If you aren’t using your practice expenses to generate some serious credit card spend in exchange for travel benefits, you’re missing out. With high overhead expenses like equipment, supplies, and lab fees, dentists can quickly accumulate points or miles by charging these purchases to a rewards card. Many travel credit cards offer generous sign-up bonuses, category-based multipliers, and redemption options for flights, hotels, and even cash back. By strategically using these cards, dentists can earn free or discounted travel, making it easier to attend conferences, take well-deserved vacations, or even fund business-related trips—all while keeping their spending efficient and rewarding.
Here are our three favorite credit cards to use to earn travel rewards. *No affiliate links!*
American Express Platinum Card
The American Express Platinum Card is an excellent choice for dentists looking to maximize travel rewards and enjoy premium benefits while managing their practice expenses. Here’s why:
1. High Earning Potential on Business Expenses
Dentists can use the Amex Platinum to cover large expenses like dental supplies, lab fees, and equipment purchases, helping them quickly earn valuable Membership Rewards points. While the Platinum Card doesn’t have the highest earning rates on general business purchases, its 5X points on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel can be beneficial for business or personal trips.
2. Premium Travel Benefits
Dentists often travel for conferences or vacations, and the Amex Platinum provides elite travel perks, including:
- $200 airline fee credit (for incidental charges like baggage fees)
- $200 hotel credit at Fine Hotels & Resorts properties
- Global Lounge Access (including Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass, and Delta Sky Clubs)
- Automatic Gold Status with Marriott Bonvoy & Hilton Honors
3. Business & Lifestyle Perks
Running a dental practice involves operational expenses, and the Amex Platinum offers:
- $400 Dell statement credits (great for office tech)
- $189 CLEAR® membership credit (to speed through airport security)
- $240 digital entertainment credit for streaming services (useful for waiting room entertainment)
- No preset spending limit, allowing flexibility for large purchases
4. Valuable Welcome Bonus
New cardholders often receive a substantial welcome offer (e.g., 80,000+ points after meeting spending requirements), which can be redeemed for flights, hotels, or even business expenses.
5. Strong Purchase Protections
The Amex Platinum offers extended warranties, purchase protection, and travel insurance, ensuring that expensive dental equipment or business travel is covered against unexpected issues.
Bottom Line
For dentists who travel frequently and have high practice-related expenses, the Amex Platinum provides a mix of luxury travel perks, valuable credits, and strong protections, making it well worth its annual fee.
Chase Sappire Preferred or Reserved
The Chase Sapphire Preferred and Reserved Cards are fantastic options for dentists who want to earn valuable travel rewards while managing their practice expenses. Here’s why it stands out
1. High Earning Potential on Key Spending Categories
Dentists can maximize rewards with the Chase Sapphire Preferred’s bonus categories, including:
- 3X points on dining, great for business lunches or team outings.
- 2X points on travel, ideal for conferences, business trips, or personal vacations.
- 1X points on all other purchases, including dental supplies, lab fees, and office expenses.
2. Flexible & Valuable Travel Rewards
Chase Ultimate Rewards® points are some of the most valuable in the industry because they can be redeemed for 25% more value when booking travel through Chase (e.g., 60,000 points = $750 in travel). Dentists can also transfer points to airline and hotel partners like United, Southwest, Hyatt, and Marriott for even greater value.
3. Strong Travel Benefits & Protections
For dentists who travel for work or leisure, the Sapphire Preferred offers:
- Primary rental car insurance, saving money on coverage.
- Trip cancellation/interruption insurance, providing up to $10,000 per trip.
- No foreign transaction fees, making it great for international travel.
4. Generous Welcome Bonus
New cardholders often receive a substantial welcome bonus (e.g., 60,000 points after meeting the minimum spend)—enough for multiple flights or hotel stays.
5. Low Annual Fee & High Value
With an affordable $95 annual fee, the Sapphire Preferred provides premium rewards and benefits without the high cost of luxury cards like the Amex Platinum. Plus, it includes a $50 annual hotel credit, helping offset the fee.
Bottom Line
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® is a great fit for dentists who want a balance of strong rewards, flexible travel redemptions, and premium protections—without a high annual fee.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is an excellent choice for dentists looking to maximize travel rewards while covering practice expenses. It offers a combination of high earning potential, premium travel perks, and flexible redemption options. Here’s why it stands out:
1. High Earning Rates on All Purchases
Unlike some travel cards that focus on specific categories, the Venture X keeps it simple:
- 2X miles on all purchases – perfect for dental supplies, lab fees, and office expenses.
- 5X miles on flights and 10X miles on hotels & rental cars when booked through Capital One Travel.
2. Flexible & Valuable Travel Redemptions
Miles can be redeemed for any travel purchase (flights, hotels, rental cars, etc.) at a rate of 1 cent per mile, or transferred to Capital One’s 15+ airline and hotel partners for even greater value.
3. Premium Travel Benefits
For dentists who travel for conferences or vacations, the Venture X includes:
- Unlimited airport lounge access (including Priority Pass and Capital One Lounges).
- $300 annual travel credit for bookings made through Capital One Travel.
- 10,000 bonus miles every anniversary year (worth $100 in travel).
- No foreign transaction fees, making it great for international trips.
4. Strong Travel & Purchase Protections
- Primary rental car insurance, saving on costly coverage.
- Trip delay and cancellation insurance, protecting travel plans.
- Purchase protection & extended warranty for dental equipment or office purchases.
5. Valuable Welcome Bonus & Low Net Cost
The welcome bonus (often 75,000 miles or more) can cover multiple flights or hotel stays. While the $395 annual fee may seem high, it’s effectively offset by the $300 travel credit and 10,000-mile anniversary bonus, making the card’s benefits easily worth it.
Bottom Line
For dentists looking for a premium travel card with high earning potential, flexible redemptions, and luxury perks, the Capital One Venture X is a top-tier option. Its simple rewards structure, generous travel benefits, and strong protections make it an excellent tool for turning practice expenses into free travel.