Phone Insurance
• Purchase security (theft and damage protection)
• Mastercard® World Elite Concierge
• Lyft Credits
• No foreign currency conversion fee
• Rewards & benefits terms

Best Travel Credit Card for Fair Credit

Credit one bank wander® card.

Earn 10X points on eligible hotels and car rentals booked through the Credit One Bank travel site; earn 5X points Read More

29.74% Variable

Fair/Good (650 - 699)

The Credit One Bank Wander® Card is a rare card that combines high-value travel and gas earnings but requires only average credit to apply. Once you get it, I’d recommend working hard to rebuild your credit and apply for a similar card without an annual fee, but it’s a great stepping stone in the meantime.

Almost everyone looking for a travel card will spend on the card’s bonus categories of airfare, gas and dining.

Maximizing the 10x categories requires booking through the Credit One travel partner.

Travelers with fair credit.

The Credit One Bank Wander Card offers lucrative points-earning opportunities within key travel categories, however, its extra perks and benefits fall short when compared to other premium credit cards.

• High reward potential
• Issuer advertises requiring an average minimum credit rating
• No low introductory APR period
• High 29.74% Variable APR
• Earn 10x points on eligible hotels and car rentals booked through the Credit One Bank travel partner site
• Earn 5x points on eligible travel, dining, and gas
• Earn 1x points on all other purchases
• Redeem your reward points for statement credits, gift cards, merchandise, flights, hotels, and more
• With $0 Fraud Liability, you won’t be responsible for unauthorized charges
• Free Online Credit Score and Credit Report summary, terms apply
• If you are a Covered Borrower under the Military Lending Act, you may get a different offer
• See Rates & Fees

Best Travel Cards for Airlines

Best airline rewards program for international travel, aeroplan® credit card.

Earn 3x points for each dollar spent on grocery stores, dining at restaurants including takeout and eligible delivery services, and Read More

Earn 70,000 points

21.74% - 28.74% Variable

Good, Excellent (700 - 749)

Many people—myself included—might be tempted to overlook this card that seems geared toward Air Canada passengers. But the Aeroplan® Credit Card recently caught my eye for its strong earning potential and the option to redeem miles for award flights on partner airlines, of which there are dozens.

Not only can you earn quickly with this card, but your miles stretch far, too. Cardholders may have access to reduced price award flights.

Learning the ins and outs of Aeroplan rewards requires a little extra attention.

Savvy travelers who mostly fly internationally.

Chase and Air Canada’s co-branded Aeroplan Credit Card will serve as an excellent companion for frequent flyers of Star Alliance and its carriers from United to Lufthansa as you earn valuable Aeroplan points. Maximize your Aeroplan points and redeem for flights and hotels through an extensive partner network. Enjoy additional points-earning opportunities in key everyday categories.

• Excellent rewards earning
• Travel benefits including perks for Air Canada flyers
• Lacks non-travel-related benefits
• Earn 70,000 bonus points
• Earn 70,000 points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
• $95 Annual Fee
• Redeem points for both international and domestic flights with the Aeroplan® Credit Card.
• Fly to another continent and travel the world with the Aeroplan® Credit Card.
• Earn 3X points for each dollar spent at grocery stores, on dining at restaurants, and Air Canada directly. Earn 1X point for each dollar spent on all other purchases.
• 500 bonus points for every $2,000 you spend in a calendar month – up to 1,500 points per month.

Best United Credit Card

United quest℠ card.

Up to 3X Reward Rate

3 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases. 2 miles per $1 spent on dining, select streaming services & all Read More

Earn 60,000 bonus miles

21.99% - 28.99% Variable

Frequent United Airlines customers will appreciate that the United Quest℠ Card comes with an annual $125 United credit, rewards on travel and dining and travel protections such as primary car rental coverage and trip cancellation insurance.

This card rewards your loyalty. You can earn award flight credits after renewing the card and booking eligible award flights with your miles.

The annual fee on the United Quest is more than double the average airline card.

United flyers who aren’t interested in committing to an ultra-premium card.

Don’t let the card’s annual fee scare you off. Even if you’re not a frequent flyer, the perks can make this card worth your while, and the rewards rates are better compared to most airline cards.

• $125 annual United purchase credit
• Earn up to two 5,000-mile award flight credits annually
• Two free checked bags for cardholder and a companion traveling on the same reservation
• Earn up to 6,000 Premier Qualifying Points annually
• Primary auto collision damage waiver for eligible rentals
• Checked baggage benefit only applies to one companion
• Earnings for general purchases are only 1 mile per dollar
• Earn 60,000 bonus miles and 500 PQP after qualifying purchases
• Earn 3 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases
• Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel, dining and select streaming services
• Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Free first and second checked bags – a savings of up to $320 per roundtrip (terms apply) – and priority boarding
• Up to a $125 United® purchase credit and up to 10,000 miles in award flight credits each year (terms apply)
• Earn up to 6,000 Premier qualifying points (25 PQP for every $500 you spend on purchases)

Best Premium Airline Card

United club℠ infinite card.

Earn 4 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases; Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel and Read More

Earn 80,000 bonus miles

United’s top-tier card ties up the whole package. A suite of travel perks makes the United Club℠ Infinite Card a compelling value, with the United Club membership alone worth more than the annual fee. If I flew more often, I’d be tempted by the ability to earn Premier Qualifying Points with eligible charges.

Airport lounge access can turn the frustration of airports into an actually relaxing experience.

Many loyal customers may already have elite status with United, making the included Premier Access benefits redundant.

United flyers who want airport lounge access when traveling.

If reaching a higher status with United is a priority, the United Club Infinite all but guarantees it, as long as the card is used regularly. Cardholders also enjoy frequent seat upgrades (depending on route and availability) plus always-free United Club access. But these perks come with a hefty price tag.

• No foreign transaction fee
• United Club membership is worth more than the annual fee
• First and second checked bag free when you pay for your flight with your card
• High regular APR
• Earn 80,000 bonus miles after qualifying purchases
• Earn 4 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases
• Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel and dining
• Free first and second checked bags – a savings of up to $320 per roundtrip (terms apply) – and Premier Access® travel services
• 10% United Economy Saver Award discount within the continental U.S. and Canada
• Earn up to 10,000 Premier qualifying points (25 PQP for every $500 you spend on purchases)

Best for British Airways Passengers

British airways visa signature® card.

Earn 85,000 Avios.

British Airways’ Avios reward currency is looked down upon by lots of travelers, but the British Airways Visa Signature® Card  offers value if you know where to look.

This card makes it even easier to lock in a deal, thanks to flight discounts, statement credits toward award flights and the chance to earn a Travel Together Ticket .

Many British Airways redemptions have really high fees associated with them, which takes some of the fun out of booking award flights.

Travelers who fly British Airways annually or more often.

Those who spend enough to earn the Travel Together Ticket can get 50% off the price of their award ticket when traveling solo or get a second seat on the same flight and cabin for a companion at no additional cost beyond taxes and fees. Travel Together Tickets are now valid on British Airways, Iberia and Aer Lingus flights and any of their subsidiaries on itineraries from anywhere in the world for both one-way or round-trip flights.

• Generous rewards on eligible flights
• Potential to earn a companion ticket
• Lucrative welcome bonus
• Rewards rate poor outside of Avios-earning airlines
• Subject to Chase’s 5/24 rule
• No checked baggage or lounge perks
• Limited time offer! Earn 85,000 Avios after you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
• Earn 3 Avios per $1 spent on purchases with British Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia, and LEVEL.
• Earn 2 Avios per $1 spent on hotel accommodations when purchased directly with the hotel.
• 10% off British Airways flights starting in the US when you book through the website provided in your welcome materials.
• Every calendar year you make $30,000 in purchases on your British Airways Visa card, you’ll earn a Travel Together Ticket good for two years.
• Pay no foreign transaction fees when you travel abroad.
• Simply tap to pay with your contactless British Airways Visa Signature Card. Just look for the contactless symbol at checkout. It’s fast, easy and secure!

Best for Southwest Passengers

Southwest rapid rewards® priority credit card.

Earn 3X points on Southwest purchases, 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare, 2X points on internet, cable, Read More

Earn 50,000 points.

21.49%-28.49% variable

My biggest gripe with Southwest is the lack of assigned seating, but the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card solves that issue with four upgraded boardings per year when available, a $75 annual travel credit toward Southwest purchases (upgrade to an Anytime fare for EarlyBird Check-In) and the chance to earn tier qualifying points. Once you’re A-List, you’ll always get complimentary priority boarding.

Stick with this card and you’ll get a 7,500 anniversary points bonus each year after renewal. Sounds like another free flight to me.

Rapid Rewards doesn’t partner with other airlines, so your redemption options are limited.

Southwest flyers who can consistently maximize the annual travel credit and anniversary points.

The perks on this card are practical and useful for regular Southwest flyers. Four upgraded boarding passes per year plus an easy-to-earn $75 statement credit on Southwest purchases and a 7,500-point anniversary bonus can all make this card worth keeping in their wallets.

• Earn points toward A-list status
• Unlimited reward seats with no blackout dates
• Rewards flights only available on Southwest, no partner airlines
• Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• 7,500 anniversary points each year.
• Earn 3X points on Southwest® purchases.
• Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.
• Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming.
• $75 Southwest® travel credit each year.
• No foreign transaction fees.

Best Travel Cards for Hotel Points

Best midrange hotel card, ihg one rewards premier credit card.

Up to 26X Reward Rate

Earn up to 26 points total per $1 spent when you stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts; 5 points per Read More

Earn 140,000 bonus points

21.49% - 28.49% Variable

I stay at IHG properties only a few times a year, but the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is a mainstay in my husband’s wallet. Get it for the benefits, not the points potential: We love the Anniversary Free Night—which alone justifies the annual fee—and appreciate the fourth-night-free feature.

High spenders are showered with extra love. You can earn statement credits, bonus points or upgraded elite status when hitting spending thresholds on the card.

The earning rates aren’t as high as they seem once you realize that IHG One Rewards are typically worth less than a penny apiece.

Travelers who stay at IHG properties one or more times per year.

The IHG One Rewards Premier blows all other mid-tier hotel credit cards out of the water with perks alone. You don’t even have to use the card regularly to offset its annual fee every year.

• Earn up to 26 points per dollar spent on IHG hotels worldwide
• Free night award every account anniversary
• Fourth night free on point redemption stays
• Automatic Platinum Elite status
• Poor earnings for everyday and non-category hotel purchases
• Low overall point value
• No worthwhile redemption options outside of IHG properties
• Earn 140,000 Bonus Points
• Enjoy an Anniversary Free Night at IHG Hotels & Resorts. Plus, enjoy a fourth reward night free when you redeem points for a consecutive four-night IHG® hotel stay.
• Earn up to 26 total points per $1 spent when you stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts
• Earn 5 points per $1 spent on purchases on travel, at gas stations, and restaurants. Earn 3 points per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Automatic Platinum Elite status as long as you remain a Premier cardmember
• Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS Statement Credit of up to $100 every 4 years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card
• IHG One Rewards Bonus points are redeemable at Hotels & Resorts such as InterContinental®, Crowne Plaza®, Kimpton®, EVEN® Hotels, Indigo® Hotels & Holiday Inn®

Best Travel Credit Card for Hyatt Loyalists

The world of hyatt credit card.

Up to 9X Reward Rate

Earn up to 9 points total per $1 spent at Hyatt - 4 bonus points per $1 when you use Read More

Up to 60,000 Bonus Points

21.49% - 28.49% variable

While Hyatt doesn’t have an extensive network of properties compared to other chains, the value offered by The World of Hyatt Credit Card is outstanding. If you’re a regular at Hyatt, a combination of high redemption values, sweet perks and one free night per year easily covers the annual fee and then some.

The card comes with five qualifying night credits, but cardholders can earn more through card spending to work their way up the elite ladder.

The automatic Discoverist elite status for cardholders is, frankly, uninspiring.

Hyatt loyalists looking to earn extra points and work toward status.

For many Hyatt loyalists, earning Globalist status each year is a priority and this card can help them get there faster by providing five elite night credits annually. Plus the complimentary yearly certificate for a category 1 to 4 Hyatt hotel counts toward elite status too and can offset the card’s annual fee.

• Annual free night certificate on cardmember anniversary
• Complimentary World of Hyatt Discoverist status
• High points redemption values
• Limited number of properties
• No worthwhile redemption options aside from Hyatt properties
• Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. Plus, up to 30,000 More Bonus Points by earning 2 Bonus Points total per $1 spent in the first 6 months from account opening on purchases that normally earn 1 Bonus Point, on up to $15,000 spent.
• Enjoy complimentary World of Hyatt Discoverist status for as long as your account is open.
• Get 1 free night each year after your Cardmember anniversary at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort
• Receive 5 tier qualifying night credits towards status after account opening, and each year after that for as long as your account is open
• Earn an extra free night at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel if you spend $15,000 in a calendar year
• Earn 2 qualifying night credits towards tier status every time you spend $5,000 on your card
• Earn up to 9 points total for Hyatt stays – 4 Bonus Points per $1 spent at Hyatt hotels & 5 Base Points per $1 from Hyatt as a World of Hyatt member
• Earn 2 Bonus Points per $1 spent at restaurants, on airline tickets purchased directly from the airlines, on local transit and commuting and on fitness club and gym memberships

Best for Marriott Customers

Marriott bonvoy boundless® credit card *.

Up to 6X Reward Rate

Earn 6 points for every $1 at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels, 3 points for every $1 spent each year (up Read More

Earn 3 Free Night Awards

Overwhelmed by all of Marriott’s credit card options? So am I. The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card * is the best value for most customers, given a robust set of perks and rewards potential without an eye-popping annual fee.

The Free Night Award, provided each year after renewal, is valued at 35,000 points and can be topped off if you prefer an upgraded stay.

If you’ve held a Marriott-branded credit card in the past, you may not be eligible for this one. Choose your card wisely before applying!

Marriott Bonvoy members looking for a little extra without a high annual fee.

The card’s free award night perk alone makes the card worth a spot in any traveler’s wallet. The option to combine the certificate with up to 15,000 points to get more flexibility for your annual stay is a nice touch.

• Free night certificate every year (valued at 35,000 points)
• 15 Elite Night Credits per year
• Automatic Silver Elite status
• Stingy earnings structure
• Earn 3 Free Night Awards after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening
• Earn 6 points per dollar on qualifying Marriott Bonvoy hotel stays
• Earn 3 points per dollar spent on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year on groceries, gas stations, and dining
• Earn 2 points per dollar spent on all other purchases
• Points don’t expire as long as you make purchases on your credit card every 24 months

Best Premium Hotel Card

Hilton honors aspire card from american express *.

Up to 14X Reward Rate

Earn 14X Hilton Honors bonus points on eligible purchases at participating hotels or resorts within the Hilton portfolio; Earn 7X Read More

Earn 175,000 points

20.99% - 29.99% variable

The flagship card from Hilton, the Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express * comes with a price tag to match its top-tier status and perks. It’s a perfect fit for big spenders who haunt Hilton properties enough to leverage the rich suite of benefits that come with the complimentary Diamond elite status.

Hilton status is actually meaningful, giving you benefits like food and beverage credits, executive lounge access and room upgrades.

Since the annual fee is $550, you’ll need to travel often to make the perks worth the cost.

Travelers willing to pay for automatic top-tier hotel status and other benefits.

Top-tier elite status from simply holding this credit card is its most endearing quality. Hilton Diamond status–granted every year you hold the card–gets you room upgrades, food and beverage credits, executive lounge access and more. Since there’s no spend requirement for the Diamond status, this benefit even on its own can make the card worth keeping long term.

• CLEAR® Plus membership credit with enrollment
• Over $750 in value annually
• Instant Hilton Diamond elite status with rich set of benefits
• Free standard night award with no category limits at participating properties
• High annual fee with no first-year waiver
• High regular APR and penalty APR
• Credits are doled out in increments, making them harder to spend
• Points have a lower value than most rewards programs
• Earn 175,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of card membership, offer ends 7/31/2024
• Earn 14 points for every dollar spent on eligible purchases at participating hotels or resorts within the Hilton Portfolio
• Earn 7 points for every dollar spent on dining and eligible travel purchases including: Flights booked directly with airlines or amextravel.com and car rentals booked directly from select car rental companies
• Earn 3 points per dollar spent on other eligible purchases
• Up to $400 in statement credits each year of card membership ($200 semi-annually) for eligible purchases at participating Hilton Resorts
• Complimentary Hilton Honors™ Diamond status
• Annual free night reward, terms apply
• Up to $200 flight credit ($50 in statement credits each quarter)

Best No Annual Fee Hotel Card

Wyndham rewards earner® card *.

Earn 5X points per $1 spent on eligible purchases made at participating By Wyndham hotels and on gas; Earn 2X Read More

Wyndham Rewards Earner® Card * is for road warriors and frequent stayers at Wyndham properties who are looking for a no annual fee card. You might be surprised at what you can do with Wyndham points.

This can be a backdoor way to earn points for vacation rental redemption options instead of traditional hotels, which opens up a new world of travel opportunities.

Wyndham Guest Rewards expire if you don’t use them, even if you have activity on your account.

Travelers whose trips tend to be U.S.-centric.

• Automatically receive Wyndham Rewards Gold elite status
• Enjoy extra discounts on local attractions when booking “go free” awards
• APR can be high, depending on your creditworthiness
• Target and Walmart are excluded from the grocery bonus and only earn 1 point per dollar
• Only hotel redemptions offer high value
• Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first six months of account opening
• Earn 5 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases made at Hotels by Wyndham and qualifying gas purchases
• Earn 2 points per dollar spent on eligible dining and grocery store purchases (excluding Target and Walmart)
• Earn 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases (excluding Wyndham Timeshare resort down payments)
• Automatically receive a Wyndham Rewards GOLD member level
• Earn 7,500 bonus points each anniversary year if you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases
• Redeem 10% fewer Wyndham Rewards points for go free awards, and earn your free nights faster

Here's a Summary of the Best Travel Credit Cards

Overview of the best travel credit cards of 2024, best travel credit card for beginners: chase sapphire preferred® card.

Travelers looking to dip their toe in the water of travel rewards will appreciate the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card as a place to start. It carries a $95 annual fee but packs in enough value to make it worth it. Cardholders earn valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards® points for access to transfer partners or for easy, no-strings-attached redemptions in Chase Travel℠. There’s no foreign transaction fee and a wide selection of travel insurances.

Rewards: Earn 5 points per dollar on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3 points per dollar on dining, select streaming services, and online grocery purchases (excluding Walmart, Target and wholesale clubs), 2 points per dollar on all other travel purchases and 1 point per dollar on other purchases.

Welcome offer: Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

Annual fee: $95

Other benefits and drawbacks: Chase Ultimate Rewards points can be redeemed through Chase’s travel portal, transferred to Chase’s airline and hotel transfer partners or redeemed for a statement credit. The card also offers a $50 hotel credit when booked through Chase’s portal and a 10% anniversary points boost. This means that if you spend $10,000 on the card, you’ll earn an additional 1,000 Ultimate Rewards points when renewing your card.

Read more: Chase Sapphire Preferred Benefits and Is the Chase Sapphire Preferred Worth It?

Best Premium Travel Rewards Card: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is among the best travel cards on the market in any category. The points are easy to earn and simple to redeem, plus the card comes with a bevy of benefits and credits that easily make the annual fee worthwhile ( rates & fees ).

Rewards: Earn 2 miles per dollar on all eligible purchases, 5 miles per dollar on flights booked through Capital One Travel, 5 miles per dollar on Capital One Entertainment purchases through 12/31/25 and 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars when booking via Capital One Travel.

Welcome offer: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.

Annual fee: $395

Other benefits and drawbacks: The annual fee may give you pause, but the card comes with a $300 annual credit for bookings through the Capital One Travel portal and a 10,000 point anniversary bonus worth $100 in travel. A Priority Pass membership also provides value, giving you access to more than 1,300+ lounges worldwide.

Capital One miles are easy to redeem as they can either be applied toward travel purchases or transferred to travel partners. The main downside to the Venture X is a lack of domestic airline transfer partners, meaning that points will take a bit more knowledge to redeem than American Express Membership Rewards® or Chase Ultimate Rewards® .

Read more: Capital One Venture X Benefits and Is the Capital One Venture X Worth It?

Best Travel Credit Card for International Travel: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® makes our list of best travel rewards cards for many reasons. While it does charge a high annual fee, it earns valuable rewards at a solid rate with transfer partners that cover redemption options all over the world. There’s also best-in-market travel insurance benefits and no foreign transaction fee. As a Visa card , it’s also widely accepted worldwide. If you travel at least a couple times per year, this card deserves serious consideration.

Rewards: Earn 5 points per dollar on flights and 10 points per dollar on hotels and car rentals when purchasing travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3 points per dollar on other travel and dining and 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.

Annual fee: $550

Other benefits and drawbacks: Chase Ultimate Rewards® points earned with the Sapphire Reserve and redeemed for travel through Chase Travel℠ are worth 1.5 cents each or points can be transferred at a 1:1 ratio to Chase’s travel partners. Cardholders can also make up for a chunk of the annual fee with the $300 annual travel credit, a Priority Pass Select airport lounge membership and up to a $100 credit every four years to cover your Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS application fee, all of which make far-flung travel easier to bear.

Read more: Chase Sapphire Reserve Benefits and Is the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card Worth It?

Best Travel Rewards Credit Card for Lounge Access: The Platinum Card® from American Express

If you’re looking for a giant welcome bonus to get things started, The Platinum Card® from American Express (terms apply, see rates & fees ) might be for you. After meeting initial spending requirements, you’ll earn valuable Membership Rewards points redeemable toward travel and other options. The downside is it carries the largest annual fee on our list.

Rewards: Earn 5 Membership Rewards Points per dollar for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel on up to $500,000 per calendar year, 5 points per dollar on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel and 1 point per dollar on other eligible purchases.

Welcome offer: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards Points after spending $8,000 on eligible purchases on the card in the first 6 months of card membership.

Annual fee: $695

Other benefits and drawbacks: If you’re willing to put in the work to get all of the rebates offered on the card, the benefits can easily offset the annual fee and then some. Many of the perks are very specifically applied and may also require enrollment. Examples include statement credits toward Uber, Saks Fifth Avenue, select digital entertainment, select hotel stays and airline incidental fees. Industry-leading lounge access to more than 1,500 Priority Pass locations worldwide is another major draw.

Read more: Is The Amex Platinum Worth the Yearly Fee?

Best Travel Rewards Earning for Foodies: American Express® Gold Card

Some cards offer bonuses on dining, some on groceries, but you can earn bonus points on basically anything you eat with the American Express® Gold Card (terms apply, see rates & fees ). This is an appealing option for anyone who wants to redeem travel rewards but doesn’t spend enough on flights or hotels to require elevated earning categories on travel itself.

Rewards: Earn 4 Membership Rewards® points per dollar at restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., 4 Membership Rewards® points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1 point per dollar), 3 Membership Rewards® points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express travel and 1 point per dollar on other eligible purchases.

Welcome offer: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first 6 months of card membership.

Annual fee: $250

Other benefits and drawbacks: Although this card earns Membership Rewards, which are great for travel, it doesn’t pack travel-specific benefits. Instead, it includes monthly credits, some requiring enrollment, that are great for more common expenses, such as Uber Cash and dining credits valid at GrubHub (including Seamless) and more. For someone who wants to transform everyday expenses into a vacation, this card seamlessly blends the experience.

Read more: Amex Gold Benefits and Is the Amex Gold Worth It?

Best Flat-Rate Rewards Credit Card for Travel: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

There are no complicated earning structures with the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card , just simple, straightforward, flat-rate points in exchange for an easy-to-swallow annual fee ( rates & fees ).

Rewards: Earn 5 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5 miles per dollar spent on Capital One Entertainment purchases through 12/31/25 and an unlimited 2 miles per dollar spent on other purchases.

Welcome offer: Earn 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening.

Other benefits and drawbacks: Expect dialed-back benefits compared to more premium travel cards, though that’s only fair with an annual fee at a fraction of the cost. You’ll still enjoy select trip protections along with no foreign transaction fee. Keep in mind that you’ll want to redeem for travel bookings or transfers to partner programs (cash back is only worth half the rate).

Best Travel Rewards Credit Card With No Annual Fee: Bilt World Elite Mastercard®

The Bilt World Elite Mastercard®  offers a unique opportunity to earn rewards on rent without paying processing fees, but it has value for anyone seeking transferable points without an annual fee ( rates & fees ). This card is impressive enough to stand as a travel card on its own even if you don’t pay rent.

Rewards: Earn 1 point per dollar on rent payments without the transaction fee (on up to 100,000 points each calendar year), 3 points per dollar on dining, 2 points per dollar on travel (when booked through the Bilt Travel Portal or directly with an airline, hotel, car rental or cruise company), and 1 point per dollar on other purchases.

Welcome offer: This card does not offer a welcome bonus.

Annual fee: $0

Other benefits and drawbacks: The Bilt World Elite Mastercard® has a few limitations—you’ll only earn points when making at least five transactions per statement period and earnings on rent are capped at 100,000 points per calendar year—but it’s otherwise a strong card.

Bilt points are transferable to a number of valuable transfer partners including World of Hyatt and American Airlines or you can redeem through their travel portal where point values vary with your redemption option. You can also save your points towards a down payment on a home if you decide travel takes a back bench to homeownership.

Best Travel Credit Card for Fair Credit: Credit One Bank Wander® Card

If your credit score isn’t quite ready for a premium travel card, take a look at the Credit One Bank Wander® Card . The card earns at exceptionally high rates on travel purchases and there’s no foreign transaction fee. Sadly, the card isn’t perfect: You’ll miss out on fancy extras like airport lounge access or the ability to transfer points to other programs.

Rewards: Earn 10 points per dollar on eligible hotels and car rentals booked through the Credit One Bank travel partner, 5 points per dollar on eligible travel, dining and gas and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.

Other benefits and drawbacks: Don’t be fooled by this low-frills card. The earning rates alone will have you traveling in no time. The card is also well-suited to simultaneously work on improving your credit, with options to choose your own due date and track your credit score. Eventually, this could lead you to even more card options in the future.

Best Airline Rewards Program for International Travel: Aeroplan® Credit Card

The Aeroplan® Credit Card provides a generous rewards program, but for those who fly Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge, the card also provides an accelerated route to elite status. Like most airline cards, this card makes the most sense for those who predominantly fly Air Canada.

Rewards: Earn 3 points per dollar spent on dining, takeout and eligible delivery services, grocery stores and each dollar spent directly with Air Canada including vacations and cruises and 1 point per dollar for all other eligible purchases.

Welcome offer: Earn 70,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of account opening.

Other benefits and drawbacks: New cardholders will enjoy 25K status through the rest of the calendar year after approval and the next. To maintain status thereafter requires $15,000 of spending on the card in a calendar year. Existing status holders can upgrade to 35K status with $50,000 in spending per calendar year. Cardholders receive the first checked bag free for themselves and up to eight travel companions on the same reservation when flying Air Canada.

A $100 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS application fee credit every four years as well as preferred pricing on award flights sweeten the deal, which includes a list of protections such as trip cancellation/interruption insurance , baggage delay insurance, trip delay reimbursement , secondary auto rental collision damage waiver and purchase protection.

Best United Credit Card: United Quest℠ Card

The United Quest℠ Card is a midrange United card. It’s a bit pricier than the Explorer card but not nearly as much as the United Club℠ Infinite Card. But with a $125 annual credit on United purchases, two 5,000 MileagePlus credits earned annually after your first cardmember anniversary valid for eligible flight redemptions (see offer for details) and two free checked bags for you and a travel companion when flying United, the Quest could be just right for you.

Rewards: Earn 3 miles per dollar on United® purchases, 2 miles per dollar on dining, select streaming services and all other travel and 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases.

Welcome offer: Earn 60,000 bonus miles and 500 Premier qualifying points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.

Other benefits and drawbacks: In addition to offering extra travel benefits, the Quest card is also a better option for earning miles than the cheaper Explorer card. You’ll earn miles at an elevated rate and can also earn 25 Premier Qualifying Points for every $500 in net purchases (including purchases made by authorized users) up to a maximum of 6,000 PQPs in a calendar year.

Best Premium Airline Card: United Club℠ Infinite Card

As a general rule, if you’re looking for an airline-specific card, you’ll want to get a card with the airline you fly the most. For earnings potential, valuable points and additional useful benefits including lounge access, the United Club℠ Infinite Card comes out ahead.

Rewards: Earn 4 miles per dollar on United® purchases, 2 miles per dollar on all other travel, on dining including eligible delivery services and 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases.

Welcome offer: Earn 80,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Annual fee: $525

Other benefits and drawbacks: The most prominent benefit of the United Club℠ Infinite Card is access to United Club airport lounges and other Star Alliance Gold lounges. You’ll also benefit from two free checked bags for yourself and another person traveling on the same reservation, expedited check-in, security screening and boarding, a trusted traveler application fee reimbursement, expanded access to award flights and Premier Upgrades on award tickets if you have status. Other travel protections and benefits are also included.

Best for British Airways Passengers: British Airways Visa Signature® Card

For those who can make the most of the British Airways’ mileage redemptions , the British Airways Visa Signature® Card makes sense. It offers a sizable welcome bonus, providing solid value against its relatively low annual fee of $95. Big spenders have an opportunity to earn a companion ticket , making it attractive to people who travel regularly back and forth across the Atlantic.

Rewards: Earn 3 Avios per dollar on purchases with Iberia, British Airways, Aer Lingus, and LEVEL, 2 Avios per dollar on hotel accommodations when purchased directly with the hotel and 1 Avios per dollar on all other purchases.

Welcome offer: Earn 85,000 Avios after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.

Other benefits and drawbacks: The British Airways Visa Signature® Card offers Visa Signature benefits such as extended warranties and fraud liabilities, but it also offers several airline-specific benefits. Each calendar year you spend more than $30,000 on the card you’ll earn a Travel Together Ticket, which adds an additional seat on the same flight and in the same cabin when booking a British Airways flight (business-class inclusive).

Cardholders can also earn credits of $100 for economy and premium economy or $200 for business and first class, up to three times per year. Additionally, you can use this card to earn 10% off British Airways flights originating in the U.S. when using a special link provided to cardholders.

Best for Southwest Passengers: Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card

The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card beats other Southwest cards in terms of value, rewards and perks, but it may not seem as impressive compared to other options—especially Chase Ultimate Rewards®-earning cards which permit users to transfer their rewards at a 1:1 ratio to Southwest.

Rewards: Earn 3 points per dollar on Southwest purchases, 2 points per dollar on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental purchases, 2 points per dollar on local transit and commuting, including rideshare, 2 points per dollar on internet, cable, phone services and select streaming and 1 point per dollar on other purchases.

Welcome offer: Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Annual fee: $149

Other benefits and drawbacks: The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card provides a $75 annual travel credit, 7,500 bonus points each anniversary year and four upgraded boardings (subject to availability). Cardholders also get 25% back on in-flight drinks and Wi-Fi when they pay with their card, but unlike other airline cards, there’s no need for a baggage credit, since all passengers’ first two checked bags fly for no extra charge. For those seeking companion passes with Southwest airlines (an industry favorite among domestic travel hackers) the card provides 10,000 extra qualifying points as a boost each year.

Best Midrange Hotel Card: IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card

For those who frequently stay at IHG properties, the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card offers generous rewards on hotel stays for an annual fee of $99.

Rewards: Earn up to 26 points per dollar spent when you stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts, 5 points on travel, gas stations, and restaurants and 3 points on all other purchases.

Welcome offer: Earn 140,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Annual fee: $99

Other benefits and drawbacks: The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card benefits list includes a complimentary fourth night benefit—when booking four consecutive nights with points, you will receive your fourth night free. Additionally, on your cardmember anniversary, you can enjoy a Free Anniversary Night at properties that cost 40,000 points or less per night. You can also qualify for a credit of up to $100 for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS membership every four years.

Best Travel Credit Card for Hyatt Loyalists: The World of Hyatt Credit Card

Travelers that love Hyatt, love Hyatt. The World of Hyatt Credit Card isn’t necessarily the best way to earn World of Hyatt points. But between the annual free night and the ability to spend toward status, it’s a good option for people who frequent Hyatt hotels.

Rewards: Earn 9 points total per dollar spent at Hyatt - 4 bonus points per dollar spent at Hyatt hotels and 5 base points per dollar from Hyatt as a World of Hyatt member. Earn 2 bonus points per dollar spent at restaurants, on airline tickets purchased directly from the airlines, on local transit and commuting and on fitness club and gym memberships and 1 point per dollar on all other eligible purchases.

Welcome offer: Earn 30,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of account opening, plus up to 30,000 more bonus points by earning 2 bonus points per dollar spent in the first 6 months on purchases that normally earn 1 bonus point on up to $15,000 spent.

Other benefits and drawbacks: In addition to the ability to earn points in a wide range of categories, The World of Hyatt Credit Card offers cardholders a free hotel night valid at Category 1 to 4 Hyatt hotels each cardmember anniversary year and the ability to earn a second one after spending $15,000 on the card in a calendar year.

Depending on how much you spend on non-Hyatt travel purchases and at restaurants, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® could offer you the ability to earn more Hyatt points in a year because Chase Ultimate Rewards® points transfer to Hyatt at a 1:1 ratio.

Best for Marriott Customers: Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card *

Of the many Marriott credit cards, the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card * balances a moderate annual fee with the heavy-hitting benefit of an annual free night award and other hotel perks.

Rewards: Earn 6 points per dollar at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels, 3 points per dollar spent each year (up to $6,000) on combined grocery stores, gas stations and dining purchases and 2 points per dollar on all other purchases.

Welcome offer: Earn 3 Free Night Awards after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.

Other benefits and drawbacks: This card’s earning rates won’t win any awards, but travelers can still find value with this card. Automatic Silver Elite status comes with some nice bonuses when staying with Marriott and you’ll also receive 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year to help you hit the next status level faster. If your stays alone won’t hit that level, you can also earn additional Elite Night Credits through spending: One night per $5,000 in eligible card charges. Or, earn Gold Elite automatically by spending $35,000.

Best Premium Hotel Card: Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express *

In addition to earning points at a relatively quick rate, the Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express * also offers complimentary top-tier Hilton Honors Diamond status. Other Hilton benefits include a free night award annually and up to $400 in resort statement credits each year.

Rewards: Earn 14 Hilton Honors bonus points at participating hotels or resorts within the Hilton Portfolio, 7 points per dollar on eligible purchases for flights booked directly with airlines or American Express Travel, car rentals booked directly from select car rental companies and U.S. restaurants and 3 points per dollar on other eligible purchases.

Welcome offer: Earn 175,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of card membership, offer ends 7/31/2024.

Other benefits and drawbacks: While the Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express * earns more points per dollar than some other cards on this list, hotel points are generally not as valuable as airline miles or flexible rewards points. That said, it packs in the benefits.

In addition to hotel perks, cardholders also receive up to $200 in statement credits semi-annually ($400 per year) when using their card to cover eligible Hilton resort charges. You can also earn up to $50 in statement credits quarterly toward qualifying flight charges for a total of $200 per year if maximized.

Best No Annual Fee Hotel Card: Wyndham Rewards Earner® Card *

With no annual fee, the Wyndham Rewards Earner® Card * offers solid hotel benefits and earning rates for travelers—especially road trippers, thanks to gas rewards and properties that line the interstates.

Rewards: Earn 5 points per dollar spent on Hotels By Wyndham and gas purchases, 2 points per dollar spent on restaurants and grocery purchases (excluding Target and Walmart) and 1 point per dollar spent on other purchases.

Welcome offer: Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first six months of account opening.

Other benefits and drawbacks: There’s no glitz on this card, just the basics. Still, the welcome offer is reasonably achievable and guests have access to discounts on both paid and award stays with Wyndham-family hotels. Cardholders are also boosted to Gold status for upgrades and extras while traveling. And high spenders get an additional reward on top of all this: You’ll earn 7,500 bonus points each anniversary year after spending $15,000 or more with your card.

Methodology

Forbes Advisor considered dozens of airline, hotel and flexible-rewards credit cards to create this list of the best travel credit cards. The primary factors taken into consideration for all types were:

• Estimated annual earnings—25% to 50% depending on card category
• Welcome bonus—15% to 25% depending on card category
• Travel benefits—15% to 25% depending on card category
• Annual fee—5% to 15% depending on card category
• Consumer benefits—0% to 10% depending on card category
• Foreign transaction fee—0% to 5% depending on card category

Hotel earnings rate was weighted 25% for hotel credit cards and airline earnings rate was weighted 15% for airline credit cards.

Forbes Advisor rates cards both as stand-alone products (the card rating on the review) and compared to others in a specific use case. Sometimes, cards with average stand-alone ratings may still rank highly on a particular list according to how a person looking for a card in that category may value certain card features.

For instance, a card that might be considered mediocre overall could be the top card on a list of rewards cards with no annual fee. That’s because the card might offer limited features compared to other rewards cards, but after we remove cards that charge an annual fee, it’s the best card that remains.

Forbes Advisor uses data from multiple government agencies to determine how much a typical cardholder might spend. We use the same numbers for cards in the same category to make sure we are comparing cards the same way. The bonus categories for spending included with each card are factored into our determination of how many rewards a cardholder could expect to earn if they use the card as a consumer normally would.

Read more: How Forbes Advisor Rates Credit Cards

Complete Guide to Travel Credit Cards

What is a travel credit card, how do travel credit cards work, types of travel credit cards, co-branded travel cards vs. general travel cards, pros and cons of travel credit cards, should i get a travel credit card, when should you use a travel credit card, why you should consider a travel credit card, how to choose and compare travel credit cards, evaluating airline credit cards, evaluating hotel credit cards, how to maximize credit card points for travel, how to travel for free with credit cards.

• Travel Rewards Cards in the News

Are Travel Credit Cards Worth It?

Frequently asked questions (faqs).

A travel credit card is a card that earns rewards on travel. Those rewards come in a variety of ways. It can earn airline miles, hotel points or flexible points that can be redeemed either with transfer partners or applied towards travel charges.

Many travel credit cards also come with additional benefits such as free checked bags, priority boarding, access to airport lounges and even discounts on hotels or rental cars. Some cards offer welcome bonuses when you sign up, which can provide a nice cache of points or miles to help you start redeeming for valuable rewards.

Travel credit cards may offer value for frequent travelers who want to earn rewards quickly and easily while they’re on the go. These credit cards can be used in any country that accepts major card networks (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, etc) and they often charge no foreign transaction fees, which means there is no extra charge from the credit card company to make purchases abroad.

By using a travel credit card, it’s possible to pile up points over time and redeem them toward flights, hotel stays or other travel expenses.

A travel rewards credit card accrues miles or points for each purchase made with the card. After earning miles or points, there are usually a few redemption options including redeeming for airline tickets, gift cards or statement credits. As a general rule, redeeming miles and points for travel will result in the most value.

How Do Credit Card Points Work?

Credit card points, like Chase Ultimate Rewards®  or American Express Membership Rewards , are earned for each purchase made with the card. Every card has a different earning structure, so one card may earn high rewards on travel and dining purchases while another may earn more points on groceries and gas spending. Often, credit card points will have multiple redemption options, like for cash, travel or gift cards vs. a co-branded card , which tends to earn rewards that can only be redeemed for one thing like travel with a specific airline or hotel or merchandise.

How Do Credit Card Travel Miles Work?

Airline and hotel point values often are variable, which means that the worth of a point may fluctuate depending on the specific redemption. Some programs will tie the value of their points or miles to the cash equivalent of a ticket or hotel night. Others have a tiered system based on something like peak or off-peak travel times, seat class or hotel category—or a combination of the two.

Since airline and hotel rewards are primarily redeemed towards nights or flights, it makes sense to do the research before cashing in a stash of points to make the most of your redemption. Forbes Advisor’s guide to redeeming points and miles is a good place to start.

Not all travel credit cards are alike. Here’s how the various types break down, so you can choose which type of rewards card is best for your unique circumstances.

Transferable Rewards Credit Cards

These types of credit cards earn rewards that can be transferred to other programs, like airline or hotel loyalty programs. Transferable rewards include Capital One Rewards , Bilt Rewards , Brex Rewards , Chase Ultimate Rewards® , American Express Membership Rewards and Citi ThankYou Points .

Airline Credit Cards

Airline credit cards earn miles that can be used to redeem for future purchases with that airline. You can also use that airline’s miles to book flights on partners or other carriers within the same airline alliance , which may yield greater value for your earnings.

Many of the best airline credit cards offer perks beyond earning miles. Usually the higher the annual fee, the more benefits you’ll get. Some common airline credit card extras may include free checked baggage, priority boarding, a TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee credit and airport lounge access. If you’re able to max out these extras, the perks can often be worth more than the annual fee.

Hotel Credit Cards

Anyone who stays in hotels at least semi-regularly and who can pledge loyalty to one brand may find that a hotel credit card is right for them. With these cards, you’ll earn rewards in the hotel’s currency, like Marriott Bonvoy points , Hilton Honors points or World of Hyatt points , which are redeemable towards any eligible hotel property under that brand’s umbrella.

Owning a hotel credit card can be a much faster path towards accruing points than earning them on stays alone. Some cards confer automatic elite status upon ownership, which comes with its own set of benefits that can range from late check-out to free breakfast to room upgrades. Additionally, many cards will also offer one night free annually every year you renew your card membership as well as other perks such as airport lounge access.

Fixed-Value Credit Cards

Credit card points may often have a fixed-value when redeemed for things like cash back or travel, where the issuer publishes the cash value per point. For example, a card may offer a value of a penny per point when redeemed for any valid travel purchase.

With some cards, fixed-value points currencies can also vary by redemption type. For example, points on a card might be worth 1.5 cents each when redeemed for travel rewards but only be worth 1 cent each when redeemed for cash back.

Business Credit Cards for Travel

If you’re traveling for work and you want to keep your business expenses separate from your personal expenses, a travel business credit card may be worth considering. Business credit cards for travel function the same as consumer credit cards for travel, although the business versions often offer different earning rates and perks, as well as a different annual fee structure.

A co-branded card generally makes sense if you tend to stay loyal to that brand when you travel. Using a co-branded card can fast-track you towards elite status with a hotel or airline and often comes with other valuable benefits. If you’d prefer to fly any airline you choose and stay at any hotel brand you’d like, a general travel card is likely a better choice for your needs.

What You Get With General Travel Credit Cards

With travel credit cards, the level of benefits will most likely be associated with the annual fee. A premium card might come with airport lounge access, travel protections including trip cancellation and delay insurance and exclusive privileges at luxury hotels. A midrange card might still offer auto rental insurance and a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck benefit. Even a card with no annual fee might offer some basic benefits depending on the card.

What You Get With Co-branded Travel Credit Cards

A co-branded travel card will offer benefits specific to that brand. For airline cards, you might see a checked bag benefit or a rebate on in-flight purchases. For hotel cards, you might see a status level, a free annual night award or anniversary points. Both types of cards might offer you the ability to spend towards higher levels of status.

To learn more about the best co-branded credit cards, see our guides below:

• Best Southwest Credit Cards
• Best American Airlines Credit Cards
• Best Delta Credit Cards
• Best United Credit Cards
• Best Hyatt Credit Cards
• Best Marriott Credit Cards

Ask an expert

Is it better to choose a flexible travel rewards card or one branded to a specific airline or hotel?

Yanely Espinal

Credit Cards Expert

Clint Proctor

Credit Cards Lead Editor

Becky Pokora

Credit Cards Writer

If I had to choose, I’d say flexible travel rewards because it allows for much more versatility in your redemption options beyond just flights and hotel stays. But the best approach is to have both so you can maximize benefits from each card type by earning rewards across all of the spending you normally do, while getting perks with your favorite travel providers at the same time.

Since I’m not particularly loyal to any airline or hotel, I prefer the flexibility of general travel cards. I especially appreciate travel cards that offer transfers to travel partners. With flexible rewards, I can access 10 to 20 or more loyalty programs from a single card. This increases my chances of being able to take advantage of the best award deals that are available for my next trip.

I love that most co-branded travel cards include benefits when booking with that brand. Free night certificates on hotel cards and free checked bags with airlines are valuable perks. Plus, even though earning a single type of point might seem limited, big hotel chains have more than a dozen brand choices and airlines may have 10 or more alliance partners, so you’ll still find plenty of versatility.

Pros of Travel Credit Cards

• Fast-track to free or discounted travel. You’ll earn rewards on your spending that can be used to reduce the cost of future travel.
• Elite perks and benefits. Many cards offer money-saving extras like free luggage or complimentary breakfast.
• Lack of foreign transaction fees. Some of the best travel credit cards won’t charge you extra for using your card abroad.

Cons of Travel Credit Cards

• Limited-use rewards. The best value in owning and using a travel rewards card comes from redeeming the rewards for more travel.
• Annual fees can be high. Cards with the most premium perks tend to also have the most premium price.
• Redemptions can be complicated. For some reward programs, squeezing the most outsized value out of your points or miles can require some work.

It’s safe to say that travel credit cards will likely only appeal to travelers. Their benefits and rewards are specialized and would be hard to use if you don’t intend to travel. For anyone who travels even once or twice a year, though, these credit cards can make a lot of sense compared to cash-back cards or other rewards credit cards due to all of the included perks.

• Business travel: If your work requires you to travel, having a dedicated travel card can make it easy to keep your business expenses separate from your personal expenses.
• International travel: If you’re planning to travel abroad, travel credit cards often come with perks like no foreign transaction fees, airport lounge access and application fee reimbursements for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck that can make your journey more comfortable.
• Luxury travel: If you want an upscale experience like access to exclusive airport lounges, automatic hotel room upgrades and property credits, a travel credit card with these features can grant you access to these features.

How Many Travel Credit Cards Should I Have?

The number of travel credit cards you should have will depend on how often you travel, which benefits you value, your financial situation and whether you’re willing to spend time tracking multiple cards. Frequent travelers will find value in holding at least one travel card, but may consider holding several. For example, having both an airline card and a hotel card can provide complementary benefits and the ability to earn rewards for all aspects of your travel plans.

Travel cards often include numerous membership benefits such as elite status when traveling with partner programs, free checked bags, lounge access or discounts on ancillary travel fees. These benefits can make your trips easier, more comfortable and more affordable. Additionally, travel credit cards offer the opportunity to earn valuable rewards and in some cases may provide higher yields than cash back or other types of rewards.

When comparing travel credit cards, items to consider include:

1. Annual Fee

The annual fee on credit cards ranges from zero to several hundred dollars. In general, the more expensive the card, the richer the perks and rewards. It can be well worth it to pay an annual fee if you’ll use the associated benefits, but there are travel credit cards without an annual fee if you’re more comfortable with that structure.

2. Foreign Transaction Fee

If you’re traveling out of the country, be sure your travel card doesn’t carry any foreign transaction fees. This can be an additional 2% to 3% surcharge on top of the price of your purchase and makes everything you buy with a card in a foreign country more expensive than a card without this fee. Foreign transaction charges also apply to purchases made in other currencies, even if you haven’t left the U.S. The best no foreign transaction fee cards ensure you’re not paying this surcharge.

3. Sign-up Bonus

If you’re trying to decide between two similar cards, it can help to consider the welcome offer on a given card. These welcome offers ebb and flow and if a card you’re thinking about offers a particularly generous offer, it can help offset the annual fee and/or the cost of future travel.

4. Rewards Rate

When choosing a card, think about your spending patterns. If you rarely fly, it may not make sense to own a card that offers the most rewards on airline purchases.

5. International Acceptance

In some countries, all credit cards may be accepted, but that isn’t always the case. When traveling outside of the United States, Visa and Mastercard tend to be more widely accepted than American Express or other cards. Because of this, if you travel often, you may want to choose a Visa or Mastercard either in addition to or in lieu of other types of cards.

6. Travel Protections

Many travel credit cards include various forms of travel protections, such as trip interruption coverage or collision damage waivers for rental cars. These included protections could save you money compared to separately purchased policies but won’t necessarily be as comprehensive. Check with your card benefits guide to get information on your coverage terms. If you travel often, it might be worth specifically seeking out the best credit cards with travel insurance or the best credit cards for car rental insurance .

— Yanely Espinal , Forbes Advisor Credit Cards Advisory Board Member

Also consider any special perks associated with cards you evaluate. These might range from airport lounge access to statement credit reimbursements for certain purchases made with specific brands or on purchases in specific categories.

Airline credit cards typically earn frequent flyer miles on every purchase. Co-branded airline cards also frequently come with perks while traveling, like free checked bags, enhanced award space or lounge access. They may also help you achieve elite status more easily.

When evaluating the best airline credit cards , think about:

• Earning rates.  Many airline credit cards don’t offer elevated earnings on categories other than airline spending, so you’ll need to choose carefully if that’s important to you.
• Perks while flying. Typically, only cards with an annual fee include benefits while flying such as priority boarding or complimentary checked bags.
• Elite-qualifying bonuses.  Some cards include bonus elite-qualifying miles when hitting spending thresholds, which can further enhance your flying experience.
• Companion fares.  Some airline cards offer the opportunity to earn a companion certificate, which allows you to bring a second traveler on your trip for a reduced price.

Additionally, redeeming frequent flyer miles can be more complicated than requesting cash back or other types of rewards. Though using miles for award flights can lead to tremendous value, you’ll need to learn the ropes of the program.

7 Ways To Earn More Airline Miles

The most common ways to earn airline miles are either through flying with the airline (or its partners) or by using a credit card that earns frequent flyer miles on every purchase. You can also earn more airline miles by:

• Making purchases through airline shopping portals
• Booking hotel reservations through the airline’s platform
• Renting cars and opting in to frequent flyer miles instead of rental credits
• Completing partner activity, which varies by airline but may include partnerships with Starbucks, Lyft or other brands you use anyway
• Checking your account to register for promotions
• Dining with partner restaurants
• Transferring flexible credit card points

Hotel credit cards will earn points toward future free stays, but this is one case where the benefits can often outshine rewards. More often than not, hotel cards come with automatic elite status as well as a fast track to even higher levels of status. Plus, annual free night certificates or statement credits add to their value proposition.

Many hotel loyalty programs offer multiple co-branded cards to choose from, making it even more important to compare the characteristics of an individual card. It’s not uncommon for a single hotel brand to offer a no-annual-fee card, a mid-tier card and a premium card—each with different earning rates and benefits.

When evaluating hotel credit cards, consider:

• Elite status offers.  Generally speaking, cards with higher annual fees may automatically bump you to higher elite status levels which can be invaluable on frequent stays.
• Free night certificates.  Many, but not all, hotel cards offer free night certificates either upon renewal of your card or when hitting spending thresholds. Each certificate may come with restrictions on when or where you can redeem it, so compare fine print.
• Earning rates.  Hotel cards may offer huge multipliers on bonus categories, allowing you to earn five to 10 times on certain purchases. However, keep expectations in check: Hotel points may not be worth a full penny per point.
• Statement credits.  Some cards may include statement credits toward eligible purchases made at hotels and resorts or even on airline fees or restaurant purchases, which can be valuable, but you’ll need to actually use them.

8 Ways To Earn More Hotel Points

In addition to booking hotel stays or using a hotel-branded credit card, you can also earn hotel points through other methods such as:

• Charging incidental purchases made at hotel properties to your account, such as spa, parking or dining expenses
• Booking events or meetings at participating hotels
• Making purchases through hotel shopping portals
• Renting cars and opting in to hotel points instead of rental credits
• Completing partner activity, which may include partnerships with Starbucks, Lyft or other brands you use anyway
• Transferring flexible credit card points to your preferred hotel program

The best way to make the most of your credit card is to use a card that aligns with your spending patterns.

• Choose a card that offers bonus points in spending categories meaningful to you
• Pair credit cards that offer identical awards in different areas of spending
• Use your credit card instead of cash or debit when possible

Airline and Hotel Rewards Loyalty Programs

Understanding how to get the most out of the points and miles you earn from your travel credit card goes hand-in-hand with using the loyalty programs offered by most airlines and hotel brands. It’s free to join and you can belong to as many loyalty programs as you like. Typically, when you sign up for a co-branded credit card affiliated with a particular brand, you’ll automatically become a member of the loyalty program if you aren’t already.

Track Your Credit Card Points and Miles Earnings

Tracking your spending allows you to make sure that every time you make a purchase, you’re using the card that will earn you the most rewards. This means knowing which card to use in which scenario based on how a particular merchant codes the purchase . For example, if you own two credit cards, one that earns high rewards on dining and one co-branded airline card, it might not make sense to use the airline card to pay your restaurant tab since the dining card likely earns more rewards. You can do this by various methods as complicated as creating a spreadsheet or as simple as putting stickers on each card to remind you when to use it.

How To Use Credit Card Points for Travel

Beyond earning rewards, there are strategies to get the most value when it comes time to redeem your rewards, too. When it comes time to cash in your travel rewards, there’s generally two ways to do it. You can plan the itinerary you want and use your rewards to fully or partially off-set the cost. Or, you can research to see where the rewards you have can be used to get the most bang for your buck. Now, American Express is making it easier for some cardmembers to redeem miles for flights due to a partnership with Point.me .

Find the Best Hotel Rewards Credit Cards of 2024

Credit cards can save you a lot of money on travel compared to paying full price. Often, the most substantial way to travel for free with credit cards is by redeeming rewards for travel. A combination of welcome bonus offers and the rewards you earn from everyday spending can add up to hundreds of dollars in value toward free travel. However, you’ll need to learn to redeem points and miles from your specific program to do so.

Included statement credits or card benefits can also help you travel for free. Premium credit cards may offer annual credits toward the purchase of select travel, effectively serving as a rebate. Alternatively, you might have airline companion certificates or hotel free night certificates, which work more like a coupon.

Travel Rewards Cards In the News

Travel lovers now have another great credit card option with the launch of the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card * in March 2024. This new card earns 5 points per dollar on hotels, 4 points per dollar on airlines, 3 points per dollar on other travel and restaurants and 1 point per dollar on other purchases. Those are high reward rates for a card that doesn’t require you to make reservations through a dedicated booking channel or proprietary travel portal.

Though cardholders are able to transfer points to a limited number of travel partners as of April, this card may be a better fit as the best rewards credit card for travel spending. Learn more about how this card is making waves .

Nearly Half of Americans Hold Less Than $100 Worth of Rewards

Credit card rewards are big business, but most Americans aren’t hoarding their earnings. According to a Forbes Advisor survey conducted in April 2024, 49% of Americans have less than $100 worth of rewards in their card accounts right now.

Credit card rewards aren’t worth anything until you redeem them, so the strategy to redeem rewards as you earn them—rather than collecting them indefinitely—is a smart way to handle things. That’s particularly true with travel rewards, which are ripe for devaluation. While sometimes it makes sense to hold onto points until you reach a goal amount, unintentionally hoarding risks leaving value on the table.

Generally speaking, yes, travel credit cards are worth it —if you’ll use the benefits. Travel rewards credit cards can be a strategic addition to your finances if you travel with any regularity. You’ll be able to earn rewards on every purchase and later redeem those rewards toward future trips, often at a higher yield than if you had chosen cash back or other types of rewards. Many travel cards also include benefits to enhance your travel experience along the way to add even more value.

To view rates and fees for The Platinum Card® from American Express please visit this page . To view rates and fees for American Express® Gold Card please visit this page . To view rates and fees for Bilt World Elite Mastercard® please visit this page . For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

What is considered travel for credit cards?

Each issuer’s definition of which purchases or which purchase categories may vary slightly, but categories likely to be included by any issuer include airfare, hotels, rental cars and cruises. For example, Chase offers a fairly wide definition of travel, with airlines, hotels, motels, timeshares, car rental agencies, cruise lines, travel agencies, discount travel sites, campgrounds and operators of passenger trains, buses, taxis, limousines, ferries, toll bridges and highways and parking lots and garages all considered travel eligible for rewards.

Even if your purchase would typically count toward a category, it’s worth noting that merchants are typically responsible for the categorization and if the merchant you purchase from isn’t categorized correctly, your transaction likely won’t earn rewards.

What credit score is needed for a travel credit card?

A travel rewards credit card will typically recommend good to excellent credit in order to qualify. Plan to have a credit score of at least 700 to get approved by the top credit cards on the market. Some of those cards might even require applicants to have a credit score of 720 or higher.

What is the easiest travel credit card to get?

Most travel credit cards require good to excellent credit scores. However, generally speaking, no-annual-fee travel cards are typically easier to be approved for than the ultra-premium travel cards with high annual fees.

What is the best credit card with travel insurance?

Forbes Advisor’s best credit cards for travel insurance list has a variety of cards offering solid travel insurance. Although you shouldn’t get a credit card for this feature alone, it can be a useful money-saving extra. Credit cards that offer travel insurance tend to have high annual fees, so keep this in mind when weighing whether or not you are likely to use the feature.

What is the best card for international travel?

Many credit cards are well suited for international travel. You want to make sure that the card has no foreign transaction fees . It also helps if the card’s points are suitable for the locations where you wish to travel. For instance, if you want to go to Asia, an airline card co-branded with a U.S.-based airline that doesn’t fly to Asia, like Southwest, will not help you.

How many miles do you need for a free flight?

The number of miles you need for a free flight depends on different factors, including which airline miles you are using, where you are flying to and from, when you are traveling and other factors. Most domestic airlines have ditched award charts, meaning the price in miles for any flight can vary even between flights on the same day.

Domestic flights in the U.S. will generally require fewer miles than international flights. Typically, count on spending between 5,000 and 20,000 miles for a domestic one-way flight in economy.

Long-haul international flights can cost quite a bit more. Plan on spending between 20,000 to 40,000 miles each way to fly to Europe in economy and even more for flights to Asia, Africa and Oceania.

Don’t forget to consider the cost of checked bags and fuel surcharges before booking your ticket. Flights booked with rewards are also often subject to government taxes and fees, which you’ll still be responsible for even when you redeem miles.

How much is a point or mile worth on travel credit cards?

Point values are as varied as the types of points themselves. Some cards’ points values are more straightforward because rates are somewhat tied to the cash prices. However, if a program uses an awards chart, the value of the point will vary widely depending on how you are redeeming it. In general, you’ll get the highest value per point on premium airline seats and luxury hotel stays.

What is the difference between points and miles on a credit card?

Points and miles are effectively the same, they’re just different names for the rewards earned on a particular credit card. Some credit cards offer points, some—particularly airline cards—offer miles. But the fundamental function is the same in that these rewards cards all earn a specified type of award currency based on your spending that can be used in various ways.

How should I inform my credit card company of upcoming travel?

Notifying your credit card issuer of your travel plans before you travel can help avoid denied transactions due to suspected fraud. An issuer’s system may flag a transaction as suspicious and prohibit a transaction if it suspects your card or card information has been stolen. For this reason, issuers typically make it fairly easy to notify you when you’re headed out of town. You can notify your issuer of your travels by calling the number on the back of your card or logging onto your card issuer’s website and finding the option to submit a travel notice.

Are travel cards with annual fees worth it?

Travel cards with annual fees can be worth paying for only if the extra rewards and benefits outweigh the added cost of the annual fee. Just because an annual-fee card earns more rewards and provides more benefit does not, however, make it more rewarding than a no-annual-fee card —the extra reward must exceed the amount of reward received from the best no-annual-fee option for you. The risk you take when paying an annual fee is that you won’t receive a benefit worth the annual fee, so be sure to carefully evaluate this risk before applying.

Do I have to tell my credit card company when I travel?

Most credit card issuers no longer require you to notify them before travel. In fact, Chase and some other companies have removed the travel notification tools from your online account or app. Card fraud alerts are more advanced now and legitimate transactions should post without incident.

However, you may want to be sure you have access to confirm whether or not something is suspected of fraud just in case—either by making sure your phone number has service abroad to respond to automated text messages or by downloading your card app in advance to manage your account.

Other Credit Cards To Be Considered

• Best Business Credit Cards for Travel
• Best No Annual Fee Travel Credit Cards

*The information for the following card(s) has been collected independently by Forbes Advisor: Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card, Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express, Wyndham Rewards Earner® Card, Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card . The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

With more than 50 million redeemed miles under her belt, Becky Pokora is a rewards travel expert. She's been writing about credit cards and reward travel since 2011 with articles on Forbes Advisor, BoardingArea, The Points Guy and more. Her redemptions have helped her travel to more than 50 countries and all seven continents.

Yanely Espinal is the director of educational outreach for Next Gen Personal Finance, a nonprofit working to ensure that every high school student gets a full semester of personal finance education—including lessons in proper credit card usage—before graduation. She is often described as a ball of energy, with a gift for storytelling, and a passion for explaining credit cards and other financial concepts in a straightforward way.   While working as an elementary school teacher, Yanely decided to change her financial life by paying off $20,000 of debt in just 18 months. In 2015 she created MissBeHelpful, a YouTube channel and social media platform that now has over 5 million views, to help others learn the money skills she never learned in school. Some of her most popular videos on the channel include “5 Things to Consider When Applying for a Credit Card” and “When To Pay Your Credit Card Bill and Increase Your Credit Score.”   Her book, “Mind Your Money,” is an Amazon bestseller and was a Plutus Award finalist for Best New Personal Finance Book of 2023. She hosts Financially Inclined from Marketplace, a video podcast for teens about money lessons for living life your own way. Yanely is also a member of CNBC's Financial Wellness Advisory Council and an Advocate at the NGPF Mission 2030 Fund.  

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How To Use The Metro In Paris

A fter countless trips to Paris as the founder of En Route to Rêverie , I can confidently say my preferred method of transportation in the city is my own two feet (I guess that’s the New Yorker in me!) However, for times when I need to travel further distances or the weather is uncooperative, I always turn to the Paris Metro. 

How to Use the Metro in Paris

This underground train network provides an affordable and efficient way for locals and visitors to get to any part of the city. For a lot of first time visitors the Paris metro system can be a daunting experience. So today I’m sharing a guide to help you navigate the Paris Metro with ease. Be sure to save this video on Instagram as well to bookmark for your next trip.

Related: Paris First Time Visitors Guide

I find the idea of using public transportation abroad can be overwhelming for a lot of people, especially when it’s in a different language! This post will give you all the basic information you need on what the Paris Metro is, how it works, which Paris Metro pass to purchase, and where to buy metro tickets.

I’ll also share some of my tried and true tips so you can confidently navigate one of Europe’s best subway systems. My En Route to Rêverie clients also get additional insights, advice, and guidance on navigating the Paris metro system as well as my most trusted alternative transportation options.

What Is The Metro in Paris

One of the oldest subway systems in the world, the first Paris Métropolitain (or simply Métro) line was opened in 1900, just in time for the World’s Fair. Today, there are 16 interconnected lines (each with a number) and the subway system transports over 4 million passengers per day! This extensive public transportation system is built under the city of Paris and extends out to nearby suburban areas of the city.

The Paris Metro is a densely packed system (there are over 300 Paris metro stations), meaning stations are not too far apart which is great for getting as close as possible to your destination. I personally find the Paris Metro to be one of the most efficient, reliable and affordable subway systems.

It’s important to note that the RATP (the name for Paris’ public transportation system) includes the metro (underground subway), buses, RER Paris regional trains (sort of a metro-rail hybrid), and trains. 

Paris Metro Zones

Paris operates on a “zone” system for public transportation. The city and surrounding areas are divided into 5 transportation fare zones (this is different from the 20 neighborhoods or arrondissements!) It’s important to note that the metro zones really only come into play for travel passes. Or if you want to take something other than the Paris Metro – like RER trains or buses. The Paris Metro subway operates exclusively in zones 1-3, with the overwhelming majority of stations in zone 1. 

Zones 1-3 include the majority of major tourist attractions in Paris. Most visitors will never even leave zone 1. Here you’ll find most hotels as well as the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, Arc de Trimophe.

Zone 4 is where you will find Chateau Versailles and Orly Airport. The Paris Metro underground does not reach these destinations. To get to Versailles, you will have to take the RER train to Versailles-Rive Gauche . To get to Orly Airport you will have to take the RER train to Antony and then the OrlyVal train (the airport’s specific automatic train).

Zone 5 is where you will find Charles de Gaulle Airport and Disneyland Paris. To get to CDG Airport you will need to take the RER train to Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 1 (terminals 1 & 3) or Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 2  (terminal 2).

To get to Disneyland Paris you will need to take the RER train to Marne-la-Vallée — Chessy. 

Paris   Metro  Passes

With such a sprawling RATP network, there are endless public transportation pass options. Below are the Paris travel passes I would most recommend for visitors. Unfortunately (and probably the only major downside of the Paris metro), unlike in other cities you cannot just tap-to-pay with your credit card. You will need to purchase some type of pass.

Single Tickets

One of the easiest options for riding the Paris Metro is a single ticket, or a t+ ticket. A single ticket costs €2,10 and gives you access to travel to any metro station regardless of zone, including metro transfers, as well as the Montmartre funicular. Historically these have been sold as small paper tickets that you can purchase in a packet of 10 (a carnet) for a slight discount, but these paper tickets are being phased out. However if you do use the paper tickets you will need to physically insert the ticket into the gate, it will be validated, the doors will open, then you need to take the ticket with you.

Navigo Easy Pass

As the paper tickets are phased out, the Navigo Easy Pass is far and away the best option for Paris Visitors. It’s similar to an Oyster card in London or a Washington, DC SmarTrip card. It’s a reusable, refillable plastic metro card (no more losing paper tickets!) that costs €2 to purchase – you can then add a single ticket, or a digital packet of 10 tickets at a discount.

With these passes, you will tap them at the gate to open. You will need to purchase your Navigo Easy Card from a booth with an attendant at a metro station, major train station, or CDG airport. And you can reload your pass with a credit card at any of the purple kiosks you see at metro stations.

You cannot share a Navigo Easy pass between multiple people on the same journey. And you will need to purchase a separate ticket to get to the airport, Versailles, or Disneyland Paris via RER. You can purchase those tickets at the RER station.

Navigo Decouverte Pass

This is a bit of a tricky pass, but you can get a lot of bang for your buck if the conditions are right. Similar to the Easy Pass, the Navigo Decouverte is also a reusable, refillable plastic metro card. The difference is that this card is a week-long, unlimited pass for the Paris Metro, all RER trains, all buses and trams. It includes travel to CDG, Disneyland Paris, and Versailles and costs €30 for the week.

The catch is that regardless of when you purchase a weekly pass, coverage is only valid from Monday morning at 12:01AM to Sunday at 11:59 PM. If you buy the pass after Thursday at midnight you cannot use the pass for that current week. Like the Easy Pass, this pass must also be purchased from a booth with an attendant. It costs €5 and also requires a small passport photo (another tricky aspect) so you will need to either bring one with you or use one of the photo booths in the station. Like I said, this pass is complicated but can be an amazing deal if your travel dates line up and you don’t mind the extra hoops.

Paris Visite Pass

The Paris Visite Pass is a multi day pass marketed specifically to visitors and offers unlimited public transportation on the Paris Metro, RER, and buses for 1, 2, 3, or 5 consecutive days. You must select how many days and which zones you’d like access to (either zones 1-3 or all zones). Depending on how much you anticipate taking public transportation this can be a great deal! They also offer discounted passes for children. These are paper passes that can be purchased at the ticket booth or kiosks in metro and RER stations, train stations, airports, and tourist offices.

Where To Buy  Metro  Tickets In  Paris

Metro tickets and passes can be purchased at:

• Paris metro stations
• RER stations
• Train stations (Gare du Nord, Gare de l’Est, Gare de Lyon, Gare d’Austerlitz, Gare Montparnasse, Gare Saint-Lazare)
• Airports (CDG and Orly)

Keep in mind that travel passes like the Easy Pass and Decouverte need to be initially purchased at a manned ticket booth inside the stations, but then can be topped up at a kiosk. You can still purchase paper tickets at most automatic ticket kiosks. You can always use a credit card to purchase your ticket(s) or pass.

Paris   Metro  Tips

Hold onto your paper ticket.

You need to be in possession of your paper ticket until you’ve finished your ride and left the Metro station for good. Police are regularly checking passengers’ fares. So be sure you always have your proof of payment at the ready otherwise you may land a fine. I know many travelers who have fallen victim to this often forgotten rule! This is another reason why I suggest purchasing the Navigo Easy Pass.

Kids don’t always travel free

While children under 4 ride free, children 4-10 can ride at a 50% discount. Remember, when traveling with kids they need to have their own Navigo Easy pass or their own paper ticket.

Know the Paris Metro operating hours

The Paris Metro operates from 5:30AM to 1:15AM daily. On Friday and Saturday evenings it operates until 2:15AM. Rush hour for the Paris Metro is usually 8 – 9 AM, and 6 – 7:30 PM. 

Keep an eye on your things 

As in most major metropolitan cities, use caution and exercise good judgement. Keep your personal belongings zipped up and in front of you, important items like wallets and phones should also be in your bag or front pocket. This should be followed for your entire metro experience – not just on the train itself.

Visit the iconic Art Nouveau metro entrances

It’s always such a treat to visit one of the iconic and historic Art Nouveau metro entrances. At the turn of the century, French architect Hector Guimard was hired to design these aesthetically pleases entrances to the city’s brand new metro system. Today, 86 still remain. Some of my favorites include Palais-Royal–Musée-du-Louvre, Cité, and Saint-Michel–Notre-Dame. 

You might need to open the door yourself

On most of the metro cars, you will need to manually open the door to get on and off. Only a couple of lines have automatic doors! My tip is to watch how others do it your first time. It’s very easy!

I hope you find this post helpful for your next trip to Paris!

Heading to Paris? Book  En Route to Rêverie  with me and get customized recommendations based on your travel preferences to make your next trip to Paris the best one yet.

You may also like:.

• How to Plan a Trip to Paris .
• How to Plan a Girls Trip to Paris .
• Best Time to Travel to Paris .

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Time for easyJet to reflect on how it deals with passengers

The man who pays his way: what easyjet should learn from its latest passport foul-up, article bookmarked.

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Telling large companies how to run their businesses is much easier than actually running one. Nonetheless, allow me to address Britain’s biggest budget airline, easyJet , and recommend how it could improve.

To set the scene: I spent a fair amount of 2021 involved in a long back-and-forth with EU home affairs officials in Brussels about post-Brexit passport validity rules . After the UK voted to leave the European Union, Boris Johnson’s government requested that we should become third-country nationals – alongside citizens of an interesting range of other countries, including Tonga and Venezuela.

It was clear that, when international travel returned at scale after the shambolic tangle of quarantine rules was finally lifted, travellers and the travel industry needed to know what exactly the rules were. Finally, on 10 November 2021, I received sign-off from Brussels on the two EU tests for British passport holders:

• On the day of travel to the EU, issued not more than 10 years earlier
• On the intended day of exit, at least three months to run

For example, a British passport issued on 20 November 2014, expiring on 20 March 2025, can be used to travel out to the European Union up to 19 November 2024 for a stay until 20 December 2024.

I promptly informed all the leading airlines flying from the UK to the European Union about my findings – supplying the lengthy correspondence and contact details so they could conduct their own checks. I stressed that they should not make up nonsense conditions about British passports being valid in Europe only for nine years and nine months – pretending that the EU has imposed a limit of 10 years on any UK travel document.

As far as I know, British Airways has not put a foot wrong. Jet2 turned one passenger away very early but corrected the error overnight and promptly made good the harm to the traveller. Unfortunately, easyJet and Ryanair made up their own rules, citing bizarre UK government advice that showed ministers didn’t understand what they had signed up for.

Eventually, I persuaded all three organisations to accept the rules.

But occasionally a member of staff “goes rogue” and needlessly turns an innocent and properly documented passenger away.

Jacqui McGeough from Lanarkshire is the latest victim to have contacted me. On 9 April she and her daughter, Eilidh, turned up at Edinburgh in good time to fly off on holiday to Naples. But the gate agent inexplicably barred Ms McGeough from the flight, saying her passport was not valid.

Ms McGeough immediately appealed. An airport supervisor confirmed the original, incorrect decision. The holiday was off and the pair were £1,500 out of pocket.

Understandably upset, Ms McGeough contacted easyJet. Over the following seven weeks, she was assured five times that the organisation was right and she was wrong – even though exactly the opposite was true. A “thorough investigation” of the fact had been made, she was assured.

Arrogant nonsense. An actual “thorough investigation” of Ms McGeough’s case would take one minute:

• Look at the passport, and observe it was valid for travel out to the European Union up to 13 May 2024
• Look at the travel dates, 8-12 April 2024
• Exclaim “Oops! Ms McGeough was right all along, so let’s open the chequebook to recompense the pair for the cost of their ruined holiday as well as statutory compensation for wrongly denying boarding”

Yet easyJet repeatedly brushed off Ms McGeough until she contacted me. Once I challenged easyJet, the airline promptly admitted “a misunderstanding at the gate of passport validity rules” and said it was “looking into why they received incorrect information in response to their claim”.

The vast majority of easyJet passengers turned away from a flight due to passport problems are correctly denied boarding. But when an upset passenger politely and persistently asks to be taken seriously, an airline manager could and should investigate.

I shall continue to fly on easyJet for its professional operation, good value and excellent cabin crew. But an organisation that pays more heed to a journalist than to a customer is on dodgy ground. Repeatedly blaming the victim rather than taking a long look at its own procedures has alarming resonances of the Post Office scandal; easyJet is better than that.

Simon Calder, also known as The Man Who Pays His Way, has been writing about travel for The Independent since 1994. In his weekly opinion column, he explores a key travel issue – and what it means for you.

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General election latest: Tories to make 'biological sex' a protected characteristic - but Badenoch put on spot about why she hasn't done it already

Rishi Sunak is pledging to change the Equality Act to state that "sex" means "biological sex". Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer is reaffirming his commitment to the UK's nuclear deterrent. And a YouGov poll at 5pm will project how to Commons will look after 4 July.

Monday 3 June 2024 09:27, UK

• General Election 2024

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Election news

• Sir Keir Starmer speech on national security - watch and follow from 10am
• Tories pledge to shake-up Equality Act to 'end confusion' over legal definition of sex
• But Badenoch put on spot about why she hasn't done it already
• National security 'comes first': Starmer reaffirms support for nuclear deterrent
• Poll to reveal projected election winner - and the big beasts set to lose their seats
• Politics at Jack and Sam's : The Day... We talk culture wars and real wars
• Be in the audience for our election leaders event
• Live reporting by Ben Bloch

Expert analysis

• Adam Boulton: 'Starmtroopers' are purging Labour
• Ali Fortescue:  Images both parties want to present clash with reality
• Darren McCaffrey : Scotland used to be a Labour fiefdom - it could become so again

Election essentials

• Trackers: Who's leading polls? | Is PM keeping promises?
• Campaign Heritage: Memorable moments from elections past
• Follow Sky's politics podcasts: Electoral Dysfunction | Politics At Jack And Sam's
• Read more: Who is standing down? | Key seats to watch | How to register to vote | What counts as voter ID? | Check if your constituency is changing | Your essential guide to election lingo | Sky's election night plans

The Labour Party has not provided a formal response to the Conservatives' plan to amend the Equality Act to ensure "biological sex" is a protected characteristic ( more here ).

But the shadow defence secretary, John Healey, has said they will not follow suit and amend the legislation, saying it's "not needed" because it "already provides protections for single-sex spaces for biological women" and differentiates between sex and gender.

Speaking to Times Radio, he pointed out that when the Equality Act was originally passed in 2010 by the Labour government, it was "opposed by the Tories".

He went on to say that what is actually needed is "clearer guidance for service providers, from the NHS to sports bodies, and in prisons, on what single-sex exemptions need to be, and the best way to be able to do that is in guidance, not primary legislation".

Mr Healey also noted that the Tories have had 14 years to do this, and now it is a "distraction from the election campaign" that should focus on things like the cost of living and the NHS.

Labour's Luke Pollard has told Sky News that he is happy that Diane Abbott will stand as a Labour candidate, after a week of uncertainty last week about whether she would be able to.

There has been vast criticism of the way Ms Abbott was treated after the media was briefed that she would be barred from being a Labour candidate.

Mr Pollard dodged a question about whether he was disappointed at how she was treated, saying: "I think if you ever get to the point where your internal processes are splashed across the media, that's probably not the best option for you."

He added: "I'm pleased she's standing, and I look forward to getting back to being able to talk about the issues that I think genuinely people care about."

The Conservative Party has pledged to raise defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2030, while Labour has said they will do it "when economic conditions allow".

We've just been speaking with Labour's shadow armed forces minister Luke Pollard, and started by asking when he thinks economic conditions will allow for that uplift.

Mr Pollard said he hoped it would be "soon" but his party needs to conduct a defence and security review first. 

He explained that as the opposition party, it doesn't have access to the "highly classified intelligence briefings or the security assessments" needed to make an assessment currently. 

The shadow armed forces minister said he is "very concerned" about the state of the armed forces, citing "plummeting morale, capability gaps, and growing threats to the security of our nation and our allies".

He pledged that Labour will conduct a defence and security review on "day one of a Labour government".

Sky's Kay Burley put to Mr Pollard that given the situation in the Middle East and Ukraine, surely defence spending needs increasing immediately.

He replied that Sir Keir Starmer will be setting out today their "commitment to get to 2.5% and importantly, that commitment to the bedrock of national security in the United Kingdom, which is our continuous at-sea nuclear deterrent, building those four nuclear submarines in Barrow".

Sky News' deputy political editor Sam Coates and Politico's Jack Blanchard are back in your podcast feeds with their daily guide to the election day ahead.

This is day 12 of the campaign. Jack and Sam discuss the Conservatives' announcement on gender laws, what Labour are saying about the UK's nuclear deterrent and what to expect from the first TV debate of the campaign, involving Scottish political leaders.

👉 Tap here to follow Politics at Jack at Sam's wherever you get your podcasts 👈

Email Jack and Sam: [email protected]

Nurses are declaring a "national emergency" in the NHS today, warning that hospital patients are "dying in corridors" ( more here ).

We asked cabinet minister Kemi Badenoch what she made of the declaration, and she said it was "appalling".

But she defended the government, saying they had put "more money into the NHS than ever before".

She said this was "one of the areas where we have been talking about ensuring that the NHS is delivering more for people, given how much that we have been putting into it".

"Of course, the scenario that the Royal College of Nursing is describing is not something that we ever want to see," she said, adding that the health secretary had been setting out the Tories' plans to fix it.

Asked for some detail of those plans, Ms Badenoch said the government was trying to reach a pay settlement with junior doctors to stop industrial action to get waiting lists down, and they had "started a programme for building new hospitals".

She added that there had "never been a time when there haven't been issues with the NHS", but that the Tories had demonstrated their commitment to funding it, not privatising it, as they are often accused of.

Challenged on her comment that waiting lists were coming down before junior doctor strikes, she said: "What I'm not getting into is any kind of conversation that makes it sound like I am disparaging NHS workers.

"We value them, and we understand how hard they're working."

But she added that strikes had "an impact on patients", and said the PM had been trying to "solve the staffing issues that the NHS has for the long-term, rather than relying on short-term fixes".

The Tories are pledging to build 100 new GP surgeries and modernise another 150 if they win the election, but we asked Ms Badenoch why voters should believe that pledge as independent assessments say they will not achieve their promise from the last election to build 40 new hospital.

She replied: "Because one thing happened that was not in the manifesto, and that was COVID.

"And because of COVID, we ended up spending far more on the NHS than anybody would ever have expected, and that was to protect people's health all around the country."

Cabinet minister Kemi Badenoch holds the women and equalities brief, and she explained to Sky News that the Tories had pledged a "clarification in the law" to ensure "biological sex" was a protected characteristic.

She said it would not be a "change", but rather "re-emphasising what should be the status quo".

"Sex and gender were used interchangeably," she said, so the aim was to ensure that "people understand what the law says" and "problems with people misinterpreting" it.

Challenged by Sky's Kay Burley about why the government hasn't already made the change if it was such a big problem, Ms Badenoch said the "biggest reason" was the SNP's controversial gender recognition legislation that "took up quite a lot of bandwidth", as well as other legal cases.

She went on to say that she had been working on the change, but "unfortunately the election was called before we would have been able to lay the legislation in September".

Kay asked Ms Badenoch what the "clarification" to the legislation would mean in practice, such as what the law would be for participation in sport.

The minister said they were not "giving instructions to different sporting bodies" but "making it very clear what the law is".

"They may, in some cases, have to compete with their biological sex. They may in some cases have open categories. But what we are trying to stop is the scenario where we see very obvious unfair advantages."

Asked which toilets the government intended for transgender people to use, Ms Badenoch said: "We have not said that transgender people can't use specific toilets. What we have said is that they must provide toilets for single sexes as well.

"And if you provide for all, that is genuine inclusion. The sort of inclusion that people are doing are actually exclusive to women."

Conservative Robert Largan, who is fighting to keep his High Peak seat, has published a number of campaign materials in the colours of Labour and Reform UK.

The graphics also included the phrases "Labour for Largan" and "Reform for Robert".

The police are reviewing the adverts after receiving complaints, but a spokesman for Mr Largan denied he had done anything wrong, saying all his election leaflets clearly state he is the Tory candidate and comply with electoral law ( more here ).

We asked Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch if this was an appropriate way for Conservative candidates to advertise themselves. She said: "What he's trying to show is that people who would traditionally support other parties are actually supporting him."

She said he was making the point that he has "the broadest appeal" in the constituency, and added: "I don't think there's anything wrong with that."

Asked repeatedly if she would advertise herself in that way, she refused to say, telling Kay Burley: "Everybody has their own way of doing things."

By Adam Boulton , Sky News election commentator 

The last time there was a change in the main party of government an outgoing Labour minister famously left a note saying "I'm afraid there is no money". Never mind that: for the next five weeks until polls close at 10pm on 4 July, the UK has no MPs.

At the stroke of midnight last Thursday all their writs expired. All those seeking to get into the Commons are now just prospective parliamentary candidates. They have until this Friday to make sure their names are registered on the ballot paper.

Even if there are no gains and losses and not a single seat changes hands between the parties, the next parliament is certain to look very different from the last one.

So far, 134 members of the 2019-24 parliament have announced they will not be fighting them again. This means that a minimum of 20%, one in five, of the new MPs will be new faces.

You can read more from Sky News below:

At 5pm today, Sky News will publish the first YouGov poll-based projection of the campaign.

The pollster, which has partnered with Sky News for the election, pioneered the technique to call every seat in Great Britain on the basis of extensive polling.

This will allow Sky News to bring you YouGov's projected winner and the size of the majority, as well as the makeup of the House of Commons and the names of any big beasts set to lose their seats.

The poll uses the MRP (Multi-level Regression and Poststratification) technique, which was the first to point to Theresa May falling short of an overall majority in the 2017 election.

The technique first identifies the views of certain groups of voters. Then by knowing the type of voter in each seat, it projects what will happen in each one.

From 5pm , we will be able to dig in by region and look at how the political makeup is shifting in this election campaign.

Watch live on Sky News, available for free on TV, mobile, app and wherever you get your news.

Follow live here in the Politics Hub as well, where we'll have the full details and breakdown of the seat-by-seat projection .

Hospital patients are "dying in corridors", nurses have warned as they declared a "national emergency" in the NHS.

Patients are regularly treated on chairs in corridors for extended periods of time - and sometimes even days, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has said.

They are also receiving cancer diagnoses in public areas, and may have to undergo intimate examinations there too, the union added.

A survey of almost 11,000 frontline nursing staff across the UK shows the practice has become widespread, the RCN said.

When asked about their most recent shift, almost two in five reported delivering care in an inappropriate area, such as a corridor.

Patient privacy and dignity had been compromised, almost seven in 10 said.

"You wouldn't treat a dog this way," one nurse said.

Read more here:

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