Free travel points guide

Your flights don’t have to cost that much.

Credit card points can be confusing. Get my free guide: how points actually work, a beginner card cheat sheet, and the real numbers from the JFK to Rome round-trip I booked for 80,000 miles and $65.

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Zach in front of the Colosseum in Rome
JFK → Rome, round-trip: 80,000 miles + $65
Four quick questions

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Popular travel cards

The beginner-friendly card list.

Groups, not rankings. These categories show how beginner-friendly a card is, not which is “best.” Points from different programs aren’t worth the same amount, so compare carefully. Fees and rewards were checked on each issuer’s site October 18, 2026; welcome offers are left out because they change often. Card pictures are simple illustrations, not official card art.

Starter Friendly

Wells Fargo Autograph® Card

Wells Fargo

Annual fee
$0
Rewards
Wells Fargo Rewards points
Foreign transaction fee
None

3X on restaurants, travel, gas and EV charging, transit, popular streaming and phone plans

Details, pros and cons

How it earns

  • 3X on restaurants, travel, gas and EV charging, transit, popular streaming and phone plans
  • 1X on everything else

Using the rewards for travel

Travel booked through Wells Fargo Rewards, statement credits, gift cards, cash, or transfers to select partner programs

Pros

  • No annual fee
  • Bonus points on lots of common categories, not just travel
  • No foreign transaction fees

Cons

  • Fewer airline and hotel transfer partners than the big programs
  • 1X on purchases outside the bonus categories

Might fit

Beginners who want rewards on everyday spending without paying a yearly fee.

Good to know

Transfer partners and redemption values can change. Check the current partner list before counting on a transfer.

Checked on the issuer’s site October 18, 2026. Issuer page ↗︎

Starter Friendly

Capital One VentureOne Rewards

Capital One

Annual fee
$0
Rewards
Capital One miles
Foreign transaction fee
None

1.25X miles on every purchase

Details, pros and cons

How it earns

  • 1.25X miles on every purchase
  • 5X on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel

Using the rewards for travel

Book through Capital One Travel, or reimburse eligible travel purchases (within 90 days of posting)

Pros

  • No annual fee
  • Same simple rate on everything, nothing to track
  • Miles don't expire for the life of the account

Cons

  • Lower earning rate than the $95 Venture
  • Issuer's product page doesn't list transfer partners for this card

Might fit

People who want the simplest possible start and travel once or twice a year.

Good to know

Travel reimbursement must be redeemed within 90 days of the purchase posting.

Checked on the issuer’s site October 18, 2026. Issuer page ↗︎

Everyday Points Builder

Capital One Venture Rewards

Capital One

Annual fee
$95
Rewards
Capital One miles
Foreign transaction fee
None

2X miles on every purchase, no cap

Details, pros and cons

How it earns

  • 2X miles on every purchase, no cap
  • 5X on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel

Using the rewards for travel

Capital One Travel, reimbursing eligible travel purchases, or transfers to 15+ travel loyalty programs

Pros

  • 2X on everything, no categories to memorize
  • Can transfer miles to airline and hotel programs
  • No foreign transaction fees

Cons

  • $95 annual fee
  • No bonus on dining or groceries beyond the flat 2X

Might fit

People whose spending is spread across lots of things and who want flexibility without complexity.

Good to know

Transfer partner terms apply once miles are moved, and transfers usually can't be reversed.

Checked on the issuer’s site October 18, 2026. Issuer page ↗︎

Everyday Points Builder

American Express® Gold Card

American Express

Annual fee
$325
Rewards
Amex Membership Rewards points
Foreign transaction fee
None

4X at restaurants worldwide (up to $50,000 a year, then 1X)

Details, pros and cons

How it earns

  • 4X at restaurants worldwide (up to $50,000 a year, then 1X)
  • 4X at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 a year, then 1X)
  • 3X on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel
  • 1X on most other purchases

Using the rewards for travel

Amex Travel, or transfers to Membership Rewards airline and hotel partners (including Delta SkyMiles)

Pros

  • Very high earning on food and groceries
  • Points transfer to many airline and hotel programs
  • No foreign transaction fees

Cons

  • $325 annual fee
  • Only 1X outside the bonus categories
  • Value depends heavily on how you redeem

Might fit

People who spend a lot on dining and groceries and are willing to learn transfers.

Good to know

Category caps apply. Transfers to U.S. airlines carry a small excise tax offset fee charged by Amex.

Checked on the issuer’s site October 18, 2026. Issuer page ↗︎

Frequent Traveler

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Chase

Annual fee
$95
Rewards
Chase Ultimate Rewards points
Foreign transaction fee
None

5X on travel booked through Chase Travel

Details, pros and cons

How it earns

  • 5X on travel booked through Chase Travel
  • 3X on dining, gas and EV charging, select streaming and online grocery (excludes Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs)
  • 2X on other travel
  • 1X on everything else

Using the rewards for travel

Chase Travel, or transfers to airline partners (including United, Southwest, Air Canada Aeroplan, Flying Blue, British Airways) and hotel partners (Hyatt, Marriott, IHG)

Pros

  • Modest $95 fee
  • Strong mix of airline and hotel transfer partners
  • Bonus points on dining and travel

Cons

  • Grocery bonus is online grocery only
  • Getting the most value takes some learning about transfers

Might fit

Beginners ready to learn transfer partners without paying a premium fee.

Good to know

Some promotional bonus categories are temporary. The first $100 of Chase Travel hotel purchases each year earns no points.

Checked on the issuer’s site October 18, 2026. Issuer page ↗︎

Frequent Traveler

Citi Strata Premier℠ Card

Citi

Annual fee
$95
Rewards
Citi ThankYou® Points
Foreign transaction fee
None

10X on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked through cititravel.com

Details, pros and cons

How it earns

  • 10X on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked through cititravel.com
  • 3X on air travel and other hotels
  • 3X at restaurants, supermarkets, gas and EV charging
  • 1X on everything else

Using the rewards for travel

Citi Travel, gift cards, shopping, or transfers to partners including American Airlines, JetBlue, Virgin Atlantic and Cathay

Pros

  • 3X on groceries, dining, gas and flights for a $95 fee
  • Transfers to American Airlines and other partners
  • Points don't expire

Cons

  • Fewer U.S. hotel transfer options than some rivals
  • Best value usually requires transfers

Might fit

People who want broad bonus categories and access to American Airlines miles.

Good to know

Minimum transfer is 1,000 points. Partner terms apply once points are moved.

Checked on the issuer’s site October 18, 2026. Issuer page ↗︎

Premium Perks

Capital One Venture X Rewards

Capital One

Annual fee
$395
Rewards
Capital One miles
Foreign transaction fee
None

10X on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel

Details, pros and cons

How it earns

  • 10X on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
  • 5X on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
  • 2X on everything else

Using the rewards for travel

Capital One Travel, covering travel purchases, or transfers to 15+ travel loyalty programs

Pros

  • 2X on everything as a baseline
  • Lower fee than most premium cards
  • Transfers to airline and hotel programs

Cons

  • $395 annual fee
  • The best earning rates require booking through Capital One Travel

Might fit

Frequent travelers who'd use premium travel perks and want a simpler earning structure.

Good to know

Benefits and credits have their own terms. Check the issuer page for current details before assuming they offset the fee.

Checked on the issuer’s site October 18, 2026. Issuer page ↗︎

Premium Perks · I use this

The Platinum Card® from American Express

American Express

Annual fee
$895
Rewards
Amex Membership Rewards points
Foreign transaction fee
None

5X on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel (up to $500,000 a year)

Details, pros and cons

How it earns

  • 5X on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel (up to $500,000 a year)
  • 5X on prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel
  • 1X on other purchases

Using the rewards for travel

Amex Travel, or transfers to 20 airline and hotel partners, including Delta SkyMiles

Pros

  • 5X on flights booked directly with airlines
  • Transfers to 20 airline and hotel partners
  • No foreign transaction fees

Cons

  • $895 annual fee, one of the highest available
  • Only 1X on everyday purchases like groceries and dining
  • Many benefits are credits with usage rules, not cash

Might fit

Frequent flyers who will genuinely use the travel benefits enough to justify the fee.

Good to know

Statement credits only count as value if you'd use them anyway. Transfers to U.S. airlines carry a small excise tax offset fee charged by Amex.

Checked on the issuer’s site October 18, 2026. Issuer page ↗︎

Premium Perks · I use this

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card

American Express

Annual fee
$650
Rewards
Delta SkyMiles
Foreign transaction fee
None

3X miles on purchases made directly with Delta

Details, pros and cons

How it earns

  • 3X miles on purchases made directly with Delta
  • 1X on other eligible purchases

Using the rewards for travel

Delta award flights. TakeOff 15 gives 15% off the miles on Award Travel for Delta-operated flights booked on delta.com or the Fly Delta app

Pros

  • TakeOff 15: 15% fewer miles on eligible Delta award flights
  • Useful if you already fly Delta often
  • No foreign transaction fees

Cons

  • $650 annual fee
  • Miles mostly useful with Delta
  • Only 1X on non-Delta spending

Might fit

Loyal Delta flyers who redeem miles on Delta flights regularly.

Good to know

TakeOff 15 doesn't apply to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.

Checked on the issuer’s site October 18, 2026. Issuer page ↗︎

Questions

Straight answers.

Do I need excellent credit to earn travel points?

Most travel rewards cards are designed for people with good to excellent credit, and every issuer makes its own approval decision. No card is guaranteed. If you’re building credit, a simpler card and on-time payments come first.

Are travel points actually free money?

No. They’re a rebate on spending you already do, and they only come out ahead if you pay your balance in full. Interest and annual fees can easily cost more than the rewards.

Can I earn points without traveling often?

Yes. Many cards earn on everyday categories like dining, groceries or gas. If you travel once a year, a no-fee or simple card usually makes more sense than a premium one.

Are credit card points and airline miles the same?

Not quite. Card points (like Amex Membership Rewards or Chase Ultimate Rewards) belong to the bank and can often move to several airlines. Airline miles (like Delta SkyMiles) belong to one airline program.

What happens if I carry a balance?

You pay interest, which usually wipes out the value of any rewards. If you carry a balance, focus on paying it down before chasing points.

Do points expire?

It depends on the program. Some card points don’t expire while your account is open, and some airline programs have their own rules. Check each program’s terms.

Are premium travel cards worth the annual fee?

Only if you’d actually use the benefits. Credits with usage rules aren’t the same as cash. Add up what you’d really use and compare it to the fee.

How do I know if a redemption is a good deal?

Compare it to the cash price. Use the formula: (cash fare − cash fees) ÷ points × 100 = cents per point. Then weigh flexibility and whether you’d have bought the ticket anyway.

Keep planning

More free travel tools.

How creating my own layovers saved me thousands ↗︎Italy guide ↗︎Brazil guide ↗︎All free resources ↗︎

Disclosure

CallMeByZach is an independent educational resource. I’m not a lender, card issuer or financial advisor, and nothing here is personalized financial advice. I don’t receive compensation from any card issuer for this page, and there are no affiliate or application links. I personally hold The Platinum Card® and the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve card. Card terms change; confirm current details on the issuer’s site. Approval is never guaranteed, and the quiz is not a credit or eligibility check. Rewards should never encourage spending beyond your budget, and interest and fees can easily exceed the rewards you earn.