Picture yourself lounging on a crystal-clear beach, wearing sunglasses, sipping a cold margarita and soaking up the sun. 

For many, a getaway from home isn’t just a change of scenery—it clears their minds. A recent survey from Talker Research found that about 67% of Americans feel mentally better after traveling.

Whether it’s a quick weekend trip or flying across the globe for an adventure, more people now use travel as a way to handle stress and recharge from their nine-to-five realities. But travel is pricey, especially with inflation driving up the cost of flights and hotels. Luckily, the right travel credit card can help offset the cost and make planning your next trip easier on your budget.

Travel as a Mental Health Strategy

The emotional benefits of travel include improved mood, sharper focus and a more positive outlook after taking time away. Many mental health experts view travel as a powerful form of self-care, especially when you’re intentional about it. 

Whether you’re discovering a new city or unwinding somewhere familiar, breaking out of your routine can ease that stuck, overwhelmed feeling. Being in a new environment naturally pulls you into the moment, which can quiet the overthinking that often fuels stress and anxiety.

Making Travel More Affordable With the Right Credit Card

Of course, travel costs can be a significant barrier, even if you’re planning a short trip. That’s where credit cards can come to the rescue. The best travel credit cards earn you points or miles while offering perks and protections that reduce stress before, during and after your trip.

Many travel credit cards offer welcome bonuses and ongoing reward points for everyday spending. For example, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers 100,000 bonus points, plus a $500 Chase Travel℠ promo credit after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. It also earns elevated rewards on travel and dining, including 8 points per dollar on all purchases through Chase Travel℠, including The Edit℠, 4 points per dollar on flights and hotels booked direct, 3 points per dollar on dining worldwide and 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.

If you use the Chase Sapphire Reserve® for everyday purchases, you can accumulate points over time, and potentially earn that welcome bonus just by spending as you normally would. When you redeem points for travel through Chase, Ultimate Rewards® points from your Chase Sapphire Reserve are worth 1.5 cents each. That means the welcome bonus—along with the points you earn while meeting the spending requirement—can deliver over $1,000 in value.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers standout perks, but it comes with a whopping $795 annual fee. If that fee is too overwhelming, there are other options, like the $95-annual fee Citi Strata Premier® Card. It offers a generous welcome bonus of 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening. It also includes a $100 annual hotel credit on hotel stays of $500 or more, excluding taxes and fees, and you’ll earn 10 points per dollar spent on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked on CitiTravel.com, 3 points per dollar on restaurants, supermarkets, gas & EV stations, air travel and other hotel purchases and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.

Bottom Line

A trip does more than give you a break—it boosts your mental wellbeing and leaves you feeling recharged long after you return home. 

While travel isn’t always cheap, it doesn’t have to feel out of reach. The right travel credit cards can help you earn rewards, unlock valuable credits and perks and provide protections and insurance that make your next trip easier on your wallet and your mind.