Residence leases are a preferred different to motels, and chances are you’ll be contemplating an Airbnb in your subsequent journey.
Whereas the subject of the best credit cards for hotel stays will get a number of consideration, it is a completely different matter for Airbnb stays. That is very true when you think about that resort chains have their very own bank cards, but Airbnb doesn’t.
Should you’ve determined to go the Airbnb route, which rewards credit card must you use to make the acquisition? Let’s take a more in-depth have a look at your finest choices.
What’s Airbnb?
Should you’re unfamiliar with Airbnb, the positioning provides all kinds of lodging choices when touring. In lots of instances, Airbnb gives privately owned rooms, flats, homes, boathouses and resort rooms. They’re out there for each short- and long-term stays.
Whereas costs are generally extra reasonably priced than equal resort rooms, it must be famous that Airbnb is just not precisely a resort on a finances.
There are tradeoffs. Elements akin to room service, day by day housekeeping and different full-service facilities aren’t normally discovered. Nonetheless, if you’re looking for distinctive lodging or need the sensation of being in a house whereas away from dwelling, Airbnb could possibly be a great possibility.
Teams and people touring with others additionally are likely to choose Airbnb, since it is easy to order multi-bedroom lodging.
Past stays, Airbnb provides experiences. These can embody excursions, out of doors actions like whale watching, cooking courses or perhaps a nice photographer to snap images in your social media throughout your subsequent trip.
Airbnb does not have a loyalty program, so utilizing the best bank card is one of the best ways to benefit from these purchases.
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Associated: Airbnb knows how you like to travel — and it’s using that data to help you book the perfect stay
Which bank card is finest for Airbnb stays and experiences?
You may even see some acquainted names among the many playing cards listed above. That is as a result of a number of of the very best bank cards for Airbnb are on our listing of the best credit cards for travel.
The knowledge for the American Categorical Inexperienced Card has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or supplied by the cardboard issuer.
Incomes charges on the highest playing cards for Airbnb
*Bonus provide worth relies on TPG’s Could 2025 valuations and never supplied by the bank card issuer.
A more in-depth have a look at the very best bank cards for Airbnb
Airbnb usually codes as “journey” in your bank card assertion. This implies it would set off any bonus factors or annual credit provided within the travel category. Here is a deep dive into the very best playing cards for Airbnb.
American Categorical Inexperienced Card
Some journey playing cards have extra restricted journey classes that do not transcend the scope of airfare and hotels. With the American Categorical Inexperienced Card’s broad journey bonus class, nonetheless, you may you should definitely earn greater than 1 level per greenback on Airbnb stays.
Annual payment: $150
Welcome provide: Earn 40,000 bonus factors after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership.
Airbnb incomes price: 3 factors per greenback
Why we prefer it: The Amex Inexperienced is probably the most versatile Membership Rewards card on the subject of incomes bonus factors for each greenback spent on Airbnb.
These 3 factors equate to a 6% return in your spending, based mostly on TPG’s Could 2025 valuations. Should you’re flying to get to your Airbnb, you may also reap the benefits of an as much as $199 Clear Plus annual statement credit to make that course of smoother. (Enrollment is required for choose advantages; phrases apply.)
To study extra, learn our full review of the Amex Green Card.
Associated: Is the Amex Green Card worth the annual fee?
Capital One Enterprise Rewards Credit score Card
The Capital One Venture Rewards is a wonderful alternative for individuals who worth an easy incomes price on all purchases, together with trip rental bookings and anything you purchase.
Annual payment: $95
Welcome provide: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 on purchases inside the first three months of account opening.
Airbnb incomes price: 2 miles per greenback
Why we prefer it: In change for a $95 annual payment, this Capital One credit card earns you a flat 2 miles per greenback spent on purchases with Airbnb. This implies you are getting 3.7% again in your spending, per TPG’s Could 2025 valuations.
You may also redeem your rewards to cowl your Airbnb keep at a price of 1 cent per mile. Nonetheless, when you resolve to not use your rewards for Airbnb bookings, you need to use them to cowl any journey purchases made together with your card within the final 90 days or switch them to one in every of 15-plus airline and hotel transfer partners.
To study extra, learn our full review of the Venture Rewards.
Study extra: Capital One Venture Rewards
Capital One Enterprise X Rewards Credit score Card
The Venture X card additionally provides an easy 2 miles per greenback spent on all purchases not booked within the journey portal, together with your subsequent Airbnb reserving. It provides extra luxurious perks than its lower-annual-fee counterpart, the Venture Rewards card.
Annual payment: $395
Welcome provide: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 on purchases inside the first three months of account opening.
Airbnb incomes price: 2 miles per greenback
Why we prefer it: The Enterprise X’s incomes charges are easy, making this a strong possibility for individuals who do not wish to memorize a number of bonus classes.
Like with the Enterprise Rewards, you possibly can redeem your Capital One miles to cowl your Airbnb keep at 1 cent per mile. You may also use them to cowl any journey purchases made together with your card within the final 90 days or switch them to a Capital One switch associate.
The Enterprise X’s $395 annual payment is offset by its priceless perks, akin to a $300 annual travel credit for Capital One Journey bookings, reimbursement in your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee, entry to airport lounges (together with Capital One’s growing network) and rental car elite status.
To study extra, learn our full review of the Venture X.
Study extra: Capital One Venture X
Chase Sapphire Most well-liked Card
The Sapphire Preferred boasts robust incomes classes for an affordable annual payment, making this one in every of our favorite travel cards available on the market.
Annual payment: $95
Welcome provide: Earn 60,000 bonus factors after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
Airbnb incomes price: 2 factors per greenback on all different journey
Why we prefer it: This card earns priceless Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which TPG’s Could 2025 valuations place at 2.05 cents apiece while you switch to one in every of Chase’s 14 journey companions. Per our valuations, you may obtain a 4.1% return in your spending while you use the Sapphire Most well-liked on Airbnb bookings.
Plus, you may obtain a $50 annual hotel credit on bookings made via Chase Journey. It is essential to notice Airbnb bookings aren’t out there via the portal, so they are not eligible for this credit score.
To study extra, learn our full review of the Sapphire Preferred.
Apply right here: Chase Sapphire Preferred
Chase Sapphire Reserve
The Sapphire Reserve is a strong premium possibility for anybody seeking to accumulate Final Rewards factors on their Airbnb stays.
Annual payment: $550
Welcome provide: Earn 60,000 bonus factors after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
Airbnb incomes price: 3 factors per greenback
Why we prefer it: Firstly, you need to use the cardboard’s $300 journey credit score towards a wide range of travel purchases, together with Airbnb.
Plus, incomes 3 factors per greenback on Airbnb makes this card helpful for incomes factors towards your purchases after the $300 credit score is spent. These 3 factors equate to a 6.2% return based mostly on TPG’s Could 2025 valuations.
To study extra, learn our full review of the Sapphire Reserve.
Apply right here: Chase Sapphire Reserve
Ink Enterprise Most well-liked Credit score Card
For small-business house owners searching for a strong return on their Airbnb purchases, the Ink Business Preferred is a good alternative.
Annual payment: $95
Welcome provide: Earn 90,000 bonus factors after spending $8,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
Airbnb incomes price: 3 factors per greenback†
†On the primary $150,000 spent in mixed purchases every account anniversary yr within the following classes:
- Promoting purchases made with social media websites and search engines like google
- Web, cable and telephone providers
- Transport purchases
- Journey, together with Airbnb
Why we prefer it: That is one other Chase card that earns a implausible 3 factors per greenback on journey, together with Airbnb stays.
Whereas this is not a client card, getting approved for a business card could also be simpler than you suppose.
To study extra, learn our full review of the Ink Business Preferred.
Apply right here: Ink Business Preferred
Prime Visa
How does the Amazon card make our listing of the very best playing cards for Airbnb? Two phrases: Present playing cards. Airbnb reward playing cards can be found on Amazon, and you may simply get 5% again this manner.
Annual payment: $0; you have to have an Amazon Prime membership
Welcome provide: Earn a $150 Amazon reward card instantly upon approval, completely for Prime members.
Airbnb incomes price: 5% again when buying Airbnb reward playing cards on Amazon
Why we prefer it: To maximise your money again on Airbnbs with the Prime Visa, use this card to purchase Airbnb reward playing cards. Then, use these playing cards to pay in your upcoming keep.
Observe that Airbnb restricts, in superb print, the usage of reward playing cards for long-term stays (28 days or extra).
To study extra, learn our full review of the Amazon Prime Visa.
Apply right here: Prime Visa
Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Card
The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey is a strong choice to earn bonus factors on Airbnb stays for a modest annual payment.
Annual payment: $95
Welcome provide: Earn 60,000 bonus factors after spending $4,000 in purchases within the first three months of account opening.
Airbnb incomes price: 3 factors per greenback
Why we prefer it: Anticipate to obtain 3 factors per greenback on purchases made with Airbnb while you pay with the Autograph Journey. Per TPG’s Could 2025 valuation of Wells Fargo factors at 1.6 cents per level, you may obtain a 4.8% return in your spending.
Wells Fargo factors could be transferred to seven transfer partners. Whereas this listing is not so long as a few of its opponents, it does embody priceless companions akin to British Airways Membership, Membership Iberia Plus and Virgin Atlantic Flying Membership.
To study extra, learn our full review of the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey.
Apply right here: Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Card
Maximizing your subsequent Airbnb keep
Probably the most essential elements in benefiting from your on a regular basis spending is selecting the very best journey rewards bank card for each buy. This is not all the time a simple process, as some playing cards earn valuable transferable points whereas others give bonus factors for certain categories of purchases. Deciding what’s extra essential is a private determination.
For any Airbnb keep, although, see when you can double dip. For example, you possibly can simply earn bonus factors or miles with packages like British Airways Membership, Delta SkyMiles or Qantas Frequent Flyer by clicking through their Airbnb shopping portals, no matter what bank card you utilize to ebook.
These playing cards are all nice choices for Airbnb, however there are various others on the market. For example, in case your native grocery retailer additionally sells Airbnb reward playing cards, you need to use a card that earns bonuses at grocery stores to maximise your buy. The identical applies to workplace provide shops.
Since a number of credit cards offer annual travel credits, think about these as properly. Utilizing these credit is usually a technique to offset your journey prices when staying at Airbnb, since you possibly can’t switch your factors to Airbnb for award bookings.
Associated: Airbnb adds once-in-a-lifetime stays category and easier group booking tools
Backside line
Airbnb is a good lodging possibility for journeys, because the platform represents a pleasant different to conventional motels. I’ve personally stayed in dozens of Airbnbs all through my travels and normally favor them over chain motels.
Along with the distinctive properties you possibly can ebook, some strong bank card choices mean you can earn an honest haul of factors or money again. Simply keep in mind to assessment every itemizing’s cancellation coverage and opinions fastidiously earlier than reserving.
Associated: Our Airbnb host canceled our vacation rental at the last minute. Now what?
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