Best Credit Card for Airbnb in 2026

Other Options to Consider

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Chase Sapphire Reserve®

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Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

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How to Choose a Credit Card for Airbnb

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Not all travel credit cards are created equal when it comes to booking an Airbnb, so it's crucial to know what to look for to get the most out of your spending.

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A primary pitfall is assuming any "travel" card will earn bonus rewards on Airbnb, as many issuers have narrow definitions for travel that exclude vacation rentals. Additionally, overlooking high annual fees or restrictive redemption options can easily negate any points or miles you do accumulate.

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Key Factors

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• Broad Travel Category: Look for cards that define "travel" broadly to include vacation rentals, ensuring your Airbnb stays earn bonus rewards.
• Flexible Redemptions: Your points or miles should be easily redeemable, ideally as a statement credit to cover Airbnb charges directly, not just through a restrictive travel portal.
• Annual Fee vs. Benefits: Weigh the annual fee against the card's perks, such as annual travel credits that can be applied to your Airbnb bookings to offset the cost.
• Travel Insurance: Valuable protections like trip cancellation or interruption insurance can provide peace of mind and financial coverage if your plans go awry.
• Welcome Offer: A generous welcome offer can provide substantial initial value, but make sure the spending requirement is realistic for your budget.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees: If you plan to travel internationally, a card that waives these fees is a must-have to avoid an extra 2-3% charge on your bookings.

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What to Watch Out For

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A primary pitfall is assuming any card with "travel" in its name will offer bonus rewards on Airbnb stays, as many issuers narrowly define travel and exclude vacation rentals. Additionally, be wary of earning points that are difficult to use for Airbnb, such as those locked into an issuer's travel portal that doesn't list vacation rentals.

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Decision Flow

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Navigating the world of travel rewards can be complex. To simplify your choice, consider your primary goals and spending habits. Here’s a breakdown to help you decide which type of card best fits your Airbnb booking style:

• If you prioritize simplicity and direct value...
  Then look for a card that earns flexible rewards you can easily redeem as a statement credit against your Airbnb charge. Cards in the Capital One Venture family, for example, earn miles on every purchase, and those miles can be used to cover any travel expense without needing to navigate a complicated portal.
• If you want to maximize rewards on all travel...
  Then a premium travel card with a high multiplier on a broad travel category is your best option. The Chase Sapphire Reserve® card, for instance, earns elevated points on travel worldwide. It's important to note that points are not earned on travel until after the first $300 is spent annually on travel purchases, as this spending goes toward the card's $300 Annual Travel Credit.
• If you want to earn rewards on rent payments...
  Then a specialized card like the Bilt Mastercard® (See Rates & Fees) could be a game-changer. It allows you to pay rent and earn points with no transaction fee (on up to 100,000 points per calendar year), which can then be redeemed for travel. To earn points, you must use the card 5 times each statement period.
• If you want to avoid an annual fee...
  Then focus on no-annual-fee cards that either offer a flat rewards rate on all purchases or have bonus categories that include travel or dining. While the earn rates may not be as high as premium cards, every point or mile you earn is a net gain since you aren't paying to hold the card.
• If you value premium perks like travel credits...
  Then a high-end card whose benefits can offset the annual fee is the way to go. The annual travel credits offered by many premium cards can often be applied directly to Airbnb bookings, significantly reducing the card's effective annual cost and adding substantial value beyond just points.

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Maximize Your Return with Airbnb

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To get the most value from your credit card rewards when booking on Airbnb, it's all about being strategic. Here are a few tips to help you maximize your earnings and redemptions:

• Choose the right card for the job: Not all credit cards treat Airbnb bookings the same, so use one with a broad travel category to ensure you earn bonus points on your stay.
• Buy Airbnb gift cards: You can often earn a higher rewards rate by purchasing Airbnb gift cards at stores that offer bonus categories, like grocery or office supply stores, and then applying them to your booking.
• Check for targeted offers: Before you pay, log into your credit card account to see if there are any special Amex Offers or Chase Offers that provide extra cash back or points for Airbnb spending.
• Stack with shopping portals or airline partners: Check if any airline loyalty programs or online shopping portals offer bonus miles or cash back for clicking through to Airbnb from their site before you book.
• Redeem points strategically: If your card's travel portal doesn't offer Airbnb bookings, consider paying with your card and then using your points to redeem for a statement credit against the travel purchase.

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Supercharge your Rewards with Kudos

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This free app automatically selects your best card at checkout across millions of stores, helping you earn up to $750 more in rewards each year. Get started for free.

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Other Things to Consider

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Beyond travel perks, consider how a new card fits into your overall spending habits. For instance, if you frequently buy supplies from a specific retailer, a co-branded store card might offer more valuable rewards on those purchases than a general travel card. Regardless of your choice, disciplined financial management is paramount; always aim to pay your balance in full each month to avoid accumulating high-interest debt that can quickly erase the value of any rewards you've earned. This approach is often more straightforward and rewarding than juggling cash reserves or multiple Buy Now, Pay Later plans for your Airbnb-related expenses.

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Our Methodology

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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.

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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

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Does Airbnb count as a travel purchase on my credit card?

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Yes, most credit card issuers categorize Airbnb stays as travel purchases. This means you can often earn bonus points or miles from cards that offer elevated rewards on general travel spending.

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Are there any fees for using a credit card on Airbnb?

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Airbnb does not charge an extra fee for using a credit card, but your total cost will include a service fee. If you're booking an international stay, be sure to use a card that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees to avoid extra costs.

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What are the benefits of using a credit card for an Airbnb booking?

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Beyond earning rewards, using a credit card provides valuable consumer protections, such as travel insurance and purchase protection, that you wouldn't get with other payment methods. It also offers a clear path for disputing charges if something goes wrong with your stay.

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