Credit card rewards offer potential savings for holiday travelers

Using credit cards for holiday travel can provide financial benefits through rewards, welcome offers, and trip insurance. According to Motley Fool Money, Americans earned approximately $47 billion in credit card rewards in 2024, based on data from the CFPB.

For the 2025 year-end holidays, AAA projects that nearly 118 million Americans will drive or fly. Travelers can optimize spending by using specific card types: travel rewards cards for airfare and hotels, or gas and grocery cards for road trips. For example, a simulated family trip to Montana estimated costs at roughly $695 per traveler for airfare, hotel, and rental car services.