Cards for Portugal

The best credit cards for a trip to Portugal.

Portugal is a Star Alliance destination (TAP Portugal) — Aeroplan and Turkish transfers unlock Lisbon business class at reasonable rates.

Reviewed by destination.com editorial·Updated August 3, 2026·How we rate cards

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Portugal is one of Europe's most affordable cash-market destinations, making points slightly less critical. But redemption paths to Lisbon are excellent — TAP is a Star Alliance member, and Aeroplan (Chase, Amex, Cap One, Bilt partner) books TAP business from the U.S. East Coast at reasonable rates.

Lisbon's restaurant scene is a natural fit for the Amex Gold's 4x dining bonus.

Regional context: Portugal is Star Alliance (TAP Air Portugal). Lufthansa Group and Turkish also serve LIS and OPO.

The three cards we'd take to Portugal

Best for Portugal

Chase Sapphire Preferred

UR → Aeroplan for TAP business · trip protection

Fee

$95/yr

UR → Aeroplan books TAP Portugal from NYC/Newark to Lisbon in business at 60,000 miles one-way. Trip protection covers a 4-day city break with weather delay.

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Pick #2

American Express Gold Card

4x on Lisbon and Porto dining · MR to Aeroplan

Fee

$325/yr

Lisbon and Porto restaurant scenes fit 4x dining earning. MR transfers to Aeroplan for TAP redemption.

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Pick #3

Bilt Rewards Mastercard

No fee no FX · Aeroplan + Turkish for Star Alliance

Fee

$0/yr

No annual fee, no foreign transaction fee. Points transfer to Aeroplan and Turkish — both work for TAP Portugal Star Alliance redemptions.

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Sweet spots we'd target

NYC-Lisbon on TAP business via Aeroplan: 60,000 miles one-way
Lisbon stopover via TAP: 3+ days free on European connecting itineraries
Six Senses Douro Valley via Amex FHR: $100 credit + upgrade

Tips for maximizing points in Portugal

TAP Portugal has a stopover program — book a 3-day Lisbon stopover on the way to another European destination essentially for free.
Aeroplan's partner award chart to Europe is consistent — no surcharges on TAP business.
Portugal is contactless-heavy; small cafes take tap-to-pay Visa/Mastercard broadly.