LendingHookup.
Guide

Best credit cards for travel

Travel cards range from no-fee flat earners to premium cards with credits that only pay off if you use them. Compare the annual fee against the credits you will realistically redeem.

Illustrative comparison guide from LendingHookup. Card details are examples, not live issuer offers.

Our picks at a glance

CardRewardsIntro value / required spendAPR rangeAnnual fee
Meridian Horizon Elite4x travel and dining, 2x everything else, plus a $300 annual travel credit$1,100 est. / $6,000 in 6 mo21.99%–30.49% variable$395
Atlas Rewards Signature5x travel booked through Atlas, 3x dining, 2x all other travel, 1x everything else$750 est. / $4,000 in 3 mo20.24%–28.99% variable$95
Harbor Flex Business3% in a category you choose each quarter, 1.5% on everything else$900 est. / $7,500 in 3 mo20.49%–27.49% variable$0

Illustrative cards & advertiser disclosure. LendingHookup is a comparison experience. The cards, issuers, rates and offers currently shown are illustrative examples, not live offers. We may receive compensation if affiliate offers are added. Rewards and intro values are estimates; required spend, annual fees, transfer fees and variable APRs apply. Approval is not guaranteed. Review the issuer’s current terms before applying.

The cards in detail

Meridian Card Co.
Meridian Horizon Elite
•••• •••• •••• 0000
TravelRewards

Meridian Horizon Elite

Premium travel credits for frequent flyers who use every perk.

Purchase APR
21.99%–30.49% variable
Annual fee
$395
Balance transfer fee
5% (min $10)
Foreign transaction fee
None
Rewards
4x travel and dining, 2x everything else, plus a $300 annual travel credit

Intro offer: 80,000 miles, valued at about $1,100 toward travel — estimated value $1,100, requires $6,000 in spend within 6 months.

  • $300 annual travel credit
  • Airport lounge access
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • $395 annual fee
  • Requires excellent credit
  • Perks only pay off with regular travel
Compare this cardAbout Meridian Card Co.

Rates and fees are estimates and vary by creditworthiness. See full disclosure below.

Atlas Bank
Atlas Rewards Signature
•••• •••• •••• 0000
RewardsTravel

Atlas Rewards Signature

Flexible points for people who fly more than they file expense reports.

Purchase APR
20.24%–28.99% variable
Annual fee
$95
Balance transfer fee
5% (min $5)
Foreign transaction fee
None
Rewards
5x travel booked through Atlas, 3x dining, 2x all other travel, 1x everything else

Intro offer: 60,000 bonus points, valued at about $750 when redeemed for travel — estimated value $750, requires $4,000 in spend within 3 months.

  • Points transfer to 14 airline and hotel partners
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • $50 annual hotel credit through the Atlas portal
  • $95 annual fee
  • Weak grocery earn rate
  • Best value requires travel redemptions
Compare this cardAbout Atlas Bank

Rates and fees are estimates and vary by creditworthiness. See full disclosure below.

Harbor Trust
Harbor Flex Business
•••• •••• •••• 0000
BusinessRewardsCash back

Harbor Flex Business

Category flexibility for small teams with lumpy spend.

Purchase APR
20.49%–27.49% variable
Annual fee
$0
Balance transfer fee
4% (min $5)
Foreign transaction fee
None
Rewards
3% in a category you choose each quarter, 1.5% on everything else

Intro offer: $900 in statement credits after qualifying spend — estimated value $900, requires $7,500 in spend within 3 months.

Intro APR: 0% for 12 months on purchases, then 20.49%–27.49% variable.

  • Free employee cards
  • Choose your own 3% category
  • No annual fee
  • High required spend for the bonus
  • Business documentation required
Compare this cardAbout Harbor Trust

Rates and fees are estimates and vary by creditworthiness. See full disclosure below.

What to look for

  • Value transferable points at what you actually redeem, not the issuer's best case.
  • Foreign transaction fees quietly erase 3% of every overseas purchase.
  • Annual travel credits count only if they match how you already book.

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