Best Credit Card for Honeymoon in 2026

Other Options to Consider

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Chase Sapphire Reserve®

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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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How to Choose a Credit Card for Honeymoon

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Selecting the right credit card for your honeymoon is a strategic move that can unlock a world of benefits, from helping you pay for the trip to providing valuable perks and travel protections along the way.

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While a huge welcome offer can be tempting, it's a common pitfall to choose a card based on that alone, without weighing the annual fee against the long-term benefits. Couples also frequently overlook crucial details like foreign transaction fees, which can inflate the cost of an international trip, or pick a card with bonus categories that don't align with their actual honeymoon expenses.

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Key Factors

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• Welcome Offer: A large welcome offer can provide a significant lump sum of points or cash back, effectively subsidizing a large portion of your flights or hotel stays.
• Annual Fee: Evaluate whether the card's annual fee is offset by its recurring benefits, like travel credits or anniversary bonuses, to ensure it provides long-term value beyond the first year.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: For international honeymoons, a card that waives foreign transaction fees is non-negotiable, as these charges can add an unnecessary 3% to every purchase made abroad.
• Earning Rates: Align the card’s bonus categories with your expected honeymoon spending—such as flights, hotels, and dining—to accelerate your rewards accumulation.
• Redemption Flexibility: The most valuable rewards programs allow you to transfer points to various airline and hotel partners, giving you the freedom to book the best deals available.
• Travel Benefits: Perks like airport lounge access, complimentary hotel elite status, and travel insurance can elevate your trip from great to exceptional while offering a safety net against unforeseen disruptions.
• Card Acceptance: Before you commit, confirm that your chosen card’s network (Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted) is common at your destination to avoid any payment headaches.

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What to Watch Out For

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A common mistake is chasing a huge welcome offer without considering the long-term picture, such as whether the points can actually be used for your dream destination or if the annual fee will be a burden after the honeymoon. Couples also frequently forget to check practical details like whether the card is widely accepted abroad or if its perks align with their everyday life, not just the one-time trip. Ultimately, the best card is one that enhances the honeymoon without becoming a financial liability later on.

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Decision Flow

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Your ideal honeymoon credit card depends entirely on what you value most. Here’s a simple breakdown to guide your decision based on your top priority:

• If you want to travel in luxury and enjoy premium perks, a high-end travel card is your ticket. Cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® or The Platinum Card® from American Express offer benefits like airport lounge access, annual travel credits, and elite hotel status that can significantly enhance your honeymoon experience. Keep in mind that with the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, points are not earned on travel purchases until after the first $300 is spent annually, as this spending goes toward the card's $300 Annual Travel Credit. For American Express benefits, enrollment may be required for select offers. Terms Apply.
• If your goal is maximum flexibility, look for a card with transferable points. A card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card allows you to earn valuable points or miles that can be moved to a wide array of airline and hotel partners. This freedom lets you hunt for the best award redemptions and tailor your bookings to your exact honeymoon itinerary, rather than being locked into a single brand.
• If you prefer simplicity and straightforward savings, a cash-back card with no foreign transaction fees is a perfect match. Instead of tracking points and transfer partners, you’ll earn a simple percentage back on your spending. This is a great, no-fuss way to reduce the overall cost of your trip, especially if you find a card that offers bonus cash back on travel or dining.
• If you are loyal to a specific airline or hotel chain, a co-branded card can provide immense value. Planning to fly Delta and stay at Marriott properties? A card from each brand could unlock perks like free checked bags, priority boarding, complimentary room upgrades, and even anniversary free nights that align perfectly with your travel plans.
• If you need to finance the trip over time, a card with a 0% introductory APR on purchases should be your focus. This allows you to pay for your honeymoon expenses without accruing interest for a set period, giving you breathing room in your budget. Just be sure to choose one that also waives foreign transaction fees if your honeymoon is taking you abroad.

_{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. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.}

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Maximize Your Return with Honeymoon

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To get the most out of your spending with Honeymoon, here are a few strategies to keep in your back pocket:

• Choose the right card: If you're shopping at a specific store through Honeymoon, use a credit card that offers bonus rewards for that spending category, like dining or department stores, to multiply your earnings.
• Stack your rewards: Use Honeymoon in conjunction with your credit card's own rewards program to earn points or cash back from both on a single purchase.
• Watch for limited-time offers: Honeymoon and your credit card issuer may run special promotions that offer elevated rewards rates at certain retailers, so check for these before you buy.
• Know the rules: Be aware of any spending caps or exclusions on your credit card's bonus categories to ensure you're actually earning the rewards you expect.
• Redeem wisely: Don't just cash out your points for statement credits; check if transferring them to a travel partner or redeeming for gift cards offers a better value per point.

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Supercharge your Rewards with Kudos

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This free app automatically selects your best card for every purchase across millions of merchants, helping you maximize rewards without the guesswork. Get started for free.

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Other Things to Consider

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While a general travel rewards card is often the best bet, don't overlook other financial tools that could complement your strategy. For instance, if you're booking a large portion of your trip through a specific airline or hotel, a co-branded store card might offer superior discounts or perks for that particular purchase. Regardless of which card you choose, it's critical to have a solid plan for paying off the balance quickly, as high-interest debt can easily erase the value of any rewards you've earned. This same principle applies to managing your overall honeymoon budget, including any cash spending or "buy now, pay later" plans you might use for other expenses. A dream honeymoon shouldn't lead to a financial nightmare, so thoughtful debt management is just as important as earning points.

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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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How far in advance should we get a credit card for our honeymoon?

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It's wise to apply for a new credit card at least three to six months before your honeymoon. This gives you enough time to meet any spending requirements for a welcome offer and for the bonus points or miles to post to your account.

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Should my partner and I get the same credit card or different ones?

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This depends on your strategy, as getting different cards can help you diversify your rewards and access a wider range of benefits. Alternatively, one partner can get a primary card and add the other as an authorized user to pool spending and rewards.

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What's more important for a honeymoon card: travel perks or a big welcome offer?

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Both are valuable, but the ideal choice depends on your specific trip. A large welcome offer can significantly offset costs, while premium travel perks like lounge access or hotel status can make your honeymoon more comfortable and luxurious.

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Can we pay for our entire honeymoon with credit card points?

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It is possible, but it requires significant planning and earning a substantial number of points or miles beforehand. Many couples use points to cover major expenses like flights and hotels, then pay for other costs out of pocket.

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