Expedia®+ Card from Citi Vs. Expedia®+ Voyager Card from Citi: For the discount-savvy traveler

These offers are no longer available on our site: Expedia®+ Card from Citi, Expedia®+ Voyager Card from Citi

The Expedia®+ Card from Citi and Expedia®+ Voyager Card from Citi are no longer available. For other options, check out our list of the best travel credit cards for each type of traveler.

Good news for Expedia-savvy travelers: The Expedia®+ Card from Citi and the Expedia®+ Voyager Card from Citi offer substantial perks for your loyalty.

If you use Expedia enough to consider one of its travel rewards credit cards, there may be a clear upside to the Expedia®+ Voyager Card from Citi. Don’t be scared off by the $95 annual fee, because the other benefits may even that out for you.

Take a look at the breakdown to see why the Expedia®+ Voyager Card from Citi could be better for you.

1. The winner: Why we prefer Expedia®+ Voyager Card from Citi
2. Counterpoint: Why you might want Expedia®+ Card from Citi instead
3. Heads up: What to consider when applying for an Expedia credit card
4. Bottom line: Is the Expedia®+ Voyager Card from Citi right for you?

The winner: Why we prefer Expedia®+ Voyager Card from Citi

The difference is simple. The Expedia®+ Voyager Card from Citi is very like the Expedia®+ Card from Citi, though it offers better rewards and comes with an annual fee.

This card does not skimp on points. You can earn Expedia®+ points with the sign-up bonus, qualified Expedia® purchases, dining out or buying tickets for events, and even everyday expenses.

If you open an Expedia®+ Voyager Card from Citi and you earn 25,000 Expedia®+ bonus points for spending $2,000 on purchases within your first 3 months of account opening, those points may be redeemable for $350 toward a +VIP Access™ hotel.

You can rack up four bonus points per $1 on eligible Expedia® purchases, two bonus points for every $1 spent on purchases for entertainment and at restaurants, and one bonus point per $1 for other purchases.

You will also enjoy automatic Expedia®+ gold status for every year you’re a card member. Expedia®+ gold status comes with upgrades such as dedicated customer service agents and room upgrades at +VIP Access™ hotels.

Other highlights include the 5,000 anniversary Expedia®+ bonus points (after spending $10,000 in purchases the year before) and no foreign transaction fees.

There is a $95 annual fee, which might sway some people toward the Expedia®+ Card from Citi. But that cost is balanced by the annual $100 air travel fee credit, which can cover incidental air travel costs such as checked bag fees or in-flight Wi-Fi on qualifying airlines. It also helps cover Global Entry or TSA Precheck application fees.

If you’re someone who could put that $100 air travel credit to use, or if you use Expedia often, this card could well be worth its annual fee.

Counterpoint: Why you might want Expedia®+ Card from Citi instead

The Expedia®+ Card from Citi is the pared down version of the Expedia®+ Voyager Card from Citi.

This card can earn you 15,000 Expedia®+ bonus points if you spend $1,000 within 3 months of opening your account. Translated, that’s $200 to spend at a +VIP Access™ hotel.

You’ll also gain three Expedia®+ bonus points for every $1 you spend on eligible Expedia purchases, which includes flights, hotels, activities and travel packages. You’ll earn one Expedia®+ bonus point per $1 spent on your other purchases.

If you get approved for this card, you’ll automatically become an Expedia®+ silver status user. Expedia®+ silver members enjoy perks such as exclusive travel offers, priority customer care, and 10% bonus points on point eligible purchases.

Unlike the Expedia®+ Voyager Card from Citi, the Expedia®+ Card from Citi has a $0 annual fee. If you’re nervous about the Expedia®+ Voyager Card from Citi’s annual fee but still want to earn Expedia®+ points, this option is fine.

However, in terms of your points earning potential, the Expedia®+ Voyager Card from Citi takes you further.

Heads up: What to consider when applying for an Expedia®+ card

The Expedia® credit cards are not right for every traveler. If you want total freedom and some cash back when you book your trips, you might have better luck with other options.

These cards from Citi will specifically benefit the consistent Expedia® user who plans to travel every year. Your points do not expire as long as you make a qualifying purchase or redeem points at least once every 18 months. But to make the Expedia®+ Voyager Card from Citi annual fee worthwhile, you should try to use the $100 air travel credit.

It’s important to note that both Expedia® credit cards are restrictive in how you can redeem your points. You will be disappointed if you’re looking for complete travel rewards flexibility.

You have to use your points on Expedia; there are no gift cards or cash back selections. Even more specifically, the categories in which you can use your points may be limited. For example, you can’t just book any hotel on Expedia using your points. You can only choose hotels that Expedia has negotiated a special price with, known as Expedia rate hotels — there are a number of hotels on that list, but it’s still a restriction.

If you’re willing to play by Expedia’s rules, you should have plenty of variety available when you book a trip. But if you prefer a wider range of rewards opportunities, a general travel rewards card might suit you better.

Bottom line: Is the Expedia®+ Voyager Card from Citi right for you?

If you’re going to choose any Expedia® credit card, we recommend the Expedia®+ Voyager Card from Citi. The rewards are generous, the redemption options are numerous, and the $100 air travel credit sweetens the deal.

Loyal Expedia® members will find they can get a lot of bang for their buck with this card. If you can manage the cost, the $95 annual fee brings steep rewards upgrades from the Expedia®+ Card from Citi.