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Airbnb has become one of the most popular options for travelers whether visiting remote locations or big cities around the world. Unsurprisingly, we’re often asked about whether there’s an Airbnb credit card and, if not, which credit cards are best for booking an Airbnb.
With that in mind, we wanted to take a deep dive into your options and touch on how you can maximize your Airbnb bookings.
Now, let’s get into it!
What is Airbnb?
Simply put, an “Airbnb” is a private residence made available to rent. An Airbnb could be a great alternative to a hotel stay. You can rent pretty much anything, from a room in a shared house or apartment to an oceanfront villa in some of the most exclusive locations in the world.
One of the biggest questions on a traveler’s mind when looking for vacation rentals is will I save money by booking an Airbnb and what am I giving up by not staying at a hotel? The short answer is, it depends.
Airbnbs aren’t always cheaper than traditional hotels, especially in very popular destinations at the peak of the tourist season. But you’ll usually get larger accommodations, a kitchen and more room to spread out.
In exchange, you are giving up daily housekeeping, the concierge, room service and other hotel amenities. And larger groups of travelers would almost always come out ahead by booking an Airbnb instead of several hotel rooms.
Best Credit Cards for Booking Airbnb
While there have been rumors of Airbnb partnering with a bank to release a co-branded Airbnb credit card, that hasn’t happened yet. However, there are still a number of credit cards that are great for booking Airbnb stays.
Let’s look at a few of the best credit cards that offer the options for earning and redeeming points for Airbnb stays.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
One of the most popular travel cards is the Chase Sapphire Reserve® credit card which earns 4X points on travel booked direct—including Airbnb—and an impressive 8X points on all travel booked through the Chase Travel℠ portal.
Earn 100,000
bonus points + $500 Chase Travel℠ promo credit
after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Annual Fee: $795
The card has a $300 annual travel credit, which you can use on Airbnb stays.
The card also earns 3X on dining worldwide, including eligible delivery, and 1X on everything else. In addition to the travel credit, the card also comes with a Global Entry, TSA PreCheck®, or NEXUS application fee credit of up to $120 every four years.
Another benefit that helps offset the annual fee is complimentary airport lounge access, including to Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club locations and a Priority Pass Select membership with access to over 1,300+ lounges worldwide.
This is a great card for any frequent traveler. In addition to the generous earning rate and the travel credit, it comes with a host of other benefits, such as travel interruption insurance.
The annual fee is $795 and the card doesn’t have foreign transaction fees.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
The Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card is another favorite.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
75,000
bonus points
after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Annual Fee: $95
Its annual fee is $95 and there are no foreign transaction fees.
Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
The Chase Ink Business Preferred card comes with a substantial welcome bonus.
Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
90,000
bonus points
after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months after account opening.
Annual Fee: $95
The Chase Ink Preferred card earns 3X on the first $150,000 in combined purchases each account anniversary year in the following categories:
- Travel
- Shipping purchases
- Internet, cable and phone services
- Advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines
This is a great card for any business owner and will earn 3X on Airbnb stays.
The card doesn’t have foreign transaction fees and the annual fee is $95.
American Express Green Card
Editors Note: All information about The American Express Green Card has been collected independently by 10xTravel. The American Express Green Card is no longer available through 10xTravel.
The welcome bonus on this card varies. This is an excellent card for travelers because it has no foreign transaction fees and earns 3X on travel and restaurants and 1X on everything else.
The travel category is very broadly defined, from rideshare services to airlines to hotels to Airbnb. You can’t use Membership Rewards points for an Airbnb, but if you use the American Express Green card to pay for your stay, you’ll earn a lot of valuable points.
American Express® Green Card
40,000
Membership Rewards® Points
after you spend $3,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. All information about the American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by 10xTravel.
Annual Fee:
$150
To help offset the annual fee of $150, the card comes with $100 CLEAR credit per calendar year.
The card has no foreign transaction fees.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Venture card bonus varies.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
75,000
miles
once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.
Annual Fee: $95
The card earns 2X on all purchases, and there are no bonus earning categories.
The “currency” you earn with this card is called miles, and you can transfer Capital One points to some airline partners. However, the card also works like a cashback card. You’ll earn 2X on every dollar spent on all purchases, including Airbnb purchases. And if you were to redeem your miles for an Airbnb, you’ll redeem at 1 cent per mile when redeeming as a travel statement credit.
One of the best travel benefits of the card includes up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA Precheck.
The annual fee is $95 and there are no foreign transaction fees.
Maximize Your Airbnb Purchases
So now that we know which credit cards to use to book an Airbnb, let’s go a step further and see how else we can maximize each booking by using a shopping portal. A shopping portal will help us extract even more value out of each dollar spent. So how can we double dip?
Delta and British Airways both have a partnership with Airbnb, so before booking your stay, navigate first to Delta’s or British Airways Airbnb portal, and you’ll be earning extra miles on each booking. The prices are the same, whether you go straight to Airbnb or through one of these portals, so why not start your search there and earn a bunch of miles in the process?
You’ll earn 1X going through the Delta portal or 2X going through the British Airways portal.
You’ll earn miles in one of these programs in addition to the points and miles you’ll earn with your credit card!
If you don’t have a Delta or British Airways account yet, open one before you start booking an Airbnb.
Another way to earn extra points on Airbnb is to purchase Airbnb gift cards at grocery stores, Target or warehouse clubs. If you have a card that earns more than 1X in these categories or a card like Chase Freedom Flex® that has quarterly spending bonuses, be on the lookout for the Airbnb gift cards at these retailers.
Final Thoughts
Airbnb can be a great alternative to a hotel – you can book some truly unique properties or larger accommodations fit for a group. I like to book Airbnbs for longer stays or if I know I’d like to stay somewhere with a kitchen.
Airbnb doesn’t have its own credit card or rewards program, but there are a few good credit card options for earning points on Airbnb stays. And don’t forget to use a shopping portal to earn extra airline miles in the process.
Which credit card do you use to book your Airbnb stays?
New to the world of points and miles? The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is the best card to start with.
With a bonus of 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. , 5x points on travel booked through the Chase TravelSM Portal and 3x points on restaurants, streaming services, and online groceries (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs), this card truly cannot be beat for getting started!
Editors Note: Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
10xTravel is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CreditCards.com. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. 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. All values of Membership Rewards are assigned based on the assumption, experience and opinions of the 10xTravel team and represent an estimate and not an actual value of points. Estimated value is not a fixed value and may not be the typical value enjoyed by card members.
Editors Note: Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
bonus cash back
after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
miles
once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.
bonus points
after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Membership Rewards® Points
after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
