Best Credit Card for Booking.com in 2026

Other Options to Consider

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Chase Sapphire Reserve®

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

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Points are not earned until after the first $300 is spent annually on travel purchases. The first $300 goes toward the $300 Annual Travel Credit.

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Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

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

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How to Choose a Credit Card for Booking.com

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Not all credit cards are created equal when it comes to booking travel, and choosing the best one for Booking.com depends on your spending habits and travel goals.

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A tempting welcome offer can mask an expensive annual fee, so always weigh the long-term value against the upfront bonus. Furthermore, since Booking.com is a global platform, be sure to pick a card without foreign transaction fees to avoid surprise charges on your statement.

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Key Factors

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• Rewards Rate: A high rewards rate on travel and dining will maximize the points, miles, or cash back you earn from your trip.
• Welcome Offer: A generous welcome offer can provide a substantial initial boost to your rewards balance, but be sure you can comfortably meet the minimum spending requirement.
• Annual Fee: Consider whether the card's ongoing benefits, statement credits, and rewards earnings will outweigh the cost of the annual fee year after year.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: Opt for a card with no foreign transaction fees to avoid extra charges, as many properties listed on Booking.com are outside the U.S.
• Redemption Flexibility: The best rewards are versatile, so look for a card that allows you to transfer points to travel partners, book travel directly, or redeem for cash back.
• Travel Protections: Valuable perks like trip cancellation insurance, delayed baggage reimbursement, and rental car coverage can provide peace of mind and save you money if your plans go awry.

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What to Watch Out For

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A common mistake is choosing a card with high travel rewards that only apply when booking through the issuer's own portal, leaving you with a lower earning rate on Booking.com. Also, avoid getting lured in by a huge welcome offer on a card whose long-term benefits don't justify its annual fee or fit your travel style. Make sure the rewards program is flexible enough to be valuable for the trips you actually plan to take.

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Decision Flow

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• If your primary goal is to maximize rewards on travel spending, a general travel rewards card is your best option. These cards typically offer high rewards rates on a broad travel category, which includes purchases from third-party sites like Booking.com.
• If you value simplicity above all, consider a flat-rate cash-back card. This approach provides straightforward value, giving you a consistent percentage back on your booking without the complexity of bonus categories or point transfers.
• If you’re seeking luxury perks and comprehensive travel protections, a premium travel card is the way to go. While they carry high annual fees, benefits like airport lounge access, annual statement credits, and trip insurance can provide significant value for your travels booked on the platform.
• If you are loyal to a specific hotel brand, a co-branded hotel card can be a smart choice, even when booking through an aggregator. You can still enjoy perks like elite status and property credits. However, double-check that the card offers a competitive rewards rate for third-party bookings, as the best rates are often reserved for booking directly.
• If you want to avoid annual fees, look for a no-annual-fee travel card. Many of these cards still offer respectable rewards on travel and, most importantly, waive foreign transaction fees, making them a great budget-friendly choice for international trips.

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Maximize Your Return with Booking.com

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To ensure you're getting the best possible return on your travel spending, here are several key strategies for maximizing your credit card rewards on Booking.com:

• Stack with a shopping portal: Use an online shopping portal that partners with Booking.com to earn extra cash back or points on top of what your credit card offers for the same transaction.
• Check for card-linked offers: Before booking, check your credit card's offers section for any targeted deals with Booking.com that can provide additional statement credits or bonus points.
• Use a card with a travel bonus category: Pay for your Booking.com purchases with a credit card that offers a high rewards rate on general travel or lodging to multiply your earnings.
• Redeem points for maximum value: When redeeming your rewards, aim for high-value options like transferring points to airline or hotel partners, which can often yield a better return than cashing them out for statement credits.
• Avoid foreign transaction fees: If you're booking international travel, use a credit card that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees to save an extra 1-3% on your purchase.

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Supercharge your Rewards with Kudos

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Kudos is a free app that automatically selects your highest-earning credit card for every purchase, taking the guesswork out of maximizing your rewards. The tool helps users earn up to $750 more per year and discover hidden card benefits.

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Other Things to Consider

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Beyond simply comparing reward rates and annual fees, it's wise to consider your broader travel habits. While a hotel- or airline-specific card can offer valuable perks, they're best for brand loyalists; a general travel card provides more flexibility for a platform like Booking.com that aggregates various options. Regardless of the card you choose, remember that credit cards are a form of debt, and failing to pay your balance in full each month can lead to interest charges that quickly erase any rewards you've earned. It's crucial to manage your credit card use alongside other financial tools like cash or Buy Now, Pay Later plans to avoid overextending your budget.

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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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Can I use any credit card on Booking.com?

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Yes, Booking.com accepts all major credit cards, including Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. However, the specific cards accepted can sometimes vary depending on the policy of the individual hotel or property you are booking.

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Are there credit cards that offer special perks on Booking.com?

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Some credit cards have partnerships or offer elevated rewards for travel portals, which can include Booking.com. It's always a good idea to check your card's benefits or look for co-branded travel cards that align with your booking habits.

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Do I earn more points by booking directly with a hotel or through Booking.com?

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This depends on your credit card and any hotel loyalty programs you're a part of. Some cards offer bonus points for booking directly with hotels, while others provide better rewards for general travel spending through sites like Booking.com.

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