Best Premium Card for Airbnb
Airbnb can code as travel or lodging depending on the card. Pick one that maximizes your vacation rental spending. Premium cards with $300+ annual fees that return their value in credits, lounge access, and elite status.
Top premium picks for Airbnb
Capital One Venture X Rewards
10x on Hotels & Cars (Capital One)Capital One · $395 annual fee
The rare premium card that nearly pays for itself: a 300-dollar annual travel credit, 10,000 anniversary bonus miles (100-dollar value), and Priority Pass lounge access for unlimited guests. Earn 10x miles on hotels and car rentals via Capital One Travel. Combined perks regularly exceed the 395-dollar annual fee for anyone who travels a few times per year.
Chase Sapphire Reserve
10x on Hotels (Chase)Chase · $550 annual fee
Chase flagship premium card: the $300 annual travel credit offsets most of the fee, Priority Pass lounge access for you and guests, 3x on dining and travel globally, and a 50% point-value boost through Chase Travel (1.5 cents each). Best-in-class travel insurance — trip delay, cancellation, and primary car rental — makes this a favorite for frequent travelers.
American Express Platinum
5x on Flights (Amex Travel)American Express · $695 annual fee
The most comprehensive lounge access card available: Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass Select, Delta Sky Clubs when flying Delta, and more. Over 1,500 dollars in annual credits including airline fee, hotel, digital entertainment, and CLEAR Plus credits. Built for high-frequency flyers who maximize every perk.
American Express Business Platinum
5x on Flights (Amex Travel)American Express · $695 annual fee
The ultimate business travel card for executives who fly frequently and can use premium credits. Over $1,000 in annual credits can offset the $695 fee. The 150,000-point welcome bonus is among the largest available and worth $1,500+ toward travel with the right transfer partners.
U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite
5x on Travel (booked via Altitude)U.S. Bank · $400 annual fee
U.S. Bank's premium card stands out for mobile-first users — pay with Apple Pay or Google Pay and earn 3x points on every tap. The $325 annual travel and dining credit effectively brings the $400 fee down to $75. For customers already using U.S. Bank, this card offers exceptional value especially if you use mobile payments frequently.
Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card
American Express · $350 annual fee
Delta's mid-tier card is the sweet spot for frequent Delta flyers. The annual Companion Certificate (for domestic main cabin or higher) can save $300+ per year. Free checked bag, priority boarding, and MQM earning through spend help you reach status faster.
Annual value math — Capital One Venture X Rewards at Airbnb
Typical spend
$2,500
per year at Airbnb
Earn rate
10x
on Hotels & Cars (Capital One)
Annual value
$375
rewards earned per year
Pro tips for maximizing rewards at Airbnb
- Airbnb codes as 'Travel' for Chase cards
- Some cards code Airbnb as 'Other Travel' at 2x-3x
- Book through Chase Travel portal for extra value
More card picks for Airbnb
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Frequently asked questions
What is the best premium credit card for Airbnb?⌄
Our top pick is the Capital One Venture X Rewards — it's a premium card that earns 10x on Hotels & Cars (Capital One), which applies to Airbnb purchases. With typical spending of $2,500/year at Airbnb, that's about $375/year in rewards.
Do Airbnb purchases count as Travel?⌄
Airbnb purchases typically code as Travel or Other Travel or Hotels depending on the issuer. Card networks determine merchant category codes (MCC), so coding can vary between Visa and Mastercard for the same retailer.
Is a premium card worth it just for Airbnb?⌄
Only if you'll recoup the annual fee through other perks. A premium card paid off via lounge access or travel credits can then be stacked with Airbnb rewards as a bonus.
Any pro tips for using a card at Airbnb?⌄
Airbnb codes as 'Travel' for Chase cards Some cards code Airbnb as 'Other Travel' at 2x-3x Book through Chase Travel portal for extra value
How much can I earn per year on Airbnb with a premium card?⌄
At the typical Airbnb spend of $2,500/year and the 10x earn rate on our top pick, you'd earn about $375/year — more than enough to justify the card.