The Best Travel Hacking Credit Cards | Maximizing Rewards 2023

As a traveler, you might be looking for the best option for the Best Travel hacking credit cards. Now that you understand the basics from reading through my Free Travel Guide, you are probably wondering which cards are the ones that are the best for travelers.  Well,

I’ve taken the time to come up with a list of the best Travel hacking Credit Cards and the best sign-up bonuses, value, and ones that I’ve used or still use to date.  This list is valid for 2023 thus far, I’ll update it over time.

If I had to start acquiring cards all over again, I’d start with the Chase cards first.  There’s a 5/24 rule where you can’t acquire more than 5 cards (both personal and business) in a 24-month period.  If you have, Chase is going to reject your application.  Also, you can only acquire so many Chase cards in general in any given timeframe, so if you’re going to use the strategies, start with Chase cards.  

Chase has a number of rules that they are pretty strict on, so when you apply for credit, you need to know your odds of acquiring the card before you apply.  If you have fair or poor credit and you try to apply, most likely, you will be denied, and this will only hurt your credit further. So, make sure you research a bit further if you are going to begin to apply with Chase.  

Within this list, I will identify the current offer the bank is presenting, the annual fee associated, as well as the value that the card provides if you utilize all of their perks rather than paying for them outright.

VERY IMPORTANT NOTE:

The one thing you will note that I do not mention herein is the interest rates for these cards. I do not mention them as travel cards are generally not the place where you are focused on paying a low amount of interest, in fact, I am hoping you pay NO interest.  With travel cards, the interest rates are VERY high (22%+), and that is just something I will not pay.  So, you need to ensure you pay all of these cards off every month.  

The goal is not to get into debt but rather use these cards as a tool to pay your normal expenses and then pay off each and every month. If you think you may run into a problem with this strategy, you have 1 of 2 options as I see it.  1) You do not need to get another card, or 2) ensure you have a 0% balance transfer credit card waiting in the wings to move the balance to.  If you don’t, you are going to end up paying so much more in interest than what your free sign-up bonuses were ever worth!!!!

This may appeal to your interests: The Best Girls Trip Destinations in the US: Fun and Relaxing Vacation Ideas

Now that we know you are responsible and have at least a good credit score, the following are my recommendations:

My Top 3 Best Travel Hacking Credit Cards

Travel Credit Card Pick #1: 

My very first pick for the year would be the Chase Ink Business Preferred card.

You can qualify for this card whether you have a DoorDashing form of business or are an Online Freelancer.  As long as you meet the requirements, a business card could definitely be the way to go.  The points for this card rank way up there, and it doesn’t hit your credit as a personal card would. Additionally, you can utilize the points in the same manner, whether on the Chase Ultimate Rewards site or by transferring to their partners.