Best Credit Card for Expedia in 2026

Other Options to Consider

‍

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

‍

[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "510", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "$300 Annual Travel Credit"} ]]

‍

‍

‍

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

‍

[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "438", "isExpanded": "true", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint" : "High Travel Rewards" } ]]

‍

‍

‍

How to Choose a Credit Card for Expedia

‍

Navigating the crowded field of travel rewards cards to find the best one for your Expedia purchases can feel overwhelming, but a strategic choice can unlock significant savings and elevated travel perks.

‍

While a hefty welcome offer is alluring, fixating on it is a common pitfall that can obscure a card's true long-term cost. Be sure to look past the initial bonus and weigh the annual fee against the card's ongoing benefits and overall reward structure. A card that aligns with your broader spending habits, not just your Expedia purchases, will ultimately provide the most value.

‍

Key Factors

‍

• Reward Rates: Consider how many points or miles you'll earn not just on Expedia bookings, but across all travel and everyday spending categories to maximize your accumulation.
• Redemption Flexibility: Evaluate how and where you can use your rewards, as the best programs offer high-value redemption options through travel portals, cash back, or transfers to airline and hotel partners.
• Annual Fee: Weigh the card's annual cost against the monetary value of its benefits, such as statement credits and travel perks, to ensure you're coming out ahead.
• Welcome Offer: A strong introductory offer can provide a significant initial boost to your points balance, but it should be considered alongside the card's long-term value.
• Travel Benefits: Look for valuable extras like travel insurance, airport lounge access, or elite status with hotel chains, which can enhance your trips and provide peace of mind.

‍

What to Watch Out For

‍

One common mistake is overlooking foreign transaction fees, which can quickly erode the value of your rewards if you're booking international travel on Expedia. Additionally, be sure to understand how a card defines 'travel' to ensure all your Expedia purchases—from flights and hotels to car rentals and vacation packages—will earn at the highest rate.

‍

Decision Flow

‍

To simplify your choice, consider what you value most in a credit card. Your spending habits and travel style will point you toward the right option for your Expedia bookings.

If your primary goal is to maximize rewards on all travel spending, look for a card with a broad travel category that explicitly includes online travel agencies. These cards often earn a high rate on flights, hotels, and car rentals, ensuring you get a strong return on every dollar you spend through Expedia.

If you value redemption flexibility above all else, a card that earns transferable points is your best bet. This allows you to move your rewards to various airline and hotel partners, often unlocking outsized value. You’re not locked into a single ecosystem and can leverage your points from Expedia purchases for the best possible award redemptions.

If you’re seeking premium travel perks, focus on high-end travel cards. While their annual fees are steep, the value from benefits like airport lounge access, annual statement credits for travel, and elite hotel status can far outweigh the cost for frequent travelers who book through Expedia.

If you prefer simplicity and straightforward cash back, a flat-rate cash-back card is an excellent choice. You’ll earn a consistent percentage back on every purchase, including Expedia bookings, without needing to track bonus categories or calculate point values.

If you want to earn rewards without paying an annual fee, several no-annual-fee cards offer bonus rewards on travel. While the earn rates and benefits won't match premium cards, they provide a cost-free way to get more value from your Expedia spending.

‍

Maximize Your Return with Expedia

‍

To get the most out of every dollar you spend, here are a few strategies to keep in mind when booking your next trip:

• Double-dip on rewards: Don't forget that you can earn points from your credit card on top of the points you earn from Expedia's own loyalty program, Expedia Rewards, effectively stacking rewards on every booking.
• Use the right card: Opt for a credit card that offers a high rewards rate on general travel purchases, as bookings through Expedia typically code as travel and can significantly multiply your earnings.
• Redeem points strategically: Before redeeming your credit card points directly on Expedia, compare the value against transferring them to one of your card's airline or hotel partners, which can often yield a much higher return on your points.
• Leverage annual travel credits: If your premium credit card offers an annual travel credit, booking a flight or hotel through Expedia is often a straightforward way to use that credit and reduce your out-of-pocket cost.

‍

Supercharge your Rewards with Kudos

‍

The free Kudos app automatically selects your best card at checkout to maximize rewards, helping you earn up to $750 more per year. Get started for free.

‍

Other Things to Consider

‍

Beyond just earning rewards on Expedia, it's crucial to consider your broader spending habits and financial health. For instance, if you have significant loyalty to a specific airline or hotel chain, a co-branded card might offer more tailored value than a general travel card. Regardless of which card you choose, disciplined financial management is key to making it worthwhile. Always aim to pay your balance in full each month, as high-interest debt can quickly erase the value of any points or miles you've earned. It's also wise to integrate your credit card use with other financial tools, like cash or Buy Now, Pay Later plans, to manage large purchases without accumulating unmanageable debt.

‍

Our Methodology

‍

We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.

‍

Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

‍

Are there credit cards that offer special perks for booking on Expedia?

‍

Yes, many travel rewards credit cards offer bonus points or miles on travel purchases, which can include bookings made through Expedia. Some cards may even have specific partnerships or elevated earning rates for online travel agencies.

‍

Do I earn Expedia Rewards points if I pay with a credit card?

‍

Absolutely. You will earn Expedia Rewards points on eligible bookings in addition to any rewards, like points or cash back, that you earn from your credit card.

‍

Is it safe to use my credit card on Expedia?

‍

Yes, Expedia uses encryption and other security measures to protect your payment information during transactions. Additionally, most major credit cards offer fraud protection for online purchases, adding another layer of security.

‍

‍

‍

‍