low income travel card

Best travel credit cards for people with bad or fair credit

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When you’re building credit, it can be hard to qualify for a rewards credit card, especially one designed for travelers. Your credit score plays a big role in the types of credit cards you’re likely to get approved for, and the best travel cards are typically reserved for people with FICO credit scores of 670 and above.

Most credit cards for people who have bad credit or fair credit lack rewards programs and come with a limited set of features that focus on helping you grow your credit score so you can eventually gain access to cards loaded with the features you want. But some cards don’t make you wait that long.

Even if you have a damaged or limited credit history, you can still get a rewards credit card with perks that could help drive down the cost of your next vacation or road trip. Take a look at our picks for the best travel credit cards for bad-to-fair credit along with our tips on how to make the most of your travel rewards.

Comparing the best travel cards for bad-to-fair credit

The best travel cards for bad-to-fair credit, capital one quicksilverone cash rewards credit card: best for flat-rate rewards.

The Capital One QuicksilverOne card gives people with fair credit the chance to earn 5 percent cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 1.5 percent cash back on general purchases. That’s an above-average flat rate that will ensure you’re getting a decent amount of cash back on every purchase. Cardholders also get to take advantage of Capital One’s travel portal , which is filled with travel features that can make booking travel easier and will be a helpful resource when trying to book travel at the best price possible.

Credit One Bank Wander Card: Best for flights and road trips

The Credit One Wander Card is one of the few unsecured travel rewards cards accessible to people with fair credit. It comes with an annual fee of $95, but that may not be a problem for frequent travelers who can earn enough in rewards to offset that fee and still come out ahead.

Cardholders earn 10X points on hotel and car rental bookings made through the Credit One Bank Travel partner, plus 5X points on all other eligible travel (including airfare), dining and gas purchases (followed by 1X points on all other purchases).

Few cards give you the freedom to earn such a high bonus rewards rate on travel without limiting you to specific airlines or hotels. This can make it easier for you to find the best prices on many types of travel, including flights, resorts and travel booked through travel agencies. That flexibility, combined with a sign-up bonus and no cap on how much you can earn, makes the Wander card easily one of the best travel credit cards available at this credit level.

Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best for hotels and rental cars

The Capital One Quicksilver Secured card gives people with bad credit a lot more value than many secured cards. While many cards that require a security deposit simply give you access to credit, the Quicksilver Secured card gives you the same cash back rates and many of the same benefits found with Quicksilver cards for people with good or excellent credit.

You’ll not only get a high rewards rate on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital Travel and 1.5 percent cash back on all other purchases, but also access to the Capital One Travel portal and features like price drop protection and best price guarantee.

Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card: Best for customized everyday rewards

The Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card is another rare secured card that offers top-notch rewards typically reserved for people with good credit. On top of earning 1 percent cash back on general purchases, you can pick one category in which you’ll earn 3 percent cash back while also earning 2 percent back on grocery and wholesale club purchases (on up to $2,500 in combined purchases in these categories each quarter, then 1 percent).

The customizable categories include travel, which covers airfare, hotels, transit, campgrounds, resorts, tourist attractions, booking agencies and more. You can even get cash back on your day trips to places like amusement parks and aquariums. That level of flexibility is a rare feature that will appeal to daytrippers and other travelers who don’t spend as much on airfare and hotels.

The Customized Cash Rewards Secured card is also a great credit-builder card as long as you can pay your balance in full each month and avoid the card’s high variable APR of 26.24 percent. It offers a credit limit as high as $5,000, which is one of the highest limits around for a credit-builder card. If you are able to take advantage of the high credit limit, you will likely have an easier time maintaining a low credit utilization ratio .

The information about the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card was last updated on Sept. 21, 2022.

Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best for students and entertainment

Even college students have a chance to earn rewards while building credit with responsible card use thanks to the Capital One SavorOne Student Rewards card .

Not only is this one of the few student credit cards to offer a sign-up bonus, but its bonus is also relatively easy to earn compared to other welcome offers: You only need to spend $50 in your first three months to earn a $100 cash bonus. This will easily help cut down on the cost of travel home over the holidays. The card also comes with no foreign transaction fees, making it a great option if you plan to travel or study abroad.

Music and sports fans looking for exclusive events will also appreciate this card’s impressive 8 percent cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases. On top of this entertainment perk, this card also offers a great rate on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and in everyday, student-friendly categories like groceries, dining and popular streaming services. You can redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards or recent purchases, including travel.

Upgrade Cash Rewards Visa: Best for emergency travel

The Upgrade Cash Rewards Visa is a credit card and personal loan hybrid with an APR of 14.99 percent to 29.99 percent. If you qualify for an APR on the low end of that range, this card could come in handy if you need to go on a sudden trip that you can’t afford to pay off right away. You can use the card to help finance emergency travel and even move money directly to your bank account to use as you like. You then pay off your charges in monthly installments at a fixed interest rate, which can minimize the total amount of interest you pay over time. As a bonus, the card earns an unlimited 1.5 percent cash back on all purchases after you pay them off.

Capital One Walmart Rewards Mastercard: Best for online shopping

The Capital One Walmart Rewards Mastercard is accessible to people with fair credit and offers an incredible amount of value and convenience if you can take advantage of the card’s best features, including its top-of-the-line grocery rewards .

You’ll earn 5 percent back on all Walmart.com purchases, including grocery pickup and delivery. If you don’t mind ordering groceries online, that’s one of the best rewards rates you can get on groceries without paying an annual fee. And since Walmart sells so many other household products and services, this is a great opportunity to build up a considerable amount of cash back you can use toward your next vacation.

The card also earns 2 percent back on in-store purchases, at restaurants, on travel and at Walmart or Murphy USA gas stations. Capital One is also one of the rare issuers that offers credit-builders access to a top-of-the-line travel portal. So when you’re done raking in your cash back rewards, you can use cost-saving features found in the Capital One Travel portal to help you make your next trip even more affordable.

Discover it® Secured Credit Card: Best for gas and sign-up bonus

The Discover it® Secured Credit Card gives people with bad credit a chance to earn 2 percent cash back on gas and restaurant purchases up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter (then 1 percent) and an unlimited 1 percent cash back on all other purchases. These are decent rates for a secured credit card that can provide some value for roadtrippers. But the standout feature is the card’s sign-up bonus, which matches all the rewards you earn in your first year. You’ll have to wait until the end of year one to see this bonus, but the chance to double all your first-year rewards should make the wait worth it.

Discover also has some nice credit-building features, like the ability to graduate to an unsecured card in as little as seven months based on your creditworthiness. And if you forget to make a payment and don’t have credit card autopay set up, Discover is one of the few issuers that charges no late fee the first time you are late (up to $41 after).

How to choose the best travel card for fair or bad credit

The best travel cards for people with fair-to-bad credit have features that can make your travel or everyday purchases more rewarding, which can help bring down the cost of your next trip. But finding the right one for you will depend on a few factors beyond how you like to travel. Follow these tips to help you compare travel cards for fair or bad credit.

• Get your credit score.  Knowing your credit score can improve your chances of applying for a credit card and getting approved . If you have bad credit (FICO score below 580), a secured credit card could be your best option, but with fair credit (FICO score of 580 to 669), you’ll have more options, including unsecured cards. If you need help, here’s how to check your credit score .
• Know your spending habits. To get maximum value, you’ll need a travel card that rewards you for as much of your travel or everyday spending as possible. For example, if you’re a Walmart shopper who spends the most on groceries and household items, the bonus rewards you earn with the Capital One Walmart Rewards card could make that card a better fit than a card that only offers bonus rewards on hotel and car rentals.
• Secured vs. unsecured cards.  Depending on your creditworthiness, you may be able to choose between a secured or unsecured card . But if your only option is to get a secured card, you’ll have to put down a cash deposit as collateral before you can use it, which typically acts as your credit limit. Make sure you know what the minimum and maximum security deposits are and that they fit your budget or spending habits.
• Watch out for fees.   Pay attention to the fees that come with each card you’re considering. Some fees may be worth it, especially an annual-fee card with a higher rewards rate that makes it easy for you to earn enough cash back to offset the fee and still help cover travel costs. But if you travel abroad or make online purchases with overseas merchants, look for a card that charges no foreign transaction fees . Or if you have a habit of making late payments, make sure you know the card’s late payment fee and try to avoid cards with penalty APRs , which have long-term consequences that could make it harder to keep up with your card payments and lead to further credit troubles.
• Know the value of your rewards. The best travel credit cards for bad or fair credit typically have a point value of 1 cent. So 1,000 points will be worth $10 when redeemed through a travel portal or for options like statement credits and gift cards. But that’s not always the case. For example, some cards may value your points at 1 cent when redeeming for statement credits but 0.8 cents when redeeming for gift cards. So before choosing a rewards card, make sure you know the value of your points for different redemption options.

How to make the most of a travel card for bad-to-fair credit

Once you have the right card for you, it pays to have a strategy in place to help you build credit and maximize the rewards you earn . Here are some steps you should take to get the best value out of your travel card.

• Take advantage of the perks. Use your credit card instead of cash or a debit card to earn as many rewards as possible. If your credit card issuer has a travel portal, take advantage of any available features, such as price-drop prediction, which can help you book the best flight based on your travel plans. For the best value, make sure to compare the prices with third-party booking sites before you finalize your travel plans.
• Have a budget.  If you don’t pay attention to how much money you have and how it’s being spent, you run the risk of overusing your credit card on unnecessary purchases or not having enough money on hand when you need it. Knowing how to budget can help you keep track of your money so you can avoid most missteps that derail your travel plans or financial goals.
• Pay off your balance quickly.  Unless you’re traveling for an emergency, try to avoid making travel plans you can’t pay for. Most rewards cards come with high interest rates, also known as annual percentage rates (APR) , which you can avoid if you pay your balance in full each month before the grace period ends. But if you carry a balance, you’ll have to pay interest charges, which could make it harder to pay off your travel purchases and could lead to credit card debt.
• Ask for a credit limit increase.  If you don’t have a credit card that automatically considers you for credit limit increases , consider asking for one after six months of use. Having a higher credit limit and using as little of your available credit as possible can save you from having to pay down your balance before the last day of your billing cycle to avoid a potential drop in your credit score.
• Don’t lose track of building credit.  Focusing too much on earning rewards runs the risk of slowing down your credit-building journey. Make sure to pay your credit card bill on time and keep your debt to a minimum to avoid negative marks on your credit report, which will drop your credit score and make it harder to gain access to credit cards and loans with better features and money-saving benefits .

The bottom line

Having less-than-stellar credit doesn’t mean you have to miss out on travel perks. You can score a rewards card even if you don’t have good credit , and with responsible use and a sound strategy to maximize your rewards, your next flight, hotel stay or day trip could be a lot less expensive.

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Find the best credit card for you

The 13 best travel credit cards of may 2024, the best travel credit cards can earn you hundreds of dollars in rewards each year and make your travels more enjoyable..

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

The best travel credit cards offer more than just great  cash-back , points or miles incentives — they also come with a range of perks that can take your next trip from basic to bougie without spending extra money.

Some travel card features are nearly standard across the board:  no foreign transaction fees ,  travel insurance  and various travel credits. More  premium cards  take things up by offering  lounge access  and credits for expedited airport security.

To help you choose the best travel rewards card for your needs, CNBC Select analyzed dozens of popular travel cards and dug into each card's perks and drawbacks to find the best of the best based on consumer habits. (See our methodology for more information on how we choose the best travel credit cards.)

Best travel credit cards

• Best for no annual fee: Discover it® Miles
• Best for dining when traveling: American Express® Gold Card
• Best for authorized user perks: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (see rates and fees )
• Best for welcome bonus:   Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
• Best for bonus categories: Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Journey Visa® Card
• Best for earning points on rent: Bilt Mastercard®
• Best for lounge access: The Platinum Card® from American Express
• Best for luxury travel: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
• Best for fair credit: Credit One Bank Wander® Card
• Best secured travel card: Discover it® Secured Credit Card
• Best for low annual fee: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card (see rates and fees)
• Best for low interest: First Tech Credit Union Choice Rewards World Mastercard®
• Best for students: Bank of America® Travel Rewards for Students

Best for no annual fee

Discover it® miles.

Automatically earn unlimited 1.5x Miles on every dollar of every purchase.

Welcome bonus

Unlimited Bonus: Unlimited Mile-for-Mile match for all new cardmembers—only from Discover. Discover gives you an unlimited match of all the Miles you've earned at the end of your first year. You could turn 35,000 Miles to 70,000 Miles. There's no signing up, no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a Miles-for-Miles match.

0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases

Regular APR

17.24% to 28.24% Variable

Balance transfer fee

3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms)*

Foreign transaction fee

Credit needed.

Good / Excellent

*See rates and fees , terms apply.

Read our Discover it® Miles review.

• Miles program
• Generous welcome bonus
• No blackout dates
• No limit to the amount of miles you can earn and miles never expire
• No Global Entry or TSA PreCheck statement credit offerings
• Travel spending does not receive additional rewards
• No airport lounge access

Who's this for?  The  Discover it Miles  comes with a generous rewards program and welcome bonus — all for zero annual fee.

Standout benefits:  Discover has a welcome bonus that's hard to beat: It will do a mile-for-mile match of all miles earned the first year (for new card members in their first year only). If you rack up 35,000 miles within the first 12 months, Discover will match you with 35,000 miles. That's a total of 70,000 miles or $700 toward travel. Plus, the card has no foreign transaction fees.

[ Jump to more details ]

Best for dining when traveling

American express® gold card.

4X Membership Rewards® points at Restaurants (plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.) and at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X), 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, 1X points on all other purchases

Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.

Not applicable

See Pay Over Time APR

Excellent/Good

See rates and fees , terms apply.

Read our American Express® Gold Card review .

• Up to $120 dining credit annually ($10 a month) for purchases made with Grubhub, Goldbelly and other eligible restaurants (after a one-time enrollment)
• Up to $120 Uber Cash annually ($10 a month) for U.S. Uber Eats orders and U.S. Uber rides (card must be added to Uber app to receive the Uber Cash benefit)
• Strong rewards program with 4X points earned at restaurants and 3X points earned on flights booked directly with airlines or amextravel.com
• Baggage insurance plan covers up to $1,250 for carry-on baggage and up to $500 for checked baggage that is damaged, lost or stolen
• No fee charged on purchases made outside the U.S.
• No introductory APR period
• $250 annual fee
• Estimated rewards earned after 1 year: $1,074
• Estimated rewards earned after 5 years: $2,969

Rewards totals incorporate the points earned from the welcome bonus

Who's this for? The American Express® Gold Card is a smart choice for consumers who love traveling and dining out due to its generous rewards rates. While the card comes with a $250 annual fee ( see rates and fees ), it offers premium rewards that help offset the cost.

Standout benefits:  Travelers will appreciate the Amex Gold card's various statement credits. Cardholders get up to $120 in annual dining credit (up to $10 per month at Grubhub , Goldbelly, The Cheesecake Factory and other participating restaurants; enrollment is required) and up to $120 in Uber Cash ($10 per month) to put toward rides in the U.S. and dining via Uber Eats (you must add your Amex Gold Card as a payment method in the Uber app to enroll).

Best for authorized user perks

Capital one venture x rewards credit card.

Unlimited 2X miles on all eligible purchases, and 5 Miles per dollar on flights and 10 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars when booked via Capital One Travel portal

Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening

19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)

$0 at the Transfer APR, 4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you

Foreign transaction fees

Read our Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card review.

• Large welcome bonus
• No foreign transaction fees
• Up to $100 statement credits for either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
• Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
• High annual fee
• No introductory 0% APR period

Who's this for? The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is an excellent choice for frequent travelers who want a premium credit card at a lower price point than other high-end cards with similar benefits. Plus, up to four authorized users can be added for free (see rates and fees ).

Standout benefits:  This card is loaded with benefits, including a $300 Capital One Travel credit to use toward purchases made through Capital One Travel and a 10,000-mile bonus on each account anniversary (worth at least $100 for travel). Cardholders also receive an up to $100 statement credit for either  Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® , complimentary  cell phone insurance , access to Capital One and partner airport lounges and more. Terms, conditions and exclusions apply. Refer to your Guide to Benefits for more details.

Best for welcome bonus

Chase sapphire preferred® card.

Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, and $50 annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.

Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

21.49% - 28.49% variable on purchases and balance transfers

Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater

• Terms apply.

Read our Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card review .

• Points are worth 25% more when redeemed for travel via Chase Travel℠
• Transfer points to leading frequent travel programs at a 1:1 rate, including: IHG® Rewards Club, Marriott Bonvoy™ and World of Hyatt®
• Travel protections include: auto rental collision damage waiver, baggage delay insurance and trip delay reimbursement
• $95 annual fee
• No introductory 0% APR

Who's this for? The Chase Sapphire Preferred has a loyal following among travelers looking for a travel-centric rewards program and a robust suite of perks. What makes this card shine the most is its generous welcome bonus offer.

Standout benefits:  This card comes with many helpful benefits, such as an up to $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, no foreign transaction fees, primary rental car insurance , trip cancellation and interruption insurance and baggage and trip delay insurance. Cardholders can also benefit from a 10% points boost on each card anniversary and complimentary DashPass membership for a minimum of one year through Dec. 31, 2024.

Best for bonus categories

Wells fargo autograph journey℠ visa® card.

Earn 5X points on hotels; 4X points on airlines; 3X points on other travel; 3X points on dining. Plus earn 1X points on other purchases

Earn 60,000 bonus rewards points when you spend $4,000 in purchases in the first three months.

21.24%, 26.24%, or 29.99% variable based on your creditworthiness

Introductory fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each balance transfer, whichever is greater, for 120 days from account opening. After that, up to 5% for each balance transfer, with a minimum of $5.

Terms apply

• Excellent rewards rate for hotel, airfare and travel
• Strong welcome bonus
• Access to transfer partners
• Fewer transfer partners than comparable programs
• Doesn't have several key travel protections (trip delay, primary rental car coverage in the U.S.)

Who's this for? The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Journey Visa® Card has just about everything you could want in a travel card: A great welcome offer, a reasonable annual fee, useful bonus spending categories and meaningful perks.

Standout benefits:  The Wells Fargo Autograph card will help you rack up rewards quickly for travel spending. It earns 5X points on hotels, 4X points on airlines and 3X on dining and other travel. The best part is that you can transfer Wells Fargo points to airline and hotel travel partners including Choice Privileges, Avianca LifeMiles, British Airways Executive Club and Air France/KLM Flying Blue.

Best for earning points on rent

Bilt mastercard®.

Earn Bilt Points when you make 5 transactions that post each statement period - up to 1x points on rent payments without the transaction fee (up to 100,000 points each calendar year), 3x points on dining, 2x points on travel, and 1x points on other purchases.

Introductory fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each balance transfer, whichever is greater, for 120 days from account opening. After that, up to 5% for each balance transfer ($5 minimum).

See rates/fees and rewards/benefits ; terms apply.

• No annual fee
• Solid rewards on broad spending categories
• Ability to pay your rent with no transaction fees
• Transfer points to leading frequent traveler programs at a 1:1 rate, including American Airlines, United and World of Hyatt®
• No welcome offer

Who's this for? If you rent your home and don't have the Bilt Mastercard® , you're leaving points on the table. The Bilt Mastercard is the only card that lets you earn travel rewards on rent payments with no fees .

Standout benefits:  Bilt makes it easy for even beginners to get maximum value from their points through a unique partnership with the award search engine point.me . The BiltProtect feature also protects cardholders from using up their entire credit limit or risk going into debt by charging their rent every month. Other benefits include cell phone protection; Purchase Assurance Plus, which covers your purchases for 90 days; discounts with partner brands; and access to the Mastercard Luxury Hotels & Resorts portfolio, which offers amenities like upgrades, free breakfast and property credits.

Best for lounge access

The platinum card® from american express.

Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year, 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel, 1X points on all other eligible purchases

Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.

Credit Needed

Read our The Platinum Card® from American Express review .

• Up to $200 in annual airline fee credits
• $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Terms Apply.
• Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings, which requires a minimum two-night stay, through American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®.
• $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
• $695 annual fee
• No special financing offers on new purchases

Who's this for? The Platinum Card® from American Express is for road warriors who want to make their travels more comfortable. It grants access to more airport lounges than any other card on the market and is loaded with lots of other travel and lifestyle benefits that help justify its high annual fee (see rates and fees ).

Standout benefits:  Cardholders have an extensive list of opportunities to earn over $1,500 in statement credits each year and enjoy ongoing benefits like automatic hotel elite status with Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy and various travel and shopping protections. Even if you only take advantage of half of this card's perks, it's worth paying the annual fee (see rates and fees ).

Best for luxury travel

Chase sapphire reserve®.

Earn 5X total points on flights and 10X total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3X points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases plus, 10X points on Lyft rides through March 2025

Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,125 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

22.49% - 29.49% variable

5%, minimum $5

Read our Chase Sapphire Reserve® review.

• $300 annual travel credit for travel purchases
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit up to $100 every four years
• Priority Pass™ Select lounge access at 1,000+ VIP lounges in over 500 cities worldwide
• Points are worth 50% more when redeemed for travel via Chase Travel℠
• Special benefits at The Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection
• Complimentary year of Lyft Pink membership
• High annual fee, but it can be offset by taking advantage of all the card’s perks
• No introductory APR
• Estimated rewards earned after 1 year: $1,469
• Estimated rewards earned after 5 years: $3,346

Who's this for? The Chase Sapphire Reserve is enormously popular among frequent travelers for its luxe perks, including comprehensive travel protections, and a strong rewards program. While this card comes with a substantial annual fee of $550 , the many statement credits help to offset the costs.

Standout benefits:  This card provides an annual $300 travel credit, which can cover everything from airfare and hotels to parking and tolls. Cardholders   can also get a statement credit of up to $100 (every four years) to help cover Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS application fees as well as enroll in Priority Pass™ Select for airport lounge access . Other benefits include elite-like benefits when booking hotels through The Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection; trip interruption/cancellation coverage; primary rental car coverage; lost luggage reimbursement; and trip delay reimbursement. 

Best for fair credit

Credit one bank wander® card.

10X points on eligible hotels and rental cars book through the Credit One Bank travel partner; 5X points on eligible flights, dining and gas purchases; 1X points on all other purchases

No current offer

29.74% Variable

Average to excellent credit

See rates and fees. Terms apply.

• Great return on travel purchases
• Available to those with average credit
• No welcome bonus

Who's this for? The Credit One Bank Wander® Card is ideal for those with fair or average credit who want to earn generous rewards on their travel, dining and gas purchases.

Standout benefits: You'll earn a whopping 10X points when you book eligible hotels and rental cars through the Credit One Bank travel site (5X when you book and 5X when you complete the booking). This card also earns 5X points on flights, dining and gas purchases, so it's rewarding for a wide variety of travel spending. Plus, there are no foreign transaction fees.

Best secured travel card

Discover it® secured credit card.

Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. Plus earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Discover will match all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year

N/A on purchases

28.24% Variable

New / Rebuilding

Read our Discover it® Secured Credit Card review.

• Cash-back program
• Starting at seven months from account opening, Discover will automatically review your credit card account to see if you can transition to an unsecured line of credit and return your deposit
• Cash-back program limits earnings: 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, then 1%
• Low credit line prevents cardholders from charging high-cost items or many expenses

Who's this for? For anyone who is working to build their credit , the Discover it® Secured Credit Card offers an opportunity to earn rewards along the way.

Standout benefits: The Discover It Secured Credit Card earns cash back on every purchase and offers a generous cash-back matching welcome bonus. Plus, the card charges no foreign transaction fees.

Best for low annual fee

Capital one venture rewards credit card.

5 Miles per dollar on hotel and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 2X miles per dollar on every other purchase

Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening

N/A for purchases and balance transfers

19.99% - 29.99% variable

$0 at the Transfer APR, 4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you

• 5 miles per dollar on hotel and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit up to $100 every 4 years
• There’s a $95 annual fee

Who's this for? The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers an abundance of travel benefits. It's especially valuable for those who want a straightforward way of earning rewards without having to juggle bonus categories.

Standout benefits:  Travelers going overseas can take advantage of  no foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees ). Cardholders also get a credit of up to $100 to cover  Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® membership .

Best for low interest

Choice rewards world mastercard®.

Earn 2X points on groceries, gas, electronics, medical, household goods and telecommunications, 1X points on all other purchases

Earn 20,000 points when you spend $3,000 in the first 60 days from account opening

13.50% - 18.00% variable

• Good rewards program for everyday purchases
• No balance transfer fee
• Balance must be transferred within 90 days of account opening date
• Estimated rewards earned after 1 year:  $344
• Estimated rewards earned after 5 years: $1,720

Who's this for? You should consider the Choice Rewards World Mastercard® from First Tech Federal Credit Union if you're looking for a card that offers an introductory APR. It made our list of the top travel cards for its unique rewards program and relatively low variable APR of 13.50% - 18.00%.

Standout benefits:  The 13.50% - 18.00% variable APR rate is significantly lower than many other competitor cards (though we recommend that you pay off your card in full and on time each month). There are also no foreign transaction fees, which is a huge plus when traveling abroad.

Best for students

Bank of america® travel rewards for students credit card.

Unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all purchases

25,000 online bonus points after you spend at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening, which can be redeemed for a $250 statement credit toward qualifying travel and dining purchases

0% APR for the first 15 billing cycles on purchases, and for any balance transfers made within the first 60 days of opening your account

18.24% - 28.24% variable

3% of each transaction intro balance transfer fee for the first 60 days from account opening, then 4%

Good/Excellent

• Strong welcome bonus of 25,000 points if you spend $1,000 in the first 90 days
• Intro 0% APR for 15 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers
• No student-centric benefits or incentives to practice responsible credit behavior
• Estimated rewards earned after 1 year: $466
• Estimated rewards earned after 5 years:   $1,528

Who's this for? The Bank of America Travel Rewards for Students is a great choice for students who plan on studying abroad or traveling during breaks. The rewards program is geared toward travel, and cardholders earn 1.5 points per dollar on all purchases.

Standout benefits: There are no foreign transaction fees, making it an ideal card for college students studying abroad. This card also comes with a longer-than-average special financing offer of no interest for 15 billing cycles (then 18.24% to 28.24% variable APR). A full year of no interest is a great way for you to pay off new purchases over time, without incurring interest charges, though we recommend you pay off your balance on time and in full each month.

More on our top travel credit cards

The Discover it Miles is an exceptionally rewarding credit card for everyday purchases , especially when you consider that it has no annual fee.

• 1.5X miles per dollar on every purchase

Discover will match the miles you earn during the first year with no minimum spending requirement or limits on how much you can earn through the match.

Notable perks

The appeal of the Discover it Miles is its simplicity of not having to worry about paying an annual fee or paying foreign transaction fees. The card also has an introductory 0% APR offer for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers , then a 17.24% to 28.24% variable APR (3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% balance transfer fee on future transfers, see terms ).

There are also no blackout dates when you pay for travel purchases using your card. And, you can easily redeem miles as a statement credit for travel,  restaurant or gas station  purchases, as well as a deposit to your bank account. The best part is, the miles you earn never expire even if your account is closed (Discover credits your account with your rewards balance if your account is closed).

[ Return to card summary ]

The American Express Gold Card earns elevated rewards for several popular spending categories, including dining, groceries and airfare. To top it off, the Amex Membership Rewards points you earn are some of the most valuable travel points out there.

• 4X points per dollar spent at restaurants (plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.)
• 4X points per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X)
• 3X points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com
• 1X point per dollar spent on all other purchases

Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new card within the first 6 months of card membership.

$250 (see rates and fees )

In addition to the up to $240 in annual credits for dining and Uber Cash, the American Express Gold Card has a variety of other useful benefits. For example, cardmembers get a $100 experience credit and potential room upgrade when booking stays of at least two nights through The Hotel Collection. Experience credit varies by property.

Eligible purchases also qualify for the following insurance coverages*:

• Baggage insurance (Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.)
• Extended warranty (Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.)
• Purchase protection (Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.)
• Trip delay insurance (Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.)
• Car rental loss and damage insurance (secondary) (Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.)

You can use the American Express Membership Rewards points you earn with this card in a variety of ways, from redeeming for gift cards and statement credits to booking travel through the  Amex Travel Portal . To get a potentially bigger bang for your buck, transfer your Membership Rewards points to a variety of airline or hotel partners, including Delta SkyMiles, JetBlue TrueBlue, Hilton Honors,  Marriott Bonvoy , Choice Privileges and more. * Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is a luxury travel credit card with a straightforward rewards structure and a myriad of benefits that easily make its annual fee worth it.

• 10X miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked via Capital One Travel portal
• 5X miles per dollar on flights booked via Capital One Travel portal
• 2X miles on all other eligible purchases

Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.

$395 (see rates and fees )

On top of the annual $300 Capital One Travel credit and 10,000 anniversary bonus miles, the Capital One Venture X card is loaded with other benefits. Cardmembers receive up to $100 statement credit for either  Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® , complimentary  cell phone insurance , special perks on hotel stays booked through the Premier Collection** and Lifestyle Collection  and unlimited access to  Capital One Lounges  as well as the extensive network of Priority Pass and Plaza Premium airport lounges worldwide. 

You can add up to four authorized users for free and each additional cardholder also gets airport lounge access (see rates and fees ). If you value rental car perks, cardholders receive complimentary Hertz President's Circle status (enrollment required)***, which grants benefits such as guaranteed upgrades.

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has the same redemption options as the Venture Rewards Card. You can use miles to offset eligible travel purchases or transfer them to various airline and hotel partners.

*Terms, conditions and exclusions apply. Refer to your Guide to Benefits for more details.

***Upon enrollment, accessible through the Capital One website or mobile app, eligible cardholders will remain at upgraded status level through December 31, 2024. Please note, enrolling through the normal Hertz Gold Plus Rewards enrollment process (e.g. at Hertz.com) will not automatically detect a cardholder as being eligible for the program and cardholders will not be automatically upgraded to the applicable status tier. Additional terms apply.

In addition to an excellent  welcome bonus , the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers lucrative bonus categories and other useful perks like travel and purchase protections, all for a modest annual fee.

• 5X points per dollar on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
• 5X points per dollar on Lyft rides through Mar. 31, 2025
• 3X points per dollar on dining
• 3X points per dollar on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs).
• 3X points per dollar on select streaming services.
• 2X points per dollar on all other travel purchases
• 1X points per dollar on all other purchases
• 10% anniversary points boost
• $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit

Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. That's over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred offers travelers many important protections, including  primary rental car insurance , trip cancellation and interruption insurance and baggage and trip delay insurance. Travelers can also rack up rewards faster thanks to a 10% points boost on each card anniversary. That means if you spend $50,000 on purchases, you'll get a 5,000-point bonus (worth $75 in travel booked through Chase).

Cardholders can take advantage of various statement credits for specific purchases. For starters, the card offers up to $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit. Through July 31, 2024, you can register your Sapphire Preferred to receive six months of free Instacart+ membership and up to $15 back each quarter for Instacart purchases. You'll also receive a complimentary DashPass membership and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.

One of the best benefits of the Sapphire Preferred is that it unlocks access to Chase's 14 airline and hotel transfer partners. You can transfer points to United Airlines MileagePlus,  Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards , Air Canada Aeroplan, World of Hyatt, IHG One Rewards,  Marriott Bonvoy and more. Otherwise,  your points are worth  1.25 cents each through Chase Travel℠ or one cent per point when redeemed for gift cards or cash back.

Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Journey Visa® Card

The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Journey Visa® Card stands out for having a modest annual fee and high rewards rate on airline and hotel purchases which are uncapped and don't require you to book through a specific site to get the increased return.

• 5X points on hotels
• 4X points on airlines
• 3X points at restaurants
• 3X points on other travel
• 1X points on all other purchases

Earn 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in purchases in the first three months of account opening.

Every year, cardholders receive a $50 airline statement credit with a minimum purchase of $50. This credit covers more than half of this card's annual fee and applies to purchases such as airfare, baggage fees and more.

You can also save money and increase your peace of mind by taking advantage of this card's many insurance benefits. Cardholders receive these coverages:

• Cell phone protection
• Roadside dispatch
• Travel accident insurance
• Lost baggage reimbursement
• Trip cancellation and interruption protection
• Auto rental collision coverage
• Travel and emergency assistance

You can redeem Wells Fargo rewards for gift cards, cash back, travel and more. However, you'll typically get the best value when you transfer Wells Fargo rewards to travel partners. You can transfer points to these airlines at a 1:1 ratio:

• Aer Lingus AerClub
• Air France/KLM Flying Blue (partners with Delta)
• Avianca LifeMiles  (partners with United)
• British Airways Executive Club (partners with American Airlines and Alaska Airlines)
• Iberia Plus (partners with American Airlines and Alaska Airlines)

Wells Fargo points also transfer to Choice Privileges at a 1:2 ratio.

Normally it's not worth paying rent with a credit card because of the fees, but the Bilt Mastercard offers a path to earning points for paying rent without any fees.

When you make at least five transactions in a statement period, you'll earn points at the following rates:

• Up to 1X points per dollar on rent payments without the transaction fee (up to 100,000 points each calendar year)
• 2X points per dollar on travel
• 1X point per dollar on all other purchases

Thanks to the BiltProtect feature, Bilt Mastercard cardholders are protected from using up their entire credit limit or risk going into debt by charging their rent to their card every month. Other benefits include a $5 monthly Lyft credit after taking three Lyft rides in a month (through March 31, 2024), as well as a free ShopRunner membership (through March 31, 2024).

For a no-annual-fee card, the Bilt Mastercard has a surprising amount of built-in insurance perks, including:

• Trip delay reimbursement
• Rental car collision damage waiver
• Purchase protection

Bilt Rewards points can be redeemed for travel either by transferring them to airline and hotel partners or by booking through the Bilt Travel Portal at a fixed rate of 1.25 cents per point. Other redemption options include using them to shop online, book fitness classes, pay rent and even make a down payment on a home.

The Platinum Card from American Express has a high annual fee but also packs a punch in benefits. If you're able to take advantage of its numerous annual statement credits, entertainment benefits, extensive airport lounge access and elite status perks, you'll be sure to come out ahead.

• 5X points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year)
• 5X points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel

Earn 80,000 points after spending $8,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of card membership.

$695 (see rates and fees )

Cardholders can enjoy a long list of benefits, including:

• Up to $200 annual hotel credit (Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay)
• Up to $200 annual airline fee credit
• Up to $300 per calendar year Equinox credit (enrollment required)
• Up to $100 annual Saks Fifth Avenue credit (enrollment required)
• Up to $189 credit to enroll in CLEAR® Plus (subject to auto-renewal)
• Up to $240 annual digital entertainment credit (enrollment required)
• Up to $155 annual Walmart+ credit. (Plus Ups are not eligible. Subject to auto renewal)
• Worldwide airport lounge access, including Delta SkyClubs and Amex Centurion Lounges
• Up to $200 annual Uber credit. Benefit renews annually. (Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only.)
• $100 fee credit for Global Entry or up to $85 for TSAPreCheck
• Automatic hotel elite status with Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy
• Comprehensive travel insurance
• Complimentary Amex concierge service

Membership Rewards points can also be exceptionally valuable. The best way to use Amex points is to transfer them to one of Amex's airline and hotel partners. They can also be redeemed for statement credits, gift cards and when  checking out at retailers like Amazon , though you'll usually get a lower value for your points.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve ® is a standout premium credit card with plenty of luxury perks and statement credits to justify its annual fee. Its travel insurance perks can add peace of mind to any adventure and the card's airport lounge access and credits for expedited airport security can help reduce airport stress.

• 10X total points per dollar on hotels and car rentals purchased through Chase Travel℠*
• 10X points per dollar on Lyft purchases through March 2025
• 5X total points per dollar on flights purchased through Chase Travel℠*
• 3X points per dollar on other travel*

*After the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually

Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

Chase Sapphire Reserve ® card members get up to $300 in annual travel credits, which covers more than half of the card's annual fee. Additional benefits include an up to $100 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS fee credit (every four years), elite-like perks when booking hotels through The Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection, access to Sapphire airport lounges and a Priority Pass Select membership (valued at $469), which unlocks access to more than 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide.

Cardholders also have access to a wide range of limited-time benefits and credits, including:

• Two years of complimentary Lyft Pink All Access membership (worth $199 a year) when activated by Dec. 31, 2024
• At least 12 months of complimentary DashPass membership when activated by Dec. 31, 2024
• $5 in DoorDash credit each month through Dec. 31, 2024
• One year of free Instacart+ membership (activate by July 31, 2024)
• Up to $15 in Instacart credits each month (through July 31, 2024)

Some of the easiest benefits to overlook are this card's top-notch travel and purchase protections, such as purchase protection, extended warranty protection, return protection, primary rental car collision coverage, trip delay protection, trip interruption/cancellation insurance, baggage delay protection, travel accident insurance, emergency medical and dental insurance and more. Cardmembers traveling internationally also don't need to worry about foreign transaction fees.

The value of the points you earn depends on how you use them. If you redeem points for cash and gift cards, each point is worth one cent. However, the value of points increases to 1.5 cents apiece when you redeem for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 75,000 points are worth $1,125 toward travel. This is a great way to maximize the value of your rewards and makes this card stand out from the pack. Of course, transferring your points to Chase's airline and hotel partners is also an option.

Credit One Bank® Wander Card

The Credit One Bank® Wander Card is special because it allows you to earn rewards while working on your credit score and doesn't require a security deposit.

• 10X points on eligible hotels and rental cars you book through the Credit One Bank travel partner site
• 5X points on eligible travel
• 5X points on dining
• 5X points on gas purchases

It's easy to redeem the rewards you earn with your Credit One Bank Wander card. You can use points for cash back, gift cards and consumer goods and services. There is a 1,000-point minimum redemption amount when you're using points for a statement credit .

When you make a purchase in a foreign currency with this card, there are no foreign transaction fees. Eligible purchases are also covered by this card's built-in travel accident insurance .

The Discover it Secured Credit Card is ideal for anyone with no credit or poor credit because you don't need a credit score to apply. It has no annual fee and has a generous rewards structure for a secured credit card .

• 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter
• 1% cash back on all other purchases

Discover will match the cash back you earn during the first year with no minimum spending requirement or cap on the match.

The Discover it Secured Credit Card is designed for those who have no credit history or need to repair their credit score. You don't need a credit score to apply. Instead, you're required to make a refundable deposit of at least $200 to open the card. Whatever amount of money you deposit becomes your credit limit.

At seven months from account opening, Discover will automatically review your credit card account to see if they can transition you to an unsecured line of credit and return your deposit. The card also has no foreign transaction fees, so you won't be dinged for using it abroad.

Cashback earned with this card doesn't expire and you can redeem your rewards at any time for statement credits, gift cards, merchandise and more.

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card stands out for earning versatile rewards that can be used for just about any travel expense while having a reasonable annual fee and convenient benefits for travelers.

• 5X miles per dollar on hotel and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• 2X miles per dollar on every other purchase

$95 (see rates and fees )

Capital One Venture Rewards cardholders receive a credit of up to $100 to cover  Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® membership . Other perks include access to extended warranty protection*, Travel Assistance Services*, Purchase Assurance*, MasterRental Insurance*, Master RoadAssist®*, and Trip Cancellation/Interruption Coverage*.

Travelers going overseas can take advantage of no foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees ). As an added plus, you can use your Venture Rewards card to get access to exclusive sporting and music events, plus premiere culinary experiences through Capital One Dining and Capital One Entertainment .

You can use Capital One miles to book flights, hotels, rental cars and more through  Capital One Travel , or you can use them to offset recent travel purchases at a fixed value of one cent per point. Alternatively, you can transfer them to any of Capital One's hotel and airline partners including Accor Live Limitless, Air Canada Aeroplan, Etihad Guest and others to get even more value from your miles.

*Benefit available to accounts approved for the World Elite Mastercard product, subject to terms, conditions, and exclusions in the World Elite Mastercard Guide to Benefits. See Account Terms or Application Terms for more details. Terms, conditions and exclusions apply.

First Tech Credit Union Choice Rewards World Mastercard®

Although we always recommend aiming to pay off credit card debt , if you have the debt, the Choice Rewards World Mastercard has one of the lowest interest rates you can find on a credit card.

• 2X points per dollar on everyday purchases such as groceries, gas, electronics, household goods and telecommunications

Earn 20,000 points when you spend $3,000 in the first 60 days from account opening.

Not only does the Choice Rewards World Mastercard have a low APR, but it also has no foreign transaction fees, which is a huge plus when traveling abroad. It is a World Mastercard and as such, comes with purchase protection, Mastercard ID Theft Protection and 24-hour worldwide assistance for lost or stolen cards. It has an array of travel protections as well, including insurance for trip cancellations, travel accidents, baggage delays, lost luggage and rental cars (secondary).

Membership to First Tech Federal Credit Union is required to apply, but anyone can join through affiliation with select organizations or employers, a relationship with a current member, working or living in Lane County, Oregon, attending Cogswell Poly Technical College or by joining the Community History Museum (CHM) or Financial Fitness Association (FFA). First Tech pays the membership fee for the CHM and FFA on your behalf.

The rewards can be redeemed at a fixed rate toward cash-back, travel, merchandise, gift cards and experiences.

Bank of America® Travel Rewards for Students

The Bank of America Travel Rewards for Students card provides a strong return for everyday purchases that competes with many of the top non-student credit cards.

• 1.5X points per dollar on all purchases

Earn 25,000 bonus points after spending at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.

In addition to having no annual fee, the Bank of America Travel Rewards for Students card charges no foreign transaction fees, which is useful when studying or traveling abroad.

You must be 18 or older and enrolled in school (college, vocational or trade school) to qualify for this card. Eligible students have access to a 0%-APR offer on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 billing cycles, then a variable 18.24%-28.24% APR applies. Only balance transfers made in the first 60 days of account opening qualify for the 0%-APR offer and there is a 3% balance transfer fee.

Rewards can be redeemed as a statement credit to cover the cost of travel and dining purchases — a simple way to reduce the cost of taking a spring break vacation or buying a plane ticket home. You can redeem rewards at any time and any amount.

Money matters — so make the most of it. Get expert tips, strategies, news and everything else you need to maximize your money, right to your inbox.  Sign up here .

How to choose a travel credit card

There is a variety of travel credit cards available, from general to airline - and hotel -specific, and all the choices can make it hard to settle on one. To choose the best card for your needs, you should consider several factors. Here are some tips on how to choose a credit card.

Consider whether you're willing to pay an annual fee. Some travel cards have steep annual fees of over $500, which can be worthwhile, but not for everyone. Make sure you do the math to see if an annual fee travel card is for you.

Another key factor to consider is the type of travel you do most. If you travel within the U.S., then it doesn't matter if a card charges foreign transaction fees. But if you're off to Mexico or Spain, then it's important to have a no foreign transaction fee card.

Rewards should also play a part in your decision. Do some research to determine which card offers a rewards program more geared toward your spending habits. If you dine out a lot when you travel, consider the American Express Gold Card with 4X points on dining at restaurants. But if you want a competitive rewards rate on all sorts of purchases, the Discover it Miles has no annual fee and unlimited 1.5X miles on every dollar of every purchase.

You can compare card benefits side by side to see if one card rates better than another. The  Chase Sapphire Reserve , for example, offers complimentary lounge access, while the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers cardholders a fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck .

Find the best credit card for you by reviewing offers in our  credit card marketplace  or get personalized offers via  CardMatch™ .

Pros and cons of a travel credit card

Many of the top rewards credit cards are also travel credit cards, but that doesn't mean that a travel card is the best option for every situation. Travel cards are rewarding for travel-related purchases and can provide outsized value when you use the rewards to book your next vacation. However, travel can be a small part of the typical consumer's budget and other credit cards can be more rewarding for everyday spending or have simpler rewards programs.

• High-value rewards
• Luxury perks
• Valuable welcome bonuses
• Rewarding for common travel-related purchases
• Travel rewards programs are sometimes more complicated
• May be less rewarding for non-travel purchases (groceries, online shopping , etc.)
• Can have higher annual fees
• Typically require higher credit scores

How travel credit cards work

The premise of travel credit cards is to give you a path to turning your credit card purchases into travel rewards. What you can use travel rewards for and the amount of rewards you earn varies by card.

The type of rewards you earn, the cost of keeping the card and the card benefits depend on the type of travel card. There are co-branded hotel and airline cards that earn miles and points tied to a specific hotel chain or airline. These cards also provide brand-specific benefits such as elite status or elite status credit and statement credits tied to a specific company. A general travel card is typically better for anyone who isn't extremely loyal to a specific company. General travel rewards or flexible rewards can usually be redeemed to offset travel expenses and, with the best cards, you can transfer miles or points to partner travel programs. This gives cardholders the option to pick the best program for a specific trip.

Outside of the rewards a card earns, most of the best travel credit cards also provide ongoing benefits. These benefits run the gamut from travel and purchase protections to statement credits and airport lounge access. Luxury benefits like airport lounge access are typically tied to premium credit cards , which usually have annual fees of $400 or more.

Making the most of your travel card

To make the most of your travel card, you should familiarize yourself with the various credit card benefits and fees. Take note of any annual fees, foreign transaction fees and the APR associated with your account. Also, consider the rewards rates and added perks, such as annual statement credits.

Once you're familiar with the terms of your card, you can start optimizing them. That may include setting reminders to use the annual $300 travel credit provided by the Chase Sapphire Reserve or submitting a Global Entry application with the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card to take advantage of the up to $100 credit.

If you have multiple credit cards , you might want to have a plan for the best time to use each card. Let's say you have the Discover it Miles and American Express Gold Card . Use the Amex Gold Card for dining expenses at restaurants to earn 4X points, then use the Discover it Miles for all your other purchases to earn unlimited 1.5X miles.

Other types of credit cards to consider

Travel credit cards aren't for everyone. If you travel infrequently, you should consider alternative credit card options, such as cards with dining, grocery or gas rewards. Some cards provide up to 6% back in those categories, allowing foodies, meal-preppers and commuters to benefit.

Beyond rewards, you might benefit from a card that offers a 0% APR period . Some cards offer no interest for a year or more on new purchases and balance transfers, such as the Citi Simplicity® Card . The card has 0% intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers from the date of first transfer, plus 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases from date of account opening (after, 19.24% - 29.99% variable APR; balance transfers must be completed within four months of account opening.) There is an introductory balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer ($5 minimum) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your balance transfer fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5; see rates and fees ). When used responsibly, these cards can help you get out of debt without high interest charges.

Should you get a travel credit card?

If you travel often and pay for purchases with cash or a debit card , you're missing out on rewards and perks that can make travel more affordable. It can be in your best interest to get a travel credit card that awards high rewards rates on airfare, hotels, rideshares and other common travel expenses.

Who should apply for a travel card?

If you're interested in submitting a travel credit card application, keep in mind that card issuers usually require you to have good credit or excellent credit (scores above 670). Therefore, it's key to check your credit score before applying for a travel card.

Once you know your credit score and can check if you prequalify for a travel card, choose the best card for your needs and apply.

What's the difference between points and miles?

Unlike cash-back cards , travel credit cards generally earn points or miles. Traditionally, the term points referred to flexible rewards that could be redeemed directly through a bank's portal or transferred to a partner airline or hotel loyalty program. Meanwhile, the term miles has been associated with rewards earned through an airline's frequent flyer program. However, nowadays, points and miles are used interchangeably as there are flexible credit card rewards called miles and more restrictive airline rewards referred to as points.

How do I compare credit cards for travel?

If you're having trouble narrowing down the best travel card for you, it can be helpful to compare credit cards. First list the benefits you're looking for and any deal breakers, such as an annual fee. Then consider cards that have those benefits.

For instance, if you want both travel and dining rewards, the Amex Gold Card is a better choice than the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card since the rewards rate is 4X versus 2X.

But if you don't want to pay a high annual fee, the Venture Card is only $95 (see rates and fees ) compared to the $250 you'll pay for a Gold Card (see rates and fees ).

Bottom line

The best travel credit cards earn rewards you can use to book flights, hotels , rental cars and much more. But the benefits of having a travel credit card go beyond the rewards you earn. Many travel cards offer additional perks, such as travel insurance that reimburses if a trip is delayed or your baggage is lost.

Before you sign up for a travel credit card, consider how you'll use it and how you can best optimize its  rewards program , especially if you're paying a steep  annual fee . It's also important to make sure you can pay off your balance on time and in full each month because many of these cards have  high interest rates .

The good news: If you choose a card from this list, you could earn over $2,000 in rewards over the next five years based on our calculations.

Why trust CNBC Select?

At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every credit card review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of credit card products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics. See our methodology for more information on how we choose the best travel credit cards.

Our methodology

To determine which travel credit cards offer the best value, CNBC Select analyzed dozens of travel cards issued through FDIC-insured banks and NCUA-insured credit unions that are widely available in the U.S.  

We compared each card on a range of features, including rewards (e.g., cash back, points and miles), annual fees, welcome bonuses, introductory and standard APR and balance transfer fees and foreign transaction fees. We also considered additional perks (e.g., ongoing travel or merchant statement credits), cardholder protections (e.g., purchase protection, $0 liability protection and travel insurance), the application process when available (e.g., is there a credit pull or required credit score) and how easy it is to redeem points (e.g., are rewards are tied to a specific brand; if transferable, to how many/which partners, can you redeem for straight cashback).    We also considered CNBC Select audience data when available, such as general demographics and engagement with our content and tools.  

When choosing the best travel cards, we focused on relevant features, like cards that charge no foreign transaction fees, are widely accepted internationally and provide consumers with bonus rewards on travel spending. We prioritized cards that offered the strongest returns on travel purchases but also considered additional perks that may be useful when traveling, such as travel protections, baggage allowances, airport lounge access and elite status benefits. 

Catch up on CNBC Select's in-depth coverage of  credit cards ,  banking  and  money , and follow us on  TikTok ,  Facebook ,  Instagram  and  Twitter  to stay up to date.

For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, click here .

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, click here .

For rates and fees of the Discover it® Miles, click  here .

For rates and fees of the Discover it® Secured Credit Card, click  here .

Information about the Bank of America® Travel Rewards for Students, has been collected independently by Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

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• How to use the Chase Sapphire Preferred hotel credit Jason Stauffer

14 Best Travel Credit Cards of May 2024

Best travel cards main takeaways.

• Money has evaluated hundreds of credit cards, comparing their fees, benefits, welcome offers, travel insurance policies and more.
• The top credit cards for travel offer high rewards on travel purchases, which can be redeemed for airfare, hotel nights, cash back, statement credits or more.
• Our picks feature the best travel cards for every budget and include no-annual-fee, low-annual-fee, premium and business cards.

Why Trust Us?

Our editorial team has spent well over a thousand hours analyzing, evaluating and comparing the top credit card offers in the market. We carefully vet each card’s fine print in order to understand their features, limitations and potential benefits for consumers. We review cards independently, ensuring our content is accurate and guided by editorial integrity. Read our full methodology to learn more.

• 46 travel credit cards evaluated
• 10+ data points used, including ongoing fees, reward programs and welcome offers
• 100+ sources reviewed

Money.com has partnered with CardRatings.com for our coverage of credit card products. Money and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. This site does not include all card companies or all available card offers. O ur top picks are listed strictly in alphabetical order.

Our Top Picks for Best Travel Credit Cards

Best no-annual-fee travel credit cards.

• Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card – Best no-annual-fee travel card for flat rate rewards
• Bilt Mastercard® – Best no-annual-fee travel card for paying rent
• Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card – Best no-annual-fee card for travel partners
• Chase Freedom Unlimited® – Best no-annual-fee travel card for domestic travel
• Discover it® Miles – Best no-annual-fee travel card for simple rewards
• Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card – Best no-annual-fee travel card for everyday spending

Best low-fee-annual-fee travel credit cards

• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card – Best travel card for flat-rate rewards
• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card – Best travel card for flexible rewards

Best premium travel credit cards

• American Express® Gold Card – Best travel card for dining
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card – Best low-cost premium travel card
• Chase Sapphire Reserve® – Best premium travel credit card
• The Platinum Card® from American Express – Best travel card for lounge access

Best business travel credit cards

• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express – Best business travel card

Best airline travel credit cards

• United℠ Explorer Card: Best airline credit card

Best Travel Credit Cards Reviews

Our top picks are listed in alphabetical order.

Best No-Annual-Fee Travel Credit Cards

• No annual fee
• No foreign transaction fees
• Earns 1.5x points on all purchases
• No bonus category for travel
• Few benefits compared to other cards
• Limited redemption options

Why we chose it: The Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card is an easy-to-use card best suited for travel reward beginners or those who are already Bank of America customers.

Some cardholders can earn up to 75% more points if they are Bank of America Preferred Rewards members — that’s up to 2.62 points for every dollar spent.

However, the card doesn’t offer hotel and airline point transfer partners, travel insurance or extended warranty and purchase protection. Additionally, you can only redeem your points as statement credit to cover travel and dining purchases.

All information about Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Money.com

• No annual or foreign currency conversion fee (Click herehttps://www.wellsfargo.com/credit-cards/bilt/terms/">here; for rates and fees)
• Use it to pay your rent and earn rewards without incurring any processing fees
• You can earn double points on all purchase categories (except rent payments) on the first of every month (up to 10,000 points)
• Earn 2x points on travel (when booked directly through an airline, hotels, car rental agencies and cruise lines)
• No welcome bonus or introductory APR period
• Points redeemed for statement credits are worth 0.55 cents each
• You must make at least five transactions in a statement period to earn points
• Rent payments can only be made to one rental property per month

Why we chose it: The Bilt Mastercard® lets you earn travel rewards on rent payments without incurring any processing fees — unlike most credit cards that typically charge around 2.5% to 2.9% per rent payment.

You can use the card to pay rent without worrying about surcharges. Once you get approved for the card, all you have to do is set up an account through the Bilt app or website and use your assigned routing and account number to pay rent through your usual payment portal. You can also use your card even if your landlord only accepts checks, and Bilt will send a check on your behalf.

Additionally, Bilt doubles the card’s rewards rates on the first of every month, which means you can earn 6x points on dining, 4x points on travel and 2x points on other purchases (up to 10,000 points per month). However, this bonus doesn’t apply to rent rewards.

On the downside, the Bilt Mastercard® doesn’t offer a welcome bonus, and points redeemed for statement credits are only worth 0.55 cents each.

• Can transfer your miles to 16 travel partners
• Earns 5x miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• Doesn't earn bonus points on airfare
• No domestic travel partners

Why we chose it: The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card is a great option if you’re looking for a no-annual fee travel credit card with a simple rewards structure.

You can use your miles to book travel through the Capital One Travel portal or as a statement credit to cover travel purchases made from airlines, hotels, rail lines, car rental agencies and more.

You can also transfer your points to one of Capital One’s 16 travel partners, which include international airlines such as Avianca and British Airways. This option is notable since travel credit cards with no annual fee don’t typically offer the option to transfer your reward to airline and hotel partners.

However, the card’s list of bonus categories is limited compared to some other no-annual-fee credit cards, and Capital One doesn’t offer bonus points on airfare booked through Capital One Travel.

• Includes trip cancellation/interruption and car rental insurance
• Features a high flat cash back rate combined and popular bonus categories
• 3% foreign transaction fee

Why we chose it: The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is the best credit card for traveling domestically. It offers a 1.5% flat cash back rate on most purchases plus it has several appealing bonus categories, including travel and dining.

This card charges a 3% foreign transaction fee, that is, on any transactions made in currency other than US dollars. However, if you mostly travel within the U.S., this card is an excellent option.

For one, you’ll earn an additional 1.5% on each of the card’s bonus categories during the first year of card membership (or up to the first $20,000 spent).

Also, although using this card abroad is not recommended, you can still use it to book international trips while you’re home, and you’ll earn 5% cash back if you book it through Chase Travel℠.

You can redeem your rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and even transfer them to other cards that earn Chase Ultimate Rewards® points. It’s also worth noting that this card is one of the few no-annual-fee credit cards with rental car coverage and trip cancellation and interruption insurance.

• No annual or foreign transaction fees
• Discover matches the total miles you earned at the end of the first year
• Earns 1.5x miles on all purchases
• See your FICO score on the Discover mobile app, online and on statements
• Few benefits compared to other travel cards
• Doesn't include extended warranty or purchase protection

Why we chose it: The Discover it® Miles Credit Card is a no-frills card ideal for travelers who don’t want to keep track of bonus categories, earning caps or redemption values.

The card earns a flat 1.5x miles on all eligible purchases without any annual caps. You can redeem your miles for statement credits and account deposits at a rate of 1 cent per mile. You can also use your rewards through Amazon and PayPal checkout with the same value.

Also, the card’s welcome bonus is easily one of the best in the market: Discover matches every mile you’ve earned at the end of your first membership year — without any spending requirements.

However, while the Discover it® Miles Credit Card is a great starter travel card, its lack of bonus categories could hinder your reward-earning potential in the long run. Additionally, Discover cards aren’t as widely accepted internationally as Visa Signature and World Mastercard, for example.

All information about the Discover it® Miles Credit Card has been collected independently by Money.com.

• Earn 3x points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, select streaming services and cell phone plans
• Includes cell phone protection plan
• No airline or hotel transfer partners
• Doesn't include travel insurance
• Netflix and HBO are not eligible for streaming bonus

Why we chose it: The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card is the best travel reward card for everyday spending, offering high rewards on several popular spending categories, including travel, dining, gas, streaming services and cell phone plans.

Its travel bonus category is particularly noteworthy because you can earn points regardless of where you make your reservations, whether it’s directly with an airline or through a third-party travel site like Booking.com. (Most travel credit cards limit travel rewards to bookings made exclusively through the card issuer’s travel portal.)

The card also includes rental car insurance and a cell phone protection plan when you use it to pay your monthly bill.

All information about the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card has been collected independently by Money.com.

Best Low-Annual-Fee Travel Credit Cards

• Earn 2x miles per dollar on most purchases
• Up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck(R)
• Includes travel accident and car rental insurance
• Fewer bonus categories than other cards with a similar annual fee ($95)
• Doesn't offer travel rewards for flights
• Car rental insurance is secondary

Why we chose it: The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is the best credit card for travel miles if you want to earn a high reward rate and not worry about bonus categories.

The Capital One Venture Rewards is ideal for those who want to get the most out of their spending without worrying about tracking bonus categories and spending caps.

You can redeem your miles on the Capital One travel portal and as statement credits to cover travel purchases at a value of one cent per mile. Additionally, you may transfer your miles to more than 15 airline and hotel partners.

However, keep in mind that Capital One doesn’t have domestic travel partners, which can be a drawback if you mainly travel within the U.S.

• Points are worth 25% more when redeemed for travel purchases through Chase TravelSM
• Receive a point bonus each account anniversary
• Includes primary rental car insurance
• Earn 3x per $1 on dining, including eligible delivery and takeout meals, select streaming services and grocery purchases
• $95 annual fee
• Doesn't offer a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck(R) application fee credit

Why we chose this card: The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is the best travel credit card for frequent travelers who want to earn valuable rewards while paying a low annual fee.

The card features six reward categories that offer outstanding rewards on flights, hotels, restaurants and more. You can redeem your points for statement credits, account deposits, gift cards and more. But you can get the most bang for your buck by redeeming them for travel purchases through the Chase Travel℠ portal, which increases your point’s usual one-cent value by 25%.

You can redeem your points for statement credits, account deposits, gift cards and more. But you can get the most bang for your buck by redeeming them for travel purchases through Chase Travel℠, which increases your point’s usual one-cent value by 25%.

You can also transfer your points to one of Chase’s 14 travel partners at a 1:1 ratio (one Chase point equals one hotel point or airline mile). These include popular airlines and hotels like JetBlue, Southwest, United, Marriott and Hyatt.

Best Premium Travel Credit Cards

• Earns 4x points on restaurants worldwide, takeout and food delivery within the U.S.
• Up to $120 in annual dining credits, issued as a $10 statement credit per month for select restaurants (enrollment required)
• Up to $120 as Uber Cash annually ($10 per month) for food delivery orders and rides in the U.S. after you add the American Express(R) Gold Card to your Uber account
• Earn 4x points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1x)
• High annual fee ($250)
• Includes few travel perks and insurance policies compared to similarly priced cards

Terms apply. Please click here for applicable rates and fees.

Why we chose it: The American Express® Gold Card is ideal for foodies, offering a high reward rate at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets, takeout and food delivery. (Terms apply.)

The American Express® Gold Card also offers statement credits worth up to $240 combined — almost enough to offset the card’s $250 annual fee. These include:

• Up to $120 every year in dining credits ($10 per month) for select restaurants and food delivery services. The list includes Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and Shake Shack (Enrollment required)
• Automatically get $10 monthly in Uber Cash to use on Uber Eats or Uber rides in the U.S. (after you add the American Express® Gold Card to your account)
• $100 credit for dining, spa services and other activities when you book a two-night minimum stay at a hotel from The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel
• Terms apply

However, note that the American Express® Gold Card offers fewer travel perks than some other premium cards — for instance, it doesn’t offer trip cancellation and interruption insurance or TSA PreCheck® or CLEAR® Plus fee credits.

• 10,000 bonus miles every year
• Statement credit of up to $300 for bookings made through Capital One Travel
• Up to a $100 credit on Global Entry or TSA PreCheck(R)
• Skip the line and get car upgrades when renting a car with Hertz
• High annual fee ($395)
• Fewer bonus categories than other premium cards
• No domestic airline transfer partners

Why we chose it: The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the best credit card for travel miles if you want to earn a high reward rate and not worry about bonus categories.

The Capital One Venture X also includes noteworthy perks such as:

• 10,000 bonus miles every year (starting on your first anniversary)
• $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel
• Up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
• Access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges worldwide with Priority Pass™ Select and Plaza Premium Group
• Authorized users at no extra cost (many cards have an annual fee of $75 or more for each additional user)

All in all, the Venture X is a solid option that can easily compete with other premium travel cards, especially considering its more affordable annual fee.

• Up to $300 in statement credits each anniversary year to cover travel purchases
• Transfer your points to 14 travel partners (including United, Southwest, JetBlue and Marriott)
• Points worth 50% more when redeemed for travel expenses through Chase TravelSM
• Comprehensive travel insurance coverage, including emergency dental insurance
• High annual fee ($550)
• Doesn't include a cell phone protection plan

Why we chose it: The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is the best credit card for travelers looking for a high reward rate on travel and additional benefits like comprehensive travel insurance and airport lounge access worldwide.

Your points are worth 50% more when you redeem them for travel through the Chase Travel℠ portal. This means each point is worth 1.5 cents per point instead of one cent, like most travel cards. Also, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® provides several high-end benefits such as:

• $300 annual travel credit to cover travel-related purchases like airfare, hotels, car rentals, rideshares, buses, trains, tolls and/or parking
• Access for you and two guests to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide (after a one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select)
• Statement credit of up to $100 every four years for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or Nexus

The Sapphire Reserve does have a $550 annual fee. But if you take advantage of the $300 annual credit and other perks, the benefits can definitely outweigh its cost.

• Access to the widest network of airport lounges of any card
• Complimentary elite status in the Marriott and Hilton hotel loyalty programs
• Hundreds of dollars in annual statement credits for travel, dining and more
• High annual fee ($695)
• Doesn't include baggage delay, travel accident and primary rental car insurance
• Limited bonus categories

Terms apply. Click here for rates and fees.

Why we chose this card: The Platinum Card® from American Express offers a list of premium benefits that no other travel card offers, including the widest network of airport lounges and room upgrades at Hilton and Marriott hotels. (Terms apply.)

The Platinum Card® from American Express features an impressive list of high-end travel benefits, including:

• Complimentary access to over 1,400 airport lounges, including Priority Pass, Delta SkyClub and Amex’s own Centurion lounges (enrollment required)
• Gold status in the Marriott and Hilton loyalty programs, which makes you eligible for room upgrades, free breakfast and late checkouts (enrollment required)
• $200 back each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings made through American Express Travel and paid with your Platinum Card® (Hotel Collection bookings require a minimum two-night stay)
• Up to $200 per year when incidental fees, such as checked bags, are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card® (with one selected qualifying airline)
• Complimentary premium status in Avis Preferred®, Hertz Gold Plus Rewards®, and/or National Car Rental® Emerald Club (must enroll through your Amex online account using your card)

The Platinum Card® from American Express does have a hefty $695 annual fee. However, for people who travel often and will take advantage of its annual credits and travel perks, it might almost pay for itself.

Best Business Travel Credit Cards

• 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through AmexTravel.com
• Around $1,000 in yearly statement credits for select business purchases
• Access to a wide network of airport lounges (terms apply)
• Around $600 in perks in Fine Hotels + Resorts(R) locations booked through American Express Travel (for stays of two nights)
• Secondary rental car coverage**

Why we chose it: The Business Platinum Card® from American Express features an extensive list of benefits that make it an ideal travel and business credit card.

With this card, you can access over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide, comprehensive travel insurance and extra amenities at hundreds of hotels, like daily breakfast and free internet access. Additionally, you get a $200 credit to cover baggage fees, in-flight refreshments and more and up to $100 for Global Entry or $85 for TSA PreCheck® every four or 4.5 years respectively. (Terms apply.) (Enrollment required.)

The card also offers several yearly statement credits for business-related purchases that include up to $400 per year ($200 between January and June and $200 between July and December) for U.S. purchases with Dell.

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express does have one of the steepest annual fees ($695) among travel credit cards, but its extensive list of benefits makes it a no-brainer for business owners who travel frequently.

Best Airline Travel Credit Cards

• Free first checked bag for you and a companion
• Up to $100 as a statement credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck(R) or NEXUS every 4 year
• 25% back as a statement credit on food, beverages and Wi-Fi on board United-operated flights
• Complimentary priority boarding for you and companions traveling on the same reservation
• $95 annual fee (after the first year)
• No intro APR period
• Rewards are only valuable when used with United

Why we chose it: The card_name has a low annual fee and gives you valuable benefits that make up for it, such as priority boarding for everyone on the reservation and a free checked bag for you and one companion.

Other perks the card includes are:

• Two one-time passes for United Club℠ airport lounges each account anniversary year
• 25% back as a statement credit on in-flight purchases like food, beverages and Wi-Fi
• Up to $100 every four years to cover the cost of TSA PreCheck®, Global Entry or NEXUS
• Comprehensive travel insurance (auto rental collision damage waiver, baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, trip cancellation/interruption insurance and trip delay reimbursement)

The United℠ Explorer Card earns miles on United purchases, including tickets, inflight food, beverages, Wi-Fi and more. You also earn rewards at restaurants and select hotel stays.

You can use your miles to book flights on United Airlines or its partners, including Avianca, Lufthansa and Air Canada. You can also redeem them for seat upgrades, inflight Wi-Fi passes and more — although United miles are usually more valuable when used for airfare.

Travel Credit Cards Guide

The best credit cards for travel do more than offer high reward rates on flights and hotel stays. They also provide rewards for everyday spending and perks such as travel insurance , airport lounge access and annual statement credits.

Here’s a rundown of how these cards work:

What is a travel credit card?

Travel credit cards offer benefits and rewards geared towards individuals who travel frequently or want to earn travel benefits.

They provide high rewards for travel-related expenses such as flights, hotels, rental cars and dining. You can then use these rewards (in the form of points or miles) to book travel reservations. Some cards also let you transfer your rewards to hotel and airline partners or redeem them for statement credits, cash back, gift cards and more.

On top of the rewards, these cards often feature several travel-related perks, such as no foreign transaction fees, hotel discounts, travel insurance, free checked bags and airport lounge access.

How do travel credit cards work?

Travel credit cards give you a certain number of points or miles per dollar on eligible purchases. They often offer around 5x points or more for airfare, hotel rooms, rental cars and more. Some cards may also count parking, bus fares, taxis, tolls and ferries as travel purchases.

Besides travel, you’ll typically get bonus points in additional spending categories. For example, some cards may offer 3x points per dollar on dining, groceries, drugstores or streaming services. All other eligible purchases usually get at least one point (1x) per dollar.

You can then redeem your points for flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises and more. Card issuers also usually let you redeem your points for non-travel options like statement credits, cash back or gift cards.

How to use credit card points for travel

Travel credit cards have rewards programs through which you can earn points (or miles). Well-known point programs include Chase Ultimate Rewards®, American Express Membership Rewards® and Citi ThankYou® Rewards.

To redeem your points, go to your travel card’s rewards program portal. The process may differ across credit card issuers, but you’ll usually be able to access it through your online account on the issuer’s website or app.

Points are usually worth one cent each. However, some issuers increase their value if you redeem them for travel. For example, Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card points are worth 1.25 cents when used to book flights through the Chase Travel℠ portal.

Points may also be worth less than a cent, depending on how you redeem them. For example, some cards allow you to use your points at Amazon checkout. While this might sound convenient, this option may bring down the value of points to around 0.8 cents.

Some cards also allow you to transfer your rewards to select airline and hotel partners. Typically, you can transfer rewards to these loyalty programs on a 1:1 ratio, meaning that 1,000 credit card points are worth 1,000 loyalty program points.

Difference between points and miles

You’ll earn points or miles depending on which travel credit card you have. For example, Chase travel credit cards earn points, while Capital One travel cards earn miles. Miles and points typically have similar value (around one cent each) and redemption options.

However, keep in mind that several cards that earn miles are tied to a specific airline — like the United℠ Explorer Card. In this case, you can only use your rewards for purchases with the issuing airline such as flights, seat upgrades, inflight dining and more.

Pros and cons of travel credit cards

• Some cards offer up to 10x points per dollar on travel purchases.
• Many have additional bonus categories for dining, grocery shopping and more.
• They may include travel benefits like priority boarding, airport lounge access and late hotel checkouts.
• Points or miles can also be redeemed for cash back, statement credits, gift cards and more.
• Highest reward rates are usually limited to purchases made through the card issuer's travel portal.
• They might not offer high rewards on spending outside of the travel category.
• Some of the best ones can have steep annual fees and require good to excellent credit
• Redeeming points or miles for anything other than travel can reduce their value to less than one cent per dollar.

Types of travel credit cards

Here’s a rundown of the differences between the three main types of travel credit cards:

Airline credit cards

Airline credit cards are ideal for people who regularly fly with the same airline. These cards earn miles you can redeem for flights, seat upgrades, inflight dining, airport lounge access and other travel-related purchases but typically only with the issuing airline.

Some of the best airline travel credit cards include benefits like free checked bags, priority boarding and discounts on in-flight purchases.

Hotel credit cards

With hotel credit cards, you can only redeem your points for stays, discounts and other benefits with one particular hotel chain.

For example, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card earns points for Hilton’s loyalty program, which you can redeem for free nights in the company’s properties, including Hilton Garden Inn and Waldorf Astoria hotels.

Hotel credit cards may also offer complimentary breakfast, room upgrades, late checkouts and bonus points for purchases made during your stay.

General travel credit card

General travel credit cards are more flexible than airline or hotel cards. They aren’t affiliated with a single airline or hotel chain, so their points can be used to book flights, hotel stays, rental cars and more from different companies.

These cards may also offer useful perks for frequent travelers, like airport lounge access. They can also cover the cost of a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® membership, which allows you to skip the long lines at airport security or customs.

How to choose a travel credit card

Picking the best travel rewards credit card boils down to how often you travel, which cardmember perks you’d benefit the most from and the categories you spend the most on.

Here are some factors to keep in mind when choosing the best card for you:

• Do you travel often? A travel rewards credit card offers high reward rates on travel spending, and you’ll get the most bang for your buck when you use their points on flights, hotels and car rentals. If you don’t take trips often but want to pile up rewards, a cash-back credit card might be a better fit.
• Assess your everyday spending. Many travel cards have additional bonus categories other than travel, like dining, supermarkets, streaming services and drugstores. Consider your day-to-day spending habits and pick a card with bonus categories that fit your lifestyle.
• Consider the card’s annual fees. No-annual-fee travel cards usually have few travel benefits. The best travel credit cards charge annual fees of at least $90 and can go as high as $700. However, these are often best for those that travel enough to take advantage of their benefits.
• General travel card vs co-branded cards. General travel cards have more flexible redemption options. On the other hand, co-branded cards are often tied to a specific airline or hotel, which can limit your options. Still, they do provide valuable perks like free checked bags, in-flight discounts and hotel upgrades.
• Compare extra travel perks. Some cards offer extras like annual statement credits for flights and hotels or upgrades when renting cars. Take the time to compare each card’s roster of add-ons and pick one that will best suit your travel plans.
• Compare insurance policies. The best credit card travel benefits include insurance policies that cover travel accidents, rental cars, trip cancellations and more. These policies can vary widely based on the issuer and the card’s annual-fee tier.
• Beware foreign transaction fees. Most travel credit cards don’t charge foreign transaction fees. Some cash-back cards may offer outstanding rewards for travel purchases but charge around 3% fees on purchases outside the U.S.
• Look beyond welcome offers. A 60,000-point welcome bonus can be enticing. However, it shouldn’t be your deciding factor, especially if you’ll end up paying a high annual fee without getting your money’s worth.

How get the most out of your travel credit card

To get the most out of your travel credit card, you need to use it as often and strategically as possible. This way, you can earn points or miles with each purchase, which you can then redeem for free or discounted flights, hotels and more.

Use your travel card to pay most of your purchases and bills and then pay your card off in full each month. This will help you earn points while avoiding interest charges and high credit card debt , which can impact your credit score.

Here are some other tips to maximize your rewards and benefits:

• Consider adding an authorized user to your account. They’ll earn points with every purchase they make, and those will get added to your overall total. However, make sure to pick someone who will use the card responsibly since you’ll be legally liable if they ever fail to pay their monthly bills.
• Redeem your rewards for travel through the card issuer’s website. This redemption option usually offers the highest value compared to gift cards or merchandise, for example.
• If your card offers travel protections (like travel accident or luggage insurance), use it to pay for your passenger fares. This way, you could be reimbursed in the event of an accident or lost luggage, for example.
• Use your airline or hotel card to sign up for the company’s frequent flyer or frequent guest loyalty program. You’ll often earn extra points or miles when you’re a member and use your co-branded card to pay for flights, hotel stays and more.
• If you can transfer points from other credit cards to your travel card, take advantage of this feature. This way, you can accumulate extra points for travel booking and sometimes even increase their value.

Best Travel Credit Cards FAQs

What is the best travel credit card, what is the best credit card for international travel, how to travel for free with credit cards, what is the best credit card for travel miles, what is a welcome bonus on a credit card, how we chose the best travel credit cards.

We ranked the best credit cards for travel based on their annual fees, benefits, reward rates and redemption flexibility.

Fees: We compared interest rates and foreign, cash advance and balance transfer fees for more than 50 credit cards. We also considered their annual fee, looking for those that offered the most for the money.

Ongoing benefits: Intro APR and bonus offers are attractive, but they can only get you so far. We focused on cards with year-round benefits such as travel insurance or cell phone protection plans.

Reward rates: We preferred cards that allow you to earn extra points from travel expenses, as well as those that provide significant bonus rewards in popular spending categories, like dining, supermarkets or streaming services.

Redemption flexibility: Our picks don’t limit your redemption options to just travel. Some let you use your points for Amazon purchases, for example. We also preferred issuers that allowed cardholders to transfer their points to airline and hotel partners.

Summary of Money’s Best Travel Credit Cards of May 2024

• Discover it® Miles Credit Card – Best no-annual-fee travel card for simple rewards

Money.com has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Money.com and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

To see rates and fees for the American Express® Gold Card, visit this link . Terms apply.

To see rates and fees for The Platinum Card® from American Express, visit this link . Terms apply.

To see rates and fees for The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, visit this link . Terms apply.

* Insurance disclosures for American Express Cards on this page:

Trip Delay Insurance: Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance: Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

Baggage Insurance Plan: Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

Global Assist Hotline: Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.

Extended Warranty, Purchase Protection, Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

Car Rental Loss & Damage Insurance: Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

** Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $75,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

*** Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $50,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

© Copyright 2024 Money Group, LLC . All Rights Reserved.

This article originally appeared on Money.com and may contain affiliate links for which Money receives compensation. Opinions expressed in this article are the author's alone, not those of a third-party entity, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed. Offers may be subject to change without notice. For more information, read Money’s full disclaimer .

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Credit Cards

I’m an expat, and here’s why I love my Bank of America Travel Rewards card

Kelly Dilworth

Allie Johnson

“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.

Robin Saks Frankel

Published 5:24 a.m. UTC May 8, 2024

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VioletaStoimenova, Getty Images

I’m a U.S. citizen who lives most of the year in Canada. But when I pick up coffee or purchase subway fare in my adopted city of Toronto, I often find myself habitually turning to the same few American credit cards I’ve owned and used for years.

Using my American cards while living across the border helps me maintain my U.S. credit history. Plus, I’ve found that they offer more value than comparably-priced Canadian cards. 

I’m especially likely to pull out my Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card because it offers ample points without requiring me to think too hard about different rewards categories. 

Instead, I earn the same unlimited 1.5 points per $1 on purchases, which is a rewards rate I’ve so far been unable to match with a no-annual-fee Canadian card. 

Aren’t sure how to choose a credit card? Read our guide on how to pick the best credit card for you.

In Canada, rewards cards without annual fees are typically less generous –– especially when it comes to miscellaneous spending. For example, my CIBC Dividend® Visa* Card * The information for the CIBC Dividend® Visa* Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. offers 2% cash back on groceries, 1% cash back on eligible gas, electric vehicle charging, transportation, dining and recurring payments, 0.5% cash on everything else. 

There are no foreign transaction fees on my Bank of America Travel Rewards card either. So I don’t have to sweat over 1% to 3% in foreign transaction fees that can quickly add up over multiple transactions. 

However, the number one reason I turn so regularly to my Bank of America Travel Rewards card is its convenience. 

After nearly 20 years of credit card experience, I’ve learned that I get more value out of low-maintenance cards that require minimal time and attention. 

our partner

Blueprint receives compensation from our partners for featured offers, which impacts how and where the placement is displayed.

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Welcome bonus

• 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening – that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.

Regular APR

Credit score.

Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.

Editor’s take

• 15 billing cycles of intro APR financing on both new purchases and on qualifying balance transfers.
• Earn an unlimited 1.5 points per $1 on purchases.
• No foreign transaction fees so it’s a good choice to use abroad.
• Points must be redeemed towards eligible travel and dining purchases for maximum redemption value.
• You can’t transfer rewards to airline or hotel partners.

Card details

• Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
• Use your card to book your trip how and where you want – you’re not limited to specific websites with blackout dates or restrictions.
• Redeem points for a statement credit to pay for travel or dining purchases, such as flights, hotel stays, car and vacation rentals, baggage fees, and also at restaurants including takeout.
• 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 19.24% – 29.24% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%.
• If you’re a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means instead of earning an unlimited 1.5 points for every $1, you could earn 1.87-2.62 points for every $1 you spend on purchases.
• Contactless Cards – The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
• This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.

Even abroad, Bank of America Travel Rewards are simple to earn, fast to redeem 

In my experience, the Bank of America Travel Rewards Visa is especially easy to use in Canada compared with other American cards I own since it comes equipped with contactless technology (which was popular here long before it took off in the U.S.), and Visa is widely accepted. 

I rarely use my Discover it® Miles , by contrast, because I’ve struggled to find vendors in Canada who will accept it.

Since I earn the same rewards rate with every purchase on my Bank of America Travel Rewards card, I don’t have to track spending bonuses or worry about the types of foreign purchases that will qualify for a higher rate. 

Even better, the rewards I earn from my Bank of America Travel Rewards card are so easy to redeem I can do it within minutes online simply by checking some boxes next to eligible travel and dining purchases. Within days, a statement credit then posts to my account. 

I also can book rewards travel from whatever site I want to, and I don’t have to plan around blackout dates or other travel restrictions. 

For a working mom like me who can barely carve out time to book travel, let alone spend hours searching for a suitable rewards flight, that extra layer of simplicity is important. 

I also have ADHD, so navigating a complicated rewards scheme that requires lots of extra steps or tracking can sometimes feel overwhelming. Simpler rewards programs are easier for me to stick to long term and are overall a better fit for my neurodivergent brain. Plus, I’m more likely to use my rewards if they’re easy to redeem. 

On the downside, the redemption options for the Bank of America Travel Rewards card are limited: to earn a 1:1 return on your rewards spending, you need to redeem your points for travel or dining. 

You can trade in your points for a gift card, but your points will be worth less than a cent each. The redemption rate for cash is even stingier.

Luckily, there are plenty of purchases that count as travel and dining, including public transit and parking fees, bridge and highway tolls, tourist attractions such as aquariums and zoos, fast food, coffee shops, bars and taverns. 

Bank of America also gives you up to a year to redeem your points before a qualifying purchase is no longer eligible. So you have some time to build up your rewards. 

How I use American credit while living in another country

In my case, I’ve managed to seamlessly transition to living much of the year in Canada without giving up my American credit history because I still have a valid U.S. address and phone number and maintain a presence in both countries. 

I also happened to own most of my credit cards well before I moved to Canada in 2018. However, I have successfully applied for new cards in the years since and had them sent to my American address. 

Expats who don’t maintain a valid U.S. address may need to work with a bank or credit union that specializes in serving U.S. citizens who live or travel extensively abroad. But for me, it’s been relatively easy, and my Bank of America Travel Rewards card fits my needs perfectly.

*The information for the CIBC Dividend® Visa* Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy . The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.

Kelly Dilworth is a business and personal finance writer, specializing in the intersection between money and life. She has more than a decade of financial writing and reporting experience and has covered consumer banking and lending, credit cards, credit reporting and consumer scoring for a variety of personal finance outlets, including Bankrate and CreditCards.com, The Balance, LendingTree and Forbes Advisor. Her reporting has also been cited in Congressional testimony and in a number of reports, books and journal articles.

Allie is a journalist with a passion for money tips and advice. She's been writing about personal finance since the Great Recession for online publications such as Bankrate, CreditCards.com, MyWalletJoy and ValuePenguin. She's also written personal finance content for Discover, First Horizon Bank, The Hartford, Travelers and Synovus.

Robin Saks Frankel is a credit cards lead editor at USA TODAY Blueprint. Previously, she was a credit cards and personal finance deputy editor for Forbes Advisor. She has also covered credit cards and related content for other national web publications including NerdWallet, Bankrate and HerMoney. She's been featured as a personal finance expert in outlets including CNBC, Business Insider, CBS Marketplace, NASDAQ's Trade Talks and has appeared on or contributed to The New York Times, Fox News, CBS Radio, ABC Radio, NPR, International Business Times and NBC, ABC and CBS TV affiliates nationwide. She holds an M.S. in Business and Economics Journalism from Boston University. Follow her on Twitter at @robinsaks.

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The Best Travel Credit Cards for Canadians with Lower Incomes

One of the best ways to make travel more affordable is by leveraging travel credit cards; however, many of the best travel credit cards for Canadians have hefty income requirements.

For example, cards in the Visa Infinite family require at least $60,000 in personal income, and the higher-tier Visa Infinite Privilege cards require a whopping $150,000 in personal or $200,000 in household income.

Meanwhile, qualifying for a Mastercard World Elite product usually requires $80,000 in personal or $150,000 in household income.

Unfortunately, not every Canadian meets these criteria. Many folks simply don’t earn this much, including students, seniors living on a fixed income, newcomers, or new parents on childcare leave.

In This Post

Rbc ® avion visa platinum†, td ® aeroplan ® visa platinum* card, american express cobalt card, scotiabank gold american express card, cibc aventura gold visa.

The first credit card on our list is the RBC ® Avion Visa Platinum† . As the entry-level offering amongst the “Avion Elite” cards, it doesn’t require any minimum personal or household income.†  

Until November 27, 2023, the card is offering a best-ever welcome bonus for up to 55,000 RBC Avion points†, structured as follows:

• 35,000 RBC Avion points upon approval†
• 20,000 RBC Avion points upon spending $5,000 in the first six months†

It’s worth noting that the welcome bonus is the exact same as what’s offered on the higher-tiered RBC ® Avion Visa Infinite† and the RBC ® Avion Visa Infinite Privilege† .

Under the RBC Air Travel Redemption Schedule , the 35,000 points given on approval is enough for a round-trip economy booking in North America, worth up to $700 in ticket price†. Meanwhile, 55,000 points could take you round-trip in economy to Sun destinations, up to a max ticket price of $1,100†. Note that you’ll still be on the hook for taxes and fees .

Better yet, you can also transfer Avion points to four airline partners, and then make redemptions from within each program:

• British Airways Executive Club: 1 Avion point = 1 Avios
• Cathay Pacific Asia Miles : 1 Avion point = 1 Asia Mile
• WestJet Rewards: 100 Avion points = 1 WestJet Dollar (WSD)
• American Airlines AAdvantage: 1 Avion point = 0.7 AAdvantage miles

Despite the card’s larger minimum spending requirement , the six-month timeline brings it down to an average of $833 per month. Keep in mind that you can use services such as Chexy to pay rent with a credit card, which can help take a bite out of the minimum spending requirement and unlock the full welcome bonus.

As for the card’s other features, the budget-conscious traveller would benefit from the card’s suite of relatively strong insurance.†

The card’s $120 annual fee isn’t rebated in the first year with the current offer†, although it can be offset by opening one of several types of RBC bank accounts .†

• Earn 35,000 RBC Avion points upon approval †
• Earn 1 RBC Avion point per dollar spent †  on travel purchases
• Transfer RBC Avion points to British Airways Executive Club and other frequent flyer programs for premium flights †
• Redeem RBC Avion points with the RBC Air Travel Redemption Schedule †
• No minimum income requirement
• Annual fee: $120 †

Next up is the TD ® Aeroplan ® Visa Platinum* Card , which only requires you to be the age of majority, a Canadian permanent resident, and have an email address. This makes the card a very good starting point for anyone looking to get into the Aeroplan ecosystem.

Until March 4, 2024, the card is offering a welcome bonus of up to 20,000 Aeroplan points †, structured as follows:

• 10,000 Aeroplan points upon first purchase†
• 10,000 Aeroplan points upon spending $1,000 in the first three months†

You can earn the full welcome bonus upon spending $1,000 in the first three months†, which averages out to just over $333 each month.

Better yet, the $89 annual fee is rebated in the first year,†  and can be further waived in subsequent years by opening select TD bank account products .†

Note that the earning rates on this credit card aren’t the highest on this list. You’ll earn 1 Aeroplan point per dollar spent† on eligible gas, grocery, and Air Canada purchases,† whilst all other purchases will earn 1 Aeroplan point per $1.50 spent.†

However, the TD ® Aeroplan ® Visa Platinum* Card also comes with insurance benefits,† including baggage and flight delay, and trip cancellation coverage.† The insurance also covers Aeroplan reward flights,† as long as you pay for the taxes and fees with the card.†

Plus, with an Aeroplan co-branded credit card, you’ll enjoy preferred pricing on Air Canada flights † booked with Aeroplan points.†

• Earn  10,000 Aeroplan points † upon first purchase †
• Plus, earn 10,000 Aeroplan points † upon spending $1,000 in the first three months
• Earn 1x Aeroplan points† on eligible gas, groceries, and Air Canada ® purchases, including Air Canada Vacations ® †
• Preferred pricing on Air Canada ® flights through Aeroplan †
• Annual fee: $89, rebated in the first year †
• Application must be approved by September 3, 2024 to receive this offer

No list of income-friendly Canadian credit cards would be complete without the legendary American Express Cobalt Card .

Ever since its launch in 2017, this product has been revered as the best pound-for-pound travel credit card by the Miles & Points community. It likewise set a standard of excellence among Canadian credit cards that has often been imitated, but never fully replicated.

To recap, this incredible credit card, which requires no minimum income, earns the following:

• 5 points per dollar spent on eligible restaurants and groceries (up to $2,500 monthly)
• 3 points per dollar spent on eligible streaming services
• 2 points per dollar spent on eligible travel purchases
• 1 points per dollar spent on all other purchases

Keep in mind that American Express Membership Rewards (MR) points are transferable to a wide variety of partners, including Aeroplan , Air France KLM Flying Blue , British Airways Executive Club , and Marriott Bonvoy , amongst others.

If the earning rates alone aren’t enough to tempt you, consider that new applicants can earn a welcome bonus of up to 30,000 MR points in the first year. However, the welcome bonus requires spending at least $500 each month for a year, which could be onerous for Canadians with lower incomes.

While this card comes with a $12.99 monthly fee ($155.88 annually), the value you’ll be deriving from it is among the best in the entire Canadian credit card market.

• Earn a total of 15,000 MR points upon spending $750 in each of the first 12 months
• Earn 5x MR points on groceries, restaurants, bars, and food delivery
• Earn 3x MR points on eligible streaming services
• Earn 2x MR points on gas, transit, and travel purchases
• Transfer MR points to Aeroplan, Avios, Flying Blue, or Marriott Bonvoy
• Enjoy the exclusive benefits of being an American Express cardholder
• Bonus MR points for referring family and friends
• Monthly fee: $12.99

Another excellent American Express option for Canadians with lower incomes is the  Scotiabank Gold American Express Card . 

The card has a personal minimum income requirement of $12,000, and it earns Scene+ points, which is a handy points currency to use for travel.

Until October 31, 2023, you’ll be eligible for a welcome bonus of up to 40,000 Scene+ points, structured as follows:

• 20,000 Scene+ points upon spending $1,000 in the first three months
• 20,000 Scene+ points upon spending $7,500 in the first year

40,000 Scene+ points are worth a cool $400 when redeemed for travel, and you can further pad your balance with the card’s excellent earning rates:

• 6 Scene+ points per dollar spent on Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, FreshCo, and more
• 5 Scene+ points per dollar spent on groceries, dining, and entertainment
• 3 Scene+ points per dollar spent on gas, transit, and streaming services
• 1 Scene+ point per dollar spent on all other purchases

Scene+ is a useful flexible points currency to use because it can be applied at 1 cent per point against any travel purchase, such as flights or hotels. It can also be used to offset Uber rides, taxis, and trains. 

On top of this, the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card offers one of the best benefits of any credit card in Canada – no foreign transaction fees. While you’ll earn a flat rate of 1 Scene+ point per dollar spent outside of Canada, you also won’t have to pay the pesky 2.5% foreign transaction fee, which is levied by most banks.

Moreover, the card comes with a complimentary concierge service, which is a feature typically reserved for credit cards that require higher minimum incomes. The concierge can help you score tickets to an event, or a preferred reservation at restaurants.

Furthermore, you can register the Scotiabank Gold American Express card to a plethora of Amex Offers , which have recently included statement credits for United Airlines tickets and Marriott stays .

In sum, the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card offers incredible value for any would-be globetrotter.

While the $120 annual fee isn’t rebated with the current offer, you can easily offset its cost through the card’s earning rates and features alone.

• Earn  20,000 Scene+ points  upon spending $1,000 in the first three months
• Earn an  additional 20,000 Scene+ points  upon spending $7,500 in the first year
• Earn 6x Scene+ points at Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, FreshCo, and more
• Plus, earn 1x 5x Scene+ points on groceries, dining, and entertainment
• Also, earn 1x 3x Scene+ points on gas, transit, and select streaming services
• Redeem points for statement credit for any travel expense
• No foreign transaction fees
• Annual fee: $120

The CIBC Aventura Gold Visa Card is another unique fixture on this list because its welcome bonus and most of its benefits are identical to those of its Visa Infinite counterpart, the CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card , which has a higher minimum income requirement.

What separates them is that the CIBC Aventura Gold Visa Card only requires a $15,000 minimum personal household income, making it accessible to many Canadians. 

While the complimentary insurance coverage on this card isn’t as robust as its Visa Infinite cousin, its earning rates on everyday spending are identical, outlined as follows:

• 2 points per dollar spent on eligible travel booked directly via CIBC’s portal
• 1.5 points per dollar spent on eligible gas, groceries, EV charging, and pharmacy purchases
• 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases

However, the real magic comes in the form of its welcome bonus, which, compared to other cards, is one of the most generous in Canada relative to the size of the spend. 

Currently, the card is offering a welcome bonus of up to 35,000 Aventura Points , structured as follows:

• 15,000 Aventura Points upon first purchase
• 20,000 Aventura Points upon spending $3,000 in four months

The welcome bonus points you’ll earn may be redeemed through CIBC’s Aventura portal in a variety of ways, such as gift cards and merchandise.

You may also use fixed amounts of Aventura points to redeem for flights with the CIBC Aventura Flight Rewards Chart.

For instance, 25,000–35,000 Aventura Points will get you a round-trip ticket from Toronto to Las Vegas or Vancouver in economy, up to a maximum base fare of $800.

You can also take advantage of CIBC’s ongoing promotion for redeeming Aventura Points directly against travel purchases charged to the card for 50% fewer points . Effectively, redeeming this way gives you a value of 1.25 cents per point, and thus, the 35,000 Aventura Points from the welcome bonus can yield a total value of $437.50.

In terms of the card’s other travel features, the CIBC Aventura Gold Visa Card has something that’s often not included on cards with lower income requirements: meaningful premium luxury enhancements.

If you’re approved for the card, you’re entitled to four complimentary lounge visits at participating DragonPass-affiliated lounges per year. Free lounge access is usually a benefit that comes in exchange for high annual fees, so it’s nice to see it provided on a card with lower income requirements.

Moreover, the CIBC Aventura Visa Gold offers a $50 (USD) NEXUS application fee credit for the primary cardholder – something that’s particularly useful for folks who often make trips to the United States. This is also a benefit included mostly with higher-tier cards.

As part of the current offer, the $139 annual fee is rebated for the first year, which means that you can score all of the above without an out-of-pocket cost in year one.

• Earn 15,000 CIBC Aventura Points after making your first purchase †
• Plus, earn 30,000 CIBC Aventura Points after spending $3,000 in the first four months †
• Plus, earn 2x CIBC Aventura Points on all eligible purchases through the CIBC Rewards Centre †
• Plus, earn 1.5x CIBC Aventura Points on eligible gas, groceries, and drugstore purchases †
• Four free lounge visits per year with the Visa Airport Companion Program †
• NEXUS application fee credit †
• Minimum income: $15,000 household †
• Annual fee: $139 (rebated for the first year) †

It’s never fun to feel like you’re being left out of an exclusive club, and sadly, some of the best credit cards in Canada are hidden behind high income requirements and huge annual fees.

However, as we’ve seen from this list, just because you don’t make big bucks doesn’t mean you can’t derive great value and benefits from travel credit cards.

Until next time, don’t forget to fill in the household income box at the time of application.

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Business Platinum Card from American Express

120,000 MR points

American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card

85,000 Aeroplan points

American Express Platinum Card

100,000 MR points

TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card

Up to 85,000 Aeroplan points†

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You Could Get an Ultra-Low APR With This Credit Union's Credit Card

The Skyla Credit Union Visa Platinum Rewards Card earns double rewards through June 30 and offers unique features like free balance transfers.

Low APR With Skyla Credit Union

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Skyla Credit Union's Visa Platinum Rewards Card offers free balance transfers.

Key Takeaways

• New Skyla Visa Platinum Rewards cardholders can pay 0% APR during the 12-month promotional window, then a variable APR from 12.9% to 17.95%.
• Skyla's Visa Platinum Rewards Card earns two points per dollar on all purchases through June 30, 2024.
• Other features include no annual fee, no cash advance fees and free balance transfers.

Skyla Credit Union's Visa Platinum Rewards Card comes with a rare feature – free balance transfers. Plus, the card normally earns one point for every dollar you spend, but you can earn double the points now through the end of June. Keep reading to learn more about the Skyla Visa Platinum Rewards Card, including its benefits, how to redeem your rewards and alternative options.

Benefits of the Skyla Visa Platinum Rewards Card

The Skyla Visa Platinum Rewards Card offers a sign-up bonus for new cardholders and ongoing benefits, as well as no annual fee and no cash advance fees. In addition, the card features:

• Low APR. Your annual percentage rate will range from 12.9% up to 17.95%, depending on creditworthiness . This is lower than most cards on the market.
• 0% APR promotion period. As a new cardholder, you can pay 0% interest on balance transfers and purchases within the first 12 months. Once the promotional period expires, you'll need to pay interest at the card's standard rate.
• Welcome bonus. You can earn 10,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in the first three months with the card.
• Free balance transfers. Unlike many other cards, the Skyla Visa Platinum Rewards Card allows you to transfer a balance from another card for free.
• Cellphone protection. Paying your cellphone bill with the card allows you to access up to $250 per claim in supplemental coverage.
• Auto rental collision coverage. When you pay for a rental with the Skyla Visa Platinum Rewards Card, you can be reimbursed for any costs from physical damage to or theft of the rental car, along with other possible charges.

How to Redeem Rewards

To redeem your rewards, log into your Skyla Visa Platinum Rewards account. You can choose from several redemption options, such as:

• Cash. Convert your rewards into cash and transfer them into your Skyla account.
• Travel. Redeem reward points to cover travel expenses, such as hotels, flights and car rentals, through the card's website or by phone.
• Gift cards. Use your points to buy gift cards from several major retailers.
• Experiences. Use your points for experiences, such as sporting events, theme parks or spa services.

Alternative Reward Cards to Consider

The PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature Card has a variable purchase APR of 17.99% and earns five points per dollar on gas purchased at the pump and EV charging stations; three points per dollar at supermarkets (including most Target and Walmart locations), at restaurants and with select streaming services; and one point per dollar on other purchases. Unlike the Skyla Visa Platinum Rewards Card, it has no foreign transaction fee . New cardholders also get a 0% APR for 12 months on balance transfers, but you must pay a 3% transfer fee. Spend $1,500 in the first 90 days and you can earn 15,000 bonus points.

If you're looking for a card with a higher flat redemption rate, the Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Card – also a no-annual-fee card – earns 2.5% cash back on the first $10,000 you spend each billing cycle and 1.5% on purchases over that amount. Its variable rate ranges from 17.49% to 27.49%. However, it doesn't have a 0% APR promotional period, there is no sign-up bonus and you must pay a 3% fee on balance transfers.

The information for the Skyla Credit Union Visa Platinum Rewards Card has been collected independently by U.S. News and the card is not currently available on the site. The information has not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer and it is accurate as of the date posted.

Tags: credit cards , credit unions

Comparative assessments and other editorial opinions are those of U.S. News and have not been previously reviewed, approved or endorsed by any other entities, such as banks, credit card issuers or travel companies. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired.

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• Government efficiency, transparency and accountability
• Government spending

Support to help with the cost of transport

• Department for Transport
• HM Treasury

Published 5 December 2013

© Crown copyright 2013

This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: [email protected] .

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/support-to-help-with-the-cost-of-transport/support-to-help-with-the-cost-of-transport

1. Concessionary bus travel

In 2012-13, 9.7 million older people and disabled people made £1,016 million bus journeys using a statutory English National Concessionary Travel Scheme pass – the scheme provides travel for free on local bus services anywhere in England, between 0930 and 2300 during weekdays and anytime at weekends and bank holidays.

The scheme is administered at a local level by Travel Concession Authorities (TCA). Many TCAs provide enhancements to the statutory scheme, which for example allow for free or discounted travel before 0930 or on other modes of transport.

More details on enhancements provided in each TCA

See more details on how to apply for an older person bus pass

See more details on how to apply for a disabled persons bus pass

2. Rail Cards

A range of railcards are available that offer discounts on rail travel. These include:

16-25 Railcard

This provides up to 1/3 off rail fares to those aged 16-25 or full time students. It is reported to provide an average saving of £145 per year.

Family and Friends Railcard

This provides up to 1/3 off rail fares to those travelling with children aged 5-15. It is reported to provide an average saving of £117 per year.

Senior Railcard

This provides up to 1/3 off rail fares to those aged over 60. It is reported to provide an average saving of £83 per year.

Network Railcard

Provides up to 1/3 off rail fares for the cardholder and up to 3 others in London and the South East.

Disabled person’s Railcard

Provides up to 1/3 off rail fares for the card holder and a companion. It is reported to provide an average saving of £94 per year.

See more details on eligibility to the disabled persons railcard

See more details on how to apply for these railcards

HM Forces Railcard

This provides up to 1/3 off adult rail fares and 60% off kids’ fares for members of the Regular forces, their spouses and dependent children aged 16 or 17.

See more details on how to apply for an HM Forces railcard

Regional Railcards

A number of other railcards are offered for use in specific geographical locations or on certain lines of a route.

See more details on these regional railcards and how to apply for them

3. Support for young people

Local authorities offer a range of travel support for young people. These include:

Home to School Transport

Local authorities currently spend around £1 billion every year providing free transport to and from school. At a minimum this covers pupils travelling more than 2 miles (for those under 8 years of age), pupils travelling more than 3 miles (for those aged 8 or over) and those unable to walk to school due to their Special Educational Needs.

Extended Rights to Free Home to School Transport

There is an additional entitlement to free travel for children from low income families (that is those entitled to free school meals or whose parents receive the maximum working tax credit). Local authorities were allocated around £38 million in 2013-14 to provide this transport.

See more information on the range of support offered by your local authority

Care to Learn

Care to Learn provides support with the cost of childcare and associated travel costs to ensure these do not prevent young parents (under the age of 20) from participating in education. Care to Learn supports around 6,500 young parents every year.

See more details on eligibility and how to apply for this support

16-19 bursary

The bursary provides support for those aged 16-19 participating in education or training who face additional barriers to staying in education. The most vulnerable young people may be entitled to a bursary of at least £1,200 per year while discretionary bursaries are provided at the discretion of education providers.

See more details on eligibility and how to apply for the 16-19 bursary

Discretionary learner support

Those aged 19 or over and facing financial hardship could be eligible for support through the discretionary learner fund. This includes support for the cost of travel (e.g. through the provision of travel passes or reimbursing the cost of fuel).

See more details on eligibility and how to apply for discretionary learner support

4. Support for the unemployed

Jobcentre plus travel discount card.

This is provided to those unemployed claiming Jobseekers Allowance or Universal Credit for 3-9 months (18-24 year olds) or 3-12 months (over 25s). Other benefit recipients may receive a Jobcentre Plus Travel Discount Card from 3 months of their claim and if they are actively engaged with a Jobcentre Plus adviser. Cardholders are entitled to a 50% discount on selected rail tickets.

Flexible support fund

May be used at the discretion of Jobcentre Plus staff to help with the cost of travelling to an interview, training or for the first months of travelling to work.

Further information on the support available for the unemployed can be found in your local Jobcentre Plus office. See more details on how to contact your local Jobcentre Plus office

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Personal Finance

Best discover credit cards 2024.

Our evaluations and opinions are not influenced by our advertising relationships, but we may earn a commission from our partners’ links. This content is created independently from TIME’s editorial staff. Learn more about it.

Discover is one of the best providers of introductory credit cards. None charge an annual fee, interest rates are on par with other credit card issuers, they earn cash back, and there are introductory offers for waiving interest on new purchases or balance transfers.

There are also options for people who don’t have a credit history, such as students or people with a low credit score. With a Discover credit card, you can build your credit score over time.

The following are the best Discover credit cards for various goals and credit scenarios.

Best Discover credit cards: Summary

Best for earning travel rewards: discover it® miles, best for cash back: discover it® cash back, best for cash back for students: discover it student® cash back, best for student purchases on gas and restaurants: discover it student® chrome card, best for balance transfers: discover it® balance transfer, best for road trips: discover it® chrome gas & restaurant card, best for hockey fans: nhl® discover it®, best for low credit score: discover it® secured credit card, our recommendations.

There isn't a bad egg in the Discover credit card portfolio. They’re all solid cards with cash back earnings and no annual fee. There are Discover cards designed for different borrowers, however, so you’ll want to see whether any of the following cards makes sense for your spending habits.

The Discover it Miles is Discover’s travel card, though its redemptions are more like cash-back redemptions that can only be used as statement credits on travel purchases. The regular earning rate is good—1.5 miles per dollar spent. At the end of the first year, any miles you’ve earned will be doubled.

• No annual fee.
• Earning miles is simple and unlimited.
• Miles are doubled the first year.
• Earn 1.5 miles on every $1.
• Redemptions are limited to flat rate.
• No travel rewards partners or program.

Cardmembers looking to earn cash back in a variety of everyday categories may want to consider the Discover it Cash Back. The card earns 5% cash back on rotating categories throughout the year, up to $1,500, plus 1% on everything else. There is a long 0% APR introductory period of 15 months (then 17.24% to 28.24%). All the cash back earned on the card in the first year is doubled at the end of the year.

• Generous cash-back options.
• 15-month introductory 0% APR.
• Categories may be unpredictable.

The Discover it Student Cash Back credit card earns a lot in cash-back rewards—especially for a student card with no annual fee. Like the Discover It Cash Back card above, holders earn 5% cash back on a different category group each quarter, up to $1,500 in purchases, plus 1% on other purchases. There is no minimum credit score required, making the card perfect for students new to credit. For new cardholders, cash back is matched at the end of the year.

• Generous cash-back rewards.
• Pre-approval tool to see if you qualify.
• High balance transfer fee.
• High cash advance fee.

The Discover it Student Chrome Card earns a steady 2% cash back on gas station and restaurant purchases up to $1,000 each quarter and 1% on all other purchases. For students who commute, it’s a good amount of rewards, especially for a card with no annual fee. There is a cash-back match offer for the first year and no credit score required to apply.

• Students are able to qualify for the card.
• Prequalification tool.
• No credit score required to apply.
• Cash-back matched the first year.
• Fewer bonus categories.
• High balance transfer and cash advance fee.

The Discover it® Balance Transfer credit card offers 0% APR for 15 months for balance transfers. The balance transfer fee is 3% during the introductory period and 5% after. The card also earns rewards at the rate of 5% in rotating quarterly categories and has a cash back matching offer for the first year.

• Long introductory balance period.
• Earns rewards.
• High cash advance and balance transfer fees.

If you drive and eat out frequently, you might want to consider the Discover it Chrome Gas and Restaurant credit card. It earns 2% on gas and restaurant purchases up to $1,000 each quarter, plus 1% on all other purchases. The card offers a 0% APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months.

• Bonus rewards for gas and restaurants.
• Cash back matched the first year.
• 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months.
• 2% cash back bonus limited to $1,000 in purchases each quarter.

The NHL Discover it credit card earns the same rewards as the Discover it cards at 5% cash back in rotating quarterly categories. In the first year of card membership, cash back is matched. There is also a low introductory APR of 0% for 15 months. The only thing different about NHL Discover is the card’s design, which can be selected from one of 32 NHL teams.

• Custom NHL team card design.
• Low intro APR at 0% for 15 months.
• Generous cash rewards.
• High balance transfer and cash advance fees.

The Discover it Secured credit card offers a way for people with low credit scores to build credit. There is no minimum credit score requirement for approval, and a security deposit can be for as low as $200. The card doesn’t charge an annual fee and earns cash back at a rate of 2% at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 of combined purchases each quarter. There is also a cash-back match offer that doubles cash back at the end of the year.

• Deposit as low as $200.
• No minimum credit score requirement.
• Automatic reviews every seven months.
• Cash-back match at the end of the year
• Approval isn’t guaranteed, even as a secured card.

Methodology

Discover has a variety of credit card offerings. We evaluated annual fees, cash-back offers, APRs, and introductory offers. The best were chosen for their unique features geared toward specific cardholders. These include cards for cash back, travel , gas , restaurants , balance transfers , and rebuilding credit .

How to pick the best Discover credit card for you

Picking the best Discover credit card depends on your credit profile and what you want to earn. Do you have good credit and want to earn the most cash back? Are you rebuilding your credit and just need a card that doesn’t charge a ton of fees? There are Discover cards to match a variety of priorities.

Decide what you want to earn

The two main things you’ll earn on a Discover credit card are cash back and miles. Discover is known for its cash back, and the miles rewards are similar. If you’d rather earn miles than cash back, you can apply for the Discover it Miles credit card. Every other Discover card earns cash back, even the student and secured cards.

Pick a card that matches your credit profile

• Student . Discover has credit cards perfect for students, with qualification requirements suitable for those with little or no credit history. They’ll even earn you rewards, to boot. As we explained in detail above, the Discover it Student® Cash Back and Discover it Student® Chrome Card both earn rewards.
• Rebuilding credit . If you’re on the path to rebuild your credit, the Discover it Secured credit card may be the way to go. There is no credit check and the security deposit can be as little as $200.
• Traveler . The Discover it Miles Card is Discover’s card for award travel. Redemptions are made at a fixed value of 100 miles = $1, which is much like Discover’s cash back redemption. You’ll need good to excellent credit to be approved.
• Household shopper . If most of your expenses are for household goods, you might be happy earning cash back from one of the Discover cash-back cards. Take a look at what you currently spend money on the most and choose a card that earns bonus points in those categories. For example, if you spend a lot of money on gas, you may want to go for the Discover it Gas and Restaurant Card. A good-to-excellent credit score is required.

More on Discover credit cards

If you’re seriously looking at Discover cards, you might be considering the following:

What credit score do you need to get a Discover card?

The credit score needed for a Discover card depends on the type of card you’re getting. Student cards and the secured card don’t have a credit score requirement. However, the other cards require at least a good credit score , which FICO defines as 670 or above.

If you’re worried about being approved for a card, you can try Discover’s pre-approval tool which can check your approval likelihood without a hard credit check .

How can I apply for a Discover credit card?

You can apply for a Discover credit card online.

You’ll need to provide:

• Last four numbers of your Social Security number
• Home address
• Employment status
• Bank accounts owned
• Housing payment
• Total gross income
• Email address

You’ll choose your card design (if applicable) and accept the terms to proceed with your application.

Discover credit card fees

• Annual fee: $0
• Cash advance: $10 or 5% for each cash advance
• Late payment: Up to $41
• Returned payment: Up to $41
• Balance transfer: 3% during the introductory period, 5% after

What is the APR on Discover credit cards?

Discover credit cards currently have APRs that range from 17.24% to 28.24%.

What credit limit can I get with a Discover card?

Discover credit limits start at $500 for all cards except the secured card, which can start at $200. Over time, with a regular payment history and reported income increases, you may see your credit limit increase.

What are the benefits of Discover credit cards?

Some of the benefits of Discover credit cards include strong cash-back offers, FICO Credit Score monitoring, 0% introductory APRs, and various redemption options.

Which Discover card is easiest to get?

The easiest Discover cards are the ones with the lowest credit score requirements. These include the Discover it Secured Card, Discover it Student® Cash Back, and Discover it Student® Chrome.

Will a Discover card help me build credit?

Yes, a Discover credit card can help you build credit. If you establish good habits, such as paying off your balance, paying on time, and keeping your purchases far below your credit limit, you may see a positive credit history start to build.

TIME Stamp: Discover credit cards are great for earning cash back and building credit

Discover credit cards aren’t the flashiest cards around, but they are solid—especially for those new to credit. None of the cards charge an annual fee and the APRs are on par with other cards. The cash back earnings and redemptions are average, and introductory offers include a matching cash back offer for a year and 0% APR for an introductory period.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Which discover card is easier to get.

The Discover it Secured Credit Card is easiest to get because it does not require a credit check. Instead, you need to provide a security deposit—the amount serves as your credit limit.

Is a Discover card worth having?

A Discover credit card is a solid cash back earner and doesn’t charge an annual fee—even for higher risk, new borrowers like students. As far as the cash back rewards go, it depends on how you’re able to use it to make it worth having.

How many Discover cards can you have?

You can have two different Discover credit cards at the same time.

Is a Discover card a Visa?

No, a Discover card is not a Visa card. Discover has its own payment network.

The information presented here is created independently from the TIME editorial staff. To learn more, see our About page.

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Revenge travel helped make 2023 one of the busiest years ever for airports and hotels. This high demand has led to increased costs throughout the travel industry, while broader inflation continues to erode household savings. Your wallet may be feeling the pinch, but fortunately, the right credit card can earn points to help offset the price of travel.

With the cost-conscious consumer in mind, the 2024 installment of NerdWallet’s Best-of Awards brings back a category not awarded since 2021 — the Best No-Annual-Fee Travel Credit Card.

This year’s winner, the Bilt World Elite Mastercard® Credit Card , proves that sometimes the best things in life can be free.

The $ 0 -annual-fee card allows you to pay rent without transaction fees while earning rewards, a value proposition offered by no other card, annual fee or not. Beyond rent, cardholders also earn bonus rewards in useful everyday spending categories and have access to travel perks often reserved for premium travel cards with an annual fee.

Here’s why the Bilt World Elite Mastercard® Credit Card beat the competition.

» MORE: Best no-annual-fee credit cards

Pay rent and earn points

Rent is often difficult to pay directly with a credit card, especially without expensive processing fees. But the Bilt World Elite Mastercard® Credit Card lets cardholders pay any landlord in the United States without transaction fees — and earn rewards in the process. The process is simple: Just set up your rent payment through the Bilt app and an ACH payment or check will be sent to your landlord.

You’ll earn 1 Bilt Rewards Point per $1 spent on rent each month, up to 100,000 points each calendar year.

A caveat of the Bilt World Elite Mastercard® Credit Card is that you must use the card five times per statement period to earn the card's stated rewards rate. If you make less than five total purchases with your card, you'll earn 250 points on rent, but most other purchases won't earn rewards.

» MORE: Can I pay rent with a credit card?

Competitive everyday rewards rates

The Bilt World Elite Mastercard® Credit Card is good to use for more than just rent. In addition to the 1 point per $1 spent on rent (up to 100,000 points annually), cardholders will earn an uncapped 5 points per $1 spent on Lyft (when you link your accounts), 3 points per $1 on dining, 2 points per $1 on travel and 1 point per $1 spent on other purchases.

Other competitors for Best No-Annual-Fee Travel Credit Card also earn outsized rewards on everyday spending categories. The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card , for example, earns an unlimited 3x points on dining, travel, gas stations, transit, streaming services and cell phone plans. But cardholders won’t earn rewards on rent unless they use third-party services (like Plastiq ) that assess fees which likely cancel out the value of your rewards. That card also won't come with many of the travel perks discussed below.

Bilt World Elite Mastercard® Credit Card holders will earn double points on non-rent spending on the first of every month (up to 10,000 bonus points). On "Rent Day" each month, cardholders will earn 6x points on dining, 4x points on travel and 2x points on other purchases. (Rent payments will still earn 1x points). You can amplify your rewards by strategically scheduling payments for recurring expenses like utilities or streaming services on the first of each month.

» MORE: How paying rent with Bilt can net you a free Disney trip

Flexible redemption options

Most no-annual-fee cards earn rewards that are worth a maximum of 1 cent each. And make no mistake, that's a solid value. But the Bilt World Elite Mastercard® Credit Card offers the potential to wring even more value from its points with the ability to transfer to travel partners. Transferring points directly to partnering airlines and hotels often yields more value than 1 cent per point.

Rare is a no-annual-fee card that allows the ability to transfer points to travel partners without having to also hold a more premium card. The $0 -annual fee Chase Freedom Flex℠ , for example, earns Ultimate Rewards® , but in order to unlock the ability to transfer those rewards to travel partners you must also hold a more premium Chase credit card, like the $95 -annual-fee Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card . ( Editor's note : As of April 2024, the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card does allow cardholders to transfer points to travel partners, though the options are limited.)

The Bilt World Elite Mastercard® Credit Card earns Bilt Rewards that can be transferred 1:1 to over a dozen travel loyalty programs, including Hyatt, United Airlines and American Airlines (see below for a full list of partners). Transferring rewards to travel partners can provide outsized value. For example, NerdWallet values Hyatt points at 2.3 cents each.

Points can also be redeemed for travel through the Bilt travel portal, rent payments, a future home down payment, fitness classes through SoulCycle and others, home decor and curated art.

According to Bilt, the value of points redeemed toward rent will vary by building and management company, and the value of rewards used toward a down payment will be up to 1.5 cents each. Redemption values will vary for the other options.

Aer Lingus AerClub .

Air Canada Aeroplan .

Air France / KLM Flying Blue .

Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan .

American Airlines AAdvantage (ending in June 2024).

Cathay Pacific Asia Miles .

Avianca LifeMiles .

British Airways Executive Club (Avios) .

Emirates Skywards .

Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles .

Hilton Honors .

Iberia Plus (Avios) .

IHG Rewards .

United MileagePlus .

Turkish Miles&Smiles .

Marriott Bonvoy .

Virgin Atlantic .

World of Hyatt .

» MORE: The guide to Bilt transfer partners

Additional benefits and protections

Bilt World Elite Mastercard® Credit Card holders receive an auto rental collision damage waiver (otherwise known as primary auto insurance ) on qualifying rental vehicles paid for with the card. With this benefit, you can avoid paying for insurance at the rental car counter or submitting a claim through your own insurance if your vehicle gets damaged, which could save on deductibles and potentially increased premiums. This primary coverage perk is usually reserved for premium travel cards and sets this card apart from its no-annual-fee competitors.

Cardholders will also receive up to $800 in cellular telephone protection per claim on up to two paid claims per 12 month period. To qualify, you need to pay your monthly phone bill with the Bilt World Elite Mastercard® Credit Card and incur a $25 deductible per successful claim (you don’t need to pay for the phone itself with your card). Cell phone insurance has recently become a more common card benefit, but you won’t find a lower deductible on any other card.

If that isn’t enough, the Bilt World Elite Mastercard® Credit Card also comes with trip delay reimbursement. Simply pay for your trip with the card. If you incur a qualifying delay of at least six hours, the primary cardholder and any spouse, domestic partner or dependent child booked on the same reservation can receive $200 per day for up to three days per covered traveler (capped at $1,800 in total for all travelers per trip).

» MORE: Credit cards that provide travel insurance

on Chase's website

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

75,000 Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1.5%-5% Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

Up to $300 Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

on Capital One's website

2x-5x Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options.

75,000 Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

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Low Income Health Care Card

A concession card to get cheaper health care and some discounts if you’re on a low income.

To get this you must:

• be under the income test limits
• meet residence rules.

Read the full conditions under who can get a card .

To get a Low Income Health Care Card your income needs to be below the income test limit.

Complete the following steps to claim a Low Income Health Care Card. Before you start, check if you can get it.

You can renew or report a stolen card, or tell us if things have changed.

This information was printed 12 May 2024 from https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/low-income-health-care-card . It may not include all of the relevant information on this topic. Please consider any relevant site notices at https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/site-notices when using this material.

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