Traveling is one of life’s greatest joys—but let’s be honest, it can also be expensive. Between flights, hotels, car rentals, meals, and souvenirs, the costs add up quickly. That’s why travel reward credit cards can be game-changers for frequent flyers, weekend explorers, and anyone who wants to make their spending work for them.
But in Switzerland, unlike the U.S. or UK, credit card reward programs are less standardized and often tied to specific airline or loyalty systems—so picking the right one takes a bit more thought. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the best travel reward cards available to Swiss residents, explain how they work, and help you decide which card fits your travel style.
Let’s get started! ✈️
Why Travel Reward Cards Matter in Switzerland
You might be wondering: Aren’t travel rewards just hype? Not at all. When you use the right card strategically, you can:
- Earn miles or points on everyday purchases.
- Redeem rewards for flights, upgrades, hotels, and more.
- Get travel perks such as insurance or airport lounge access.
- Save money on future trips.
Unlike plain cashback cards, travel reward cards are designed to give you value back specifically for travel—sometimes even before you take your first trip.
How Travel Rewards Work (Simplified)
Here’s the basic idea:
- You spend using your card.
— On groceries, bills, flights, hotels, etc. - You earn rewards.
— These could be miles (frequent-flyer points) or bonus points. - You redeem those rewards.
— For flights, seat upgrades, hotel nights, or travel vouchers. - Some cards include perks.
— Like travel insurance, lost baggage coverage, or welcome bonuses.
Just remember: unlike cashback that’s returned as money, travel rewards often require you to redeem them within airline or hotel programs.
Top Travel Reward Cards in Switzerland (Updated 2025)
Here are some of the best travel reward options you can explore if you live in Switzerland:
1. SWISS Miles & More Credit Cards
If you love flying with SWISS or partner airlines, this is one of the most popular travel reward cards you’ll find in Switzerland.
Classic Card
- Earn miles on every purchase—up to 1.5 miles for every CHF 2 spent on the American Express version. SWISS Miles and More Cards
- Welcome bonus miles—typically 2,000 miles. SWISS Miles and More Cards
- Travel insurance is included—such as accident and baggage protection. SWISS Miles and More Cards
- Miles don’t expire as long as you use the card regularly. SWISS Miles and More Cards
Gold Card
- Higher earn rate—up to 2 miles for every CHF 2 spent. SWISS Miles and More Cards
- Bigger welcome bonus—often around 5,000 miles. SWISS Miles and More Cards
- Includes premium travel benefits like travel inconvenience insurance and even car rental perks. SWISS Miles and More Cards
Classic Plus for Status Members
- Designed for frequent flyers with reduced or waived annual fees if you hit certain loyalty tiers. SWISS Miles and More Cards
Why It’s Great:
If you already fly with SWISS or Star Alliance partners, this card lets you convert everyday spending into flights, upgrades, or hotel stays. You’re essentially turning your daily expenses into travel rewards you can enjoy. SWISS Miles and More Cards
2. Diners Club Miles & More
In Switzerland, the Diners Club Miles & More card is another strong choice for travelers.
- Earn up to 1 mile per CHF 1 spent as part of the Miles & More program. dinersclub.ch
- Bonus miles are based on your total annual spending. dinersclub.ch
- Miles stay valid indefinitely as long as you use the card regularly. dinersclub.ch
Why It’s Worth Considering:
Diners Club cards still enjoy wide global acceptance for travel purchases and let you accumulate miles faster on everyday spending—especially if you travel often and book flights, hotels, or rental cars with linked airline programs. dinersclub.ch
3. Swiss Continental Visa Platinum Rewards
This is a reward credit card with travel perks that’s a bit more general—not tied to one airline, but great for flexible travelers.
- Earn True Rewards Euros that you can spend like cash at partner stores or online. swissctrust.com
- Includes travel insurance coverage for you and your family on trips abroad. swissctrust.com
- Premium perks like concierge service and extended travel insurance coverage (up to 120 days per trip). swissctrust.com
Why It Works:
If you want travel perks without being locked into one airline’s program, this card gives you flexibility plus rewards you can redeem across a range of travel-related expenses. swissctrust.com
4. Swiss Continental Visa Gold Rewards
A slightly more accessible version of the Platinum card, the Visa Gold Rewards still offers meaningful travel perks and rewards.
- Earn True Rewards Euro with everyday spending. swissctrust.com
- Trip coverage and travel insurance are included up to around 40 days. swissctrust.com
- Rewards never expire and can be used toward travel or partner deals. swissctrust.com
Best For:
Frequent travelers who want to earn rewards on daily purchases while enjoying basic travel protections.
Bonus: Travel-Friendly Prepaid Cards
While not traditional reward cards, prepaid travel cards can offer perks that help you save on travel—such as cashback on hotel bookings or no foreign transaction fees.
Swiss Bankers Travel Card
- No annual fee for travel use. Swiss Bankers
- Cashback on hotel bookings (e.g., up to 10% on Booking.com with partner offers). Swiss Bankers
- Secure prepaid Mastercard accepted worldwide—great for travel budget control. Swiss Bankers
- Top up in multiple currencies and pay abroad without hidden bank account fees. Swiss Bankers
Why It’s Useful:
This isn’t a classic reward credit card with miles, but when you’re traveling and want a safe, fee-friendly payment card that gives travel benefits, it’s a strong option—especially for people who prefer prepaid control over credit risk. Swiss Bankers
Tips for Choosing the Right Travel Reward Card in Switzerland
Now that you know some top travel card options, here’s how to pick the right one for you:
1. Understand Your Travel Style
Are you a frequent flyer, occasional traveler, or more of a weekend explorer? Travel reward cards usually work best if you’ll be using them enough to earn meaningful miles or points.
- Frequent flyers benefit most from airline-linked cards (like SWISS Miles & More). SWISS Miles and More Cards
- Occasional travelers might like flexible reward cards with travel insurance and broad redemption options. swissctrust.com
- Budget travelers can use prepaid cards with cashback deals. Swiss Bankers
2. Compare Earning Rates
Different cards offer different rewards per CHF spent.
- SWISS Miles & More cards give up to 2 miles per CHF 2 spent on some versions. SWISS Miles and More Cards
- Understand whether everyday purchases earn the most rewards—and how these convert to flights or hotel stays.
3. Watch Welcome Bonuses
A strong welcome bonus can jump-start your travel rewards—like the bonus miles new SWISS cardholders get when they join. SWISS Miles and More Cards
4. Check Travel Perks
Some cards include comprehensive travel insurance, airport lounge access, or hotel/rental benefits—valuable if you travel often. swissctrust.com
5. Mind the Fees
Annual fees and foreign transaction charges can eat into your rewards.
Cards with high perks sometimes carry higher fees, so make sure the value of rewards outweighs the costs.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Choosing a travel reward card can go wrong if you:
Pick a card based only on marketing claims.
Ignore how miles/points actually transfer to flights.
Forget to use the card enough to keep miles from expiring (some programs require monthly usage for validity). SWISS Miles and More Cards
Don’t redeem rewards before they expire.
Forget to use included travel insurance benefits.
Being aware of how rewards work—and using them wisely—makes all the difference.
Real-World Scenarios: Matching Cards to Your Travel Goals
Let’s break it down simply:
Want Free Flights?
Choose a card tied to an airline program (like SWISS Miles & More). SWISS Miles and More Cards
Want Flexibility and Perks
A general reward card like Swiss Continental Platinum lets you use rewards for more than flights—including travel insurance, spending, and more. swissctrust.com
Want Budget Travel Tools
Prepaid travel cards help control your spending abroad and give perks on hotel bookings without credit risk. Swiss Bankers
Conclusion
Travel reward cards in Switzerland might not be as flashy as those in the U.S., but with a smart choice, you can earn valuable miles, points, and perks that make your trips more rewarding and cost-effective.
From airline-linked cards like SWISS Miles & More (which turn everyday spending into miles you can redeem for flights) to reward-earning Visa/Mastercards with travel insurance and perks and even prepaid travel cards that help you manage expenses abroad, there’s a travel-friendly option for virtually every type of traveler. SWISS Miles and More Cards+2swissctrust.com+2
When choosing your card, think about how often you travel, what perks matter most, and how rewards fit into your travel habits. With the right card in your wallet, your next flight might be closer—and cheaper—than you think.
Happy travels! ✈️🌍