Traveling has become more flexible than ever, with platforms like Airbnb allowing globetrotters to enjoy unique accommodations across the world. Whether you’re staying in an urban loft in New York City or a quiet countryside cottage in France, Airbnb offers experiences that hotels often can’t match. But did you know that you can actually earn valuable points and rewards when booking your Airbnb stays—just by using the right credit card?
In this article, we’ll explore which credit cards provide the most value when booking Airbnb stays. From cards that offer generous point multipliers to those with flexible redemption options, we’ll break down the best options to make your travels even more rewarding.
Why Use a Credit Card for Airbnb?
Before diving into specific credit cards, it’s worth considering why using a credit card for Airbnb makes sense in the first place:
- Purchase Protection: Many credit cards offer protection for purchases, which can come in handy if something goes wrong with your reservation.
- Rewards: Earn points, miles, or cashback on every dollar spent, which you can redeem toward future trips, statement credits, or other perks.
- Travel Insurance: Some credit cards provide trip interruption or cancellation insurance—even for Airbnb stays.
With those benefits in mind, let’s explore the top contenders for earning points with Airbnb.
1. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
One of the most versatile credit cards for Airbnb bookings is the Capital One Venture Rewards. Why? Because unlike many other travel reward cards that partner with specific hotel chains or airlines, Capital One allows you to erase travel purchases—including Airbnb bookings—using Venture miles.
- Rewards: Earn 2X miles per dollar on every purchase, every day.
- Redemption: Use miles to “erase” Airbnb bookings from your statement at a rate of 1 cent per mile.
- Welcome Bonus: Earn a significant number of miles after spending a certain amount in the first 3 months (check current promotions).
This means if you spend $500 on an Airbnb, you’ll earn 1,000 miles—enough to wipe away $10 from your statement. It may not seem huge, but it adds up quickly, and the flexibility is unmatched.
2. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
The Chase Sapphire Preferred card is another excellent option. Though it doesn’t offer increased points specifically for Airbnb, its reward structure and redemption flexibility make it a strong contender.
- Rewards:
- 2X points on travel and dining.
- 1X point on all other purchases.
- Bonus: Generous welcome bonus after hitting the minimum spend requirement.
- Redemption: Points are worth 25% more when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards; you can also transfer points to airline and hotel partners.
Even if Airbnb doesn’t officially count for bonus-category spending, it has often been categorized as a travel expense, allowing you to earn 2X points on bookings. Plus, the 25% point boost when redeeming through Chase’s platform adds tremendous value.
3. American Express Green Card
The American Express Green Card is less commonly discussed, but it’s a powerhouse for frequent travelers and Airbnb users.
- Rewards: Earn 3X points on travel and transit, and 3X on dining.
- Credits: Annual Clear and LoungeBuddy credits.
Airbnb typically codes as travel with Amex, which means your Airbnb purchases will earn 3X Membership Rewards points. These points can be transferred to multiple Amex airline partners or used for statement credits.
4. Apple Card
If you’re an iPhone user and plan to book Airbnb through Apple Pay, the Apple Card might be a handy option.
- Rewards: 3% Daily Cash on Apple Pay purchases with select merchants, and 2% on others with Apple Pay.
- Tracking and Budgeting: Powerful tools to help manage expenses.
Although Airbnb is not a 3% category, when paying through Apple Pay, you will receive 2% back in Daily Cash. While that’s less than what travel-specific cards offer in points, the immediate cashback is appealing to some users.
5. Use Airbnb Gift Cards Strategically
One lesser-known trick among savvy travelers is the use of Airbnb gift cards. If a particular credit card offers bonus points for purchases at certain retailers (like grocery stores or office supply stores), you may be able to buy Airbnb gift cards at those locations and still earn higher-level rewards.
For example:
- Amex Gold Card: Earns 4X at supermarkets—buying a $100 Airbnb gift card here can net you 400 Membership Rewards points.
- Chase Ink Cash: Earns 5X at office supply stores—if you find Airbnb gift cards at Staples or Office Depot, you’re in luck.
Once you load these gift cards onto your Airbnb account, you can use them without any worries of incompatibility.
What About Co-Branded Airbnb Credit Cards?
Curiously, Airbnb does not offer its own co-branded credit card, unlike major hotel chains or airlines. This means your best option to earn points for Airbnb is through general travel or flexible reward credit cards.
Unless Airbnb launches its own loyalty or credit program, the above cards are your best bet for earning rewards while booking rentals across the platform.
Best Practices to Maximize Airbnb Bookings
To get the most bang for your buck when booking Airbnb stays, consider the following strategies:
- Book During Promotions: Some cards and portals offer seasonal promotions that can boost your earnings on Airbnb or via travel portals.
- Stack Rewards: Use a rewards portal like Rakuten (with Amex Membership Rewards) to earn even more points by clicking through before booking.
- Check for Amex Offers or Chase Offers: Sometimes you may find deals like “Spend $150 at Airbnb, get $30 back.”
- Load Gift Cards: Use the gift card strategy if you’re looking to use cards with higher multipliers in non-travel categories.
Conclusion
Airbnb continues to be a preferred lodging option for millions of travelers around the globe. While you won’t find an Airbnb-branded credit card just yet, savvy consumers can still maximize their Airbnb spending through the smartest credit cards available.
Top picks? The Capital One Venture Rewards card is great for flexibility, while the Chase Sapphire Preferred offers excellent redemption value and the Amex Green Card gives supercharged point earnings on travel expenses—including Airbnb.
If you’re already planning a trip, why not make your money work for you? With the right credit card in your wallet, each stay could bring you closer to your next grand adventure.