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As we step into 2025, it’s the perfect time to dream about travel plans for the year ahead—and find ways to make them happen without overspending. One smart strategy? Using points and miles. While January isn’t typically known for record-breaking credit card offers, there are still some good deals to help you start the year strong and build up rewards for future trips.
If you’ve been considering a credit card with higher fees but great perks, January might be the best time to apply. Some cards, like The Platinum Card® from American Express and the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, offer valuable yearly credits that reset every January, making it easier to offset their costs. For example, I once saved $1,064 in a year with The Platinum Card, even after factoring in the $695 annual fee. (Curious? You can read about how I did it here.)
Other options, such as the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card or the more budget-friendly Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, are always solid choices. Both come with a 75,000-mile welcome bonus and great travel benefits.
Ready to explore your options? Here are five of the best credit cards to consider applying for right now—and how they can make your travel dreams a reality.
1. Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Best for: The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is best for travelers who want premium benefits that offset the annual fee, including lounge access, flexible mile redemption, and significant travel credits.
Why now? Capital One is expanding its travel perks, adding exclusive airport lounges, “landings,” and two hotel collections with special benefits.
Welcome offer: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 in the first three months.
Annual fee: $395
Key benefits:
- Earn 10 miles/dollar on hotels and rental cars, 5 miles/dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel, and 2 miles/dollar on everything else
- $300 annual travel credit for bookings through Capital One Travel and 10,000 bonus miles annually on your account anniversary
- Up to $120 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit every four years
- Complimentary access to Capital One Lounges, Landings, and Priority Pass lounges for the cardholder and up to four authorized users (added for free)
- Transfer miles to 16 airline and hotel partners for more redemption options
2. The Platinum Card® from American Express
Best for: The Platinum Card® from American Express is best for those who value luxury perks like premium airport lounge access, elite hotel status, and comprehensive travel benefits that justify the annual fee.
Why now? Take advantage of a strong welcome offer and yearly reset of lucrative credits.
Welcome offer: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $8,000 in the first six months.
Annual fee: $695 (see rates and fees)
Key benefits:
- Earn five points/dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel (up to $500,000/year) and prepaid hotels through Amex Travel; one point/dollar on everything else
- Over $1,400 in annual credits, including:
- $200 airline incidental fee credit
- $200 credit for Fine Hotels + Resorts and Hotel Collection bookings
- $200 Uber/UberEats credit (Credit is automatically added as monthly credits of $15/month + $20 in December to your Uber account when linked to the Platinum Card. You must have downloaded the latest version of the Uber app, and any AmEx Card must be selected as the payment method. The Amex benefit can only be used in the United States.)
- $240 digital entertainment credit (Hulu, Disney+, and more)
- $100 Saks Fifth Avenue credit (split into $50 semiannual installments)
- $300 Equinox gym membership credit and $155 Walmart+ membership credit
- Up to $120 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit every four years
- Best-in-class lounge access, including Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass, and more
- Gold elite status with Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy, extending to authorized users
- Points transferable to 20 travel partners, including Delta, Air Canada, and Hilton
3. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Best for: The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is best for casual travelers looking for solid travel perks and a low annual fee.
Why now? A high welcome bonus on a low-fee card makes it particularly attractive.
Welcome offer: Earn 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 in the first three months.
Annual fee: $95
Key benefits:
- Earn five miles/dollar on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel; two miles/dollar on everything else
- Up to $120 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit every four years
- Discounted lounge access at Capital One Lounges and Landings ($45/visit)
- Access to the Lifestyle Collection, offering perks at boutique hotels booked through Capital One Travel
4. Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
Best for: The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is best for Delta fliers and frequent travelers looking for perks like elite status boosts, premium lounge access, and a free companion ticket each year.
Why now? A robust perks package and high welcome offer make this card worth considering.
Welcome offer: Earn 70,000 SkyMiles after spending $5,000 in six months.
Annual fee: $650 (see rates and fees)
Key benefits:
- Earn three miles/dollar on Delta purchases; one mile/dollar elsewhere
- Annual Companion Certificate valid for domestic round-trip flights (including first class)
- $200 annual credit for Delta Stays, up to $240 in Resy dining credits, and up to $120 in rideshare credits
- Complimentary access to Delta Sky Clubs and Centurion Lounges (when flying Delta)
- Free first checked bag for up to nine travelers on the same reservation
- Elite status boost opportunities through high card spending
5. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Best for: Budget-conscious travelers looking to earn flexible points quickly and enjoy robust travel benefits
Why now? This is one of the best general travel cards on the market.
Welcome offer: Earn 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in three months—worth $750 in travel.
Annual fee: $95
Key benefits:
- Earn five points/dollar on Chase Travel℠ bookings and Lyft rides, three points/dollar on dining, streaming, and online groceries, two points/dollar on other travel, and one point/dollar on other purchases.
- Annual $50 hotel credit through Chase Travel and a 10 percent anniversary points bonus
- Points transferable to 14 travel partners (e.g., United, Southwest, Hyatt)
- Points redeemable at 1.25 cents each for travel or for select “Pay Yourself Back” categories
While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they are subject to change at any time, and may have changed or may no longer be available. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
