A great travel credit card can assist you reduce trips and resort keeps, update your travel experience, and also give insurance policy protection if something fails. With numerous travel credit cards on the marketplace, you’ve obtained plenty of alternatives to match your costs behaviors and spending plan.
Typically, the greater the yearly cost, the much more benefits you obtain, like lounge accessibility and declaration credit reports. However, if you can’t spend lavishly on a travel credit card, there are plenty of inexpensive travel credit cards that supply charitable welcome deals, high benefits prices, and various kinds of travel insurance coverage and securities.
We have actually evaluated over 50 travel credit cards by considering aspects like the welcome benefit, yearly cost, and miles or factors prices to figure out which 10 cards are the most effective.
See our complete method right here.
The 10 best travel credit cards
- Best costs travel card: The Platinum Card® from American Express
- Best flat-rate benefits travel card: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Best travel card for credit structure: Bank of America® Travel Rewards Secured Credit Card
- Best travel card for foodies: American Express® Gold Card
- Best travel card for gaining on travel and transportation: Citi Premier® Card
- Best starter travel card: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- Best $0 yearly travel card: Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card
- Best 0% introductory APR travel card: Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card
- Best travel card for airline company patriots: United℠ Explorer Card
- Best travel card for resort patriots: Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
The 10 best travel credit cards in November 2023
Note: Rates, charges, and account needs depend on day as of November 8, 2023, however undergo transform.
Best costs travel card: The Platinum Card® from American Express
| Key numbers | |
| Annual cost | $695 |
| Rewards | 5x Membership Rewards® Points for trips scheduled straight with airline companies or with American Express Travel (approximately $500,000 on these acquisitions per fiscal year); 5x Membership Rewards® Points on pre paid resorts scheduled with American Express Travel; 1x factors on various other acquisitions |
| Welcome deal | 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after investing $8,000 on acquisitions on the Card in your very first 6 months of card subscription |
| Intro APR on acquisitions and equilibrium transfers | N/A |
| APR | 20.99%–28.99% variable |
To sight prices and charges of The Platinum Card® from American Express, see this web page.
Why we like this card
With the Platinum Card® from American Express, cardholders pay a high $695 yearly cost for a host of declaration credit reports completing almost $1,500, lounge accessibility, a significant welcome deal, and numerous kinds of travel securities and insurance coverage.
Despite the showy benefits and advantages, the Amex Platinum is best for cardholders whose costs behaviors straighten with the card’s declaration credit reports. So if you’re a routine at Equinox fitness center or a constant Saks Fifth client, this card can assist cover costs like your fitness center subscription, outlet store acquisitions, streaming solutions, and much more.
Beyond declaration credit reports, the card deals Global Lounge Collection accessibility so cardholders can go to Delta Sky Club, Centurion Network, and Priority Pass Select lounges. However, if you desire charitable benefits on your routine costs, reconsider.
Cardholders just make 5x Membership Rewards® Points for trips scheduled straight with airline companies or with American Express Travel (approximately $500,000 on these acquisitions per fiscal year), 5x Membership Rewards® Points on pre paid resorts scheduled with American Express Travel, and 1x factors on various other acquisitions. In various other words, cardholders make 1x factors on many costs.
In reality, many cards on our checklist deal far better benefits prices with reduced yearly charges and less fuss, as well.
Card information
- Cash advancement APR: 29.99% variable
- Penalty APR: approximately 29.99%
- Penalty charges: approximately $40 for late and returned settlements
- Foreign deal cost: None
- Benefits: Lounge accessibility, approximately $200 Uber Cash, approximately $200 airline company cost declaration credit, approximately $200 resort declaration credit, approximately $189 CLEAR Plus declaration credit, approximately $240 electronic enjoyment declaration credit, approximately $300 Equinox declaration credit, approximately $155 Walmart+ declaration credit (based on auto-renewal), costs auto rental standing
- Protections and insurance coverage: Car rental loss and damages insurance coverage, journey hold-up insurance coverage, journey termination and disturbance insurance coverage, cellular phone security
Best flat-rate benefits travel card: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
| Key numbers | |
| Annual cost | $95 |
| Rewards | 5x miles on resorts and rental automobiles scheduled with Capital One Travel, 2x miles on every acquisition |
| Welcome benefit | 75,000 miles after investing $4,000 on acquisitions within 3 months from account opening |
| Intro APR on acquisitions and equilibrium transfers | N/A |
| APR | 21.24%–29.24% variable |
Why we like this card
If you’re in the marketplace for an economical travel credit card with whole lots of redemption alternatives, a big welcome benefit, a handful of beneficial travel securities, and a respectable benefits price, look no more than the Capital One Venture Rewards card.
This $95 yearly cost card uses a level 2x miles on every acquisition, plus a declaration credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. When you register for the card, you likewise have the possible to make a big welcome benefit: You can make 75,000 miles after investing $4,000 on acquisitions within 3 months from account opening.
Once you’re ready to retrieve your miles, you can move them to a travel companion, publication a journey with Capital One Travel, acquire present cards, spend for acquisitions on PayChum or Amazon, or make cashback in the type of a declaration credit or check.
Card information
- Cash advancement APR: 29.24% variable
- Foreign deal cost: None
- Late settlement: approximately $40
- Benefits: Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® credit, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Travel Accident Insurance, 2 free sees annually to Capital One or Plaza Premium lounges
Best travel card for credit structure: Bank of America® Travel Rewards Secured Card
| Key numbers | |
| Annual cost | $0 |
| Rewards | 1.5x factors on all qualified acquisitions |
| Welcome benefit | N/A |
| Intro APR on acquisitions and equilibrium transfers | N/A |
| APR | 28.24% variable |
Why we like this card
Most travel credit cards call for an excellent credit rating or far better to be qualified. But if you have much less than outstanding credit, you can make benefits on your costs and construct your credit rating with the Bank of America Travel Rewards Secured Card.
With a guaranteed card, you have to take down a down payment, which serves as security if you stop working to pay. Then, if you pay on schedule and completely, you’ll be qualified to get your down payment back.
The down payment likewise establishes your credit restriction—if you take down $2,000, you’ll get a $2,000 credit restriction. To open up a card, you’ll require a minimal down payment of $200 (the optimum is $5,000).
When it involves benefits, you won’t be raking it in, however you’ll still be racking up a moderate benefits price: Cardholders make 1.5 factors for each $1 they invest in all acquisitions.
And given that this is a guaranteed card, don’t anticipate much in terms of benefits or advantages—the card doesn’t supply a welcome benefit, a 0% introductory APR duration, or any kind of kind of travel insurance coverage or securities.
Card information
- Balance transfer APR: 28.24% variable
- Cash advancement APR: 29.24% variable for straight down payment and check and financial institution cash loan
- Penalty APR: approximately 29.99% variable
- Foreign deal cost: None
- Late settlement: approximately $40
Best travel card for foodies: American Express® Gold Card
| Key numbers | |
| Annual cost | $250 |
| Rewards | 4x Membership Rewards® Points at dining establishments (consisting of takeout and distribution in the U.S.); 4x Membership Rewards® factors at U.S. grocery stores (on approximately $25,000 per fiscal year in acquisitions, after that 1x); 3x Membership Rewards® factors on trips scheduled straight with airline companies or on amextravel.com; 1x factors on various other qualified acquisitions |
| Welcome deal | 60,000 Membership Rewards® factors after you invest $6,000 on qualified acquisitions with your brand-new Card within the very first 6 months of Card Membership |
| Intro APR on acquisitions and equilibrium transfers | N/A |
| APR | See Pay Over Time APR |
To sight prices and charges of the American Express® Gold Card, see this web page.
Why we like this card
With the Gold Card® from American Express, you obtain eating benefits and make benefits on (virtually) all of your food-related costs, whether it’s on grocery store runs or trips at dining establishments.
Cardholders make 4x Membership Rewards® Points at dining establishments (consisting of takeout and distribution in the U.S.), 4x Membership Rewards® factors at U.S. grocery stores (on approximately $25,000 per fiscal year in acquisitions, after that 1x), 3x Membership Rewards® factors on trips scheduled straight with airline companies or on amextravel.com, and 1x factors on various other qualified acquisitions.
And the Amex Gold Card isn’t simply an excellent card choice for foodies due to the fact that of the benefits. Cardholders likewise rise to $120 eating credit and approximately $120 Uber Cash, which can be made use of to cover Uber Eats orders or Uber experiences in the U.S. You can make use of the eating credit for acquisitions at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar, and choose Shake Shack places.
While the card supplies charitable benefits and benefits, it comes with a price—the yearly cost is $250, so it’s best for cardholders that believe the advantages will certainly exceed the price.
Card information
- Cash advancement APR: 29.99%
- Penalty APR: approximately 29.99%
- Foreign deal cost: 0%
- Penalty charges: approximately $40 for late and returned settlements
- Consumer advantages: approximately $120 eating credit, approximately $120 Uber Cash, luggage insurance coverage strategy, auto rental loss and damages insurance coverage
Best travel card for gaining on travel and transportation: Citi Premier® Card
| Key numbers | |
| Annual cost | $95 |
| Rewards | 3x factors on dining establishments, grocery stores, gasoline station, air travel, and resorts; 1x factors on all various other acquisitions |
| Welcome benefit | 60,000 benefit factors after investing $4,000 in the very first 3 months of account opening |
| Intro APR on acquisitions and equilibrium transfers | N/A |
| APR | 21.24%–29.24% variable |
Why we like this card
While individuals make use of the benefits they make from travel credit cards to publication trips, resort keeps, cruise ships, and much more, some travel credit cards likewise supply cardholders the capability to make added benefits on their travel-relevant costs.
With the Citi Premier Card, cardholders make 3x factors on dining establishments, grocery stores, gasoline station, air travel, and resorts, plus 1x factors on all various other acquisitions. The yearly cost is likewise a sensible $95, so it’s accessible to cardholders that may not intend to spend lavishly on a travel card.
And if you’re preparing to schedule any kind of resort remains, you’ll obtain a $100 yearly resort financial savings advantage. With the advantage, you’ll obtain $100 off a solitary resort remain of $500 or even more every fiscal year. When you’re ready to retrieve your factors, there are a range of means you can utilize your Give thanks toYou® factors.
You can retrieve your factors for travel by moving them to one of Citi’s airline company or resort companions or scheduling a journey with Citi Travel. You can likewise make use of indicate patronize choose stores, acquire present cards or make money benefits.
Card information
- Balance transfer APR: 21.24%–29.24% variable (for equilibrium transfers finished within 2 months from day of account opening)
- Cash advancement APR: 29.99% variable
- Penalty APR: approximately 29.99%
- Foreign deal cost: None
- Penalty charges: approximately $41 for late and returned settlements
- Benefits: $100 yearly resort financial savings advantage
Best starter travel card: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
| Key numbers | |
| Annual cost | $95 |
| Rewards | 5x factors on travel bought with Chase Ultimate Rewards®; 3x factors on eating; 2x factors on travel acquisitions; 1x factors on various other acquisitions |
| Welcome benefit | 60,000 benefit factors after investing $4,000 on acquisitions in the very first 3 months from account opening |
| Intro APR on acquisitions and equilibrium transfers | N/A |
| APR | 21.49%–28.49% variable |
Learn More >
Why we like this card
When it involves travel credit cards, the Chase Sapphire Preferred is a favored among credit card lovers due to the fact that of its moderate yearly cost, strong welcome benefit, awards versatility, and suitable benefits prices.
One of the significant advantages of the Chase Sapphire Preferred is that cardholders obtain even more bang for their dollar when they retrieve factors for resorts, air travel, and much more with the Chase Travel website. When scheduling with the travel website, each factor deserves 1.25 cents. That implies you can make much more with the welcome benefit, which is 60,000 benefit factors after investing $4,000 on acquisitions in the very first 3 months from account opening (that’s $750 towards travel when retrieved with Chase Ultimate Rewards®).
Plus, if you desire much more travel redemption alternatives, you can move your indicate one of Chase’s airline company or resort companions. You can likewise utilize your indicate acquire goods, present cards or acquisitions at Amazon and PayChum, however the redemption worth might be less than if you utilized your indicate acquire travel.
And while the Sapphire Preferred benefits prices don’t obtain as much interest as the benefits redemption alternatives, cardholders still make a high benefits price on Lyft (with March 31, 2025), eating in restaurants and takeout, and streaming solutions.
Card information
- Balance transfer APR: 21.49%–28.49% variable
- Cash advancement APR: 29.99% variable
- Penalty APR: approximately 29.99%
- Foreign deal cost: None
- Penalty charges: approximately $40 for late and returned settlements
- Benefits: $50 yearly supreme benefits resort credit, journey termination or disturbance insurance coverage, luggage hold-up insurance coverage, journey hold-up compensation, DashboardPass registration for one year when you trigger by 12/31/24, Instacart+ registration for 6 months when you trigger by July 31, 2024
Best $0 yearly travel card: Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card
| Key numbers | |
| Annual cost | $0 |
| Rewards | 3x factors on acquisitions at dining establishments, on travel, gas, transportation, prominent streaming solutions, and phone strategies; 1x factors on all various other qualified acquisitions |
| Welcome benefit | 30,000 benefit factors after investing $1,500 in acquisitions in the very first 3 months |
| Intro APR on acquisitions and equilibrium transfers | 0% introductory APR on acquisitions for year from account opening (afterwards, the variable APR will certainly be 20.24%, 25.24% or 29.99%) |
| APR | 20.24%–29.99% variable |
Why we like this card
If you desire a travel credit card however don’t intend to pay an inflated yearly cost, take into consideration the Wells Fargo Autograph Card. With this $0 yearly cost card, you can make benefits on every little thing from dining establishments to transport.
Autograph cardholders make 3x factors on travel, gas, transportation, prominent streaming solutions, phone strategies, and at dining establishments, and 1x factors on all various other qualified acquisitions. So if you intend to make benefits on your day-to-day metro commute or your Hulu registration, you can.
This card uses outstanding benefits and some strong benefits: You can rack up a moderate welcome benefit and obtain advantages like phone security, which supplies approximately $600 of compensation if your phone is harmed or taken.
Plus, if you’re preparing to fund an expensive product and require a longer duration to pay it off (without passion), the Autograph can be a strong card choice due to the fact that it uses a 12-month 0% introductory APR duration on acquisitions (20.24%, 25.24% or 29.99% variable APR after that).
Card information
- Balance transfer APR: 20.24%–29.99% variable, plus an introduction cost of either $5 or 3% of the quantity of each equilibrium transfer, whichever is higher, for 120 days from account opening. After that, approximately 5% for every equilibrium transfer, with a minimum of $5.
- Cash advancement APR: 29.99% variable
- Penalty cost: approximately $40
- Foreign deal cost: None
- Consumer advantages: phone security, car service crash damages waiver
Best 0% introductory APR travel card: Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card
| Key numbers | |
| Annual cost | $0 |
| Rewards | 1.5x factors on all acquisitions |
| Welcome benefit | 25,000 benefit factors after investing $1,000 in acquisitions within 90 days of the account open day |
| Intro APR on acquisitions and equilibrium transfers | 0% introductory APR for your very first 15 invoicing cycles for acquisitions and for equilibrium transfers that are made within the very first 60 days of opening your account. After that, 18.24%–28.24% variable APR |
| APR | 18.24%–28.24% variable |
Why we like this card
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card is a no-frills travel credit card for those that desire a $0 yearly cost card with a lengthy introductory APR duration on acquisitions and equilibrium transfers.
Whether you require time to repay a large acquisition or you’re attempting to combine your credit card financial debt, Bank of America Travel Rewards cardholders obtain a 0% introductory APR on their very first 15 invoicing cycles on acquisitions and equilibrium transfers (these have to be made within the very first 60 days of opening your account). After that, 18.24% to 28.24% variable APR.
Since this is a no-annual-fee card, you won’t obtain a whole lot of benefits or securities. You will, nevertheless, obtain a respectable benefits price, 1.5 factors on qualified acquisitions, and a strong welcome benefit—cardholders can make 25,000 benefit factors by making $1,000 of acquisitions within 90 days of account opening.
Card information
- Balance transfer APR: 18.24%–28.24% variable, plus a cost of 3% of the quantity of each deal
- Cash advancement APR: 21.24%–29.24% variable
- Penalty APR: 29.99% variable
- Foreign deal cost: None
- Penalty cost: approximately $40 for late settlements
Best travel card for airline company patriots: United℠ Explorer Card
| Key numbers | |
| Annual cost | $0 initial yearly cost for the very first year (after that $95) |
| Rewards | 2x miles on eating (consisting of qualified distribution solutions), resort keeps, and United® acquisitions, and 2x miles on eating (consisting of qualified distribution solutions) |
| Welcome benefit | 60,000 benefit miles after investing $3,000 on acquisitions in the very first 3 months of account opening |
| Intro APR on acquisitions and equilibrium transfers | N/A |
| APR | 21.99%–28.99% variable |
Learn More >
Why we like this card
If you regularly fly with United, the United Explorer Card is an affordable card choice that uses useful benefits and advantages that can assist you reduce airline company costs.
The Explorer Card has a $95 yearly cost, however cardholders obtain their cash’s well worth. You and a buddy can obtain the very first examined bag free of charge (approximately $35, each means, each) on United Flights, United top priority boarding, and a declaration credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS every 4 years.
Though the benefits prices aren’t amazing, you do make a greater miles price on United acquisitions.
Cardholders make 2x miles on eating (consisting of qualified distribution solutions), resort keeps, and United® acquisitions, and 2x miles on eating (consisting of qualified distribution solutions).
And if anything goes awry when you’re taking a trip, Explorer cardholders can have tranquility of mind recognizing they’re covered by several kinds of travel insurance coverage. So if your journey is postponed or the service provider sheds your baggage, you can be qualified for compensation.
Card information
- Balance transfer APR: 21.99%–28.99% variable
- Cash advancement APR: 29.99% variable
- Penalty APR: approximately 29.99% variable
- Foreign deal cost: None
- Penalty charges: late and returned settlements approximately $40
- Benefits: cost-free very first examined bag (for you and a buddy, approximately $35 worth, each means, each); top priority boarding; Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS cost credit; 2 United Club single lounge passes (after account opening and each wedding anniversary); choice for leading upgrades, 1 year free DashboardPass (have to be triggered by 12/31/24)
- Insurance and securities: car service crash damages waiver, journey hold-up compensation, luggage hold-up insurance coverage, shed baggage compensation, journey cancellation/interruption insurance coverage
Best travel card for resort patriots: Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® credit card
| Key numbers | |
| Annual cost | $95 |
| Rewards | Up to 17x overall factors at resorts joining Marriott Bonvoy®, 3x factors at food store, gasoline station, and eating (on approximately $6,000 in mixed acquisitions yearly), 2x factors on all various other acquisitions |
| Welcome benefit | 3 Free Night Awards (each evening valued approximately 50,000 factors) after you invest $3,000 on acquisitions in your very first 3 months from your account opening |
| Intro APR on acquisitions and equilibrium transfers | N/A |
| APR | 21.49%–28.49% variable |
Why we like this card
Marriott has places around the world, so if you’re a frequenter of any kind of of their resorts—like The Ritz Carlton or Sheraton—the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless can assist you make one of the most of your resort remains.
The Bonvoy Boundless is a $95 yearly cost card with a unique yet charitable welcome benefit, extravagant benefits, and a variety of Marriott-details and basic travel benefits and securities. We evaluated greater than 10 resort credit cards, and the Bonvoy Boundless had one of the most effective welcome deals.
You can make 3 cost-free evening honors (each evening valued approximately 50,000 factors) after you invest $3,000 on acquisitions in the very first 3 months from account opening. And you’re likewise qualified for a totally free evening every wedding anniversary year—no costs needed.
Of training course, one of the most useful benefits of the card are automated Silver Elite standing. With Silver Elite standing, cardholders obtain top priority late check out, added factors on their Marriott remains, cost-free wifi, and much more. Plus, if you intend to attain Gold Elite standing, you’ll obtain a preliminary increase of 15 elite evening credit reports with the card. Then, you’ll just require 25 overall credit reports to make Gold Elite standing.
Card information
- Balance transfer APR: 21.49%–28.49% variable
- Cash advancement APR: 29.99% variable
- Penalty APR: approximately 29.99% variable
- Foreign deal cost: None
- Penalty charges: approximately $40 for late and returned settlements
- Benefits: cost-free evening honor every wedding anniversary, 15 elite evening credit reports each year, automated silver elite advantages each year, course to gold standing (when you invest $35,000 on acquisitions each fiscal year)
- Insurance and securities: luggage hold-up insurance coverage, shed baggage compensation, journey hold-up compensation
Our method
The Fortune RecommendsTM group evaluated greater than 50 travel credit cards throughout numerous companies to find up with the leading choices.
Here are the crucial elements we placed each card by:
- Annual cost: Some card companies call for cardholders to pay a yearly cost for cards with benefits and added attributes or advantages. For most of our positions, we ranked cards with reduced or zero-dollar yearly charges greater.
- Annual percent price (APR) on acquisitions: The APR for a credit card is the annual price of loaning cash from your card provider. The APR is normally stood for as an array with creditworthy clients billed a price better to the minimal APR. We racked up cards with reduced minimum and optimum APRs much more positively.
- Rewards: Travel cards normally give benefits in the type of factors or miles. For some positions, we ranked cards with far better benefits prices greater on our checklist.
- Insurance and securities: When you utilize your card to make acquisitions, you might be qualified for various kinds of securities on those acquisitions. Some cards deal insurance coverage on travel-relevant costs, like journey termination insurance coverage, luggage hold-up insurance coverage, journey hold-up compensation, and much more. Some cards likewise give non-travel-relevant compensations like cellular phone security. For some positions, we ranked cards greater based upon the number of securities they provided.
- Welcome benefit: When you register for a brand-new credit card, you might be qualified for a one-time welcome benefit in the type of factors or miles. You’ll require to invest a particular quantity within a couple of months of card open up to make the benefit. We placed cards with greater benefits and reduced costs needs greater on our checklist.
- Perks: Travel credit cards might supply a range of benefits—like declaration credit reports for TSA PreCheck, flight terminal lounge accessibility, a totally free examined bag, and much more. We ranked cards with even more benefits greater for some of our positions.
- Foreign deal charges: Some cards bill a level price on acquisitions when you utilize your card abroad. We ranked cards without international deal charges greater.
- 0% initial APR on acquisitions or equilibrium transfers: A 0% introductory APR credit card on acquisitions can assist you rotate your equilibrium without passion accumulating for a duration of time. Some cards likewise give a 0% introductory APR duration on equilibrium transfers, so you won’t need to pay passion on your equilibrium if you move financial debt from one more card. Depending on the card classification, we ranked cards based upon whether they had a 0% introductory APR duration on acquisitions or equilibrium transfers and the size of the APR duration
Please keep in mind that card information are precise as of the release day, however undergo transform any time at the discernment of the provider. Please call the card provider to validate prices, charges, and advantages prior to using.
Terms relate to American Express advantages and deals. Enrollment might be needed for choose American Express advantages and deals. Visit americanexpress.com to find out more.
Eligibility and Benefit degree differs by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please check out americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for even more information. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
