In recent years, global inflation has taken a noticeable toll on travel and tourism expenses. According to data released by the U.S. Travel Association, the Travel Price Index (TPI) has climbed over 4% year-over-year, and more than 20% compared to pre-pandemic 2019 levels.
Meanwhile, PwC’s 2025 Holiday Outlook report reveals that Americans plan to spend 12% more on travel during the 2024–2025 holiday season than they did the previous year. If you're planning to travel later this year and want to save money, earn points, and gain valuable protections, now may be the smartest time to open a high-quality travel credit card.
The holiday season typically involves heavy, concentrated spending — flights, hotels, rental cars, gift shopping, dining out, and more. That surge in seasonal expenses creates an ideal opportunity to take advantage of generous signup bonuses and enhanced travel rewards offered by major credit card issuers.
For example, the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card and Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card currently offer impressive welcome offers: 75,000 points or miles when you meet a spending threshold within the first three months. Other top-tier options like the Citi Strata Premier℠, Marriott Bonvoy Boundless®, and the United Explorer Card also feature bonus offers ranging from 50,000 to 75,000 points or miles.
Some people worry about reaching the spending threshold to earn these bonuses. But if you're already planning holiday trips, family gatherings, or gift-giving — spending several thousand dollars over a few months is likely to happen anyway. The key is to choose a card with long-term value, match it to your spending patterns, and use it responsibly. By doing so, you can maximize rewards without incurring unnecessary debt.
Opening a travel card now is particularly advantageous for several reasons. First and foremost, this time of year naturally lends itself to large, strategic purchases — perfect for unlocking a big signup bonus. If you’re booking a $800 round-trip flight and a $200 hotel night, you’re already $1,000 into meeting your minimum spend.
Add $2,000 of holiday shopping, groceries, or dining, and you’ve easily reached the threshold. With a 3x points multiplier on travel expenses, you’re also earning an additional 3,000 points on your flight and hotel alone — bringing your total to more than 80,000 points when factoring in the welcome bonus. That’s a $800+ return, enough for another flight or luxury hotel stay.
Holiday airfare and hotel rates are also expected to surge sharply as the season approaches. Data from travel platforms like Hopper show airfare for Thanksgiving rising by an average of $7 per day in the three weeks before the holiday — and as much as $30 per day in the final week.
For Christmas, prices spike even higher, with daily increases over $40 in December. Travelers who delay booking often face significantly higher costs — or worse, sold-out flights and fully booked accommodations. Booking early with a new travel card helps you lock in today’s lower prices while earning rewards and maximizing value.
On top of that, travel rewards cards help you build value for future trips. By using your new card for this year’s holiday travel, you’re also laying the foundation for spring break or next summer’s vacation. Many cardholders have used a single trip’s worth of spending to unlock signup bonuses and stash away enough points to fund an entire future journey. It’s a powerful strategy that turns one vacation into two — or more.
Holiday spending goes beyond flights and hotels. PwC reports that the average American will spend about $1,530 this season, covering gifts, personal items, and holiday entertainment. With many families planning around year-end bonuses, holiday windfalls, or cash gifts, this period represents one of the most opportune windows for making strategic, reward-earning purchases. Choosing a card that offers bonus points on everyday categories like dining, online shopping, or groceries can help you capture additional value from purchases you already plan to make.
For instance, the American Express® Gold Card offers 4x points at U.S. restaurants, and the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers 2x miles on every purchase — perfect for holiday shopping, gift shipping, or last-minute Amazon orders.
Another major — and often overlooked — benefit of travel credit cards is built-in protection. Even the best-laid travel plans are susceptible to delays, cancellations, or logistical failures. Just think back to the chaos of December 2022, when widespread airline disruptions left thousands stranded.
While no credit card can predict the weather or prevent a system failure, many premium travel cards come with a suite of protections that can reimburse you for unexpected issues.
These may include trip delay or cancellation insurance, baggage delay or loss coverage, travel accident insurance, emergency assistance, or car rental damage waivers. For travelers, that peace of mind is invaluable.
Suze Orman, a renowned American personal finance expert, has long advocated for travel credit cards — not just for their rewards, but for their built-in protections. As she puts it, “The best travel cards aren’t about points — they’re about predictability. You don’t just want to fly cheaper, you want to sleep better.”
Travel content creator Justin Torres, who has over 2 million YouTube subscribers, recently shared how he unlocked nearly $2,700 worth of travel in 2025 by opening a Venture X card in late 2024. After spending just over $6,000 on holiday gifts, flights, and meals, he cashed in 93,000 miles for luxury hotel stays and international flights.
Meanwhile, young backpacker Mary Smith used her Chase Sapphire Reserve® card to earn 60,000 points on a single winter trip — which she then used to book a flight to Thailand for her gap year. Both stories illustrate how savvy travelers are using rewards programs to upgrade their lifestyles — without spending more.
This trend also intersects with several high-value advertising verticals that are dominating 2025’s financial landscape. "Credit card points arbitrage" has become a hot search term, especially among millennial and Gen Z consumers who want to travel on a budget without sacrificing comfort.
Artificial intelligence tools like Google Flights’ new AI-powered price lock and Hopper’s automated fare tracking are helping users sync their travel card strategies with predictive booking — creating a powerful combo of tech and finance. Meanwhile, the growing trend of eco-conscious travel has led some issuers to introduce "green rewards" that double points for train travel or carbon-neutral bookings.
The post-Brexit rebound in UK–EU air travel has also revived interest in British Airways or European airline co-branded cards. Even university graduates planning "gap year" adventures are getting in early, using travel cards as a first step in building credit — and travel freedom.
Of course, you’ll want to be smart about how you approach it. Match your card to your spending habits — if you rarely fly but dine out often, a card with restaurant rewards may be a better fit than an airline-specific card. Avoid overspending just to meet the minimum spend. Instead, plan ahead and time your purchases thoughtfully.
Always evaluate whether the card’s annual fee is offset by the long-term value in rewards, perks, and protection. Keep records of travel disruptions, receipts, and statements so you can use travel insurance benefits properly if needed. And finally, consider when and how you’ll redeem your points — many expire or lose value if left unused too long.
As you read this, Thanksgiving and Christmas are only weeks away. Your opportunity to lock in big savings — and even bigger future rewards — is slipping away with every passing day. Whether you’re heading home for the holidays, planning an international escape, or just looking for a smarter way to manage year-end spending, a travel credit card could be your ticket to turning this year’s expenses into next year’s adventures.
Open the right card today, and your next journey could already be paid for.