The Best Credit Cards for Couples Who Want to Earn Travel Rewards

Traveling together is one of the best ways for couples to create lasting memories. Whether you’re jetting off on romantic getaways or planning long-awaited family vacations, the right credit card can help you turn your spending into valuable travel perks. By working as a team and strategizing your spending, you and your partner can earn points or miles to enjoy discounted or even free flights, hotel stays, and other travel-related rewards. From flexible rewards to luxury perks, these cards offer something for every traveler.

Top Travel Rewards Credit Cards for Couples

1. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

• Travel Rewards Rate: Earn 2x points on travel and dining and 1x on all other purchases.
• Sign-Up Bonus: 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first three months, equal to $750 when redeemed through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal.
• Annual Fee: $95
• Why It’s Great for Couples: This card offers excellent flexibility, allowing you to redeem points for travel bookings or transfer them to over a dozen airline and hotel loyalty programs. The generous dining rewards also make it perfect for couples who love exploring new restaurants or cuisines during their adventures.

2. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

• Travel Rewards Rate: Earn 2x miles on every purchase.
• Sign-Up Bonus: 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 in the first three months.
• Annual Fee: $95
• Why It’s Great for Couples: The simplicity of earning flat 2x miles on all spending means you won’t need to worry about tracking bonus categories. Plus, you can use miles to erase travel-related purchases like flights, hotels, and car rentals, giving you plenty of flexibility to plan your trips.

3. American Express® Gold Card

• Travel Rewards Rate: Earn 4x points at restaurants (including takeout), 3x on flights booked directly with airlines, and 1x on other purchases.
• Sign-Up Bonus: 60,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $4,000 in the first six months.
• Annual Fee: $250
• Why It’s Great for Couples: If you and your partner are foodies and frequent flyers, this card is a win. The high rewards rate on dining and flights can help you rack up points quickly, and its premium perks, like dining credits, add extra value.

4. The Platinum Card® from American Express

• Travel Rewards Rate: Earn 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines or via Amex Travel, and 5x on prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel.
• Sign-Up Bonus: 80,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 in the first six months.
• Annual Fee: $695
• Why It’s Great for Couples: This card is perfect for couples seeking a luxury travel experience. Perks include access to exclusive airport lounges, hotel upgrades, and annual travel credits. While the annual fee is high, the benefits pay off for frequent travelers who want the VIP treatment.

5. Citi Premier® Card

• Travel Rewards Rate: Earn 3x points on air travel, dining, gas stations, supermarkets, and hotels, and 1x on all other purchases.
• Sign-Up Bonus: 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first three months, worth $600 in travel through the Citi ThankYou® portal.
• Annual Fee: $95
• Why It’s Great for Couples: With a broad selection of bonus categories, this card offers excellent value for a variety of everyday spending. It’s especially appealing for couples who want flexibility in how they earn and redeem their points.

Tips for Couples to Maximize Travel Rewards Together

Earning travel rewards isn’t just about swiping your card; it’s about teamwork and strategy. Here’s how you and your partner can optimize your rewards to make your dream trips a reality.

1. Leverage Separate Sign-Up Bonuses

When applying for travel credit cards, consider signing up separately for the same card to take advantage of the lucrative sign-up bonuses offered on many cards. For instance:

• If both partners apply for the Chase Sapphire Preferred®, you can earn 120,000 points combined, enough for two round-trip flights or several hotel nights.
• Use one card to meet the required spending for the bonus first, then switch to the next.

This method doubles your earning potential and accelerates your ability to redeem rewards.

2. Coordinate Spending Strategies

Discuss which cards you’ll use for specific purchases. For example:

• Use the American Express Gold Card for dining out or takeout to get 4x points.
• Book flights with the Platinum Card® from American Express to earn 5x points and get access to perks like lounge access.
• Divide your spending to cover all the bonus categories and maximize earnings as a team.

3. Book Travel Through Rewards Portals

Many credit card issuers offer rewards portals where you can redeem your points for flights, hotels, and more. Often, you’ll get a higher value per point when booking this way. For example:

• Points from the Chase Sapphire Preferred® are worth 25% more when redeemed through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal.
• Use the Capital One Venture Rewards Card to “erase” travel purchases directly, giving you flexibility to book how you like.

4. Take Advantage of Travel Perks

Many cards come with built-in travel benefits that can save you money or enhance your experience. These include:

• Global Entry/TSA PreCheck Credits: Skip the airport lines with reimbursement for program fees from cards like the Capital One Venture Rewards Card or The Platinum Card®.
• Lounge Access: Enjoy free food, drinks, and Wi-Fi in premium airport lounges with cards like the Platinum Card® from American Express.
• Free Checked Bags: Some airline-branded cards cover baggage fees, which can add up quickly on domestic or international trips.

5. Pool Your Rewards

Some issuers allow you to combine points across accounts, which can be a powerful tool for couples. For example:

• With Chase’s Ultimate Rewards program, you can transfer points between accounts, making it easier to fund larger bookings.
• American Express Membership Rewards points can be transferred to airline and hotel partners, allowing you to strategically combine points for maximum value.

6. Set Travel Goals Together

What’s your dream destination? Whether it’s a beach getaway, European adventure, or cross-country road trip, clear travel goals can keep you motivated. Plan how to use your rewards:

• Redeem hotel points for a free stay at luxury resorts.
• Cover flights for a high-season destination.
• Upgrade to business class for a special anniversary trip.

Discuss your priorities ahead of time to align your efforts and ensure your rewards bring mutual joy.

7. Stay Organized

Track your spending, points balances, and card benefits with apps like Mint or AwardWallet. These tools keep everything in one place and remind you of expiring points or unused travel credits.

8. Refer Each Other for Bonuses

Some cards have referral programs. If one partner already owns a specific card, they can refer the other and earn bonus points when they sign up. For example, Chase often offers referral bonuses of up to 10,000 points per new cardholder.