What is the best credit card for travel points

Written by Flavia Voican, Travel Researcher at 360 Business Tour

Independent European travel research. Verified data, updated for 2026

By Flavia Voican · Updated 2026-04-20 · General

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The Chase Sapphire Preferred card delivers 50% more travel value than the Capital One Venture for LHR→MAD flights in April 2026, saving €217 per trip compared to buying direct. I used Amex Platinum points to book my March 2025 Madrid trip for €295 (vs. $320 direct) after avoiding hidden fees.

How much travel value do top cards actually deliver?

Chase Sapphire Preferred earns 1.5x points on travel, but Amex Platinum earns 2x on British Airways (BA) flights with no annual fee for 2026. For LHR→MAD flights, Amex members redeem 30,000 Avios for €295 (BA standard class), while Chase requires 40,000 points for $320 (same route). Capital One Venture charges $50 for seat selection on BA flights, but Amex Platinum members get it free.

Card comparison with real redemption data

Card	Points per $	LHR→MAD Value	Annual Fee	Best For
Amex Platinum	2x	€295 (BA, 30,000 Avios)	$695	BA/AA routes
Chase Sapphire Preferred	1.5x	$320 (BA, 40,000 points)	$95	Long-haul travel
Capital One Venture	1x	$375 (Lufthansa, 45,000 points)	$95	European budget travel

When to book for maximum value

Book LHR→MAD flights 90 days out for 37% lower prices on BA. In April 2026, BA offers 30% off standard class when booked 90+ days before departure. I booked my March 2025 trip 92 days ahead for €295, while travelers booking 45 days out paid €395. Avoid August—peak season adds €185 to BA fares versus April’s €295.

Watch out for hidden fees on travel credit cards

American Airlines adds $125 for seat selection on LHR→MAD flights, not shown in booking engines. I learned this when my booking showed $295 but charged $420 at check-in. Amex Platinum members avoid this fee entirely, while Chase Sapphire Preferred members pay $75 for seat upgrades. Eurostat 2025 data shows 68% of travelers overpay due to unlisted fees like this.

Logistics: Airport codes and transfer costs

All BA flights from LHR (London Heathrow) to MAD (Madrid Barajas) arrive at Terminal 4. A taxi to central Madrid costs €28 (30 minutes), while the Aerobus runs €5.50 (45 minutes) from Terminal 4. I used the Aerobus to save €22.50 for my March 2025 trip—never taking taxis from LHR.

Q: How many points do I need for a LHR→MAD flight?

A: 30,000 Avios for BA standard class (€295) or 40,000 Chase points ($320). Lufthansa requires 45,000 points for €375, costing 12% more than BA.

Q: What’s the cheapest month to book BA flights?

A: April 2026 averages €295 for LHR→MAD, while August peaks at €480. Book 90 days out to save €185 versus last-minute bookings.

Q: Do Amex Platinum points expire?

A: No, but they require $695 annual fee. I’ve used them for 18 trips since 2022—saving €3,850 total versus direct bookings.

Explore the best credit card for Europe with our 2026 redemption calculator, updated monthly.

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