Best Travel Credit Cards: January 2025

If you’re looking to get into travel rewards in 2025, you’ve got some solid options. Here’s my take on the best travel cards available right now, broken down by spending habits and goals.

Best Overall Value: Capital One Venture X

The Capital One Venture X continues to be the best value in premium travel cards. At $395 per year, you get:

$300 annual travel credit (easy to use through their portal)
10,000 bonus miles on your anniversary (~$100 value)
Priority Pass lounge access with unlimited guests
2x miles on everything

When you do the math, the effective annual fee is just $95 for a card with lounge access and solid earning rates. The 75,000 mile bonus isn’t the highest we’ve seen (that was 100,000), but it’s still worth at least $750 in travel.

My take: This is the card I recommend to most people who want premium travel benefits without premium pricing.

Best for Dining & Groceries: Amex Gold

The American Express Gold Card is currently offering 90,000 points - its highest-ever sign-up bonus. At 4x on dining and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000/year), it’s unmatched for these categories.

The $250 annual fee sounds high, but you get:

$120 dining credit (Grubhub, Seamless, Cheesecake Factory, etc.)
$120 Uber Cash

That brings the effective fee down to just $10. If you spend $500/month on dining and groceries combined, you’re earning 24,000 points per year in those categories alone.

My take: If you cook at home or eat out regularly, this is the card to get. The 90,000 point bonus is the time to apply.

Best for Chase Beginners: Sapphire Preferred

The Chase Sapphire Preferred at $95/year is the gateway to Chase’s travel rewards ecosystem. The current 60,000 point bonus isn’t the historical high (that was 100,000 briefly in 2024), but it’s still worth about $750.

Why I still recommend it:

5x on travel through Chase, 3x on dining
Transfer to 14+ airline and hotel partners
Points become more valuable paired with other Chase cards
Reasonable annual fee

My take: If you’re new to points and miles, start here. You can always upgrade to the Reserve later if you want lounge access.

Best for Heavy Spenders: Amex Platinum

The Amex Platinum at $695 is expensive, but the 150,000 point bonus (worth ~$2,250 for travel) helps justify the cost in year one. You get:

Centurion Lounge access
$200 airline fee credit
$200 hotel credit
$200 Uber Cash
$240 entertainment credit
And more…

The credits can offset a big chunk of the fee if you use them all. The card earns 5x on flights, but only 1x on most other spending.

My take: This is a benefits card, not an earning card. Get it for the lounge access and perks, not to maximize everyday spending.

The Bottom Line

Here’s how I’d prioritize these cards:

New to travel rewards? Start with Sapphire Preferred or Venture X
Spend heavily on food? Amex Gold is a no-brainer at 90,000 points
Want lounge access at the best price? Venture X
Want the best lounges regardless of price? Amex Platinum

Remember, sign-up bonuses change frequently. The Amex Gold at 90,000 points and Amex Platinum at 150,000 points are both strong offers right now. I’d prioritize those if you’re on the fence.