Personal Finance
The Most-Searched Travel Rewards Credit Cards of the Past Year
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When choosing a credit card, you generally have two options: a cash-back credit card or one with perks for travelers. The good news is that competition in this space is fierce, which means a constant benefits battle. Using Google Trends, you can identify which cards saw the most search action in 2024 based on a scale of 0-100, with 100 being the most searched result and 50 indicating half as many queries as the most popular search.
The most searched travel rewards credit cards of 2024 are not surprising. However, some surprises are on the list, including Bilt, which offers travel as an additional card benefit. The best travel rewards credit cards offer big bonuses when using their travel portals. The right cash back credit card can earn you hundreds, or thousands of dollars a year for free. Click here now to see our top picks. (Sponsor)
Key Points
12. Marriott Bonvoy
- Top query Google score: 27/100
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card offers a whopping 95,000 bonus points, up to 21x points spent at any eligible Marriott Bonvoy hotel, and 3x points on restaurants and flights worldwide.
11. Wells Fargo Autograph
- Top query Google score: 37/100
Labeled Wells Fargo’s “Best Card,” the Autograph card earns 3x unlimited points across various categories, including travel, restaurants, gas, streaming services, and cell phone plans.
10. American Express Platinum
- Top query Google score: 45/100
With travel, dining, and entertainment benefits, the American Express Platinum card offers an annual $200 hotel credit and 5x points on all flights and prepaid hotels.
9. Citi Strata Premier
- Top query Google score: 51/100
The Citi Strata Premier card is the bank’s best travel offering, starting with 10x points on any travel booked through Citi Travel and 75,000 bonus points.
8. United Gateway
- Top query Google score: 52/100
Earning up to 7x miles on United purchases, plus 2x miles on all other travel and everyday purchases, the United Gateway Chase credit card belongs in your wallet for those who love to fly United.
7. Hilton Honors
- Top query Google score: 57/100
The Hilton Honors American Express offers a whopping 7x reward at all Hilton hotels and resorts, 5x for dining, groceries, and gas, and 3x for every other dollar spent.
6. Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express
- Top query Google score: 63/100
The most popular Delta SkyMiles card offers 2 miles per dollar on every Delta purchase and a similar bonus of 2 miles per dollar spent at all restaurants worldwide, with 1 mile for all other purchases.
5. Capital One Venture X
- Top query Google score: 63/100
The Capital One Venture X card remains popular with an annual $300 travel credit. With 2x miles on all purchases and up to 10x miles on travel, the Venture X card is sought after.
4. Bilt
- Top query Google score: 79/100
A surprising addition to travel credit card search results, you earn 2x points on travel, 1x points on rent, 5x points at Bilt dining partners, and 5x Lyft rides.
3. Capital One Venture Rewards
- Top query Google score: 95/100
The Capital One Venture Rewards card may be in your wallet if you love to travel. You can earn unlimited 2x miles and a 75,000 bonus in the first three months. If you book your travel with Capital One Travel, the rewards jump to 5x.
2. Chase Sapphire Reserve
- Top query Google score: 98/100
The internet loves the Chase Sapphire Reserve even with a $550 annual fee. Perks include 60,000 bonus points, 10x total points on hotels and car rentals, complimentary airport lounge access, and a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit.
1. Chase Sapphire Preferred
- Top query Google score: 100/100
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is the current reigning Google search champion, thanks to a 60,000 bonus point reward after you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months, which is good enough for $750 in travel rewards.
Credit Card Companies Are Doing Something Nuts
Credit card companies are at war. The biggest issuers are handing out free rewards and benefits to win the best customers.
It’s possible to find cards paying unlimited 1.5%, 2%, and even more today. That’s free money for qualified borrowers, and the type of thing that would be crazy to pass up. Those rewards can add up to thousands of dollars every year in free money, and include other benefits as well.
We’ve assembled some of the best credit cards for users today. Don’t miss these offers because they won’t be this good forever.
Flywheel Publishing has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Flywheel Publishing and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.
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