While booking travel six to nine months ahead of time can help you lock in a good deal, sometimes you need to jump on a whim. Even amid busy school calendars and kids’ activities, the end of summer is still a great time to plan last-minute travel, especially if you’re flexible on where you want to go and when. You can even save by using a travel rewards card.
How I save on last-minute travel
My favorite way to save on last-minute travel involves having a stash of flexible reward points. This allows me to find the best award, then get the best deal by transferring points or redeeming rewards through a travel portal.
For example, my husband and I recently booked travel over Labor Day weekend to attend a concert event at the Gorge Amphitheater in Washington state. I compared flight prices across all the major frequent flyer programs I have miles for, as well as options through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal and the Amex Travel portal.
Ultimately, I transferred some of my American Express Membership Rewards points to my Delta SkyMiles account to cover our round-trip flights from Indianapolis to Spokane, Washington, for the event.
By having enough flexible rewards, I could choose a flight that worked with our schedule and our budget.
My favorite travel card
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
4.3/5
Rating Breakdown 4.3 Welcome Bonus 3.5 Rewards Program 5.0 Value for Money 5.0 Benefits 4.0 Fees and APR 3.5 How We Rate Rewards / Travel Cards We rate credit cards using our Rewards / Travel methodology for cards tailored to earning rewards. We focus on each card’s reward potential, the value you get compared to the card’s cost, the benefits and the card’s rates and fees. Credit card issuers have no say or influence in our ratings. How we rate credit cards
8.6/10
CNET rates credit cards by comparing their offers to those of their categorical competitors. Each card is individually evaluated through a formula which reflects the standards and expectations of the contemporary market. Credit card issuers have no say or influence in our ratings. How we rate credit cards
Intro Offer
60,000 bonus points Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
Rewards Rate
1x – 5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠.; 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries.; 2x on all other travel purchases.; 1x on all other purchases.
Rec. Credit
670 – 850 Good – Excellent Recommended Credit: Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application. A credit score is used to indicate an applicant’s credit worthiness and may provide guidance about account eligibility. It does not necessarily guarantee approval for any financial product.
APR
21.49% – 28.49% Variable
Rating Breakdown 4.3
Welcome Bonus 3.5
Rewards Program 5.0
Value for Money 5.0
Benefits 4.0
Fees and APR 3.5
How We Rate Rewards / Travel Cards
We rate credit cards using our Rewards / Travel methodology for cards tailored to earning rewards. We focus on each card’s reward potential, the value you get compared to the card’s cost, the benefits and the card’s rates and fees. Credit card issuers have no say or influence in our ratings. How we rate credit cards
Card Details
- 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.
Rewards Rates
5x
5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠.
3x
3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries.
2x
2x on all other travel purchases.
1x
1x on all other purchases.
Rating Breakdown 4.3
Welcome Bonus 3.5
Rewards Program 5.0
Value for Money 5.0
Benefits 4.0
Fees and APR 3.5
How We Rate Rewards / Travel Cards
We rate credit cards using our Rewards / Travel methodology for cards tailored to earning rewards. We focus on each card’s reward potential, the value you get compared to the card’s cost, the benefits and the card’s rates and fees. Credit card issuers have no say or influence in our ratings. How we rate credit cards
Card Details
- 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.
Rewards Rates
5x
5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠.
3x
3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries.
2x
2x on all other travel purchases.
1x
1x on all other purchases.
That said, my favorite travel credit card isn’t an Amex credit card at all but rather the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. I love this card for a few reasons, including its bonus rewards in everyday categories and its flexible redemption options.
The Sapphire Preferred includes a $50 annual hotel credit that automatically applies as a statement credit if you book through the Chase Travel℠ portal.
Plus, it offers 25% more value for points redeemed through Chase Travel. Chase Ultimate Rewards points can also be used for gift cards, merchandise, cash back, or 1:1 transfers to airline and hotel partners like British Airways, Southwest Rapid Rewards, United MileagePlus, Marriott Bonvoy and World of Hyatt.
I frequently use my points to book flexible travel without blackout dates, but I also transfer my points to partners when it’ll save me even more. At the end of the day, having options is what makes this card appealing for last-minute travel, no matter the time of year.
And since the Sapphire Preferred has some of the best built-in travel insurance protections of any travel credit card, I frequently use it for travel coverage. The card’s trip cancellation and interruption insurance, along with its primary auto rental coverage, are particularly helpful for me.
Best credit cards for last-minute travel
Almost any rewards or travel credit card can help foot the bill for last-minute summer travel, yet options with flexible redemptions tend to work best. Here are some other cards to consider for your last-minute vacation plans.
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
4.4/5
Rating Breakdown 4.4 Welcome Bonus 4.0 Rewards Program 5.0 Value for Money 5.0 Benefits 3.0 Fees and APR 3.5 How We Rate Rewards / Travel Cards We rate credit cards using our Rewards / Travel methodology for cards tailored to earning rewards. We focus on each card’s reward potential, the value you get compared to the card’s cost, the benefits and the card’s rates and fees. Credit card issuers have no say or influence in our ratings. How we rate credit cards
8.8/10
CNET rates credit cards by comparing their offers to those of their categorical competitors. Each card is individually evaluated through a formula which reflects the standards and expectations of the contemporary market. Credit card issuers have no say or influence in our ratings. How we rate credit cards
Intro Offer
$200 cash rewards Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months. Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
Rewards Rate
2% Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
Rec. Credit
670 – 850 Good – Excellent Recommended Credit: Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application. A credit score is used to indicate an applicant’s credit worthiness and may provide guidance about account eligibility. It does not necessarily guarantee approval for any financial product.
APR
20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR
Rating Breakdown 4.4
Welcome Bonus 4.0
Rewards Program 5.0
Value for Money 5.0
Benefits 3.0
Fees and APR 3.5
How We Rate Rewards / Travel Cards
We rate credit cards using our Rewards / Travel methodology for cards tailored to earning rewards. We focus on each card’s reward potential, the value you get compared to the card’s cost, the benefits and the card’s rates and fees. Credit card issuers have no say or influence in our ratings. How we rate credit cards
Pros
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
Easy-to-earn welcome bonus
No annual fee
Introductory APR offer on purchases and qualifying balance transfers
Up to $600 in cell phone damage or theft protection subject to a $25 deductible
Cons
No outstanding cardholder perks or statement credits
3% foreign currency conversion fee
Rewards must be redeemed in $20 or $25 increments for some redemption options
Card Details
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers Intro Purchase APR
- 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening Regular APR
- 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR Balance Transfer Fee
- up to 5%, min: $5
Rewards Rates
2%
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
Rating Breakdown 4.4
Welcome Bonus 4.0
Rewards Program 5.0
Value for Money 5.0
Benefits 3.0
Fees and APR 3.5
How We Rate Rewards / Travel Cards
We rate credit cards using our Rewards / Travel methodology for cards tailored to earning rewards. We focus on each card’s reward potential, the value you get compared to the card’s cost, the benefits and the card’s rates and fees. Credit card issuers have no say or influence in our ratings. How we rate credit cards
Pros
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
Easy-to-earn welcome bonus
No annual fee
Introductory APR offer on purchases and qualifying balance transfers
Up to $600 in cell phone damage or theft protection subject to a $25 deductible
Cons
No outstanding cardholder perks or statement credits
3% foreign currency conversion fee
Rewards must be redeemed in $20 or $25 increments for some redemption options
Card Details
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers Intro Purchase APR
- 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening Regular APR
- 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR Balance Transfer Fee
- up to 5%, min: $5
Rewards Rates
2%
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is a cash rewards credit card at heart, yet it’s still useful for last-minute travel. This is partly because its welcome offer is so easy to earn, but it’s also due to its flexible redemption options.
Redeeming rewards for statement credits can be especially useful since you can charge hotels, car rentals and other travel to your card and then redeem cash back to cover all or part of the purchases after the fact.
The Active Cash also has an intro APR offer that makes it a good option for paying down travel bookings interest-free for a limited time.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
CNET’S PICK
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
3.6/5
Rating Breakdown 3.6 Welcome Bonus 3.5 Rewards Program 3.5 Value for Money 4.0 Benefits 3.5 Fees and APR 3.0 How We Rate Rewards / Travel Cards We rate credit cards using our Rewards / Travel methodology for cards tailored to earning rewards. We focus on each card’s reward potential, the value you get compared to the card’s cost, the benefits and the card’s rates and fees. Credit card issuers have no say or influence in our ratings. How we rate credit cards
7.1/10
CNET rates credit cards by comparing their offers to those of their categorical competitors. Each card is individually evaluated through a formula which reflects the standards and expectations of the contemporary market. Credit card issuers have no say or influence in our ratings. How we rate credit cards
Intro Offer
Earn 75,000 + $250 in Travel Credit Earn 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening, plus receive a one-time $250 Capital One Travel credit in your first cardholder year – that’s equal to $1,000 in travel
Rewards Rate
2x – 5x 5 Miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel; 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day
Rec. Credit
670 – 850 Good – Excellent Recommended Credit: Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application. A credit score is used to indicate an applicant’s credit worthiness and may provide guidance about account eligibility. It does not necessarily guarantee approval for any financial product.
APR
19.99% – 29.99% (Variable)
Rating Breakdown 3.6
Welcome Bonus 3.5
Rewards Program 3.5
Value for Money 4.0
Benefits 3.5
Fees and APR 3.0
How We Rate Rewards / Travel Cards
We rate credit cards using our Rewards / Travel methodology for cards tailored to earning rewards. We focus on each card’s reward potential, the value you get compared to the card’s cost, the benefits and the card’s rates and fees. Credit card issuers have no say or influence in our ratings. How we rate credit cards
Card Details
- 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, 4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you
Rewards Rates
5x
5 Miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
2x
2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day
Rating Breakdown 3.6
Welcome Bonus 3.5
Rewards Program 3.5
Value for Money 4.0
Benefits 3.5
Fees and APR 3.0
How We Rate Rewards / Travel Cards
We rate credit cards using our Rewards / Travel methodology for cards tailored to earning rewards. We focus on each card’s reward potential, the value you get compared to the card’s cost, the benefits and the card’s rates and fees. Credit card issuers have no say or influence in our ratings. How we rate credit cards
Card Details
- 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, 4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you
Rewards Rates
5x
5 Miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
2x
2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is another flexible travel credit card to consider. Currently, new cardholders can get a $250 travel credit in the first cardholder year in addition to its generous welcome bonus. Cardholders can earn 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of opening an account. Members also get an application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership.
Aside from its $250 credit, what makes this card ideal for last-minute travel is its redemption options. Users can book flights, hotels and car rentals through Capital One Travel without any blackout dates, which is ideal for those who have to plan travel around packed schedules.
Capital One miles also transfer to a range of useful partners that can help travelers lock in last-minute trips, including Aeromexico Club Premier, Air France (Flying Blue), Virgin Red, Choice Privileges and Wyndham Rewards. However, it’s worth noting Capital One doesn’t have any domestic airline partners.
American Express® Gold Card
CNET’S PICK
American Express® Gold Card
3.9/5
Rating Breakdown 3.9 Welcome Bonus 4.0 Rewards Program 4.0 Value for Money 4.0 Benefits 4.25 Fees and APR 3.0 How We Rate Rewards / Travel Cards We rate credit cards using our Rewards / Travel methodology for cards tailored to earning rewards. We focus on each card’s reward potential, the value you get compared to the card’s cost, the benefits and the card’s rates and fees. Credit card issuers have no say or influence in our ratings. How we rate credit cards
7.5/10
CNET rates credit cards by comparing their offers to those of their categorical competitors. Each card is individually evaluated through a formula which reflects the standards and expectations of the contemporary market. Credit card issuers have no say or influence in our ratings. How we rate credit cards
Intro Offer
60,000 points + earn up to $100 back Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Plus, receive 20% back in statement credits on eligible purchases made at restaurants worldwide within the first 6 months of Card Membership, up to $100 back. Limited time offer. Offer ends 11/6/24.
Rewards Rate
1x – 4x Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.; Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.; Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.; Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.; Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
Rec. Credit
670 – 850 Good – Excellent Recommended Credit: Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application. A credit score is used to indicate an applicant’s credit worthiness and may provide guidance about account eligibility. It does not necessarily guarantee approval for any financial product.
APR
See Pay Over Time APR
Rating Breakdown 3.9
Welcome Bonus 4.0
Rewards Program 4.0
Value for Money 4.0
Benefits 4.25
Fees and APR 3.0
How We Rate Rewards / Travel Cards
We rate credit cards using our Rewards / Travel methodology for cards tailored to earning rewards. We focus on each card’s reward potential, the value you get compared to the card’s cost, the benefits and the card’s rates and fees. Credit card issuers have no say or influence in our ratings. How we rate credit cards
Card Details
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- N/A Intro Purchase APR
- N/A Regular APR
- See Pay Over Time APR Balance Transfer Fee
- N/A
Rewards Rates
4x
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
4x
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
3x
Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
2x
Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
1x
Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more
Rating Breakdown 3.9
Welcome Bonus 4.0
Rewards Program 4.0
Value for Money 4.0
Benefits 4.25
Fees and APR 3.0
How We Rate Rewards / Travel Cards
We rate credit cards using our Rewards / Travel methodology for cards tailored to earning rewards. We focus on each card’s reward potential, the value you get compared to the card’s cost, the benefits and the card’s rates and fees. Credit card issuers have no say or influence in our ratings. How we rate credit cards
Card Details
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- N/A Intro Purchase APR
- N/A Regular APR
- See Pay Over Time APR Balance Transfer Fee
- N/A
Rewards Rates
4x
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
4x
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
3x
Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
2x
Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
1x
Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more
If you plan vacations around your next meal, the American Express® Gold Card is another good option for you. It also earns American Express Membership Rewards points, which are very flexible.
It all starts with redeeming points for travel through AmexTravel.com, which offers options for hotels, flights, car rentals and cruises. Points also transfer to Amex airline and hotel partners like Air France (Flying Blue), Delta SkyMiles, Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy, to name a few.
A few built-in benefits can also cover some travel and dining purchases. Perks include up to $120 in Uber Cash per year for Uber rides or Uber Eats purchases in the U.S., up to $120 in dining credits per year at eligible eateries, up to $100 in Resy dining credits per year and up to $84 in Dunkin credits per year.
Keep in mind that while these credits are accessible every year, they’ll actually be doled out on a monthly basis. That means you can use $10 a month toward Uber Rides or Uber Eats, $10 toward dining credits at specific restaurants and up to $7 a month in statement credits for Dunkin.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
Tips for using your card to fund your trip
Choosing a flexible rewards credit card can help you book last-minute travel any time of the year, but there are other considerations to keep in mind.
- Stick to a travel budget. Have a travel budget written out before your trip that includes any travel bookings not covered with rewards and any expenses like dining out, activities and souvenirs. And most importantly, stick to it.
- Use rewards where you can. Redeem travel rewards for any parts of your trip you can easily cover, including flights, hotel stays, cruises and activities. Even if you can’t cover your entire trip with points, bookings you can partially cover with rewards will help you save.
- Utilize any travel insurance protections you have. Some travel insurance benefits come in handy, including trip cancellation and interruption insurance, travel delay coverage, and lost luggage reimbursement. You can typically count on the coverages your credit card has if you used your card to book your travel with a common carrier -- so any business that provides transportation to the public, like a plane or a train or bus.
Other things to keep in mind
Try comparing several rewards credit cards before you settle on one. You should make sure the card’s annual fee and rewards match your spending habits. While paying a credit card annual fee can be worth it if you get plenty of value in return, credit cards with the highest annual fees are hard to justify if you don’t travel very often.
And pursue credit card welcome offers with caution. This means choosing offers you can easily earn without having to overextend your finances.
If a credit card you desire offers a big welcome bonus when you spend $4,000 on purchases within three months of account opening, for example, make sure you can reach the $4,000 threshold with regular spending and bills. That would mean having at least $1,334 in expenses each month for three consecutive months after you apply.
Finally and perhaps most importantly, make sure you have a plan to avoid credit card interest. If you wind up paying credit card interest on your last-minute travel plans, the value of any rewards you earn will be quickly wiped away.
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