A travel credit card is your best bet if you want to greatly cut the cost of your next vacation. One reason I like travel rewards cards is because they reward you in miles, points or cash for every dollar you spend on everyday purchases, which means you rack up rewards very rapidly. These credit cards also give you special travel perks, such as travel insurance, free check-in of your first bag, access to VIP airport lounges or hotel room upgrades.

Because credit card issuers frequently change their travel card promotions, it can be a challenge for you to find the right travel card for yourself. To help you cut through the fine print and mass of offers, I’ve compiled a list of the best travel cards that offer the most attractive rewards and signing bonuses out there. You need very good to excellent credit score for these travel cards.

United MileagePlus Explorer. This card issued by JPMorgan Chase (NYSE:JPM) gives you 25,000 bonus miles (enough for a round-trip airline ticket in the US) when you make your first purchase. Earn 2 miles for every $1 spent on tickets from United Airlines, and 1 mile for every $1 spent on all other purchases. Earn unlimited miles that never expire. Get 10,000 bonus miles when you spend more than $25,000 yearly. Receive 5,000 bonus miles when you add an authorized user to your account. Miles can be redeemed for airfare on 27 Star Alliance network airlines, hotel stays or auto rentals. for Enjoy 2 annual complimentary lounge passes to the United’s lounge. First bag checked-in is free. $95 annual fee waived the first year. Read review of United card here.

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card. Largest signing bonus right now in the market. Receive 40,000 points after spending $3,000 during the first 3 months, worth up to $500 in travel bookings through Ultimate Rewards. Earn 2 points for every $1 spent when purchasing through Ultimate Rewards and 1 point per $1 for every other purchase. Receive 7% annual bonus points on the points you earned during the year. No foreign transaction fee. $95 annual fee waived the first year. Read review of Chase Sapphire Preferred here.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card This card issued by Capital One Financial (NYSE:COF) rewards you with 10,000 bonus miles when spending $1,000 within the 3 first months. Earn 2 miles for every $1 spent on all purchases. Earn unlimited miles that never expire. Fly anytime, on any airline, without any blackout dates. No foreign transaction fee. Enjoy extended warranty, purchase protection, auto rental insurance, travel accident insurance, advanced ticket sales to entertainment events, 24/7 concierge service, and much more. $59 annual fee waived the first year. Read review of Capital One Venture Rewards here.

Gold Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express. This card issued by American Express (NYSE:AXP) gives you 30,000 bonus miles when spending $500 in the first 3 months, and 5,000 miles when adding two more card members to your account. Earn 2 miles for every $1 spent on Delta airfare purchases and 1 mile for every $1 spent on all other purchases. Miles never expire. First checked bag is free, for up to nine people on your reservation. $95 annual fee. Read review of American Express Delta here.

Chase Sapphire. Earn 10,000 bonus points after spending $500 during the first 3 months. Earn 2 points for every $1 spent on airfare and hotels booked through Ultimate Rewards, 1 point for each $1 spent on all other purchases and up to 10 points per $1 spent on Chase’s online store. No limit to how many points you can earn. Points never expire. No annual fee. Read review of Chase Sapphire here.

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card. This Visa (NYSE:V) card lets you receive 10,000 bonus miles when you spend $1,000 on your card during the first 3 months, which are worth $100. Earn 1.25 miles for every $1 spent on all your purchases. Earn unlimited miles that never expire. Miles are redeemable for cash, merchandise, hotel stays, car rentals, airfare and more. Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases for a limited time. No foreign transaction fee. No balance transfer fee. No annual fee. Read review of Capital One Venture here.

Miles by Discover. This travel rewards card issued by Discover (NYSE:DFS) rewards you with 10,000 miles every time you make purchases with your card totaling $2,000 during the first 6 months, up to 20,000 bonus miles. Earn 2 miles for each of the first $3,000 you spend on travel on restaurants annually and 1 mile for every other dollar you spend. Earn unlimited miles that don’t expire. Enjoy 0% introductory APR on balance transfers during the first 12 months. No annual fee. Read review of Discover Miles here.

Blue Sky from American Express. Receive 7,500 points when you spend $1,000 in the first 3 months. Earn 1 point for every dollar you spend. Points are worth 33% more than on other travel credit cards. Earn unlimited points that never expire. No blackout dates or restrictions when redeeming your points for airfare, hotel accommodations or car rentals. Enjoy 0% APR on all purchases for the first 12 months. You can choose to pay your bill over a period of time. No annual fee. Read review of American Express Blue Sky here.

Escape by Discover Card. Receive 1,000 miles when you make at least one purchase each month during the first 25 months, totaling 25,000 miles. Earn 2 miles for every $1 spent on all purchases. Earn unlimited miles that never expire, and miles can be redeemed for gift cards, travel, merchandise or cash. Enjoy 0% introductory APR on balances transfers and purchases during the first 6 months. Book any hotels, rent cars and fly on all airlines with no blackout dates. $60 annual fee. Read review of Discover Escape here.

Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express. Receive 10,000 points after making your first purchase with this card, and 15,000 points after spending $5,000 in 6 months. These 25,000 points can be redeemed for up to 6 free nights. Earn up to 5 points for every $1 spent on Starwood purchases, and 1 point for every $1 spent on everything else. No blackout dates when redeeming your points. No introductory annual fee the first year, a savings of $65. Read review of Starwood Preferred Guest here.

Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card. Receive 25,000 bonus points when you make your first purchase. Receive 3,000 anniversary bonus points each year. Earn 2 points for every $1 you spend on Southwest purchases, and 1 point for every $1 you spend on all other purchases. Receive 1 point for every dollar you balance transfer onto this card. Points never expire and can be redeemed for hotel stays, gift cards, car rental, international travel and more. First and second checked-in baggage are free, and there are no seat restrictions or blackout dates. $69 annual fee. Read review of Southwest card here.

Disney Premier Visa Card. When you use your card for the first time you will get a $100 statement credit. Earn 2% cash back at gas stations, restaurants, grocery stores and many Disney locations, as well as 10% cash back when purchasing more than $50 in Disney purchases. When you book a Disney vacation package with this card you will enjoy a 0% introductory APR period of 6 months to pay your trip back interest free. $49 annual fee.

Citi Hilton HHonors Visa Signature Card. Receive 40,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 during the first 4 months. Earn 6 points for every $1 you spend on participating Hilton hotels around the world, 3 points for every $1 you spend on gas stations, supermarkets and drugstores; and 2 points for every $1 you spend on all other purchases. You also have the option of purchasing bonus points if you’re short of points in order to redeem them. For every 1,000 points you purchase, you only have to pay $10. Enjoy HHonors Silver status when staying at Hilton 4 times or 10 nights yearly. No annual fee. Read review of Hilton Rewards here.

Marriott Rewards Credit Card. Receive 30,000 points when you make your first purchase with this card and 2 free night stays at Marriott locations category 1-4 once you’re approved for the card. Earn 3 points for every dollar you spend at Marriott locations and 1 point for every other dollar you spend on purchases. You can earn unlimited points. Earn 1 Elite Night Credit for every $3,000 you spend, and 10 Elite Nights Credit yearly on your account anniversary. $45 annual fee waived the first year. Read review of Marriott Rewards Credit Card here.

Travel Credit Card Tips

Hotel and travel rewards cards let you earn reward points or air miles whenever you spend on them, and these points or miles can be accumulated towards free flights, hotel nights, car rentals, cruises and other merchandise. If you are a frequent flyer who is not so particular about which airline to fly with or which hotel to stay at, it may be a smarter choice to get a general travel credit card such as Chase Sapphire Preferred or Capital One Venture Rewards Card since all of the miles or points you earn can be redeemed towards any airline of your choice. On the other hand, if you tend to fly with a particular airline such as United, Delta or Southwest, it is better to get specific airline credit cards since they come with many travel benefits such as free check-in for the first bag. Travel credit cards have generally flexible reward redemption options, which may let you redeem your miles or points for merchandise, gift cards, hotel stays and others.

All travel credit cards vary in their rewards programs, and have their own point system. Generally, you can expect 1 or 2 points for every dollar spent on these cards. Many cards listed on this page let you earn bonus points or miles when you spend a certain amount after getting your card. Some cards also don’t impose any foreign transaction fees and/or annual fees.

Many of these cards tend to charge higher interest rates compared to other types of credit cards, so you should always pay your balance in full by the due date each month so as to avoid paying any interest. Use your card wisely, and you will be richly rewarded!