Travel credit cards tend to offer more rewards for airfare, hotel and car rental purchases, with a few even offering bonus points for vacation rentals booked through sites like Airbnb, Vacasa and VRBO.com. Credit cards can also reduce your travel expenses through reward redemption. Cardholders can redeem their points for stays in a vacation rental, either by offering statement credits for travel or by having vacation rentals available in their travel booking portals.
The best credit cards for vacation rentals offer these benefits as well as generous welcome offers, exceptional earning rates and other perks for travel. Whether you prefer to stay in beachfront villas, rental condominiums or single-family homes when you travel, these are some of the best cards to bring with you.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is our best overall travel credit card for vacation rentals due to its reasonable $95 annual fee, generous earning rates and flexible rewards. It has a lucrative welcome bonus that could be reached after a few trips, as well as one of the best reward programs available.
Cardholders can book their rental through Chase and then redeem the points they’ve earned for more travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards with a 25% bonus. Points also transfer to Chase’s airline and hotel partners at a 1:1 rate. It’s also possible to redeem points to cover vacation rental bookings with statement credits. Cardholders can even use a $50 annual hotel benefit to book vacation rental offerings through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
Even though Chase Ultimate Rewards only lists “hotels” as an option for lodging, there are plenty of rental condos available in various destinations.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- N/A
- Intro Purchase APR
- N/A
- Regular APR
- 21.49% – 28.49% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee
- Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is our best overall travel credit card for vacation rentals due to its reasonable $95 annual fee, generous earning rates and flexible rewards. It has a lucrative welcome bonus that could be reached after a few trips, as well as one of the best reward programs available.
Cardholders can book their rental through Chase and then redeem the points they’ve earned for more travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards with a 25% bonus. Points also transfer to Chase’s airline and hotel partners at a 1:1 rate. It’s also possible to redeem points to cover vacation rental bookings with statement credits. Cardholders can even use a $50 annual hotel benefit to book vacation rental offerings through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
Even though Chase Ultimate Rewards only lists “hotels” as an option for lodging, there are plenty of rental condos available in various destinations.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- N/A
- Intro Purchase APR
- N/A
- Regular APR
- 21.49% – 28.49% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee
- Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is the best cash rewards credit card for vacation rentals since it earns a flat 2% cash rewards on purchases with no annual fee. New cardholders can also qualify for a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases within three months of account opening.
It has an intro APR offer for purchases and qualifying balance transfers that can help you finance your vacation, and cardholders can redeem their cash rewards for statement credits to cover vacation rentals, gift cards or transfer it to an eligible Wells Fargo bank account.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers
- Intro Purchase APR
- 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening
- Regular APR
- 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR
- Balance Transfer Fee
- up to 5%, min: $5
The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is the best cash rewards credit card for vacation rentals since it earns a flat 2% cash rewards on purchases with no annual fee. New cardholders can also qualify for a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases within three months of account opening.
It has an intro APR offer for purchases and qualifying balance transfers that can help you finance your vacation, and cardholders can redeem their cash rewards for statement credits to cover vacation rentals, gift cards or transfer it to an eligible Wells Fargo bank account.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers
- Intro Purchase APR
- 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening
- Regular APR
- 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR
- Balance Transfer Fee
- up to 5%, min: $5
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is the upgraded version of the Chase Sapphire Preferred. As such, it comes with higher rewards, a better welcome offer thanks to its higher redemption bonus and a larger price tag.
The card offers a 50% redemption bonus when you use points to book vacation rentals and other travel through Chase. Other benefits include up to a $300 annual travel credit each year that you can apply to vacation rentals booked almost anywhere (as long as the purchases is coded as travel), Priority Pass airport lounge membership, a fee credit for Global Entry, NEXUS or TSA PreCheck membership and more. If its $550 annual fee fits into your travel budget, it’s a great card to choose.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- N/A
- Intro Purchase APR
- N/A
- Regular APR
- 22.49% – 29.49% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee
- Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each balance transfer, whichever is greater
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is the upgraded version of the Chase Sapphire Preferred. As such, it comes with higher rewards, a better welcome offer thanks to its higher redemption bonus and a larger price tag.
The card offers a 50% redemption bonus when you use points to book vacation rentals and other travel through Chase. Other benefits include up to a $300 annual travel credit each year that you can apply to vacation rentals booked almost anywhere (as long as the purchases is coded as travel), Priority Pass airport lounge membership, a fee credit for Global Entry, NEXUS or TSA PreCheck membership and more. If its $550 annual fee fits into your travel budget, it’s a great card to choose.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- N/A
- Intro Purchase APR
- N/A
- Regular APR
- 22.49% – 29.49% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee
- Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each balance transfer, whichever is greater
For $95 annually, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card* gives new cardholders the chance to earn 75,000 miles worth $750 in travel after spending $4,000 on purchases within three months of account opening. The card also earns 5x miles on hotels and car rentals booked through Capital One Travel, plus 2x miles on other purchases.
Other perks include a fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership, Hertz Five Star status and two visits to Capital One airport lounges each year. Cardholders can redeem their miles for hotels and vacation rentals (along with other travel) through Capital One Travel. You can also take advantage of mile transfers to Capital One’s travel partners – some of which offer vacation rentals.
Like with Chase, the Capital One Travel portal lists “hotels” as an option and doesn’t specify that it includes vacation rentals, but there are plenty of options available.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- N/A
- Intro Purchase APR
- N/A
- Regular APR
- 19.99% – 29.99% (Variable)
- Balance Transfer Fee
- $0 at the Transfer APR, 3% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you
For $95 annually, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card* gives new cardholders the chance to earn 75,000 miles worth $750 in travel after spending $4,000 on purchases within three months of account opening. The card also earns 5x miles on hotels and car rentals booked through Capital One Travel, plus 2x miles on other purchases.
Other perks include a fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership, Hertz Five Star status and two visits to Capital One airport lounges each year. Cardholders can redeem their miles for hotels and vacation rentals (along with other travel) through Capital One Travel. You can also take advantage of mile transfers to Capital One’s travel partners – some of which offer vacation rentals.
Like with Chase, the Capital One Travel portal lists “hotels” as an option and doesn’t specify that it includes vacation rentals, but there are plenty of options available.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- N/A
- Intro Purchase APR
- N/A
- Regular APR
- 19.99% – 29.99% (Variable)
- Balance Transfer Fee
- $0 at the Transfer APR, 3% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you
The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card* offers the same redemptions for rewards as the Venture, but with a lower earning rate and no annual fee.
This card also has an intro APR offer for purchases and balance transfers, which can help users pay down their vacation booking and other purchases while avoiding interest charges for a limited time. If the Venture Rewards card won’t fit into your budget, the VentureOne is a great alternative.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- 0% intro on balance transfers for 15 months
- Intro Purchase APR
- 0% intro on purchases for 15 months
- Regular APR
- 19.99% – 29.99% (Variable)
- Balance Transfer Fee
- 3% for the first 15 months or at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer you at any other time. No fee for amounts transferred at the Transfer APR
The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card* offers the same redemptions for rewards as the Venture, but with a lower earning rate and no annual fee.
This card also has an intro APR offer for purchases and balance transfers, which can help users pay down their vacation booking and other purchases while avoiding interest charges for a limited time. If the Venture Rewards card won’t fit into your budget, the VentureOne is a great alternative.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- 0% intro on balance transfers for 15 months
- Intro Purchase APR
- 0% intro on purchases for 15 months
- Regular APR
- 19.99% – 29.99% (Variable)
- Balance Transfer Fee
- 3% for the first 15 months or at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer you at any other time. No fee for amounts transferred at the Transfer APR
What is a travel credit card?
A travel credit card is a type of card that earns rewards for travel spending and offers travel-related perks like travel insurance and annual travel credits. Most travel cards also offer generous welcome offers to entice people to apply, and the best among them come with no foreign transaction fees.
Travel credit cards also let people redeem rewards for travel-related purchases and trips, although different cards offer their own unique redemption options. Many top travel credit cards have their own travel booking portals that let users redeem their points or miles directly for vacation rentals, hotels, airfare, car rentals, cruises and more.
Pros
May come with luxury travel perks like airport lounge access
Typically earn bonus rewards on travel purchases
Generous welcome offers
Typically do not charge foreign transaction fees
Redeem rewards for travel
Cons
Typically have annual fees
Rewards programs can be complicated
Good to excellent credit recommended
High APRs
How to choose a credit card for your vacation rentals
A credit card is only as good as its parts. That’s why it’s important to look at all of the features that make up a card, and decide which matter the most to you and what you’re looking to get out of it.
Rewards
Compare travel credit cards for your vacation rentals by reviewing their rewards value and welcome offers. You should also seek out cards that offer more points or miles in categories you tend to spend a lot in. If you’re tempted to apply for a card because you want to earn one of the best welcome bonuses, make sure you can meet their minimum spending requirement within the proposed timeline with regular, planned spending and bills.
If you need to spend $4,000 within three months, for example, make sure you can spend at least $1,334 per month on groceries, gas and other bills for three consecutive months in a row after you sign up. You also want to make sure the card offers recurring rewards value that suits your spending beyond the welcome bonus.
Redemption options
Make sure you can redeem your rewards for vacation rentals and other options. For the most flexibility possible, look for cards that let you redeem points or miles for statement credits with a value of at least one cent per point. Travel credit cards that offer vacation rentals and other travel through their own portal also offer more flexibility.
Travel perks
Decide which travel benefits you want and compare cards that offer the perks you’re interested in at a price point you can afford. For example, decide if you want benefits like airport lounge access and annual travel credits, or if you want a card with fewer benefits and a lower annual fee.
Fees
Speaking of fees, compare cards based on their annual fees and if you travel abroad often, check for foreign transaction fees. Also decide whether you want a card with an intro APR for purchases and balance transfers, and watch out for other fees like balance transfer fees, cash advance fees and late fees.
If you plan to carry a balance from month to month, choose a credit card with a lower APR. However, we recommend treating your credit card like a debit card, which means paying off any purchases you make right away.
How to get the most out of your travel credit card
To get the most out of your travel credit card, you’ll want to use it for all your purchases and regular bills. Also make sure you meet the minimum spending threshold to earn the welcome bonus you’re offered, and utilize any bonus categories your card has.
Most importantly, make sure you always pay your credit card bill in full each month to avoid interest charges. If you’re trying to earn rewards for travel but also paying interest on everything you buy, what you spend on interest could eclipse any value you’d get from the rewrds. The best travel credit cards are offering 5% to 10% back on eligible travel purchases with a much lower rewards rate on regular purchases, whereas the average credit card interest rate is well over 20%.
Alternatives to travel credit cards
Alternatives to travel credit cards include cash-back credit cards and general rewards credit cards. These cards may not offer bonus rewards for travel specifically, but they still let you get something back for each dollar you spend.
Cash-back cards and general travel credit cards can also offer flexible redemption options that work for vacation rentals. For example, you can typically redeem rewards from these cards for statement credits to cover any purchase (including vacation rental bookings), and you may even be able to redeem cash back for gift cards for Airbnb and other vacation rental platforms.
How to apply for a credit card
Once you decide you’re ready for one of the best credit cards for vacation rentals, take these steps to apply:
- Compare card options: Pick a credit card for vacation rentals that seems to suit your needs best after comparing options based on the factors you care most about.
- Apply for a card: Choose the card that best matches your travel budget. You’ll then fill out an application with information like your name, address, phone number, household income, housing payment and Social Security number.
- Get your card: If you’re approved for a credit card, you may find out online instantly. You might also hear about your approval or denial later via email or physical mail. If you’re approved for a card, you’ll typically receive it in the mail within 7 to 10 business days.
FAQs
While Airbnb doesn’t offer a co-branded credit card, you can use any of the credit cards listed above to book your vacation rental with Airbnb.
You can use any of your preferred credit cards with either platform. However, only certain ones will earn a good rewards rate for booking rentals.
Other cards we researched
- X1 Card
- American Express® Green Card
Our methodology
CNET reviews credit cards by exhaustively comparing them across set criteria developed for each major category, including cash-back, welcome bonuses, travel rewards and balance transfers. We take into consideration the typical spending behavior of a range of consumer profiles -- with the understanding that everyone’s financial situation is different -- and the designated function of a card.
*All information about the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by CNET and has not been reviewed by the issuer.
The editorial content on this page is based solely on objective, independent assessments by our writers and is not influenced by advertising or partnerships. It has not been provided or commissioned by any third party. However, we may receive compensation when you click on links to products or services offered by our partners.
