The holidays are just around the corner once again — and more so than in previous years, it’s shaping up to be a record travel season with big crowds and delayed flights.
You’ve probably booked your flights and hotels by now, and if you have not, you should. However, it’s not yet too late to take advantage of some of your credit card perks to make your trip even more comfortable.
These include speeding through airport security, upgrading to more comfortable seats on your flight and getting freebies or treats along the way.
These are the best credit cards for making your next trip more enjoyable.
Premium credit cards that improve your travel experience
Having a premium card can offer a lot of perks. You can breeze through airport security, skip the line at rental car counters and chill comfortably at an airport lounge simply by having a premium card in your wallet.
Here’s how these cards can make your travel experience better.
American Express Platinum Card
The American Express Platinum Card® provides access to many travel benefits that will make your next trip more comfortable. Some benefits require enrollment in advance.
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To start, if a secluded, quieter space at the airport is more your style, this card will let you access a wide range of lounges while waiting for your flight, including American Express Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Club lounges (when flying Delta Air Lines that day)*, Priority Pass™ lounges and other Global Lounge Collection partner lounges for eligible cardmembers.
*Eligible Platinum Card members will receive 10 visits per eligible Platinum Card, per year to the Delta Sky Club or to Grab and Go when traveling on a same-day Delta-operated flight.
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You can also enhance your in-air experience thanks to the up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year for airline incidentals. You must select a preferred qualifying airline in advance, and then you can be reimbursed for expenses like checked bags, preferred seats or even inflight Wi-Fi purchases. Enrollment is required.
As an Amex Platinum Card member, you have access to American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection. You can enjoy up to a $600 annual hotel credit each calendar year (up to $300 semiannually) as a statement credit on prepaid Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel®.
Note that there is a two-night minimum stay requirement for The Hotel Collection bookings. Both programs provide access to high-quality hotels and offer benefits like room upgrades, complimentary breakfast and late checkout, as well as property credits that can be used toward food and beverages, spa treatments and more.
CHRIS DONG/THE POINTS GUY
Other hotel benefits come in the form of room upgrades and earning points at higher rates, thanks to elite status with Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors and The Leading Hotels of the World. Amex Platinum Card members can enroll for complimentary Gold status in Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors and complimentary Sterling status for Leaders Club, the program for The Leading Hotels of the World.
Additionally, if you need a ride to an airport or hotel during your trip — or anywhere else while you’re home — you can take advantage of up to $200 in Uber Cash per calendar year (up to $15 each month, plus an additional $20 in December), plus up to a $120 statement credit for Uber One that fully covers an auto-renewing $96 annual or $9.99 monthly membership (enrollment is required).
You can use the Uber Cash for either rides or Uber Eats orders while you’re in the U.S. by adding your Amex Platinum Card to your Uber account and redeeming with any Amex card. Enrollment is required, and terms apply. Together, both Uber perks total $320 (per calendar year) when used every month before they expire.
Alternatively, you can take advantage of complimentary elite status with National, Avis and Hertz. Enrollment is required.
The Amex Platinum’s benefits come with an annual fee of $895 (see rates and fees).
To learn more, check out our full review of the Amex Platinum.
Related: Is the Amex Platinum worth the annual fee?
Apply here: American Express Platinum Card
Chase Sapphire Reserve
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees) has a slightly lower annual fee ($795) than the Amex Platinum and also comes with several perks to make your next trip feel more special.
Like Amex Platinum Card members, Sapphire Reserve cardholders can access over 1,800 Priority Pass lounges worldwide. They also have access to Chase Sapphire Lounges, currently open at eight locations. A few Sapphire Lounges include Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) and Hong Kong International Airport (HKG).
The Sapphire Reserve card also reimburses your application fee for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or, for quicker travel between the U.S. and Canada, Nexus (up to $120 every four years).
If you need help securing difficult reservations or booking activities during your trip, Sapphire Reserve cardholders have access to a concierge service to assist. Plus, Reserve cardholders have exclusive access to events and experiences with artists and celebrity chef restaurant pop-ups bookable with Chase Ultimate Rewards points through Chase Travel℠.
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Those looking for boutique hotel experiences can access The Edit by Chase Travel. These bookings provide benefits like daily breakfast for two people, a $100 property credit and room upgrades whenever available. You’ll also enjoy an up to $500 annual credit (up to $250 between January and June and another up to $250 from July through December) for prepaid bookings of at least two nights for The Edit reservations.
Best of all, starting Jan. 1, 2026, this annual The Edit credit will become even more flexible, as a credit of up to $250 will automatically apply for each prepaid The Edit booking of two nights or more (up to $500 annually). You’ll no longer need to wait to use part of your credit between January and June and again from July through December.
The Sapphire Reserve also comes with up to $300 in annual travel credits that apply automatically to the first $300 you spend on travel purchases each account anniversary year.
Those who enjoy dining out when traveling (and who doesn’t?) will be able to enjoy up to $300 in dining credits (up to $150 biannually) to use at restaurants that are part of the Sapphire Reserve Exclusive tables. Or, if you’re not feeling like leaving your room while on the road, you can use the up to $300 in DoorDash credits (up to $25 each month via two $10 nonrestaurant promos and one $5 restaurant promo) to spend on restaurant orders.
To learn more, check out our full review of the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
Related: Is the Chase Sapphire Reserve worth the annual fee?
Apply here: Chase Sapphire Reserve
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
With an annual fee of just $395, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is a bargain compared to the Amex Platinum Card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve, and it still comes packed with benefits to make your next trip more fabulous.
THE POINTS GUY
Along with access to Priority Pass lounges, cardholders have unlimited visits to Capital One Lounges — with six locations currently open, including Denver International Airport (DEN), Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) — as well as Plaza Premium lounges.
Lounge benefits also extend to your authorized users, who can bring two guests of their own — meaning your whole family could access a lounge for free during your next trip.
Keep in mind, though, that this access policy for guests and authorized users changes Feb. 1, 2026. From that date on, additional cardholders will not receive complimentary lounge access; it can be purchased by paying $125 per card. A fee of $25 to $45 (depending on guest age and lounge program) will also apply for each guest a cardholder wishes to bring into a Priority Pass lounge, a Capital One Lounge and a Capital One Landing starting Feb. 1, 2026. However, this fee is waived for Capital One Lounge and Landing guests when a cardholder spends at least $75,000 on their card in a calendar year.
Related: Capital One set to change lounge access policies: Here’s what you need to know
SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY
Venture X cardholders can also enjoy reimbursement for their Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee (up to $120 every four years) to help move through security quickly.
For rental cars, Venture X cardholders (and Venture X authorized users) enjoy top-tier Hertz President’s Circle elite status.** After registering for this benefit, you can enjoy skip-the-line privileges, guaranteed upgrades, the widest range of selection and a free additional driver. Moreover, once you have rental car status with one company, you may be able to match your status to other rental car programs.
**Upon enrollment, accessible through the Capital One website or mobile app, eligible cardholders will remain at that status level through the duration of the offer. Please note, enrolling through the normal Hertz Gold Plus Rewards enrollment process (i.e., at hertz.com) will not automatically detect a cardholder as being eligible for the program, and cardholders will not be automatically upgraded to the applicable status tier. Additional terms apply.
For other comforts during your trip, you can take advantage of 10,000 bonus miles on every account anniversary and a $300 annual credit for travel booked through the Capital One Travel portal. Great uses of these credits include booking a boutique hotel and stacking benefits with your Hertz car rentals.
To learn more, check out our full review of the Capital One Venture X.
Related: Is the Capital One Venture X worth the annual fee?
Learn More: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Airline cards that make your flight more comfortable
If your travels include time in the air, a cobranded airline card can add some helpful perks to your flying experience.
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For instance, a free checked bag is a key feature of nearly every airline credit card. This can save you money and improve your airport experience since you won’t carry as many things through security or onto the plane.
You can enjoy a free first checked bag on your flight across various credit cards with annual fees, such as the United℠ Explorer Card ($0 introductory annual fee, then $150; see rates and fees), the Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® Credit Card ($95 annual fee), the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card ($350 annual fee; see rates and fees) and the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® ($595 annual fee; see rates and fees).
Many credit cards also extend the checked bag benefits to other people on your same reservation. However, the number of people this perk covers depends on the card and can vary widely.
For more details, see the following:
Beyond offering free checked bags, you can enjoy other comfort-adding perks from airline credit cards, such as priority boarding and access to preferred seats or seat upgrades.
BRENDAN DORSEY/THE POINTS GUY
Those holding credit cards with Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines or United Airlines will enjoy some level of preferred boarding when flying on those carriers. Generally, this means boarding before economy passengers but after business- and first-class passengers. By boarding early, you can access overhead storage bins before they fill up — and they are guaranteed to fill up quickly during the holidays.
Additionally, many airline cards come with automatic or faster paths to elite status, allowing cardholders to enjoy seat upgrades when available.
Keep in mind that some perks, like free checked bags, require cardholders to purchase their fare on the card in question. Some will even extend the free checked bag benefits to award tickets you have redeemed and used the card to cover the taxes and fees of that award ticket. Check your card’s guide for specific detailed benefits.
Whether you want to save money on checked bags or enjoy a smoother boarding process, holding a cobranded airline card can boost your overall travel experience.
Related: 4 reasons someone in your family needs a United credit card
Hotel cards that improve your stay
When you think about adding comfort to your hotel stays, your first thought probably includes upgraded rooms. However, free (or faster) Wi-Fi, breakfast, parking and expedited check-in lines can also elevate your stay.
Having the right credit card in your wallet can come with automatic entry-level status, netting you a few extra points and a free bottle of water. But it also might offer top-tier elite status that qualifies you for upgrades to suites and luxury treatment during your stay.
Hilton Honors credit cards
If you want top-tier Diamond status with Hilton — which includes perks like suite upgrades based on availability at check-in, lounge access at hotels that have them, bonus points and free breakfast — you can get this without the effort of counting your hotel nights every year.
MELANIE LIEBERMAN/THE POINTS GUY
Simply holding the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card confers Hilton Diamond status automatically for as long as your account is open. The card’s annual fee is a noninsignificant $550 (see rates and fees), but this is certainly less than you would spend on the necessary hotel stays to qualify for Diamond status annually.
Another option for Hilton status is carrying the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, which confers automatic Hilton Honors Gold (mid-tier) status. The card comes with a $150 annual fee (see rates and fees).
For this fee, your Gold status will come with benefits like bonus points on paid stays, room upgrades (but not to suites) based on availability at check-in and either food-and-beverage credits or complimentary breakfast, depending on the hotel.
Related: Best Hilton credit cards
IHG One Rewards credit cards
If you’re looking for elite status with IHG One Rewards, you can receive complimentary Platinum Elite status (the third-highest of the four tiers) pretty easily. Cardholders of the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card (see rates and fees) receive Platinum Elite status automatically; the card has a $99 annual fee.
Platinum Elite status offers benefits like bonus points on paid stays, upgraded rooms (including suites at some properties), a welcome gift of points or snacks and discounts on reward nights.
Related: IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card review: Valuable benefits for IHG loyalists
Marriott Bonvoy credit cards
Those aiming for elite status with Marriott Bonvoy can unlock Platinum Elite status simply by having the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card.
This status offers benefits like bonus points on paid stays, welcome gifts (which can range from points to complimentary breakfast), lounge access at hotels that have them and upgrades to suites based on availability at check-in. These benefits come with an annual fee of $650 (see rates and fees) on this card.
The card also gets you a free night award on your card renewal month each year, which can be used to cover one night priced at or under 85,000 points, so your stays aren’t just more comfortable, but you’re also saving some cash while traveling.
JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa. TARAH CHIEFFI/THE POINTS GUY
The next status tier below Platinum Elite is Marriott Bonvoy’s Gold Elite status. You can get this status automatically with the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card and the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful® Credit Card. Both cards carry an annual fee of $250 (see rates and fees for the Bevy card).
The information for the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Gold Elite status provides benefits like enhanced internet speeds in your hotel room, upgrades to preferred rooms when available at check-in, late checkout and a welcome gift of bonus points.
Related: Best Marriott credit cards
World of Hyatt credit cards
It’s also possible to gain elite status with World of Hyatt by holding a credit card. However, you’ll only receive Discoverist status by holding the World of Hyatt Credit Card (see rates and fees), which has an annual fee of $95.
This status offers benefits like space-available upgrades to preferred rooms — such as one with a preferred location within the hotel (think: corner rooms) or a nicer view — complimentary bottled water each day during your stay, premium internet access and late checkout.
CAMERON SPERANCE/THE POINTS GUY
Related: World of Hyatt Credit Card review: 1 of the most valuable hotel cards
Wyndham Rewards credit cards
You can also unlock automatic status with Wyndham Rewards through credit cards. The Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card offers automatic Platinum status (the third-highest of four tiers), providing benefits like rollover nights, free Wi-Fi, preferred rooms, late checkout, early check-in and a status match to Caesars Rewards. The card has a $75 annual fee.
The no-annual-fee Wyndham Rewards Earner® Card offers automatic Gold status, providing benefits like free Wi-Fi, preferred rooms and rollover nights.
The information for the Wyndham Earner Plus Card and the Wyndham Earner Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Related: Which Wyndham Rewards credit card is right for you?
Bottom line
Multiple credit cards can make your next trip more comfortable. From better seats on your flight to better rooms at your hotel and better experiences at airport security, what you hold in your wallet could elevate your next trip and remove stress points.
Premium credit cards can offer a range of perks and help you skip the lines at multiple points in your journey. Airline credit cards can offer perks like free checked bags, better seats and priority boarding. Hotel cards can get you free breakfast, room upgrades and late checkout.
Holiday travel can be hectic, but these cards can remove some hassle from your trip and give you more time to deal with the real holiday stressor: your travel companions.
Related: 4 things you really need to do now in advance of holiday travel
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Delta Platinum card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Hilton Surpass card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy Amex card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Hilton Honors Aspire card, click here.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
