{"id":276688,"date":"2026-10-15T23:49:23","date_gmt":"2026-10-15T23:49:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/?p=276688\/"},"modified":"2026-10-15T14:33:44","modified_gmt":"2026-10-15T14:33:44","slug":"best-credit-cards-for-vacation-rentals-how-to-earn-rewards-on-airbnb-and-vrbo-stays","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/credit-cards\/best-credit-cards-for-vacation-rentals\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Credit Cards for Vacation Rentals: How To Earn Rewards on Airbnb and VRBO Stays"},"content":{"rendered":"

We tend to focus much of our coverage on hotel loyalty programs. After all, isn't it great to use points to book a night in a 5-star hotel and then get upgraded to a suite thanks to your elite status<\/a>?<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, it's not always practical or affordable to choose a hotel when you travel. Sometimes, it makes more logistical sense to book a vacation rental. Whether you're traveling with a group and you need more space than a hotel room can provide, or you're staying for an extended period and you want access to a kitchen, vacation rentals can help make travel feel like home.<\/p>\n

If you want to earn rewards on your vacation rental bookings, you aren't entirely out of luck. Hotels have the upper hand with co-branded credit cards<\/a> and loyalty programs, but you can still earn up to 4X points per $1 spent on your Airbnb or VRBO stays.<\/p>\n

Here are the best credit cards for vacation rentals.<\/p>\n

Best Credit Cards for Vacation Rentals<\/span><\/h2>\n

While many travelers work toward top-tier hotel elite status every year, I typically book Airbnbs because they offer more space, are pet-friendly, and let me immerse myself in a destination rather than just visit it. I normally use my Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card<\/a> to book Airbnbs, which earns 2X Capital One miles<\/a> per $1 spent on all purchases. However, using any of the following cards is even more rewarding.<\/p>\n

Best overall: Citi Strata Premier\u00ae<\/sup> Card<\/span><\/h3>\n

I live in Airbnbs roughly 11 months of each year, and I've done that for the past five years. That's a lot of time in Airbnbs worldwide. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that the Citi Strata Premier\u00ae<\/sup> Card<\/a> \u2014 a card I've had since 2019 \u2014 actually earns bonus points on Airbnb purchases.<\/p>\n

As a cardholder, you earn 10X points per $1 on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through CitiTravel.com; 3X points per $1 spent on air travel and other hotel purchases; and 3X points at gas stations, EV charging stations, restaurants, and supermarkets. Nowhere in that list does Citi mention bonus points on vacation rentals. However, when you read the fine print for “3X points per $1 spent on air travel and other hotel purchases,” Citi lists the following:<\/p>\n

“Includes purchases at airlines, hotels (not booked through the Citi Travel site via cititravel.com), and travel agencies.”<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Airbnb is coded as a travel agency, which means you can earn 3X Citi ThankYou\u00ae<\/sup> Points<\/a> on all your Airbnb stays. I tested this on the second payment of a multi-month Airbnb stay, and sure enough, I earned 2,869 points on my $956.28 payment.<\/p>\n

\"Citi
Screenshot of Citi<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n
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Citi Strata Premier\u00ae<\/sup> Card<\/div>\n
\"Citi<\/div>\n
Apply Now<\/a><\/div>\n
Rates & Fees<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n
Welcome Offer<\/strong>\r\nEarn 60,000 bonus ThankYou\u00ae<\/sup> Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n Citi Strata Premier\u00ae<\/sup> Card<\/strong>\n
Welcome Offer<\/strong>\r\nEarn 60,000 bonus ThankYou\u00ae<\/sup> Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com.<\/div>\n
Annual Fee:<\/strong>$95<\/b><\/div>\n
Show more<\/a>Why We Like It<\/a>Highlights<\/a>Earning Rates<\/a>
The Citi Strata Premier\u00ae<\/sup> Card offers some of the best earning rates of any rewards card with an annual fee under $100. This card offers excellent rewards on an unusually generous list of earning categories, including air travel, hotels, car rentals, groceries, and dining\u2014and it tops our list of the best cards for gas & fuel purchases<\/a>. <\/div>