Best Retirement Travel Credit Cards For 2025: There Are 4 Clear Winners

Today we share with you the best retirement travel credit cards for 2025.
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There are 4 clear winners.
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[@lindadorman2869]

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card also pays 3X points on public transportation and rental cars. I don’t own a car, but I buy a monthly bus/train pass in my city and rent a car for a few days every other month. This adds up to approx. $2000 a year and adds 6000 points. CSR also provides car rental insurance coverage as a card benefit.

[@sophiapan22]

Great video! Not retired yet but travel a lot. My top cards are: Chase IHG Premier, Amex Gold, BILT card, Capital One Venture X. 4 cards from 4 different issuers 😂

[@MikeHollow-rz5dl]

I’m worried about retirement planning and I want to ensure a comfortable future. I’ve worked hard my entire life and I want to enjoy the fruits of my labor without financial stress. I’m really concerned about whether I’ve saved enough and invested wisely.

[@StaceySouth-e3v]

I completely understand. Ensuring financial security in retirement is crucial. Have you considered consulting a financial advisor?

[@MikeHollow-rz5dl]

Yes I have. But I don’t know who exactly to trust to provide the right advices and guidance for me.

[@LilianScott-dy5nz]

That’s true. I have been in contact with a CFA that specializes in retirement planning. His expertise can help optimize your savings and investments.

[@MikeHollow-rz5dl]

Who’s this CFA? And how can I reach out to him?

[@LilianScott-dy5nz]

ERIC PAUL ELMER

[@MrRikkiRocket]

Nice video and card choices. If you could flash some stock photos of each card on the screen as you talk about them it might help us remember them better - but no big deal. Allie is beautiful btw OMG. With ❤ Rikki.

[@justsmy5677]

Nice. My Big 4 cards are the IHG Premier, CSR, Chase Bus Preferred...and the one I spend on a lot in order to hit Globalist...The Chase World of Hyatt card. I just keep earning Elite night credits, Hyatt points and free night stays and milestone rewards. Leaving for Asia this week, for 5 weeks. Using a Hyatt Club Access Award for a week at a Grand Hyatt and hitting Globalist is a couple weeks. Cheers

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

Awesome! Which grand Hyatt are you going to? We did the same this year at Grand Hyatt Manila, used a GOH certificate and earned Globalist while there.

[@justsmy5677]

@@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel - Staying at GH Manila also. Will probably also stay at least 4 days at the Crown Plaza. Going to Bangkok for at least 7-8 days, probably at the Hyatt Place, then back to the GH Manila. I may stay a couple nights at the Manila Hyatt Regency at the City of Dreams/casino, just a few miles away. I cashed in points for a round trip ticket to/from Manila on United Business Polaris class.

[@jazdown]

@@justsmy5677you’re doing IT!! Enjoy, I’m preparing to apply for these. We’ll be going to Asia in April. We’re new to retirement travel and love this channel. ❤

[@j96700]

I'm such a visual learner that it would be deeply appreciated if you could show a picture of each card while you're speaking. Just a few seconds for each would make a world of difference!🥰

[@iancvisuals707]

As I’ve mentioned before make sure you get your credit cards before you retire. Once you don’t have an easily verifiable income getting a new credit card can be tricky once it shows up on your credit report that you are unemployed.

[@methemonkeyking]

I received the IHG Business card last year after learning about the card after viewing your video. The wife and I are using the points traveling to Thailand for three weeks and booked one week in Bangkok, and two weeks in Pattaya. The hotel in Pattaya is right on the beach. We also booked one week in Manila and one week in Cebu, all free from the points. Still have over 500k points waiting to grow. Holiday Inn hotels in Asia are on a different level compared to the States. We have other cards, but IHG is our favorite. Our 2nd best is Korean Air Skypass Visa from U.S. Bank for our free flights to Asia.

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

Are you doing the Holiday Inn Pattaya or the Intercontinental? We've been looking at both trying to make a decision for later in the year!

[@methemonkeyking]

@@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel : It’s the Holiday Inn. 5000 points per day. We’re only staying seven days. It's best to book eight nights and only use points for six. Too late for me to make changes.

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

@@methemonkeyking thanks, have a great time!

[@tino1761]

Great vlog! IHG Premier is the best value Hotel card (except in the U.S and Canada). As far as points building, IMHO I prefer the Capital One Venture X as you get 5X on travel through Capital One and you also get 2X on all other purchases. The $395 annual fee is offset by $300 yearly travel credit through their travel portal, in addition to geting 10,000 points (worth $100) every year.

[@tangojohn]

I agree the Venture X is really a no brainer as long as you use the $300 travel credit and getting the 10,000 renewal points making the card basically free. But given the priority pass membership you are way ahead! We use their shopping portal which used to give cash back but this week changed to giving points instead. Really helps racking up the points.

[@jwinters9974]

The cards you recommended all have fees - some high as $500.. At some point, having so many cards, the fees may become a burden themselves, especially after the "welcome/promotional" benefits are used up. Have you, are are you considering paring the cards back at some point by closing accounts?

[@maxineoliver7404]

Thanks for sharing about those perks, especially the one with the platinum elite status! Take care!!🤗

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

Thanks, you too!

[@thejokerspeaks]

Love the IHG card, very underrated. The Amex Platinum wouldn't make sense for me if Vegas wasn't our primary airport. We kill it at Christmas when everything is cheap with FHR! Hilton Surpass + BILT makes more sense for me than the Amex Gold. International I use BILT + Venture X.

[@jimmyjames6492]

Thanks for the info + video!

[@patticulver]

Love this video! I love your card setup, and I’m looking forward to new SUBS soon! The IHG card seems like a no-brainer; definitely going to sign up for that one. Do you recommend the IHG premier personal card, or business card? The only difference I can see is the minimum spend. Thanks so much for all you do to educate us. I’ve learned so much from you, and I thoroughly enjoy all of your content. Blessings ❤️

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

Thanks so much! They are both good!

[@patticulver]

@@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel great! Thanks 🙏

[@michaelmundt4767]

Ive had the AMEX Platinum card for years and am going to cancel as the Centurion lounge in DFW is always packed. Even AMEX admits it is no longer a premium card but a lifestyle card. I can get Priority Pass elsewhere, Agree 100% on AMEX Gold.

[@anneford5029]

The Capital One lounge in DFW is really nice and not packed.

[@dsr8223]

The new Centurion in ATL has never been packed when I've been there, but... I'll be flying at Christmas this year (couldn't be avoided 😢), so we'll see if there's a line. Lounge access is 90% of the value of the Platinum to me.

[@apai811]

Thank you for this video. I have seen other youtubers saying having both Chase Sapphire Reserve and Amex Platinum is duplicative and redundant. It seems like you have found a way to use both

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

They do both have a great place for us.

[@greggordillo2502]

@@GroundedLifeRetirementTravelI would love to see/hear you elaborate on this.

[@edflaherty1887]

Good point with free food in the lounges. I take a lot of day trips on Amtrak to the NYC Moynahan Train Hall. By using Amtraks credit card for everything and anything I earn around 4 lounge passes per year. I go to the lounge when I arrive early and get about $15.00 worth of food. At the end of the day I go back to the lounge and purchase about another $15.00 worth of food. That save me about $30.00 . When leaving the lounge I also fill up my coffee thermos , grab a bottle of water and a couple of apples . That helps me get through the day as well as the trip home in the evening. So easily add another &15.00 for my " take out orders ' ' that brings the savings to $45.00 and I do not have to worry about eating on the during my visit. The comfort of the lounge also adds a lot of value , especially at the end of the day ! If you are on a long layover one gets free food and a comfortable setting also.

[@Every_State_Park]

Great info

[@seang414yt]

Can you not use the AMEX Gold outside the United States?

[@Mike_Genisys]

Yeah it does seem like that, if you're staying local just go with amex gold and amex plat, but if you're doing a lot of international travel then it's CSR and CFU to keep things simple. Then round out the setup with an airline or hotel card of ones pref.

[@ryanccc777]

Just a FYI that the CFU has foreign transaction fees

[@FoodiesVacations]

Hi y’all! Thanks for the great info. 👍 ❤

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

Thanks for watching!

[@kamsable]

Great video! What IHG card exactly do you, guys, use? Chase? Amex?

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

Chase!

[@zcavaricci]

I got the IHG card as I’ll be spending some time in Southeast Asia in December and January. Finding it frustrating that “Rewards nights are all booked up” at many of the hotels.

[@LawrenceStevens01]

I'm using my points to stay at a Crowne Plaza in both Kuala Lumpur and Phu Quoc in Vietnam. Staying 4 nights in Phu Quoc, so 1 night free. Both booked stays in late November.

[@zcavaricci]

@@LawrenceStevens01 I was able to get the Crowne Plaza KL for New years on points (4 nights)...Phuket / Pattaya not much luck.

[@saildale]

How do you get you cash from your us bank when traveling. i assume you have a video but I couldn't find it.

[@janetkruth3813]

Enjoyed seeing Rob say Allie's name. Sounds so much nicer than saying "her."

[@DrgnMage2536]

What are your thoughts on the Wyndham Earner's card? IHG is out of my budget range when staying at hotels.

[@M-M.Wunderlust]

Hi Allie and Rob! We just received the IHG email for the 100% points purchase. It only allows us to buy up to 200k in points. Will there be another one with a higher point purchase allowance?

[@JulieMacKay-cd9hp]

Waaaah I am so sad we can’t get the IHG credit card here in Canada 🍁

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

It's too bad it's a great card!

[@Kong-kg6ij]

Does the AMEX Gold also work in foreign grocery stores?

[@andrejka_talking_out_loud]

i have heard Amex is not ubiquitous and some stores are cash (and SMALL BILLS) only so you want to map that out before you end up somewhere and are hungry ...

[@kmacdowe]

By having all the cards and therefore having to pay the fees for all the cards, don't you burn money on the fees? Versus having one card paying one fee and then racking up the points on one card. Also are all points the same worth? Thanks for the video. I like your intelligent and thorough analysis, much appreciated.

[@getsugatenshoFTW]

All points are valued differently and how they value certain cards may be different from how you value your cards

[@densnow4816]

Cost of card irrelevant as long as you get positive value out of it.

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

Yes, the fees are factored into the decision. For instance the IHG card has an annual fee, but the yearly free night certificates you get are worth twice the annual fee so the value is more than the fee.

[@frontiermusings]

Just cancelled our Amex delta gold card. Got a ton of mileage points and never fly delta 😅. Now just have the Chase reserve and Alaska air because that’s our airline. Going to get the IHG now since we are 18 months from early retirement and will start our travels. I want to get some points loaded on that card now too. We’ll be using Airbnb but want to have hotel points banked for the Asia portion of our year. Just not sure if I should opt for the no fee IHG first since we won’t be booking any hotels for 2 years. Annual fee isn’t high but I’m always looking to save every penny 😊 Hmm, should probably cancel that United card too. But it’s just nice having $100,000 of open credit in case of major emergency overseas. How much credit balance will IHG give? What’s the max? That’s what we’ll probably be given but I have no idea what the amount is.

[@permaculturemom9848]

Do cruise ships have lounges that you can wait at before hand?

[@IramisandGerry]

Yes. But you have to be at an elite cruising level or pay for the extra benefits when you book the cruise. 💗🙏🏽🇵🇷

[@2GoAwandering]

Hi, we are UK citizens. Are we able to access these cards and how do you build points if outside the US? Thank you!

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

Some but not most are available. The best way to get points for UK residents would be to buy them, but without the IHG card you wouldn't get the 4th night free. I'm not really sure if you can get that one or not. Amex Platinum seems to be available in several countries.

[@2GoAwandering]

@@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel thanks very much!

[@ryanfitzsimons7388]

Ahhh, the Amex gold card....aka the "diabetes card" with all the fast food credits. I had to get rid of it because of the negative health effects.

[@noblegirl1991]

How are supermarket at 4%

[@ryanfitzsimons7388]

@ true but that’s a steep annual fee just for an extra 1% at grocery stores when I can get that with CapOne Savor card. Although thought to get those ANA miles for the around the world itinerary without Amex points

[@ryanccc777]

Question on the Platinum, I know they got rid of guests in the Centurion Lounge so do you guys also pay the $195 for the additional authorized user? Also, since this card only has secondary CDW, do you use this card for car rental status and then pay with something like the CSR which has primary CDW?

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

We don't pay for the additional user, and yes, we use the Amex Platinum for the status, but you don't have to use it to pay.

[@ryanccc777]

@@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel thanks guys, I love the channel!😀 I am about 10yrs out from retirement (early 40s) and appreciate this channel in helping me build a strategy! I would love to retire earlier, but I jokingly say, like the villain from Scooby Doo always says at the end of each episode, I would have gotten away with it if it wasn’t for those darn kids! 😂

[@kristintoo]

great video. If you dont use the IHG card for spend, how do you acquire points on it to use for perks? Thanks

[@getsugatenshoFTW]

You can buy points on sale

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

We buy them, there is a link in the description where you can do it.

[@kristintoo]

@@getsugatenshoFTW I did the math on a few hotels, the cost of the points (on sale) just about equals the cash price of the room, so I am missing how this is better

[@TS-ct8it]

@@kristintoo I thought the benefit was because you get 4th night free using points and can cancel anytime. I hope they clarify.

[@chadpennycuff]

Great keeper cards for status and perks, but US Bank Altitude Reserve gets the best catch-all return on spend IMHO. Apple Pay for the win.

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

The return sounds tempting but we think it's better to earn Amex and Chase Points. Valued at 2 cents each the 4x and 3x returns on the Amex Gold and CSR provide 6-8% on a very high percentage of uses.

[@dsr8223]

If the Altitude points were transferrable, I'd get it.

[@dsr8223]

90% of my grocery spend (everything except meat) is at Walmart supercenter, but most cards don't count that as grocery and only give 1x points.

[@chadpennycuff]

@@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel No doubt - cherry-picking point charts for redemptions and get outside value is a great method. You can also do old-school cherry-picking, known as couponing, deal hunting, and rebating with cash purchases too to get outsized value. Get a 30-40% discount off the top and then use USBAR statement credits to wipe it away + you show up as a cash-paying customer eligible to earn points and use your existing loyalty programs. 4.5% ROS is the minimum, but there are outsized value opportunities here, too, if you know how to play the game. If I can get >= 3x transferable, I do so; else, send in the USBAR mobile wallet; else the 2x VX catch-all.

[@ProfessorOzone]

$700 for an AMEX card!!!! You know you can just go to a lounge and pay $40 to get in WITHOUT a membership, right? Also, all AMEX cards are frequently charged more from vendors to recoup the fees they charge them, which are higher than other cards. So it's really MORE than $700. Hope you use the crap out of that to recoup.

[@fascination2525]

What cards give multiple travel points if you book through a travel agent or tour company? (BILT does not.) My only other cards are Amex Platinum and an ancient Visa.

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

The Chase Sapphire Reserve gives 3X on travel

[@fascination2525]

@@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel I took a look just now and will give it serious thought, but I'm already paying $695 AF for Amex Platinum. I see now that the $95 AF CSReserve card has only 2x travel points points but has a $300 annual travel credit. I'll run some numbers to see which has the best value overall. Thanks!