Vacation home rentals through sites like Airbnb and VRBO are great options for large groups, families, budget travelers or anyone who needs accommodations in remote locations.
Short-term rental sites aren't known for having rewarding loyalty programs like hotels, so if you want to maximize your rewards, you'll want to use one of the best credit cards for booking with Airbnb or VRBO.
With the right card, you can earn bonus travel rewards or cash back on your vacation home rentals. And since there are no complicated loyalty programs to navigate, redeeming points for home rentals is straightforward.
CNBC Select goes over some of our top picks for earning on your vacation rental homes and how to decide which option is the best fit for you.
Best credit cards for Airbnb and VRBO bookings
- Best for redeeming for vacation rentals: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Best for travel benefits: Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees)
- Best for earning rewards on rental stays: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees)
- Best for no annual fee: Citi Double Cash® Card
- Best for small businesses: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (See rates and fees)
Best for redeeming for vacation rentals
Who's this for? The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a no-nonsense travel card with a flexible yet easy-to-navigate rewards program — and a reasonable $95 annual fee.
Standout benefits: You earn at least 2X miles on every purchase, which includes not only Airbnb and VRBO bookings but also vacation rentals booked through smaller sites — as well as all other everyday spending, such as groceries and household supplies. The card also comes with various travel protections, a statement credit of up to $120 to cover Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® membership.
How to redeem rewards: You can transfer Capital One miles to a long list of airline and hotel partner programs. You also have the option to use your miles to offset recent travel purchases at a rate of 1 cent per mile. This option is a great way to cover the cost of a home rental booked in the last 90 days.
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card has a reasonable annual fee and earns flexible travel rewards, which makes it a great travel card for beginners or heavy travelers.
- Valuable welcome offer worth at least $750 in travel
- You can transfer miles to over 15 Capital One partners, including Emirates Skywards, Choice Privileges and Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
- No foreign transaction fees
- Lacks ongoing travel benefits such as statement credits or lounge access
- Limited bonus spending category that only applies to certain Capital One Travel bookings
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
- Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
- Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
- Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Top rated mobile app
Balance transfer fee
$0 at the Transfer APR, 4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you
Foreign transaction fee
None
Best for travel benefits
Who's this for? The Chase Sapphire Reserve is a top-tier travel credit card with a strong suite of travel protections, useful benefits and an excellent rewards program. The card has a hefty $795 annual fee, but its $3,000+ in annual benefits can easily offset this cost.
Standout benefits: While Airbnb and VRBO bookings don't earn elevated points with the Sapphire Reserve, you'll get a $300 annual travel credit, which can be applied toward Airbnb and VRBO stays. To make your journey more comfortable, the card also comes with airport lounge access and up to $120 in credit (every four years) toward your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee. You'll also get some of the strongest travel protections available with perks like baggage delay insurance and more.
How to redeem rewards: You can redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards® points for statement credits at a rate of 1 cent per point. With Chase Points Boost, you can get up to 2 cents per point when you use points to book select options through Chase Travel℠. You can also transfer Chase points to several valuable airline and hotel rewards programs, like World of Hyatt, Air Canada Aeroplan and United Airlines MileagePlus.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is a standout premium credit card with luxury perks including, hotel credits, complimentary hotel elite status, travel credits, dining credits, rideshare and delivery benefits and much more.
- Access Priority Pass lounges, including unlimited access to Chase Sapphire Lounge® by The Club locations.
- Up to $300 in annual travel credit each account anniversary year
- You can transfer rewards to all of Chase's travel partners including World of Hyatt, Southwest Rapid Rewards and many more
- Top-tier travel and shopping protections
- High annual fee
- Requires a high credit score
- Complicated list of benefits
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Get $3,000 in annual value with Sapphire Reserve.
- Earn 8x points on all purchases through Chase TravelSM, including The EditSM and 4x points on flights and hotels booked direct. Plus, earn 3x points on dining worldwide & 1x points on all other purchases
- $300 annual travel credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
- Access over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide with a complimentary Priority PassTM Select membership, plus every Chase Sapphire Lounge® by The Club with two guests. Plus, up to $120 towards Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck® every 4 years
- Get up to $150 in statement credits every six months for a maximum of $300 annually for dining at restaurants that are part of Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance, no foreign transaction fees, and more.
- Get complimentary subscriptions to Apple TV and Apple Music for a minimum of one year when activated by June 22, 2027, a value of $288 annually.
- Member FDIC
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
Best for earning rewards on rental stays
Who's this for? The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees) is a great option for those looking to earn on a variety of rental bookings for a lower annual fee.
Standout benefits: A more recent update to the card now means it earns 3X points on vacation homes from top brands, which includes Airbnb, VRBO, Plum Guide, Homestay.com and Vacasa. For a limited time, this card is also matching its best-ever welcome offer: 100,000 points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first three months.
How to redeem rewards: Similar to the Sapphire Reserve, the points you earn can be redeemed in several ways for 1 cent each, but you can get more value from travel redemptions, like transfer partner travel or bookings through Chase Travel℠. Plus, with Chase Points Boost, you can get up to 1.5 cents per point.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card packs a punch for a $95 annual fee card, offering annual travel credits, comprehensive travel protections, flexible rewards and more.
- You can transfer rewards to all of Chase's travel partners including World of Hyatt, Southwest Rapid Rewards and many more
- Long list of travel and shopping protections
- Annual Chase Travel hotel credit
- Has an annual fee
- Requires a high credit score
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase TravelSM, 3x on dining, 3x on vacation homes, 3x on gas & EV charging, 3x on top streaming services and online groceries (excluding Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs), 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases
- Earn up to $100 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase Travel
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- Get a year of complimentary Apple TV when activated by December 31, 2026 - a value of $156.
- Complimentary DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees & lower service fees for a min. of one year when you activate by 12/31/27. Plus, a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders.
- Receive one statement credit of up to $120 every four years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card for a Global Entry, TSA Precheck® or NEXUS application.
- Transfer points to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
- Member FDIC
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
Best for no annual fee
Who's this for? If you like to keep things simple, you'll love the Citi Double Cash Card. It has no annual fee and earns a flat 2% cash back everywhere (1% back when you make a purchase and 1% back when you pay off the charge).
Standout benefits: The Citi Double Cash is a straightforward card, so you don't have to put much effort into maximizing its benefits or spending categories. That doesn't mean it's not a valuable card, though, as getting 2% cash back on your vacation rental is a pretty good deal for very little effort.
How to redeem rewards: As its name suggests, the Citi Double Cash Card offers cash back — but in the form of ThankYou® Points. While you can redeem points for a statement credit, you can also transfer them to one of Citi's 15+ airline or hotel partners.
What makes the Citi Double Cash® Card special is that it sits near the top of its class in several categories. It is an excellent option if you want flat-rate rewards, a balance transfer intro-APR or no annual fee.
- Balance transfers get a long intro APR
- Generous flat-rate cash-back rewards structure
- Earns transferable rewards
- No annual fee
- It has a foreign transaction fee
- Intro APR only applies to balance transfer
- Points transfer ratios are reduced compared to premium cards
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
- Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked with Citi Travel.
- Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 17.49% - 27.49%, based on your creditworthiness.
- Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
- If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
- There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
Balance transfer fee
There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. A balance transfer fee of 5% of each transfer ($5 minimum) applies if completed after 4 months of account opening.
Foreign transaction fee
3%
Best for small businesses
Who's this for? Small business owners (including freelancers or anyone with a side hustle) who want to earn travel rewards should consider the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card. It earns bonus points on a range of categories, including shipping, advertising and travel (Airbnb and VRBO bookings included).
Standout benefits: Cardholders earn 3X points on travel purchases, including home rentals with Airbnb and VRBO (on up to $150,000 a year in combined purchases in travel, shipping, internet, cable and phone services and advertising). The Ink Business Preferred also comes with generous cell phone coverage, purchase protection benefits and primary car rental insurance.
How to redeem rewards: The Chase Ultimate Rewards® points you earn with this card can be redeemed for 1 cent each as a statement credit or for gift cards and more when you pay for travel through Chase TravelSM. You can also transfer Chase points to 14 partner travel programs, which can greatly increase the value of the travel you can book.
The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is an excellent business card with useful benefits, valuable rewards and a generous welcome bonus.
- Earns flexible travel rewards you can transfer to airline and hotel loyalty programs such as World of Hyatt, Southwest Rapid Rewards and many more
- Valuable welcome bonus worth $1,125 in travel when redeemed through Chase Travel
- Strong travel and shopping protections
- No intro APR offer
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn 100k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
- Earn 5x total points on Lyft rides through 9/30/27.
- With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
- Redeem points for cash back, gift cards, travel and more - your points don't expire as long as your account is open
- Go further when you book with Chase TravelSM. Enjoy competitive rates, seamless booking and premium benefits.
- Purchase Protection covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
- Receive complimentary access to DashPass by DoorDash.
- Member FDIC
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
FAQs
Should you get a credit card for your Airbnb or VRBO booking?
While it probably doesn't make sense if you're only booking a single trip, for frequent travelers who regularly stay at vacation rentals, the increased rewards could help offset the cost.
How do I earn extra rewards when booking Airbnb rentals?
In addition to the rewards you can earn with a credit card, Airbnb has partnerships that allow you to earn extra frequent flyer miles on your bookings. You can earn 1X Delta SkyMiles on Airbnb stays when you book through Delta and 2 Avios points on Airbnb stays and experiences when you book through British Airways.
How do I redeem credit card rewards for vacation rentals?
This depends on the type of credit card that you have. While cash-back cards are generally the most straightforward, cards that earn points or miles can have a higher ceiling in terms of overall value.
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Why trust CNBC Select?
At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every credit card review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of credit card products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics. See our methodology for more information on how we choose the best travel credit cards.
Our methodology
To determine which cards offer the best value for vacation rental bookings, CNBC Select analyzed over 230 of the most popular credit cards available in the U.S. We compared each card on a range of features, including, the credit card's rewards, welcome bonus, introductory and standard APR, balance transfer fee and foreign transaction fees, as well as factors such as required credit and customer reviews when available. We also considered additional perks, the application process and how easy it is for the consumer to redeem points. We also considered CNBC Select audience data when available, such as general demographics and engagement with our content and tools.
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Information about the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card has been collected independently by CNBC Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication.
