Best Amex Travel Credit Cards in 2024

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Travelers have multiple credit card options to choose from when they turn to American Express. If you favor using a particular airline or group of hotels over others, you might benefit by getting a co-branded Amex travel card. Irrespective of the card you choose from our selection, you stand to earn rewards in some form.

While some of the best Amex credit cards for travel come with annual fees, a few do away with them completely. This largely depends on the rewards and perks on offer. For example, while the benefit-laden Amex Hilton Honors Surpass Card charges an annual fee, the simpler Hilton Honors Card does not. However, it earns fewer points on bonus category purchases and includes fewer benefits. It is common for Amex travel cards to come with no foreign transaction fees.

OUR REVIEW AT A GLANCE

Our Top 5 Picks
Summarized List of All Winners
Tips for Comparing Credit Cards

MoneyGeek's Take: Top 5 Amex Credit Cards for Travel

Quick Summary

Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card: A great miles rewards card with no annual fees.
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: An excellent credit card for earning Hilton Honors points.
Hilton Honors American Express Card: A good travel rewards card for people who are casual guests at Hilton hotels and resorts.
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: An excellent card for earning Delta SkyMiles.
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card: A great credit card for individuals looking for basic travel perks and more opportunities to earn miles.

The best Amex credit cards for travel offer a variety of travel-related perks and high points/miles earn rates on category-based spending, although these tend to come at a cost. We’ve selected the top five cards from this category based on factors such as annual fees, APRs, welcome offers and value of points/miles.

Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card
A great miles rewards card with no annual fees
- up to 2 Miles per $1*Rewards Rate
- 20.99% – 29.99% VariableAPR
- $0Annual Fee
- Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit
Frequent Delta flyers who want to maximize their rewards will benefit from the Delta SkyMiles® Gold Amex Card. It offers a generous sign-up bonus, 2x miles on Delta purchases, free checked bags, priority boarding and more—making it ideal for Delta travelers.
Pros
High rewards on U.S. dining
Generous bonus miles offer
High rewards on Delta flights
Free first checked bag on Delta flights
Priority boarding on Delta flights

Cons
High annual fee after the first year
Limited value if not flying Delta
Introductory Offers
Earn 10,000 bonus Delta SkyMiles after spending $1,000 in the first six months.
Rewards
Earn 2X Delta SkyMiles per dollar at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S.
Earn 2X Delta SkyMiles per dollar on Delta purchases.
Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
Perks & Benefits
Receive a 20% savings as a statement credit on eligible Delta in-flight purchases of food and beverages.
Pay with Miles: Take up to $50 off the cost of your flight for every 5,000 miles redeemed when booking on delta.com.
No foreign transaction fees. see Rates and Fees
Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
APRS, Fees, and Penalties
No annual fee. see Rates and Fees
Terms apply.
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
An excellent credit card for earning Hilton Honors points
- 3–12 Points per $1*Rewards Rate
- 20.99% – 29.99% VariableAPR
- $150Annual Fee
- Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card is a fantastic option for travelers, especially those with a penchant for Hilton stays. Imagine walking into a Hilton property and enjoying complimentary upgrades, thanks to the Gold Status that comes with this card. Whether you're dining out stateside or shopping online, you're racking up points at an impressive rate. And for the globetrotters, there's no need to worry about those pesky foreign transaction fees. The card does have an annual fee, and while the perks cater primarily to Hilton enthusiasts, its broad rewards system can offer value to many.
Pros
Generous welcome bonus
Purchases from Hilton get bonus points
Complimentary Hilton upgrades
No foreign transaction fees See Rates & Fees

Cons
With annual fee
Benefits mostly Hilton-centric
Introductory Offers
Earn 165,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points when you spend $3,000 within the first six months. Offer valid until January 8, 2025.
Rewards
Earn 12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar spent directly with Hilton hotels and resorts.
Earn 6X points at U.S. restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations.
Earn 4X points on U.S. online retail purchases.
Earn 3X points on all other eligible purchases.
Receive a Free Night Reward after spending $15,000 in a calendar year.
Perks & Benefits
Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors Gold Status.
Achieve Hilton Honors Diamond Status by spending $40,000 in a calendar year.
Complimentary National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive status. Enrollment required.
Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
APRS, Fees, and Penalties
No foreign transaction fees on international purchases. See Rates and Fees
$150 annual fee. See Rates and Fees
Terms Apply.
Hilton Honors American Express Card
A rewarding travel card for people who are casual guests at Hilton hotels and resorts
- 3–7 Points per $1*Rewards Rate
- 20.99% – 29.99% VariableAPR
- $0Annual Fee
- Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit
The Hilton Honors American Express Card is a traveler's dream come true. With no annual fee and a generous welcome bonus, it's a financial no-brainer for those frequenting Hilton properties or just seeking exceptional value. Whether dining out stateside or shopping abroad, you'll accumulate points seamlessly without those pesky foreign transaction fees. And here's the kicker — this card instantly boosts you to Hilton's Silver status! Want more perks? Just up your spending game, and Gold status awaits. This card truly embraces both the occasional and the dedicated traveler.
Pros
No annual fee See Rates and Fees
Generous welcome bonus
High earning rates with Hilton
No foreign transaction fees See Rates and Fees
Automatic Hilton Silver status

Cons
Potentially high APR
High credit requirement
Introductory Offers
Earn 100,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after spending $2,000 in the first six months. Offer ends January 8, 2025.
Rewards
Earn 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar spent directly with Hilton hotels and resorts.
Earn 5X points on purchases at U.S. restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations.
Earn 3X points on all other eligible purchases.
Perks & Benefits
Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors Silver status.
Upgrade to Hilton Honors Gold status by spending $20,000 in a calendar year.
No foreign transaction fees for international purchases.
Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
APRS, Fees, and Penalties
No annual fee. See Rates and Fees
Terms Apply.
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
An excellent card for earning Delta SkyMiles
- 1–3 Miles per $1Rewards Rate
- 20.99% – 29.99% VariableAPR
- $350Annual Fee
- Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit
The Delta SkyMiles Platinum offers a valuable companion certificate but comes with a $350 annual fee. It's a reliable option for frequent business and leisure travelers who can maximize perks like free checked bags, but it’s considerable to note the lack of lounge access for top-tier Delta travelers who value this perk.
Pros
Companion certificate
Priority boarding and free checked bag
High rewards on Delta purchases
Medallion® Qualification Dollar boost
Generous welcome bonus

Cons
High annual fee
No introductory APR offer
Introductory Offers
Earn 60,000 bonus Delta SkyMiles after spending $3,000 in the first six months.
Rewards
Earn 3X miles on Delta and hotel purchases.
Earn 2X miles at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets.
Earn 1X mile on all other eligible purchases.
Perks & Benefits
Receive a Companion Certificate for a Main Cabin round-trip flight within the U.S., Mexico, the Caribbean, or Central America each year after card renewal.
Enjoy a 15% discount on Award Travel when booking Delta flights using miles.
Check your first bag free on Delta flights.
Benefit from Zone 5 Priority Boarding on Delta flights.
Receive up to $120 in statement credits annually for eligible purchases at U.S. Resy restaurants.
Earn up to $120 in statement credits annually for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers.
Receive a statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees.
Be added to the Complimentary Upgrade list for eligible ticket holders.
Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
APRS, Fees, and Penalties
No foreign transaction fees. see Rates and Fees
$350 annual fee. see Rates and Fees
Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
Terms Apply.
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
A great credit card for individuals looking for basic travel perks and more opportunities to earn miles
- 1–2 Miles per $1Rewards Rate
- 20.99% – 29.99% VariableAPR
- 0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150Annual Fee
- Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit
Frequent Delta flyers who want to maximize their rewards will benefit from the Delta SkyMiles® Gold Amex Card. It offers a generous sign-up bonus, 2X miles on Delta purchases, free checked bags, priority boarding and more — making it ideal for Delta travelers.
Pros
High rewards on U.S. groceries and dining
Generous bonus miles offer
High rewards on Delta flights
Free first checked bag on Delta flights
Priority boarding on Delta flights

Cons
High annual fee after the first year
Limited value if not flying Delta
Introductory Offers
Earn 50,000 Bonus Delta SkyMiles Miles after spending $2,000 in eligible purchases within the first six months.
Rewards
Earn 2X Miles on Delta purchases, at U.S. supermarkets, and at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S.
Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
Perks & Benefits
Enjoy a 15% discount on Award Travel booked with miles on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app.
Check your first bag free on Delta flights, saving up to $70 per round-trip per person.
Receive Zone 5 Priority Boarding on Delta flights.
Get a $200 Delta Flight Credit after spending $10,000 in purchases in a calendar year.
Receive up to $100 back per year as a statement credit for prepaid hotels or vacation rentals booked through Delta Stays.
Save 20% on eligible Delta in-flight purchases in the form of a statement credit.
Use Send & Split® to send money and split purchases with Venmo or PayPal users directly from the Amex App.
Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
APRS, Fees, and Penalties
Benefit from a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150 after that. see Rates and Fees
Enjoy no foreign transaction fees on international purchases. see Rates and Fees
Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
Terms Apply.

Summary of the Best Amex Cards for Travel

Check this brief Amex travel card comparison table that’s based on aspects such as APRs, annual fees and welcome offers.

Credit Card
Best For
Avg. Reward Rate
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card
A great miles rewards card with no annual fees
up to 2 Miles per $1*
$0
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
An excellent credit card for earning Hilton Honors points
3–12 Points per $1*
$150
Hilton Honors American Express Card
A rewarding travel card for people who are casual guests at Hilton hotels and resorts
3–7 Points per $1*
$0
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
An excellent card for earning Delta SkyMiles
1–3 Miles per $1
$350
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
A great credit card for individuals looking for basic travel perks and more opportunities to earn miles
1–2 Miles per $1
0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
A good travel card with a great rewards program for frequent Delta flyers.
1–3 Miles per $1*
$650
American Express® Gold Card
Best rewards card for frequent fliers and diners
1–4 Points per $1
$250
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
A great card for frequent travelers who are Marriott Bonvoy members
2–6 Points per $1*
$650
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Great rewards card for air travel with premium benefits
1–5 Points per $1*
$695

MONEYGEEK EXPERT TIP

While many travelers gravitate towards cards with no annual fees, you are often better off choosing a card with a fee. The included perks, like a free checked bag or annual free night, often outweigh any annual fee that you pay. -- Lee Huffman, credit card expert at BaldThoughts.com.

How to Compare Amex Credit Cards & Intro Offers

Features and benefits that you may find in one Amex travel card might be specific to the card in question. This requires that you pay attention to different aspects before arriving at a decision.

1
Co-branded or not
American Express offers co-branded cards in the form of Delta SkyMiles cards, Hilton Honors cards and Marriott Bonvoy cards. These cards might work well for you if you’re a frequent user of any of these brands. Otherwise, you can choose a card that earns Amex Membership Rewards points, which offer numerous redemption options.
2
APR
Travel cards tend to come with higher APRs than cards that don’t offer any rewards/cash back. If you plan to carry balances from one month to the next, consider looking at what the top low-interest credit cards have to offer.
3
Annual fees
The annual fee you might need to pay depends on the features and benefits you’re after. For example, the no-annual-fee Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card comes with up to 2x miles on category-based spending. While the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card charges a $250 annual fee, it offers up to 3x miles on category-based spending. Besides, it comes with a more rewarding welcome offer as well as other perks such as an annual companion certificate, first checked bag free and credit toward Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fees.
4
Welcome offer
All the top Amex travel credit cards give you the opportunity to earn bonus points or miles through different welcome offers. If you get the Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card, you earn a welcome bonus of 10,000 miles by spending $500 on eligible purchases in the first three months. The Hilton Honors Card, on the other hand, offers 100,000 bonus points if you spend $1,000 on eligible purchases within the first three months, and an additional 50,000 bonus points if you spend a total of $5,000 in the first six months.
5
Points/miles earn rate
The annual fee that you might or might not need to pay typically has a bearing on this aspect, so you need to weigh your options after accounting for your spending patterns. For instance, the no-annual-fee Hilton Honors Card lets you earn up to 7x points on category-based spending. This increases to 12x points with the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card, which charges a $95 annual fee.
6
Value of points/miles
If you get a card that offers American Express Membership Rewards Points, their value may vary from 0.5 cents to 1 cent per point or higher based on how to choose to redeem them. If you get a co-branded card that offers miles or points linked to an airline or a hotel loyalty program, you typically get the best value when you use them to pay for flight or prepaid hotel bookings. In such cases, aspects such as dates, routes and specific properties may also affect the value of your miles/points.
7
Additional features
You may expect various card-specific features and perks from our selection of the best Amex credit cards for travel. These include no foreign transaction fees, no preset spending limits, complimentary travel insurance coverage, status upgrades in loyalty membership programs, weekend night rewards, Priority Pass lounge access, annual companion certificates and additional savings on in-flight purchases.

Best Amex Credit Cards for Travel in 2024

MoneyGeek's Take: Top 5 Amex Credit Cards for Travel

Summary of the Best Amex Cards for Travel

How to Compare Amex Credit Cards & Intro Offers

Co-branded or not

APR

Annual fees

Welcome offer

Points/miles earn rate

Value of points/miles

Additional features

Further Reading