Planning Thanksgiving flights or a December hotel run? The right travel card can cover checked bags, unlock lounge access, insure your trip, and stack points for a free getaway in 2026. Below are the best cards for holiday flights and hotel stays in 2025, with quick “why it wins” takeaways, pairing tips, and fast answers to common questions.
The CardsGuy Overall Pick
If we had to recommend just one travel credit card for holiday travel 2025, it’s the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.
- The $95 annual fee is manageable compared to premium cards.
- The 75,000-point bonus can easily cover a round-trip holiday flight or two nights in a Hyatt or Marriott hotel.
- Its protections (trip cancellation/interruption, primary rental car insurance, lost luggage coverage) are some of the strongest at this price point.
- You get access to Chase’s 14 airline and hotel partners for flexible redemptions.
For most holiday travelers—whether you’re booking a family trip home or a last-minute winter getaway—this card provides the best balance of affordability, protections, and high-value rewards.
👉 If you want luxury lounges and credits, Sapphire Reserve or Amex Platinum may fit better, but the Preferred is our go-to all-arounder for 2025.
The best all-around travel cards (flexible points)
Chase Sapphire Preferred®
Why it wins for most travelers: Big intro bonus, strong earn on travel and dining, and high-value transfer partners make this an easy “first travel card.” You also get premium trip protections—trip cancellation/interruption, primary rental car coverage, and lost luggage insurance—which matter during peak holiday chaos.
Use it for: Flights where you want built-in protections; portal or transfer bookings to stretch points.
Capital One Venture Rewards
Why it wins for simplicity: Flat 2x miles on everything plus easy “erase travel” redemptions and solid transfer options. If you don’t want to track bonus categories in Q4, this is the friction-free holiday card.
Use it for: Every purchase leading up to your trip (gifts, groceries, gas) to stockpile miles for flights/hotels.
Chase Sapphire Reserve® (premium)
Why it wins for frequent flyers: Elevated earn on travel and dining, $300 flexible travel credit, Priority Pass access, and robust protections. The credit is simple to use on airfare and hotels, making it clutch for holiday bookings.
Use it for: Big travel purchases you’re definitely making (holiday flights, ski hotels) to offset the annual fee quickly.
The best premium lounge card (airport sanity saver)
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Why it wins for lounge-first travelers: Broad lounge access (including Centurion where available), 5x on flights booked directly with airlines or via Amex Travel, and a suite of statement credits that can offset the fee if you use them.
Use it for: Peak-day lounge access, airline bookings, and predictable credit stacking.
Best airline cards for holiday flyers (bags, boarding, credits)
United℠ Explorer Card
Why it wins: Free first checked bag, priority boarding, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck/NEXUS credit, and two United Club passes annually—ideal for one or two big trips a year.
Use it for: United family trips where bags/boarding matter more than raw earn rates.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express
Why it wins: Lounge access on Delta days, free checked bag, priority boarding, and access to the upgrade list (space-available). Great at Delta-heavy airports during busy holiday periods.
Use it for: Holiday itineraries through Delta hubs where lounge time and smoother boarding are worth the fee.
Best hotel cards for peak dates (status, free nights, upgrades)
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire
Why it wins: Automatic Diamond status, an annual free night reward, and generous Hilton-specific credits. Breakfast, upgrades, and late checkout can save serious cash on a multi-night holiday stay.
Use it for: Resort or city breaks where on-property perks add up.
World of Hyatt Credit Card
Why it wins: Bonus points on Hyatt stays, Discoverist status, and an annual free night you can time for pricey peak weekends.
Use it for: Category sweet spots when cash rates spike for the holidays.
Quick picks by traveler type
- First premium card for lounge die-hards: Amex Platinum
- One-card setup for max simplicity: Capital One Venture
- Best “first travel card” for most: Chase Sapphire Preferred
- United loyalists flying home: United Explorer
- Delta loyalists at busy hubs: Delta SkyMiles Reserve
- Hotel-heavy holiday trip: Hilton Aspire or World of Hyatt
Pro stacking tips (easy wins for the holidays)
- Pair a flexible travel card with an airline co-brand for perks + protections. Example: CSR for protections + United Explorer for free bags.
- Use Amex Platinum for lounges, but rely on Sapphire Preferred or Reserve for more practical redemption value.
- Leverage hotel elite status benefits like daily breakfast, upgrades, and late checkout during peak dates.
FAQs
What’s the best holiday travel card for 2025?
The CardsGuy’s overall pick is the Chase Sapphire Preferred® for its balance of rewards, affordability, and protections. Premium travelers may prefer the Amex Platinum or Sapphire Reserve.
How soon should I apply before traveling?
Many welcome offers require spending within the first three months. Apply early so you can hit the requirement with holiday shopping and still get points in time.
Are airline co-brand cards still worth it?
Yes—especially for holiday travel. A single round-trip with checked bags for two can offset a year’s fee.
