travel smart card benefits

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Travel Smart

• In this section
• Travel Money
• Using your cards abroad

Spend abroad like you do in the UK

• Use your card abroad to pay or withdraw cash and you won’t pay our foreign exchange fees.
• Add it before you go for £7 a week and see how much you could save .
• Use for up to six weeks a year on single or multiple trips.

You cannot add Travel Smart to a Silver, Gold, Platinum or Premier account as we won't charge our debit card fees when you use your debit card for these accounts at home or abroad.

Travel Smart only applies to our charges. You may still have to pay separate charges for currency conversion if you ask the overseas service provider to do this.

For example, if you choose to pay with your card in Pounds Sterling, you may incur a currency conversion charge by the overseas provider.

Steps to take

We’ll guide you through it.

Mobile Banking app guide expandable section

Internet banking guide expandable section.

1.    Log on, select  more actions  followed by  Account Information and Benefits.

2.    Scroll down and select  Travel then click on Add Travel Smart.

3.    Select the account you want to add Travel Smart to.

4.    Add your trip name and select a future start date (in the next 12 months).

5.    Select the number of weeks you want to add Travel Smart for from the drop down.

6.    Select  Review  and then check your order details.

7.    Accept our terms and conditions then select  Confirm and add now.

• Log on, select the more menu followed by  Travel .
• Select  Add Travel Smart .
• Add your trip name and select a future start date (in the next 12 months).
• Select the number of weeks you want to add Travel Smart for from the drop down.
• Select Review  and then check your order details.
• Accept our terms and conditions then select  Confirm and add now .

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Let’s look at the details

Paying for travel smart expandable section.

Full payment will be taken on your start date and shown on your statement.

If you’ve opted in, you’ll get a push notification before you travel so you know when Travel Smart is due to start. You can manage your push notification settings in the app. If you don’t get push notifications, we’ll send you a text message. You can keep your mobile number up to date in the app .

Please check there’s enough money in your account to cover the payment. If we can’t take the payment due to insufficient funds, Travel Smart will get cancelled.

When it starts and ends

It starts on the date you select at 00.01am UK time. It ends at 11:59pm UK time on the last day of your week(s).

How much could I save during one week abroad? expandable section

Our debit card fees.

Depending on the way you use your card, there are different debit card fees that you may have to pay. With Travel Smart added on your account for £7 a week, we won’t charge these fees for your selected weeks (up to 6 weeks a year)  when you use your debit card for that account abroad.

These debit card fees are:

• A foreign currency transaction fee (2.99%)
• A foreign currency purchase fee (£0.50)
• A foreign currency cash fee (£1.50)
• A foreign cash fee (£1.50)

Find out more about these fees and when they are charged.

We won’t charge our debit card fees on transactions or withdrawals at home or abroad where a Silver, Gold, Platinum and Premier current account debit card has been used. We won’t charge the foreign currency purchase fee, the foreign currency cash fee or the foreign cash fee for debit card transactions in Euro within the EEA or UK. 

Here’s an example of what the debit card fees would be if you are a customer holding a UK (not Channel Islands) Classic current account, with and without Travel Smart, and using your card abroad. This example assumes you do not ask the cash machine or terminal provider to convert the transaction into pounds.

How many weeks do I get? expandable section

Understanding my weeks.

Each year, you can add up to six weeks of Travel Smart to your account. This limit is applied from 1 January 00.01am UK time and resets on 31 December at 11.59pm. Unused weeks do not carry over.

How to use my weeks

Each time you book a trip, you can add one or more weeks to your account (up to six).

Track my weeks

We show you a summary of your trips and how many weeks you’ve booked, including any upcoming weeks.

What's included? expandable section

Once Travel Smart is added, you can use your debit card to:

• Make payments with your debit card abroad.
• Take out money in a foreign currency or sterling at an ATM or over the counter, outside the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man.
• Make payments in a foreign currency for your trip over the internet (such as booking an activity).
• You won’t have to pay our normal debit card fees unless the transaction is excluded. Instead, we will charge you a fixed fee, for the number of weeks you choose no matter how many transactions you make with Travel Smart.

What's not included? expandable section

Any business transactions are excluded from this service and our normal debit card fees will apply.

Travel Smart only applies to our charges. You may still have to pay separate charges for currency conversion if you ask the overseas service provider to do this. For example, if you choose to pay with your card in Pounds Sterling, you may incur a currency conversion charge by the overseas provider. Also some ATM providers may charge a fee.

Removing Travel Smart expandable section

• You can remove Travel Smart until 11:59pm on the day before your start date. You can do this through our app and Internet Banking. If you have a joint account, either of you can do this.
• If you’re within your 14 day cancellation period, you can still remove Travel Smart after it starts. This period starts on the day you get your terms and conditions. You’ll get a refund for any weeks you’ve paid for but can’t use (please refer to your terms and conditions).

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A beginner's guide to travel credit cards

Key takeaways

• Travel reward programs allow you to earn points or miles when you make purchases with certain credit cards.
• Once you hit a specific spending threshold, points can be redeemed for flights, hotel stays, and other travel-related perks.
• The point-to-dollar exchange rate varies widely with each program and could add up to big savings, but program fees could offset the benefits in some cases.
• Rewards cards that aren't tied to a specific company often let you transfer points to a participating travel partner like a hotel or airline.

Using credit to book travel can unlock cheaper, even free ways to see the world if you play your cards right. Travel credit cards also may offer airport lounge access or rewards you can redeem for travel-related perks like hotel or flight upgrades. There's a reason why 41% of Americans already use a travel rewards credit card, according to a 2023 NerdWallet survey. 1 But choosing one can be daunting. Here's how travel rewards work and how to navigate the options.

Feed your brain. Fund your future.

How do travel rewards work?

Travel reward programs function on a simple premise: You earn points or miles by spending on a designated credit card. Depending on the specific card, transactions such as booking flights or hotel stays through partner companies can earn you these points. Some cards even offer points on everyday purchases, like groceries or gas, or for every dollar spent. You could even earn bonus incentives by signing up (these are called introductory offers) or by passing a spending threshold on certain types of purchases.

Once you've accumulated enough points, you can then spend them on benefits within your travel rewards programs, such as flights, hotel stays, upgrades, and more, depending on the program. And these points can add up to some serious savings. Although it's tricky to assign a specific dollar value to points (more on that later), a 2023 survey found that the average travel card holder had a balance of over 50,000 points. 2

If these rewards would act as a coupon for your current spending habits, a travel rewards credit card could be a good financial move if you'd save more than the annual fees and pay off your balance each month. But if one of these credit cards would encourage you to spend more than you would without it, then a travel rewards program may end up costing you more money than it saves.

Travel rewards and credit card features to consider

Every travel rewards program is unique, but here are some common features to consider when trying to score travel rewards with a credit card.

Annual fees

An annual fee is the cost of owning a travel rewards credit card and reaping the benefits that come with it. Not all travel rewards credit cards have annual fees, but those that do can range from less than $50 to more than $500. 3 While these fees may sound like a drawback, they often correlate with enhanced benefits and rewards potentially including lucrative sign-up bonuses, complimentary travel insurance, and airport lounge access, to name a few.

Before committing to a card with an annual fee, it's important to do a cost-benefit analysis first. Weigh the value of the benefits against the annual fee and decide whether the card would save you money, based on your spending habits and travel aspirations. Also, keep an eye out for waived annual fees in the intro period enabling you to test-drive the card's features without an immediate financial commitment. An introductory bonus offer may cover a card's annual fee for one year, for example, which could be a good trial run to see if the card's perks are worth it.

Initial spend/sign-up bonuses

Sign-up bonuses are an incentive to join a credit card travel rewards program. These bonuses typically come in the form of points or miles awarded to your account—commonly in bulk, at one time—after meeting a minimum spending requirement in a specific timeframe. It gives you a head start on accumulating rewards and can help justify an annual fee (if there is one). Like many promotions, rewards for new cardholders can change at any time, so keep in mind that an offer you see today could be different tomorrow.

And while the allure of a boatload of points may seem irresistible, read the fine print so you know up front whether the required spending aligns with your budget and financial habits. Ultimately, sign-up bonuses (and travel rewards in general) are designed to encourage you to spend more on a given card. This gamification of spending may seem exciting, but it can also foster bad financial habits if you aren't careful. A good guideline to help keep spending in check is to never put more on a credit card than what you can pay off when the bill comes. If the card offers a reward for signing up, consider the long-term value beyond that initial bonus.

Cash-conversion rate for points

Once you've narrowed down your travel rewards program options, get a rough estimate of the cash conversion rate for points or miles. Some programs allow you to directly convert your points to cash and pay down your credit card bill, in which case, the point-to-dollar ratio shouldn't be too hard to figure out. But many don't, only allowing you to spend those points or miles to book travel.

The value of your points or their redemption value aren't always a one-for-one exchange. Online calculators are one way to check whether a specific rewards deal is a good one.

Although it varies from card to card, points may have more lucrative redemption values for some rewards over others. For instance, booking travel through the card issuer's portal might mean 100,000 points gets you a $100 flight—but booking that same flight on another platform might cost 150,000 points. If this sounds confusing that's because it is, and each program has its own incredibly nuanced points exchange program. Online communities for travel rewards points could be another resource for decoding the points value for your specific program and getting info about how other travelers have used their points.

Foreign transaction fees

A foreign transaction fee is an extra charge added to transactions that aren't in US dollars. This includes charges on the ground in another country and purchases online from retailers that work in different currencies. Although these fees vary from card to card, they usually range from 1% to 3% of the transaction. 4

If all your travel is domestic or in countries that use US dollars, you won't have to worry about these fees. But if you plan to travel internationally, you might want to look for a card that waives foreign transaction fees. This will ensure that you're not charged extra for that croissant in Paris or for those souvenirs in Tokyo.

General travel vs. specific travel company rewards

Some travel rewards programs are tied to a specific airline or hotel, while others reward you for spending no matter who you book with. If you always book with a specific airline, stay at one brand of hotel, or use a specific rental car company, you could get more value for your points—or earn more points—if you use that company's travel rewards credit card.

Transfer point programs

Many general travel rewards credit cards let you transfer their points to loyalty programs at different hotels and airlines, which you can then redeem for hotel stays and flights. These exchange programs tend to have a higher redemption value than programs offering cash back and, by most estimates, are the best way to maximize the benefits of a travel rewards credit card. Keep in mind that credit card companies have different exchange rates for each hotel and airline partner, so you'll have to determine on a case-by-case basis whether an exchange program is worthwhile for your specific card.

Airport perks

Airport lounge access is a popular perk for travel rewards credit card holders, especially those who travel often. Some programs will also cover the cost of programs that make getting through airport security easier. Consider the annual fees associated with each card and whether these perks would cost less if you paid for them with cash—and without paying for the card.

Consider general cash-back cards

Making the most of a travel rewards program can be a lot of work. Not to mention, travel rewards points can't always be easily redeemed unless you plan to travel. If you're looking for a less fussy and more liquid way to earn rewards for your credit card spending, consider a general cash-back card. Typically, these credit cards give you a percentage of your total spending back in cash without having to calculate exchange rates or redemption values.

One to consider: the Fidelity® Rewards Visa Signature® Credit Card, which can earn you unlimited 2% cash back on everyday spending. 5 That cash back can be deposited into any eligible Fidelity account, 6 giving your money more chances to grow.

Spend and earn at the same time

Spending on your Fidelity ® Rewards Visa Signature ® Card can put money in your Fidelity account.

More to explore

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Oh, hello again, thanks for subscribing to looking for more ideas and insights you might like these too:, looking for more ideas and insights you might like these too:, fidelity viewpoints ® timely news and insights from our pros on markets, investing, and personal finance. (debug tcm:2 ... decode crypto clarity on crypto every month. build your knowledge with education for all levels. fidelity smart money ℠ what the news means for your money, plus tips to help you spend, save, and invest. active investor our most advanced investment insights, strategies, and tools. insights from fidelity wealth management ℠ timely news, events, and wealth strategies from top fidelity thought leaders. women talk money real talk and helpful tips about money, investing, and careers. educational webinars and events free financial education from fidelity and other leading industry professionals. fidelity viewpoints ® timely news and insights from our pros on markets, investing, and personal finance. (debug tcm:2 ... decode crypto clarity on crypto every month. build your knowledge with education for all levels. fidelity smart money ℠ what the news means for your money, plus tips to help you spend, save, and invest. active investor our most advanced investment insights, strategies, and tools. insights from fidelity wealth management ℠ timely news, events, and wealth strategies from top fidelity thought leaders. women talk money real talk and helpful tips about money, investing, and careers. educational webinars and events free financial education from fidelity and other leading industry professionals. done add subscriptions no, thanks. 1. erin el issa, "how the 41% of americans with a travel credit card can boost rewards," nerdwallet, march 28, 2023. 2. erin el issa, "how the 41% of americans with a travel credit card can boost rewards." 3. beverly harzog, "best travel rewards credit cards of 2024," u.s. news and world report, april 9, 2024. 4. lyle daly, "what happens if a credit card's sign-up bonus increases after you get the card," the accent: motely fool, november 14, 2024 5. you will earn 2 points per dollar in eligible net purchases (net purchases are purchases minus credits and returns) that you charge. account must be open and in good standing to earn and redeem rewards and benefits. upon approval, refer to your program rules for additional information. subject to applicable law, you may not redeem reward points, and you will immediately lose all of your reward points, if your account is closed to future transactions (including, but not limited to, due to program misuse, failure to pay, bankruptcy, or death). reward points will not expire as long as your account remains open. certain transactions are not eligible for reward points, including advances (as defined in the agreement, including wire transfers, travelers checks, money orders, foreign cash transactions, betting transactions, lottery tickets and atm disbursements), convenience checks, balance transfers, unauthorized or fraudulent charges, overdraft advances, interest charges, fees, credit insurance charges, transactions to fund certain prepaid card products, u.s. mint purchases, or transactions to purchase cash convertible items. the 2% cash back rewards value applies only to points redeemed for a deposit into an eligible fidelity ® account. the redemption value is different if you choose to redeem your points for other rewards such as travel options, merchandise, gift cards, and/or statement credit. other restrictions apply. full details appear in the program rules new card customers receive with their card. establishment or ownership of a fidelity ®  account or other relationship with fidelity investments ®  is not required to obtain a card or to be eligible to use points to obtain any rewards offered under the program other than fidelity rewards. 6. eligible accounts include most nonretirement registrations as well as traditional ira, roth ira, rollover ira, sep ira, fidelity charitable ® giving account ® , fidelity hsa ® , and fidelity ® -managed 529 college savings plan accounts. the ability to contribute to an ira or 529 college savings plan account is subject to irs rules and specific program policies, including those on eligibility and annual and maximum contribution limits. full details appear in the program guidelines new card customers receive with their card. contributions to fidelity charitable ® are generally eligible for a federal income tax charitable deduction. please consult with your tax advisor. the list of eligible registration types may change without notice at fidelity’s sole discretion. for more information about whether a particular registration is eligible, please call 1-800-fidelity (800-343-3548). the third parties mentioned herein and fidelity investments are independent entities and are not legally affiliated. the views expressed are as of the date indicated and may change based on market or other conditions. unless otherwise noted, the opinions provided are those of the speaker or author, as applicable, and not necessarily those of fidelity investments. the third-party contributors are not employed by fidelity but are compensated for their services. the fidelity investments and pyramid design logo is a registered service mark of fmr llc. the third-party trademarks and service marks appearing herein are the property of their respective owners. fidelity brokerage services llc, member nyse, sipc , 900 salem street, smithfield, ri 02917 © 2024 fmr llc. all rights reserved. 1141513.1.0 mutual funds etfs fixed income bonds cds options active trader pro investor centers stocks online trading annuities life insurance long-term care planning small business retirement plans 529 plans iras retirement planning charitable giving fidsafe , (opens in a new window) finra's brokercheck , (opens in a new window) health savings account stay connected.

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Best Travel Credit Cards of September 2024: Top Picks for Rewards and Benefits

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us and terms apply to offers listed (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate credit cards to write unbiased product reviews .

The information for the following product(s) has been collected independently by Business Insider: Citi Strata Premier℠ Card, Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students. The details for these products have not been reviewed or provided by the issuer.

Introduction to the Best Travel Credit Cards

Whether you're just dipping your toe into the world of rewards credit cards or you've already flown thousands of miles on points alone, we can tell you: There's an ideal travel credit card for everyone.

What are Travel Credit Cards?

Travel credit cards reward people on-the-go with bonus points on travel-related expenses as well as travel-related insurance benefits and purchase protections.

There's a card designed for people seeking free flights, hoping for free hotel stays, or just doing whatever it takes to realize their dreams of relaxing in an overwater bungalow. There are even no-annual-fee travel credit cards that won't cost you anything to maintain.  Let's take a look at the best choices available for you right now. 

Best Travel Credit Cards of September 2024

• Best overall travel credit card : Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
• Best travel credit card for beginners : Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
• Best no-annual-fee travel credit card : Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card ( rates and fees )
• Best for spending at hotels : Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card
• Best for travel rewards on everyday spending : Citi Strata Premier℠ Card
• Best travel card for students : Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students
• Most affordable premium travel credit card : Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
• Best travel credit card for earning travel credit on dining and groceries : American Express® Gold Card
• Best premium card for travel bonus categories : Chase Sapphire Reserve®
• Best for luxury travel benefits and airport lounge access : The Platinum Card® from American Express

Compare the Best Credit Cards for Travel

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

21.49% - 28.49% Variable

Earn 60,000 bonus points

Good to Excellent

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. High intro bonus offer starts you off with lots of points
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Strong travel coverage
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Doesn't offer a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fee credit

If you're new to travel rewards credit cards or just don't want to pay hundreds in annual fees, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a smart choice. It earns bonus points on a wide variety of travel and dining purchases and offers strong travel and purchase coverage, including primary car rental insurance.

• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
• 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, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
• Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2027.
• Member FDIC

Earn 5x miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited 2x miles on every purchase.

19.99% - 29.99% variable

Earn 75,000 bonus miles, plus $250 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. $50 experience credit and free upgrades on Capital One Lifestyle Collection bookings
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Includes up to a $100 statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Other credit cards offer higher rewards in certain categories of spending

If you want an easy, no-fuss travel rewards credit card, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a great fit. For a moderate annual fee, it offers plenty of value, useful benefits, and a substantial welcome bonus.

• Enjoy $250 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening - that’s equal to $1,000 in travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
• Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
• Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
• Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
• Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
• Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs

Earn 5 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase.

0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months (intro fee of 3% for the first 15 months, then 4% of the amount of each balance transfer at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer you at any other time)

19.99% - 29.99% Variable

Earn 20,000 miles

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. No annual fee or foreign transaction fees
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Versatile rewards
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Earn 1.25 miles per dollar on all purchases with no bonus categories to track
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Lower earning rate than some other no-annual-fee rewards cards
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Limited benefits

The VentureOne Rewards Card is a slimmed-down version of the popular Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. It's one of the few no-annual-fee cards on the market that gives you the option to redeem miles for cash back or transfer them to travel partners.

• $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
• Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel
• Earn unlimited 1.25X 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
• Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase-or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
• Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.99% - 29.99% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies

• Earn unlimited 5X points on hotels, 4X points on airlines, 3X points on other travel and restaurants, and 1X points on other purchases.

21.24%, 26.24%, or 29.99% Variable

Good or Excellent

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Trip cancellation and lost baggage protection
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Airline and hotel transfer partners available
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Welcome bonus
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Generous cellphone protection
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Low annual fee
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Transfer partner network not as diverse or robust as competitors

The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card is a true travel credit card, with benefits that rival many of the best travel rewards credit cards currently on the market. This card has a low annual fee on par with that of popular competing credit cards and Wells Fargo's newly announced Points Transfer program allows cardholders to juice maximum value from every point they earn.

• Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
• Earn 60,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 in purchases in the first 3 months – that’s $600 toward your next trip.
• $95 Annual Fee.
• Book your travel with the Autograph Journey Card and enjoy Travel Accident Insurance, Lost Baggage Reimbursement, Trip Cancellation and Interruption Protection and Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver.
• Earn a $50 annual statement credit with $50 minimum airline purchase.
• Up to $1,000 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
• Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.

Earn a total of 10 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked through CitiTravel.com. Earn 3X points per $1 on air travel and other hotel purchases, at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations and EV charging stations. Earn 1X point per $1 on all other purchases.

21.24% - 29.24% variable

Earn 75,000 bonus points

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Earn 3x points on most travel, restaurants, gas/EV charging, and supermarkets
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Earn 10x points on hotels, rental cars, and attractions booked via Citi Travel
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. $100 annual hotel credit on a single stay of $500 or more
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. No foreign transaction fees
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Trip delay/interruption benefits and lost/damaged baggage coverage
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Has an annual fee
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Citi Travel rates often are higher than retail cost of travel

Earn unlimited 1.5 points per dollar on purchases.

• 0% intro APR for your first 18 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made within the first 60 days of opening your account

17.99% - 27.99% Variable

25,000 online bonus points

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Generous welcome bonus for a student credit card
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Earns flexible points you can use toward a wide variety of travel purchases
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Other travel rewards cards have higher earning rates
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Few travel-related benefits compared to other travel cards

A good student credit card should offer rewards and useful benefits to those with limited credit history and the Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students hits several of those notes. However, while the card is marketed to students, those without established credit may have difficulty getting approved.

• The information related to the Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students has been collected by Business Insider and has not been reviewed by the issuer.
• 25,000 online bonus points after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days from account opening (redeemed as a $250 statement credit toward travel and dining purchases)
• Unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all purchases everywhere, no expiration on points
• No annual fee or foreign transaction fees

Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases.

Earn 75,000 bonus miles

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Excellent welcome bonus and miles earning
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Premium perks including airport lounge access and credits for certain purchases
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Visa Infinite benefits including travel and shopping protections
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. High annual fee
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Annual travel credits only apply to Capital One Travel purchases

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is one of the best credit cards for frequent travelers, with top-notch benefits and a wide range of built-in protections. It comes with a generous welcome bonus and credits that can help offset the annual fee — which is much lower than similar premium cards.

• Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
• Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
• Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
• Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
• Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection

Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.

See Pay Over Time APR

Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points plus 20% back in statement credits on eligible purchases made at restaurants worldwide, up to $100 back (Limited time offer. Offer ends 11/6/24)

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Great rewards for dining and for shopping at U.S. supermarkets
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Monthly statement credit for eligible dining purchases recoups some of the annual fee
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Underwhelming welcome bonus

Foodies and travelers alike will appreciate the American Express Gold's generous welcome bonus and Membership Rewards points earning. Its Uber Cash credits are useful for rides and Uber Eats, and monthly dining credits with participating merchants like GrubHub and Seamless are easy to use.

• Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Plus, receive 20% back in statement credits on eligible purchases made at restaurants worldwide within the first 6 months of Card Membership, up to $100 back. Limited time offer. Offer ends 11/6/24.
• Get the American Express® Gold Card in either the Gold, Rose Gold or Limited-Edition White Gold metal design. White Gold design is only available while supplies last.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
• Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
• Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
• $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
• $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Dunkin' locations.
• $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
• Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. Eligible charges vary by property.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• Annual Fee is $325.
• Terms Apply.

Earn 5x 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 & 1x point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

22.49% - 29.49% Variable

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Annual travel credit can effectively shave $300 off the annual fee if you use it
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Strong travel insurance
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Strong bonus rewards on travel and dining
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Very high annual fee

If you're new to rewards credit cards you may want to start elsewhere, but if you know you want to earn Chase points and you spend a lot on travel and dining, the Sapphire Reserve is one of the most rewarding options.

• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
• $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
• 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
• Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
• 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
• Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®

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

Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Long list of travel benefits, including airport lounge access and complimentary elite status with Hilton and Marriott (enrollment required)
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Annual statement credits with Saks and Uber
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Bonus categories leave something to be desired
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. One of the highest annual fees among premium travel cards

If you want as many premium travel perks as possible, The Platinum Card® from American Express could be the right card for you. The annual fee is high, but you get a long list of benefits such as airport lounge access, travel statement credits, complimentary hotel elite status, and more.

• 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.
• 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 and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
• $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• $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.
• The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023.
• $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.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
• $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.
• $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $199 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
• Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
• Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
• $695 annual fee.¤

Best Travel Credit Card Reviews

The best travel rewards credit cards offer valuable rewards, easy-to-use benefits, and helpful features like travel coverage. Our team of credit card experts at Business Insider chose the best options available on the market in 2024, and reviewed each one below.

Best Overall: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is our top pick for a well-rounded travel rewards credit card. Even infrequent travelers can benefit from the slew of premium perks on this card, typically found on cards with far higher annual fees. 

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card stands out for its travel protection benefits. When you pay for travel expenses with this card and meet certain requirements, you can request reimbursement for unexpected expenses that may arise when your flight is delayed or if your baggage is delayed or lost.

You'll also have primary rental car insurance, meaning you won't have to file claims through your personal car insurance plan or pay for coverage from the rental car company. This card also offers a 10% anniversary points bonus, and up to $50 in annual statement credits for hotel purchases made through the Chase Travel℠ Portal. 

The rewards rate on the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card isn't shabby either. You'll earn 5 points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards; 2 points on all other travel purchases; and 3 points on dining, online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs), and select streaming services. You'll earn 1 point per dollar on everything else.

Expert Insight: The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card currently offers a welcome bonus of 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Business Insider values Chase points at 1.8 cents each, on average, making this bonus worth around $1,080 in travel value.

Chase Ultimate Rewards® points are some of the easiest points to use in various ways. You can redeem them for travel directly through the Chase Travel Portal for a 25% boost in value, where 1 point will be worth 1.25 cents apiece. You can also transfer your points to Chase's airline and hotel transfer partners , which include United Airlines, Hyatt, Marriott, and many other airlines and hotel chains around the world. Cardholders can also use points for statement credits, gift cards, merchandise, and more.  

What the experts love: High welcome bonus offer, earns bonus points on travel, dining, and online grocery purchases, you can redeem points for 1.25 cents apiece for travel or through Chase for 25% value bonus

What the experts don't love: Doesn't offer some of the travel perks you'll get with competing cards, such as airport lounge access and a statement credit for Global Entry

Read more: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card card review .

Best for Beginners: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a great "set it and forget it" card, in the sense that you don't have to worry about various bonus categories for earning rewards. You'll earn 5 miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 2x miles on all other purchases.

As of 2023, Capital One Venture and Spark Miles cardholders now have access to a curated list of hotels worldwide and receive benefits that include a $50 hotel experience credit, room upgrades when available, and early check-in/late checkout when available.

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card also offers one of the most straightforward ways to redeem travel rewards: You can use your miles to cover recent travel purchases from your card statement at a rate of 1 cent per mile. 

You also have the option to transfer Capital One miles *** to more than a dozen frequent flyer and hotel loyalty programs, including Air Canada Aeroplan, Etihad Guest, and Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer. Capital One also added new partners including British Airways and Turkish Airlines, and improved the transfer ratio to 1:1 for most partners. 

The selection of transfer partners is best suited to someone who wants to travel internationally and who doesn't mind spending some time researching the best ways to redeem miles with the different frequent flyer program options. But the upside is that you can always use your miles to cover your travel purchases. You also get up to a $100 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fee credit.

What the experts love:  The ability to use your miles to cover your recent travel expenses; it earns at least 2 miles per dollar on every purchase.

What the experts don't love: Other cards offer higher rewards on certain spending categories such as travel and dining.

Read more: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card review

Best for No Annual Fee: Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card is our top choice for a no-annual-fee travel card ( rates and fees ), and it's got many of the same perks as its bigger sibling, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card.

New cardholders can earn a respectable 20,000 miles after spending $500 on purchases within three months from account opening (worth at least $340 in travel according to Business Insider's valuations). While the card only earns 1.25 miles per dollar on most purchases (plus 5x on hotels and car rentals booked through Capital One Travel), it's still a compelling choice if an annual fee isn't for you.

You'll get the same access to Capital One's airline and hotel partners as you would with annual-fee cards, and a handful of benefits including car rental insurance***, travel accident insurance***, and purchase assurance***. This is also a solid pick if you're looking for a zero-interest credit card  with a 0% introductory APR offer, because new cardholders receive a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months (intro fee of 3% for the first 15 months, then 4% of the amount of each balance transfer at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer you at any other time), then a 19.99% - 29.99% Variable APR ( rates and fees ).

What the experts love: No annual fee, access to transfer partners, generous intro 0% APR offer

What the experts don't love: Few travel benefits, lower earning rate

Read more: Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card review

Best for Boutique Hotels: Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card

The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card earns one of the highest rates of return on hotel bookings for a credit card that isn't co-branded with a specific hotel chain. 

This card has a $95 annual fee, inviting direct comparisons to two other cards on this list: The Sapphire Preferred Card , and the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card . In exchange, cardholders earn at least 3x on restaurants and travel purchases. Airline purchases earn 4x, and hotel purchases earn 5x.

When launching this card, the card issuer simultaneously announced brand-new Wells Fargo Autograph transfer partners : Choice Privileges, Aer Lingus AerClub, Air France-KLM Flying Blue, avianca lifemiles, and British Airways Executive Club. Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card cardholders can redeem rewards at the standard redemption rate of 1 cent per point for cash back, or transfer their rewards to any travel partners above for additional value.

What the experts love: High bonus rates on hotels and flights

What the experts don't love: Limited transfer options (for now)

Read more: Wells Fargo Autograph Journey credit card review

Best Travel Rewards on Everyday Spend: Citi Strata Premier℠ Card

The Citi Strata Premier℠ Card isn't as flashy or well-known as some other travel cards, but that doesn't mean you should overlook it, especially if you spend a lot on its bonus categories. Cardholders earn an impressive 3x points on air travel, gas stations, restaurants, supermarkets, and hotels, and 1 point per dollar on everything else.

Along with a solid welcome bonus offer of 75,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening (worth $1,200 based on Business Insider's valuations), you'll receive $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) booked through thankyou.com once per calendar year.

While it isn't the best for travel protections, the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card is the only card currently available to new applicants that unlocks the ability to transfer your ThankYou points to Citi's full list of airline and hotel partners , including JetBlue, Singapore Airlines, and Wyndham.

What the experts love:  Strong rewards earning in useful everyday categories, access to Citi's transfer partners

What the experts don't love: Lack of travel protections like car rental insurance, few travel perks compared to similar rewards cards

Read more: Citi Strata Premier℠ Card review

Best for Students: Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students

The Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students is a fairly unique offering, as there aren't many student credit cards specifically geared toward travel. New cardholders can earn 25,000 online bonus points after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days from account opening (redeemed as a $250 statement credit toward travel and dining purchases). That's a decent offer for a no-annual-fee card, and the earning structure is simple, too — 1.5x points per dollar on every purchase, with no bonus categories to keep track of.

There's also a 0% intro APR for your first 18 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made within the first 60 days of opening your account (then a 17.99% - 27.99% Variable APR) which can be handy if you have big purchases (like textbooks or supplies) you want to pay for over time. 

The Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students is a good choice if you prefer a straightforward card without having to worry about award charts or transfer partners. It's also a safe bet if you want to use it while traveling internationally — it doesn't charge pesky foreign transaction fees, so you won't be on the hook for extra charges if you use it overseas.

However, you won't find many extras — like travel benefits or purchase protections — with this card. If you're looking for better benefits, be sure to check out our guide to the best student credit cards for all the top options.

What the experts love: Impressive welcome bonus offer for a student credit card, good flat-rate rewards earning

What the experts don't love: No flashy extra perks or shopping benefits

Read more: Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students review

Cheapest Airport Lounge Access: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card was unveiled in late 2021 and offers a massive welcome bonus of 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening — worth at least $1,275 in travel, based on Business Insider's valuation of Capital One miles.

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is loaded with premium benefits that can more than offset the $395 annual fee ( rates and fees ). For context, this annual fee is significantly lower than that of other premium travel cards which offer airport lounge access. 

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card cardholders also receive $300 per year in credits toward travel booked through Capital One; Priority Pass, Plaza Premium, and Capital One airport lounge access (even for authorized users, for free); a 10,000-mile bonus on each account anniversary (worth $100 in travel); and Visa Infinite travel and purchase benefits.

Through the Capital One Premier Collection, Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card cardholders can access hundreds of premium hotels and resorts worldwide and receive elite-like benefits such as free breakfast, room upgrades, and on-property credits.

As with other cards that earn Capital One miles , you can transfer rewards to over a dozen airline and hotel partners to book award travel, or use miles to book through the Capital One Travel Portal .

What the experts love:  Between $300 a year in travel credit and a 10,000-mile bonus on each account anniversary, you can offset the annual fee entirely — and that's not even considering other benefits like lounge access.

What the experts don't love:  The $300 travel credit is more restrictive than other cards' — it only applies to travel booked through Capital One.

Read more: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card review

Best Travel Rewards from Dining and Groceries: American Express® Gold Card

The American Express® Gold Card is an ideal travel card for anyone who frequently eats out and/or shops at U.S. supermarkets. You'll earn 4X Membership Rewards® points on purchases at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points), 4X Membership Rewards® points at US supermarkets (on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points), 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com, 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com, and 1X Membership Rewards® point on all other eligible purchases.

You can get up to $120 in annual dining credits after enrollment, but it's divided into up to $10 in credits each month, and the credit only applies at select restaurants and delivery services at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys.

You'll also get up to $120 Uber Cash ($10 per month) credit each calendar year (this is only applicable to U.S. Eats orders and rides, and the Gold Card needs to be added as a method of payment to the Uber app to receive the Uber Cash benefit).

What the experts love: "4x points on restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1x) and at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per year, then 1x) is great — usually, a card favors one or the other," says Rathner. Plus, the card offers monthly dining credits.

What the experts don't love: Wilson notes that other cards offer similar benefits for a lower annual fee, and Rathner notes that the card's travel and dining credits come with some important limitations — so read the fine print. 

Read more: American Express® Gold Card review

Best for Premium Travel Insurance: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® has a $550 annual fee, which means it's not for everybody, but if you're serious about maximizing your rewards and you travel frequently, it could be worth it. It offers a bonus of 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. 

Not only do you get up to $300 in statement credits toward travel each year (and Chase has a very generous definition of travel — including everything from airfare to highway tolls), but you also earn 5x total points on air travel and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards (excluding the $300 travel credit) and 3x points on all other travel and dining. You also get airport lounge access through the Priority Pass network, which has more than 1,300 locations worldwide.

New benefits also include access to Chase Sapphire lounges in JFK, LaGuardia, Boston, and Hong Kong, as well as the Chase Sapphire Terrace at Austin Airport. You'll also receive benefit with DoorDash that can save you money on delivery (activation required).

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is currently offering cardholders two years of complimentary Lyft Pink All Access membership (valued at $199 per year) for member-exclusive pricing, priority pickup, and more (activation required). 

When it comes to redeeming points, you can book travel through Chase and get 1.5 cents per point (a 50% bonus over the standard 1-cent-per-point rate), or you can transfer your Chase Ultimate Rewards to travel partners like Hyatt, British Airways, and United.

Plus, like the less-expensive Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers some of the best credit card travel insurance around. This includes primary car rental insurance, trip delay insurance, trip cancellation protection, and lost baggage insurance.

What the experts love:  Earns 3x points on travel and dining purchases made outside of Chase Travel Portal, annual $300 travel credit, points are worth 1.5 cents apiece for travel booked through Chase

What the experts don't love: You have to squeeze every drop of value out of this card to make that jaw-dropping $550 annual fee worth your while.

Read more: Chase Sapphire Reserve® review

Expert Insight: The Chase Sapphire Reserve® card was previously our pick for the best travel card overall, before the annual fee increased from $450 to $550. While the Reserve did add some additional benefits, the Reserve no longer makes as much sense for casual travelers. As a result, we now recommend the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card as the best travel credit card for most people. 

Best Luxury Travel and Airport Lounge Access: The Platinum Card® from American Express

The Platinum Card® from American Express has one of the highest rewards card annual fees —  $695 — but it can still be well worth it if you can put all of its statement credits and generous welcome bonus offer to use.

You'll earn 5x points on flights when you book directly through the airline or through American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 per calendar year), which makes the card a great choice for purchasing airfare. The card offers American Express travel protection like trip cancellation and interruption insurance, plus some of the best purchase protection, so it's a good option for buying expensive items (and don't forget to see if you can take advantage of an Amex Offer ** for bonus points or cash back).

The Platinum Card® from American Express offers more airport lounge access than any other personal travel card — in addition to Priority Pass membership, you get access to Amex Centurion Lounges , Delta Sky Clubs (when you're flying Delta), and more. 

The card's annual statement credits can go a long way toward offsetting the high annual fee. You get up to $200 in statement credits toward airline incidental fees like checked bags and inflight purchases; up to $100 each year in credit toward Saks Fifth Avenue purchases; and up to $200 in annual Uber credits (including Uber Eats). 

The Platinum Card® from American Express comes with a range of valuable benefits, including up to $300 annually in Equinox credits, $199 per year in credits for CLEAR® Plus membership, up to $200 per year in credits toward eligible prepaid hotel bookings, up to $240 in annual credits toward eligible digital subscriptions, a monthly credit for Walmart+ membership, and up to $300 back for purchasing a SoulCycle At-Home Bike through Equinox+.

Just keep in mind that you're limited to one designated airline you choose each year in your Amex account for the airline incidental fee credit, and both the Saks and Uber credits are divided into portions. You'll get up to $50 in statement credits toward Saks purchases from January to June, and another credit of up to $50 for Saks purchases from July to December.

With the Uber credit, you get up to $15 each month, and a $20 bonus in December for a total of $35 that month.

What the experts love:  Lots of luxury benefits, including airport lounge access and statement credits with Uber and Saks

What the experts don't love: This card's $695 annual fee, and minimal bonus categories

Read more: The Platinum Card® from American Express review

Choosing the Best Travel Credit Card

Read Business Insider's guide to points and miles valuations to find out what your airline miles, hotel points, and credit card rewards are worth. Here's our methodology for assigning a cash value to your points and miles .

Why Choose A Travel Credit Card?

While it takes more effort to redeem points or miles compared to cash back, the upside is that you can get much more value for your points compared to simply cashing in your rewards for a statement credit or check at a rate of 1 cent per point.

In fact, it's possible to receive double, triple, or even more than that amount when you're strategic about how you redeem your rewards, particularly if you book expensive luxury hotels or first-class flights. 

In this guide, we've focused mostly on the best travel credit cards that earn transferable points. Transferable points include popular currencies such as:

• Amex Membership Rewards
• Chase Ultimate Rewards
• Citi ThankYou Rewards
• Capital One miles

You can transfer these points to both airline and hotel partner loyalty programs. You can even redeem your points to offset the cash price of your travel at a flat rate.

Best Travel Credit Card Frequently Asked Questions

Travel credit cards offer various benefits including earning points or miles on travel and everyday purchases, access to travel perks such as lounge access and travel insurance, and often come with sign-up bonuses that can be redeemed for free flights or hotel stays.

When choosing the best travel credit card, consider your travel habits, preferred airlines or hotel chains, annual fee tolerance, and the rewards and benefits offered by the card. Compare different cards to find one that aligns with your specific needs and travel goals.

Some potential downsides include annual fees, higher interest rates if you carry a balance, and rewards programs that might be restrictive if you don't travel frequently. It's important to weigh these factors against the benefits to determine if a travel credit card is right for you.

Yes, most travel credit cards allow you to earn points or miles on everyday purchases, which can help you accumulate rewards faster. However, the earning rate may vary depending on the spending category.

Look for a rewards program that offers a high earning rate on travel-related purchases, flexible redemption options, valuable travel perks, and a generous sign-up bonus. Additionally, consider if the card offers rewards that align with your travel preferences and spending habits.

To pick the right travel credit card for you, you'll want to evaluate its welcome bonus offer, ease of use, benefits, and annual fee. The best one for you will ideally have a combination of an attractive sign-up bonus , lots of options for earning and redeeming rewards, benefits that save you money, and a low or no annual fee.

If you want a single credit card that does it all and don't mind paying a generous annual fee, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® is a great choice. It comes with the best travel insurance available on the market, as well as a $300 travel credit each year that can be used on most types of travel.

The best travel credit card overall is the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, but the best card for your particular situation will depend on what benefits you care about the most, as well as how you feel about paying a high annual fee. 

We'd recommend opening a travel card that earns Amex or Chase points, because these are among the easiest rewards to redeem and you have various travel partners to utilize. But if you've investigated your options and are confident that you can get value out of their rewards, credit cards that earn Capital One miles or Citi ThankYou points can make sense as well.

There are two main types of travel credit cards: Cards that earn transferable points, and airline/hotel co-branded credit cards. Transferable points currencies include Amex Membership Rewards points, Capital One miles, and Chase Ultimate Rewards points.

Airline credit cards and hotel credit cards earn points or miles within a respective hotel or airline program; you don't have the option to redeem your rewards with a wide variety of travel partners (or if you do, the transfer ratio usually isn't great).

Travel credit cards with annual fees are worth it if you're able to get significant value out of their benefits and rewards. Before you apply for a card , make sure you'll actually use all the features that contribute to the card's annual fee. For example, if a card offers an annual statement credit of up to $200 toward travel but you can't use it, you're probably not getting what you pay for.

Travel credit cards work by earning you points (or miles) on every purchase you make, with the goal of helping you earn enough rewards to book free travel . The best travel cards earn points that you can transfer to various airline and hotel partners — like Amex, Chase, or Citi points. 

A great way to work toward getting a free flight is by applying for a travel credit card and earning its welcome bonus offer. Domestic award flights in economy class typically require about 25,000 points, so depending on the welcome bonus offer, you could have enough rewards for a flight right out of the gate. 

Why You Should Trust Us: How We Chose the Best Travel Credit Cards

Business Insider evaluated dozens of travel credit cards currently available to new applicants and narrowed down the list to the best options based on the following factors:

• Welcome bonus offer — Do new cardholders get a valuable incentive to sign up and meet a minimum spending requirement?
• Ongoing rewards — How many points or miles do you earn on your purchases?
• Benefits — Beyond rewards, does the card offer valuable perks such as statement credits for travel, primary car rental insurance, and airport lounge access?
• Annual fee — Is there an annual fee, and if so, is it affordable or easy to offset with card perks?
• Overall value — Does the card justify its annual fee by offering useful benefits and valuable rewards, and is it worth it?

Read our guide to how we rate credit cards for a closer look at our methodology.

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards .

Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.

**Enrollment required.

Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Trip Delay Insurance, Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance, and Cell Phone Protection Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company. Global Assist Hotline Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers. If approved and coordinated by Premium Global Assist Hotline, emergency medical transportation assistance may be provided at no cost. In any other circumstance, Card Members may be responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers. Extended Warranty, Purchase Protection, and Baggage Insurance Plan Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss & Damage Insurance Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

***Terms, conditions, and exclusions apply. Refer to your Guide to Benefits for more details. Travel Accident Insurance is not guaranteed, it depends on the level of benefits you get at application.

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

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

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

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Travel Benefits : United(SM) Explorer Card

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United℠ Explorer Card

Travel benefits.

The benefits that come with being a United℠ Explorer Cardmember make it easier than ever to travel smart.

Free checked bag — a savings of up to $140 per roundtrip

The primary Cardmember and one companion traveling on the same reservation will each receive their first standard checked bag free (up to $35 value for the first checked bag, each way, per person) on United-operated flights when purchasing tickets with their United Explorer Card. See united.com/ChaseBag for details.

25% Back on United Inflight and InClub Purchases

Pay with your United Card and get 25% back as a statement credit on purchases of food, beverages and Wi-Fi onboard United-operated flights and on purchases of premium drinks in United Club locations.

Global Entry, TSA PreCheck ® or NEXUS fee credit — up to $100

Get a statement credit every four years as reimbursement for the application fee for these programs when charged to your Explorer Card.

No foreign transaction fees

Purchases made outside the U.S. with the Explorer Card are not subject to foreign transaction fees. It’s a great opportunity to use your card when you travel or shop online and earn award miles. For example, if you spend $5,000 internationally, you would avoid $150 in foreign transaction fees.

Priority boarding

The primary Cardmember and companions on the same reservation will be invited to board United-operated flights prior to general boarding. To receive priority boarding, just add your MileagePlus number to your reservation and refer to your United boarding pass for your boarding group number.

Two United Club℠ passes — over a $100 value

Relax at a United Club location before your flight, where you can enjoy complimentary beverages, snacks and more. As the primary Cardmember, you’ll get two United Club one-time passes deposited into your MileagePlus account each year for your anniversary. We’ll notify you via email when your two passes are available in your MileagePlus account. Please visit united.com/ChaseClubPasses for more information. For a list of United Club locations, visit united.com/UnitedClubLocations .

Concierge services

Need help finding a great new restaurant or tickets to the theater? Count on the United Explorer Card concierge services to give you personalized assistance with reservations, referrals and recommendations — anywhere in the world. Call United Explorer Card concierge services at 1-800-888-8756 for assistance.

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U.s. bank altitude ®  connect visa signature ® card, earn 20,000 bonus points. 1.

Just spend $1,000 in eligible Net purchases in the first 90 days.

$0 intro annual fee  for the first year ,  $95 /year thereafter. Effective September 9, 2024, you will enjoy a $0 annual fee.*

Plus earn 5X points on prepaid hotels and car rentals. 3

4X points on travel and at gas stations/EV charging stations.

2X points on dining, streaming services and at grocery stores.

1X point on all other eligible spend.

$0 intro annual fee  for the first year ,  $95 /year thereafter

See details below for changes coming in September.

Get a decision in as little as 60 seconds.

Mobile Carrier Terms. 2

See annual fee and full terms

5X points 3 on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Altitude Rewards Center

4X points   on travel. And 4X at gas stations/EV charging stations through September 8, 2024, after that 4X on your first $1,000 each quarter (excludes discount stores and wholesale clubs)

2X points   on dining, streaming services and at grocery stores (excludes discount stores and wholesale clubs effective September 9, 2024)

1X point on all other eligible purchases

Additional Benefits

0% intro apr.

Get 0% intro APR * on Balance Transfers† for the first  12 billing cycles . After that, a variable APR applies, currently $ .*

No foreign transaction fees

Enjoy no foreign transaction fees when making purchases outside the United States.

Airport lounge access 4

Complimentary Priority Pass ™ Select membership gives you 4 free visits to over 1,500 airport VIP lounges and experiences worldwide.

TSA PreCheck ® or Global Entry® 5

Enjoy up to $100 in statement credits toward your application fee once every four years.

Pay over time with a U.S. Bank ExtendPay ® Plan. 6

Receive a new cardmember $0* fee offer on ExtendPay Plans opened in the first 60 days after account opening. 6

ID Navigator Powered by NortonLifeLock™ 7

Get tools to help keep you informed of threats that may affect your identity.

Travel benefits 8

Protection and assistance when traveling with Trip Cancelation/Interruption, Trip Delay Reimbursement and SmartDelay. Plus, stay connected in over 125 countries with complimentary GigSky global mobile data plans.

Visa Signature benefits

Special access to unforgettable experiences – from fine wine and food events, luxury hotels and premium car rental service to sporting events, shopping and more.

Rewards calculator

See how fast your points add up..

Enter your estimated monthly spend below and your potential points will be calculated automatically. The calculator is for illustrative purposes only as actual card usage may produce different results.

Calculated earnings are based on current earn rates and will change effective September 9, 2024

Awards and Accolades for Altitude Connect

Best Gas Rewards Credit Card

WalletHub’s 2024

Best International Travel Credit Card

Best Summer Travel Credit Card

Frequently asked questions

What credit score is needed to apply for the u.s. bank altitude® connect visa signature® credit card.

In general, our credit card products are for customers with a credit score in the good to excellent range. We also offer several secured credit card products which are designed for people looking to build or rebuild their credit with responsible use.

How does the U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card work?

• 5X points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Altitude Rewards Center
• 4X points on travel
• 4X points at gas stations and EV charging stations through September 8, 2024, after that 4X on your first $1,000 each quarter (excludes discount stores and wholesale clubs)
• 2X points on dining, streaming services and at grocery stores (excludes discount stores and wholesale clubs effective September 9, 2024)
• 1X point on all other eligible purchases. 3

How do I redeem the points I’ve earned on my U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card?

Cardmembers can redeem points for travel, gift cards, merchandise, live events, charity, cash back 9 and more.

Redeeming points is quick and easy. Choose any of the following:

• Visit the Rewards Center found in online banking at usbank.com .
• Log in to the U.S. Bank Mobile App, select your Altitude Connect account and choose Redeem or View my rewards .
• Call the 24-hour Rewards Center at 888-229-8864.

Do points expire on my U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card?

Points never expire on your Altitude Connect Card.

If your Account is closed to future transactions (including, but not limited to, due to Program misuse, failure to pay, bankruptcy, or death), you may not redeem and will lose all your Points.

Is my U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card eligible for Shopping Deals?

Yes. Your Altitude Connect Card is eligible to use at Shopping Deals. Shopping Deals is the easiest way to earn additional points while shopping online at over 1,100 stores using your credit card.

How do I use Shopping Deals with my U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card?

Once enrolled:

• Log in at usbank.com .
• Select Shopping Deals in the Rewards Center and start shopping.

By using Shopping Deals on your Altitude Connect Card, you will be able to earn more points by shopping online. Earn points on your credit card purchases and then earn additional points by shopping through the Shopping Deals site.

Is my U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card eligible for Real-Time Rewards?

Yes. Your Altitude Connect Card is eligible for Real-Time Rewards after you register your card. With Real-Time Rewards, shop nearly anywhere and redeem points instantly for your purchases from your mobile device.

How do I use Real-Time Rewards on my U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card?

Once enrolled, redemption is quick and easy. Make a purchase and you’ll receive a text asking if you want to use points to redeem immediately. Reply “REDEEM” to complete the redemption. You must have enough points to cover the entire purchase to receive the text message to redeem. Your points will be deducted from your points balance and redeemed in the form of a credit to your monthly billing statement. See Program Rules for additional details.

What is U.S. Bank ExtendPay®?

U.S. Bank ExtendPay ® Plans provide a payment option that allows you to divide eligible credit card purchases into affordable monthly payments with no interest* – just a fixed monthly fee.

How will I know if I am eligible for a U.S. Bank ExtendPay® Plan?

If your credit card account is eligible for a U.S. Bank ExtendPay® Plan, you’ll receive a notification via email, or you’ll see ExtendPay Plan options when viewing your card account details or eligible transactions online. The only purchases eligible for an ExtendPay Plan are those that were made within 60 days prior to signing up for ExtendPay, are over $100, and are less than your purchase balance when you sign up for ExtendPay.

ExtendPay Plan eligibility may change based on your credit card account activity.

Looking for a credit card with different benefits?

Compare all credit cards..

Use our comparison tool to compare benefits like rewards, APR and welcome offers for up to three cards.  

Disclosures

U.S. Bank may change APRs, fees and other account terms in the future based on your experience with U.S. Bank National Association and its affiliates as provided under the Cardmember Agreement and applicable law.

* The 0% introductory APR applies to Balance Transfers made within 60 days of account opening and is valid for the first 12 billing cycles. The introductory rate does not apply to Purchases and cash advances. Thereafter, the APR may vary. The current variable APR for Purchases and Balance Transfers is $ (based on your creditworthiness). The variable APR for Cash Advances is 29.99%. Cash Advance fee: 5% of each advance amount, $10 minimum. Convenience Check fee: 3% of each check amount, $5 minimum. Cash Equivalent fee: 5% of each cash amount, $10 minimum. Balance Transfer fee: 3% of each transfer amount, $5 minimum. There is a $1 minimum interest charge where interest is due. The annual fee is $0 introductory annual fee for the first 12 months, after that $95. Effective September 9, 2024 , the annual fee is $0. Foreign Transaction fee: 0% of each foreign purchase transaction or foreign ATM advance transaction in U.S. Dollars. 0% of each foreign purchase transaction or foreign ATM advance transaction in a Foreign Currency. U.S. Bank ExtendPay® Fees: A monthly fee not to exceed 1.6% of the original principal amount in a U.S. Bank ExtendPay® Plan or U.S. Bank ExtendPay® Loan. This fixed fee is disclosed upon enrollment and charged each month that you owe the applicable ExtendPay balance. ExtendPay Fees are calculated based upon the original principal amount, Purchase APR, and other factors. When you make a payment, the amount up to your Minimum Payment is applied first to the monthly payment obligation for ExtendPay Plans and ExtendPay Loans if any, and then to non-Fixed Payment Program balances in the order of the lowest to highest APR. Any amount over your Minimum Payment is applied to balances in the order of highest to lowest APR.

† Balance Transfers transactions from other U.S. Bank National Association accounts are not permitted. You may cancel a balance transfer request within 10 days of account opening by calling 800-285-8585.

Net Purchases are Purchases minus credits and returns. Not all transactions are considered to be Purchases and eligible to earn Points, such as transactions posting as Convenience Checks; Balance Transfers; Advances (including ATM withdrawals, wire transfers, traveler's checks, money orders, foreign cash transactions, betting transactions, and lottery tickets); interest charges and fees; credit insurance premiums; and transactions to (i) fund certain prepaid card products, (ii) buy currency from the U.S. Mint, or (iii) buy cash convertible items. Upon approval, see your Cardmember Agreement for details. Purchases qualify for Points based on how merchants choose to classify their business and we reserve the right to determine which purchases qualify.

Account must be open and in good standing (not past due) on the closing date of the billing cycle to earn and redeem rewards and benefits. Upon approval, please refer to your Cardmember Agreement or Rewards Program Rules in the online Rewards Center by logging into usbank.com for additional information.

One-time 20,000 bonus Points will be awarded if you are approved for a new U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card and make $1,000 or more in total eligible Net Purchases to your Account within 90 days of Account opening. Please allow 1-2 billing cycles for your bonus Points to be credited to your Account. Existing or previous U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature cardmembers are not eligible if you have received a new account bonus for this product in the last five years. Use of the Card is subject to terms and conditions of the U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Cardmember Agreement, which is provided at Account opening and may be amended from time to time. This offer may not be combined with any other bonus offer.

By clicking Apply, you authorize your wireless carrier to use or disclose information about your account and your wireless device, if available, to us or our service provider for the duration of your business relationship, solely to help us identify you or your wireless device and to prevent fraud. See our Privacy Policy for how we treat your data.

Points are earned on eligible Net Purchases. U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Cardmembers will earn 1 Point for every $1 in Net Purchases. In addition, you will earn 4 Points (5 Points total) for every $1 on prepaid car and hotel reservations purchased in the online Altitude Rewards Center using your U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Card. Prepaid car and hotel reservations in the Rewards Center are not classified as a travel category merchant transaction and are not eligible to receive the additional points for that category. You will earn 3 Points (4 Points total) for every $1 on travel category purchases (such as purchases made directly with airlines, hotels, car rentals, taxicabs, limousines, passenger trains and cruise line companies). You will earn 1 Point (2 Points total) for every $1 on restaurant, fast-food restaurant, bar and qualifying streaming subscription service purchases. Refer to Program Rules or usbank.com/AltitudeConnectBenefits for official list of qualifying streaming services merchants. IMPORTANT CHANGE : You will earn 3 Points (4 Points total) for every $1 on gas station and electric vehicle charging station purchases through September 8, 2024. Effective September 9, 2024 , you will earn 3 Points (4 Points total) for every $1 on your first $1,000 each quarter on gas station and electric vehicle charging station purchases, excluding purchases at wholesale clubs, discount stores/supercenters and grocery stores/supermarkets. You will earn 1 Point (2 Points total) for every $1 on grocery store and supermarket purchases. Effective September 9, 2024 , grocery store and supermarket purchases at discount stores/supercenters such as Target and Walmart and wholesale clubs will be excluded. Please allow 1-2 statement billing cycles for your bonus Points to appear on your credit card statement. Refer to the Rewards Center for full details.

Cardmembers who enroll in the Priority Pass Select program will receive access for 12 months to airport VIP lounges worldwide that participate in the Priority Pass Select program. Enrollment with no membership fee is limited to one Cardmember per Account (including authorized users). Lounge visit fees apply. Please view the Guide to Benefits (PDF) or visit the U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Card Benefit site for eligibility details, to register, and for full terms and conditions. Cardmembers must accept the Priority Pass Select Conditions of Use which are located at: www.prioritypass.com/en/terms-of-use. One Cardmember per Account may be enrolled as the member in the Priority Pass Select program, and their first four visits are waived each Priority Pass Select membership year (not Cardmember year). Per person lounge visit fees will apply after free visits have been used. Lounge benefits, services and facilities differ by location and may only be available at an additional charge.

Certain terms, conditions and exclusions apply. You must complete either the Global Entry ® and/or TSA PreCheck ® application(s) and pay the application fee(s) with your U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card. For complete details on the TSA PreCheck ® program, including full terms and conditions, go to https://www.tsa.gov/precheck . The TSA PreCheck ® trademark is used with the permission of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Please view the Guide to Benefits (PDF) for further card benefit details including full terms and conditions.

From time to time we may offer to you the benefit of our U.S. Bank ExtendPay® Plans, which allow you to pay off balances in fixed monthly payments over time and still avoid paying interest charges on new Purchases. You may designate up to 50% of your credit card line ($100 minimum) in eligible credit card purchases and pay in monthly installments with just a small fixed monthly fee. Only Purchase balances are eligible for  ExtendPayPlans. Transactions identified as Advances or Balance Transfers (as defined in your Cardmember Agreement), and any interest or fees, including Annual Fee, do not apply. The only Purchases that will appear as "Eligible Purchases" in the enrollment process are Purchases that were made within 60 days prior to signing up for an ExtendPay Plan, are over $100, and are less than your Purchase balance when you sign up for an ExtendPay Plan. Any unpaid balance remaining on an ExtendPay Plan after the chosen pay-back period will be subject to the APR and minimum payment calculation for purchases outlined in the Cardmember Agreement.

No one can prevent all cybercrime or all identity theft.

Certain terms, conditions and exclusions apply. Please view the Guide to Benefits (PDF) for further card benefit details including full terms and conditions. In order for coverage to apply for Trip Interruption/Cancellation and Trip Delay Reimbursement, you must use your Altitude Connect Card to secure transactions. To register your flight for SmartDelay, visit altitudeconnect.smartdelay.com . Please visit gigsky.com/visa-usb-ac to register for GigSky and for further details and full terms and conditions. GigSky benefit is redeemable through November 15, 2025.

Cash back is redeemed in the form of a statement credit or a deposit made to your U.S. Bank savings or checking account (minimum redemption for Cash back will be the necessary points that are equal to $25 or more). See redemption options in the online Rewards Center by logging into usbank.com for information at time of redemption.

The Contactless Symbol and Contactless Indicator are trademarks owned by and used with the permission of EMVCo, LLC.

The creditor and issuer of this card is U.S. Bank National Association, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc., and the card is available to United States residents only.

5 benefits you need from a travel credit card

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Bankrate has partnerships with issuers including, but not limited to, American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citi and Discover.

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Key takeaways

• Many travel credit cards reward you for both travel and for spending on everyday items like groceries, dining and gas.
• When choosing a travel credit card, look for travel insurance benefits like trip cancellation and interruption insurance, auto rental insurance and lost or delayed baggage coverage.
• Recurring travel perks like annual free nights, airport lounge access or elite status can help offset any annual fees and make travel more enjoyable.
• Look for travel perks like no foreign transaction fees, free checked baggage on eligible flights and credits toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fees.

Despite worldwide political turmoil and continued economic instability, the post-pandemic travel boom continues as demand for travel remains high. Travel credit cards continue to be a vital asset for travel hackers wanting to minimize expenses and improve their overall travel experiences.

Whether you’re evaluating your current credit card portfolio or looking to add a new one to your wallet, here are five travel card benefits you’ll want to look for.

1. Bonus rewards on travel and everyday spending

Although high inflation and the global supply chain shortages of the past few years seem to be easing, prices on items from groceries to airfare remain higher than in the past. While you can’t control inflation or rising costs, you can maximize your return in these spending categories with the right credit cards .

Although the right credit card line-up can help you earn lots of rewards in everyday-spending categories like groceries, dining and gas, many cards also offer rewards on travel spending, too. The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express , for example, earns 6 percent cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year, then 1 percent) and 3 percent cash back at U.S. gas stations. Add one of these cards to your wallet and you can make lemonade from the lemon of a stressed economy.

If you don’t want to keep track of bonus categories across multiple credit cards , consider a card that offers a flat rewards rate on all spending — such as one of the best 2 percent cash back cards .

2. Travel insurance benefits

In an increasingly unpredictable world, travel insurance is more important than ever. While there are coverage limits, many credit cards offer travel insurance (of all different types) that can save you money and stress in a difficult situation.

Auto rental car coverage

A few years ago, I was involved in a minor fender bender while driving a rental car. It was dark out, and I grazed a metal partition while making a left-hand turn. Five months later, I received a bill for $3,600 from the rental car company. Ouch. Luckily, it only cost me around $400 and I didn’t have to get my insurance company involved. That’s because I paid $14.99 (at the time) for primary coverage through American Express’ Premium Car Rental Protection program. That coverage saved me over $3,200 and a rising insurance premium.

Many credit cards offer auto rental insurance in the form of an auto rental collision damage waiver. While most credit cards provide secondary coverage, some premium credit cards offer primary rental car coverage, which can be an invaluable benefit if you’re involved in an accident. Some premium travel cards that offer primary auto rental coverage include the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® .

Trip cancellation/interruption insurance

Trip interruption insurance can give you peace of mind if you’ve booked an expensive trip and can’t complete it. Many credit cards actually offer both trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage , which can reimburse you for eligible expenses when your trip is canceled or interrupted for eligible reasons. This great benefit could save you thousands of dollars in an emergency, not to mention the cost of buying an insurance policy.

For example, The Platinum Card® from American Express offers trip cancellation and interruption insurance of up to $10,000 per trip and up to $20,000 per eligible card (every 12 months) for covered reasons (additional terms and conditions apply).

Be sure to familiarize yourself with the coverage limits on your credit card’s policy to determine whether it makes sense to buy additional coverage. In most cases, what the credit card offers is sufficient.

Lost or delayed baggage insurance

Thousands of bags are lost or mishandled every year. While the odds of losing your luggage are low, it can put a damper on your trip if it does happen. Luckily, many credit cards offer baggage delay insurance or lost luggage reimbursement .

For example, the Chase Sapphire Preferred offers baggage delay insurance that will reimburse you up to $100 per day for five days for eligible expenses when baggage is delayed by a passenger carrier for over six hours.

3. Recurring travel perks

This is the year to take inventory of your credit cards and make sure they’re serving you well. If you’re paying an annual fee, look for a card with recurring benefits. Whether it’s annual free nights, waived baggage fees or elite status benefits, these perks can help offset your annual fee and make your travels more pleasant.

Annual free nights

Annual free hotel nights are one of the best benefits you can get from a travel card, and many hotel credit cards offer this type of perk . For instance, the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Credit Card * offers one annual free night award every year after card renewal, along with one additional free night after you spend $30,000 on your card within a calendar year. You’ll earn another free night for a total of two additional free nights after you spend $60,000 on your card in a calendar year.

The World of Hyatt Credit Card * also offers one free night every year after the cardmember anniversary, good for any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort. I once used my Hyatt free night at the Park Hyatt Istanbul, where rooms were going for over $250 per night at the time. Needless to say, I was happy to pay the card’s $95 annual fee in exchange for this helpful perk. The property has since gone up to a Category 5, meaning the free night is no longer valid there, but it was an excellent value at the time.

Airport lounge access

Airports are getting busier and food is getting more expensive. Airport lounge access can be a great way to keep your costs down and your comfort level up while spending time at the airport. Sure, credit cards that offer lounge access tend to carry high annual fees, but this can be worthwhile if you use this benefit enough.

Airline or hotel elite status

Recurring card benefits, like automatic airline or hotel elite status , can save you a lot on travel and are worth considering when shopping for a new credit card. For example, I keep renewing my Hilton Honors Amex Aspire card every year despite the fact that I don’t spend much on it. That’s because the card provides automatic, top-tier Hilton Diamond elite status, which can easily offset the $550 annual fee.

4. Waived fees

Despite what your favorite travel bloggers like to say, travel is never free — even if you’re using points and miles. There are resort fees , luggage fees and award taxes to contend with. And when using your card abroad , you’ll sometimes need to pay foreign transaction fees .

Luckily, many top travel credit cards come with no foreign transaction fees. As for luggage fees, several of the top airline credit cards come with free checked baggage benefits .

For instance, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® * offers a first checked bag free on domestic flights for the cardholder and up to four travel companions on the same reservation. That presents savings of up to $150 per one-way flight, more than the card’s $99 annual fee ($0 intro annual fee the first year).

5. Trusted traveler programs

Trusted traveler programs like Global Entry and TSA PreCheck can make going through airport security and customs speedy and convenient. Membership in these programs is affordable to begin with, but with the right credit card, you can get your application fees waived.

Global Entry and TSA fee credits used to be limited to premium credit cards (which come with high annual fees). That’s no longer the case. Nowadays, many entry-level travel credit cards, like the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card , offer up to $100 in credits for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.

The bottom line

Travelers might be facing high prices and economic uncertainty, but with the right credit card strategy , you can easily weather the storm. It’s a good time to reassess your current credit card lineup or consider adding a new card to your wallet so you’re better positioned to do so. Hopefully, these tips can help you minimize your out-of-pocket costs. Check out Bankrate’s travel toolkit for more tips and tricks on maximizing travel with a credit card.

Issuer-required disclosure statement: *Information about the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Credit Card, The World of Hyatt Credit Card and Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® has been collected independently by Bankrate and has not been reviewed or approved by the issuer.

Are travel credit cards worth it?

The pros and cons of travel credit cards

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How to choose the best travel card in 5 steps

Best Travel Credit Cards of 2024

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Table of Contents

Top American Airlines credit card benefits

Benefits when booking flights, airport perks, progress toward elite status, travel perks and protections, review and apply.

If you travel on American Airlines regularly, getting one of the airline's credit cards can make sense. Not only will you earn additional miles when paying for flights, but the cards also come with valuable perks to improve your flight and save money.

The American Airlines credit cards include:

Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® .

Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® .

American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® .

AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® .

CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® .

Let’s learn more about American Airlines credit card benefits, including the differences among cards, which American Airlines credit card gives lounge access and how to earn elite status and other perks based on your spending.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

The American Airlines credit card benefits vary based on which card you choose, and there are multiple cards available, including options for both consumers and small business owners.

Earn AAdvantage miles

One of the basic benefits of an American Airlines credit card is the ability to earn AAdvantage miles on your spending. With each card, not only will you earn rewards on American Airlines purchases, but you'll also earn miles on bonus categories and everyday purchases.

This chart highlights how much you'll earn based on different types of spending.

» Learn more: The best American Airlines credit cards

New cardholder bonuses

When you apply for a new American Airlines credit card, you may be able to earn a welcome bonus by meeting the card's spending requirement within a few months. In general, the higher a card's annual fee and spending requirement, the more miles you can earn.

Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® : Earn 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $7,000 within the first 3 months of account opening.

Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® : For a limited time, earn 75,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $3,500 in purchases within the first 4 months of account opening.

American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® : Earn 15,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after making $500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.

AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® : Earn 60,000 AAdvantage® bonus miles after making your first purchase and paying the $99 annual fee in full, both within the first 90 days.

CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® : Earn 75,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $4,000 in purchases within the first 4 months of account opening.

Earn miles on authorized user purchases

American Airlines credit cards allow cardholders to add authorized users and earn miles on their purchases. Except for the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® , each card offers free authorized user or employee cards. With the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® , you can add up to three authorized users for $175 per year, then $175 annually for each additional user.

» Jump ahead to apply .

Based on your annual spending totals on eligible American Airlines cards, you may earn special benefits when booking flights.

Discount on flights

When you spend $20,000 in a calendar year on the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® , you'll receive a $125 American Airlines flight discount after renewing your card.

Annual companion certificate

Bring someone with you on your next paid flight with an annual companion certificate . Two American Airlines credit cards earn a companion certificate based on your annual spending. When redeeming these certificates, there is a $99 fee, plus the taxes and fees associated with your flight.

To earn the certificate, you'll need to spend $20,000 on the AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® or $30,000 on the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® .

Barclays and Citi American Airlines credit card benefits at the airport can also improve your travel experience and save you money during your trip.

Free checked bags

If you wait to add on checked bags until you're at the airport rather than booking in advance, American Airlines charges $40 for the first checked bag when traveling domestically or to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Getting free checked bags can save $320 on a round-trip flight for a family of four.

You'll get the first checked bag free for yourself and up to four companions on the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® , AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® and CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® . With the premium Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® , this benefit extends to eight travel companions. The $0 -annual-fee American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® doesn't offer this perk.

Early boarding

Getting on the plane early allows you priority access to the overhead bins and more time to get comfortable ahead of your flight. Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® cardholders get to board in Group 4, while all other AAdvantage cardholders (except the American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® ) board in Group 5. American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® does not offer early boarding benefits.

» Learn more: American Airlines' boarding process explained

Lounge access

Only one of the American Airlines credit cards includes complimentary Admirals Club lounge access . The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® includes a complimentary Admirals Club membership where cardholders can enter the lounge for free whenever they're flying on American Airlines or an eligible partner airline.

Cardholders can also bring immediate family members (spouse, domestic partner and children up to age 18) or up to two guests in for free.

TSA PreCheck or Global Entry

TSA PreCheck and Global Entry expedite your wait at the airport when going through airport security and U.S. customs, respectively. The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® is the only card that includes reimbursement for these application fees up to $100 every four years.

In-flight savings

Save money on your in-flight purchases of food and beverages when using your American Airlines credit card. American Airlines AAdvantage credit cards provide a 25% statement credit for all inflight purchases.

If you purchase inflight Wi-Fi, you'll also save 25% when using the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® . The AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® provides up to $25 in statement credits each anniversary year when purchasing Wi-Fi on American Airlines flights.

American Airlines elite status offers numerous perks for travelers, including complimentary upgrades, waived fees, priority standby and more. You can accelerate your path to elite status using one of American Airlines' credit card benefits.

Earn Loyalty Points on purchases

Not only will you earn AAdvantage airline miles on every dollar you spend on your AA credit cards, but you'll also earn one Loyalty Point on each dollar spent. This allows cardholders to earn points toward elite status based solely on their spending — or in conjunction with flying and other qualifying activities.

Bonus Loyalty Points

With the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® , you'll receive up to 20,000 bonus Loyalty Points per year to boost your elite status. The first 10,000 points are earned by reaching 50,000 Loyalty Points in a status qualification year. A second 10,000 points (for a total of 20,000) are earned when you reach 90,000 Loyalty Points.

Often overlooked benefits of Barclays and Citi American Airlines credit cards don't earn airline miles or Loyalty Points. However, these benefits can be just as valuable.

No foreign transaction fees

All of the American Airlines credit cards, except the American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® , waive foreign transaction fees. The American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® charges a 3% fee on international purchases.

Travel insurance and assistance

Unfortunately, not all American Airlines credit cards include travel insurance or assistance benefits. The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® recently introduced travel insurance benefits , including trip cancellation/interruption protection, trip delay protection, lost baggage protection and worldwide rental car insurance.

The AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® also includes complimentary travel insurance and assistance benefits. These benefits include travel accident insurance, trip cancellation and interruption benefits, baggage delay insurance and rental car protection.

Travel and dining credits

American Airlines credit card benefits for the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® also expanded to include travel and dining credits. Cardholders will receive up to $120:

In Lyft credits: When you take three eligible Lyft rides per month, you'll receive a $10 Lyft credit.

Back on Grubhub purchases: Earn one $10 statement credit per month when you make an eligible Grubhub order.

Back on eligible Avis and Budget car rentals: For every dollar you spend on eligible Avis and Budget car rentals, you'll receive a $1 statement credit up to the annual maximum of $120.

» Learn more: Is an American Airlines credit card worth it?

If any or all of these American Airlines credit card perks are enough to move the dial, consider applying. Just give the cards one more look before you do:

on Citibank's application

$0 intro for the first year, then $99 .

Earn 15,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after making $500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.

For a limited time, earn 75,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $3,500 in purchases within the first 4 months of account opening.

Earn 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $7,000 within the first 3 months of account opening.

Earn 60,000 AAdvantage® bonus miles after making your first purchase and paying the $99 annual fee in full, both within the first 90 days.

Earn 75,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $4,000 in purchases within the first 4 months of account opening.

• 2 miles per $1 at grocery stores, including grocery delivery services, and on eligible American Airlines purchases.

• 1 mile per $1 spent on other purchases.

• 1 Loyalty Point per 1 eligible AAdvantage® mile earned from purchases.

• 2 miles per $1 at gas stations and restaurants, and on eligible American Airlines purchases.

• 10 miles per $1 on eligible car rentals and hotels booked through AA.

• 4 miles per $1 on eligible American Airlines purchases, up to $150,000 spent per calendar year (5 miles per $1 spent thereafter for the remainder of the calendar year).

• 1 mile per $1 on everything else.

• 2 miles per $1 on eligible American Airlines purchases.

• 1 mile per $1 on all other purchases.

• 2 miles per $1 on American Airlines.

• 2 miles per $1 on telecommunications, cable and satellite providers.

• 2 miles per $1 on car rental merchants.

• 2 miles per $1 on gas stations.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024 :

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

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Travel charge card

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What is the travel charge card? The GSA SmartPay® 3 program provides charge cards to U.S. government agencies, as well as tribal governments, through master contracts that are negotiated with major banks. 

There are currently more than 560 federal agencies, organizations and Native American tribal governments participating in the program, spending $30 billion annually, through 100 million transactions on more than three million cards.

There are three types of travel accounts:

• Individually billed accounts are issued to employees to pay for official travel and travel-related expenses. The government reimburses employees for authorized expenses. The employee is responsible for making payment to the bank.
• Centrally billed accounts are established by some agencies to pay for official travel expenses. Centrally billed accounts are paid directly by the government to the bank.
• GSA SmartPay Tax Advantage Travel accounts  are new product offerings that combine an Individually Billed Account (IBA) and Centrally Billed Account (CBA), providing a means to obtain tax exemption automatically at the point of sale for rental cars and lodging charges. The combined features of CBAs and IBAs are a key characteristic of this product. When using the Tax Advantage Travel Account, charges for rental cars and lodging will be automatically billed to a CBA for payment. Charges for other travel-related purchases, such as meals and incidentals, are billed to the IBA portion of the account.

What is the benefit for federal agencies? Each agency or organization using the travel charge card receives a rebate based on sales volume. The sale refund is remitted to the organization. In addition, a separate refund is provided to agencies and organizations based on improving speed of payment.

How can travel managers make it happen? In 1988, Congress mandated that federal employees use the government travel charge card for all payments of expenses related to official government travel, with some exceptions. 

Travel managers should ensure that all of their travelers use their government-issued travel charge card for all purchases of travel-related services or products such as rental cars, hotel rooms, and telephone or Internet service.

Looking for more information on SmartPay? The  GSA SmartPay program provides charge cards to U.S. government agencies/departments, as well as tribal governments, through master contracts that are negotiated with major national banks. Additionally, to contact Travel Program call 888-472-5585 or email [email protected]

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No results could be found for the location you've entered.

Rates for Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. Territories and Possessions are set by the Department of Defense .

Rates for foreign countries are set by the State Department .

2 Choose a date

Rates are available between 10/1/2022 and 09/30/2025.

The End Date of your trip can not occur before the Start Date.

Traveler reimbursement is based on the location of the work activities and not the accommodations, unless lodging is not available at the work activity, then the agency may authorize the rate where lodging is obtained.

Unless otherwise specified, the per diem locality is defined as "all locations within, or entirely surrounded by, the corporate limits of the key city, including independent entities located within those boundaries."

Per diem localities with county definitions shall include "all locations within, or entirely surrounded by, the corporate limits of the key city as well as the boundaries of the listed counties, including independent entities located within the boundaries of the key city and the listed counties (unless otherwise listed separately)."

When a military installation or Government - related facility(whether or not specifically named) is located partially within more than one city or county boundary, the applicable per diem rate for the entire installation or facility is the higher of the rates which apply to the cities and / or counties, even though part(s) of such activities may be located outside the defined per diem locality.

How Do Travel Credit Cards Work?

Travel credit cards allow you to earn points and miles you can redeem for flights, hotel stays and more.

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You'll maximize the value of your rewards by using your issuer's travel or shopping portal instead of a third-party site.

Key Takeaways

• Travel credit cards offer rewards that can save you money on the likes of flights and hotel stays, plus perks for the traveler.
• Co-branded cards apply to specific airlines or hotel chains, while general cards offer flexibility.
• Travel credit cards may come with annual fees, but higher fees may mean more rewards and perks.

Transitioning from cash back credit cards to travel credit cards can feel a little daunting. But once you get the hang of it, it's almost as straightforward. Almost.

Types of Travel Credit Cards

General travel credit cards.

These are your regular travel cards that offer rewards within a card issuer's benefits program. Say you have the American Express® Gold Card . You would redeem your rewards using the American Express Membership Rewards program. This can all be done in the app, so it's less complicated than it sounds.

These types of travel cards are best for consumers who don't have any kind of allegiance to a particular hotel or airline. These cards also have flexible redemption options, so depending on the issuer, consumers can transfer rewards to a number of travel partners.

Hotel Credit Cards

You might have seen these being called co-branded cards. That's because these cards are a partnership between a hotel chain and an issuer. Points can be redeemed for hotel perks, like free stays and room upgrades. Consumers also earn the most rewards when they use their card at their preferred hotel chain.

For example, consumers with the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card earn 14 Hilton Honors Bonus Points for every dollar they spend at Hilton hotels and resorts. It's worth noting, though, that cards with high earning rates often charge higher annual fees. Such is the case with the Aspire Card, as it charges an annual fee of $550.

The information for the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire 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.

Airline Credit Cards

Also considered co-branded cards, airline credit cards cater to the consumer who frequents a specific airline. Many offer introductory bonuses in the form of miles and provide perks like award flights, free checked bags and priority boarding.

The Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card , for example, has a welcome offer of 10,000 miles after you spend $1,000 in eligible purchases in the first six months as a cardholder. And cardholders earn 2 miles for every dollar spent on Delta purchases and at restaurants worldwide. ( See Rates & Fees )

Common Travel Credit Card Perks

These benefits will vary depending on the type of travel credit card you have, but many perks include:

• No foreign transaction fees
• Trip cancellation and/or trip delay insurance
• TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee credit
• Baggage delay or lost baggage insurance
• Auto rental collision damage waiver
• Airport lounge access

How Travel Credit Cards Work

Cardholders can earn points and miles in the same way they'd earn cash back. Just use your travel credit card for purchases that help you get the most rewards. Once you're ready to spend them, it's best to use your issuer's travel or shopping portal instead of a third-party site. Your rewards will have a slightly higher value that way.

Miles earned on an airline credit card get deposited into your airline frequent flyer program, usually when your statement closes. Similarly, hotel points earned on a hotel credit card get deposited into your hotel loyalty account.

Rewards earned on general travel cards have a bit more flexibility. Many have travel partners, allowing you to transfer rewards to multiple airlines, hotels and car rental companies.

How to Redeem Rewards

Rewards programs typically use a 1-to-1 conversion rate – this means one point is worth 1 cent. So 100 points are worth $1. But some issuers offer higher redemption values if you use their travel portal.

For example, if you have a Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card , one point is worth 1.25 cents when you redeem through the Chase Travel portal. Chase Sapphire Reserve® has an even higher redemption rate of 1.5 cents per point.

Another way to maximize your rewards is to transfer points or miles to a travel partner with a loyalty program you participate in. You can do this through the issuer's portal. It's worth noting, however, that once you transfer your rewards to a travel partner, you can't transfer them back to the issuer.

Once you've made the transfer, your credit card issuer is no longer part of the booking process. You then book your trip through the airline or hotel loyalty program.

How to Pick the Right Travel Card

There are a plethora of travel credit cards out there. Here's what to consider when choosing the one right for you:

• Travel preferences. Picking the right travel card means figuring out how you travel. For instance, if the airline or hotel doesn't matter to you, then a general travel card is a good starting point. But if you consider yourself, say, a Delta die-hard, a co-branded airline card would be a better option.
• Introductory bonus. When you apply is almost as important as the type of card you apply for. Issuers often change their welcome offers on a yearly basis. Unfortunately, it's impossible to predict when an issuer will increase its welcome offer. But compare these offers and determine if you're able to comfortably meet the requirements before deciding on a card.
• Annual fee. There are plenty of travel credit cards with no annual fee for the budget-conscious traveler. But remember, the higher the fee, the better the perks (usually).
• Essential perks. That TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit can go a long way. Or maybe you know you're an over-packer and need that first-checked-bag-free credit. Make sure the travel card checks all your boxes.

After learning how to get the most out of your new travel card, you'll be able to pay for whole trips with just rewards. They're essential for those consumed with wanderlust.

Tags: credit cards , Travel Credit Cards

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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travel-smart

Travel smart with your credit card

Our travel tips will help you understand the best ways to pay abroad., wherever your next adventure is, our top travel tips are your new holiday essentials.

You wouldn’t forget to pack sun cream, mosquito repellent, or sunglasses in your suitcase. But how about some financial know-how? Our travel tips help you understand some of the best ways to pay abroad and how to avoid some unnecessary charges. So you’ll be able to enjoy your time in the sun.

Use your credit card to help protect your purchases

Say you’re abroad and spot a local work of art that would look great on your wall, or a day trip tickles your fancy. Just like in the UK, if you buy an item or service between £100-£30,000 abroad and it’s proven to be faulty, not delivered, or information given was misleading, you could be eligible to claim it all back for certain types of transactions, even if you've only paid part of it on your card. This is standard with all UK credit cards.

Learn more about Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 to see how your purchases could be protected.

Be aware of fees and charges when withdrawing cash or making purchases

Remember, some cash points abroad may charge you a usage fee. Card providers may add extra charges for taking out cash abroad, so it’s worth checking beforehand to understand the best way to pay.

If you buy something with your card while your abroad, you’ll pay one single, non-sterling purchase fee of 2.99% every time you use it. Should you withdraw foreign currency using your card, you will also be charged a cash transaction fee of 2.99% (minimum fee of £2.99). You won’t get charged any interest so long as you pay your balance in full by your payment due date.

Find out what it'll cost to use your Barclaycard abroad

Exchange rates

Keep an eye out for high exchange rates.

Foreign exchange bureaus in airports, shopping centres or tourist areas often charge high exchange charges. That’s because they know you might be desperate for foreign cash to pay for a taxi or sun bed (or that third ice cream). Consider exchanging your money online or your local high street for a better rate.

It's often best to pay in the local currency

You’ve arrived at your destination and planning lots of activities to get stuck in to, like scuba diving, eating at restaurants or maybe shopping for fridge magnets to take home. If you’re asked if you want to pay in pounds or local currency on your card, it’s often best to say local currency. Otherwise the retailer does the currency conversion and the rates can be more expensive.

Use a currency conversion app when you're about to pay for things abroad. That way you'll know exactly how much you're about to spend.

In a sticky situation abroad?

If you’re a Visa cardholder and you lose your card while you’re abroad – don’t worry. We can get a temporary card to you within three working days. Or, if funds are available within your cash limit, we can make emergency cash available, usually within 24 hours. Call  0800 161 5308 if you’re in the UK, or  +44 (0)1604 230 230 for help in an emergency abroad.

It’s also good idea to check your contact details are up to date before you jet off. That way, your fraud team can get in touch with you if necessary (for example if they suspect unauthorised purchases).

Keep track of your spending

For a handy way to keep track of your holiday outgoings, download your app to make sure you’re not overspending on delicious local dishes or even quirky souvenirs. If you’re a Barclays or Barclaycard customer, you can download the app to your device from the App Store or Google Play.

Paying off your balance

Your holiday has come to an end. You’re back with great memories, stories to tell about each photo and some extra spending on your credit card. If you can't pay off your full balance right away, focus on clearing it as soon as possible.

Use the Barclaycard Repayment Calculator to see how by just paying a little more each month, you could clear your balance sooner than you think, and pay less in interest. T&Cs apply.

Travel smart. Start today.

For more money-saving pointers for before you book your holiday, check out more of our tips for how to travel cheaply . They’ll help make sure you’ve got enough for a well-deserved mocha frappuccino while you’re away.

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• Amex Gold Card

Full List of Travel Insurance Benefits for the Amex Gold Card [2024]

Christine Krzyszton

Senior Finance Contributor

325 Published Articles

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Jessica Merritt

Editor & Content Contributor

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Table of Contents

Amex gold card — snapshot, amex gold card — travel insurance benefits, travel benefits, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our  Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

The American Express ® Gold Card is known for being a go-to card for everyday purchases at restaurants and at U.S. supermarkets. The card also doubles as a travel rewards card offering elevated earnings on select flight purchases and a nice selection of flexible travel redemption options.

The card is far less known for its travel insurance benefits. Today, we’re turning the spotlight on some of the useful travel insurance benefits that come with the card and talking about how these benefits can add value to the cardholder.

First, let’s look at the overall earning and redemption features of the Amex Gold card, then jump right into the list of travel insurance benefits you can expect to find on the card.

This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with  no credit score impact.

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

The American Express ® Gold Card  is a game-changer.

With this card, you can earn 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants, up to $50,000 per calendar year, and you’ll also earn 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1x.

There isn’t another card on the market that offers a 1-2 punch like this. Of course, there are several other benefits of the Gold Card as well, including extra monthly dining rewards and more.

• 4x points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, up to $50,000 per calendar year; then 1x thereafter
• 4x points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets, up to $25,000 per calendar year; then 1x thereafter
• 3x points per dollar on flights purchased directly from airlines or at AmexTravel.com
• $325 annual fee ( rates and fees )
• No lounge access
• Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards ® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Plus, receive 20% back in statement credits on eligible purchases made at restaurants worldwide within the first 6 months of Card Membership, up to $100 back. Limited time offer. Offer ends 11/6/24.
• Get the American Express ® Gold Card in either the Gold, Rose Gold or Limited-Edition White Gold metal design. White Gold design is only available while supplies last.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards ® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards ® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards ® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
• Earn 2X Membership Rewards ® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
• Earn 1X Membership Rewards ® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
• $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
• $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin’ Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express ® Gold Card at Dunkin’ locations.
• $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express ® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express ® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
• Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. Eligible charges vary by property.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• Annual Fee is $325.
• Terms Apply.
• APR: See Pay Over Time APR
• Foreign Transaction Fees:  None

American Express Membership Rewards

Hot Tip:  Check to see if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus offer of up to 90,000 points with the Amex Gold card. The current public offer is 60,000 points + up to $100 back. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

Why We Like the Card Overall

We like that you can jumpstart your earnings with a generous welcome bonus after meeting minimum spending requirements in the first 6 months after card approval.

The Amex Gold card also strikes a nice balance between functioning as an everyday spending card and offering accelerated earnings on flights. It also offers flexible travel redemption options.

You’ll earn 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 in purchases each year). Plus, you’ll receive 3x earnings on flights purchased directly with the airline and via AmexTravel.com .

With monthly statement credits for select purchases, it’s easy to find enough value to offset the annual fee.

When it’s time to use your rewards, you’ll have options such as redeeming points for flights via AmexTravel.com or transferring your points to the American Express transfer partners for even more potential value.

While the Amex Gold card doesn’t come with a long list of comprehensive travel benefits, you’ll find these core travel insurance benefits useful for saving money and for access to assistance should something go wrong during your journey.

Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance

Having car rental insurance can save you money and provide a level of peace of mind when renting a vehicle . The Amex Gold card comes with secondary car rental insurance that would require you to first file a claim with any other applicable insurance before card coverage kicks in.

Secondary coverage can still be valuable coverage, but there is another car rental coverage option included on the card that is a much better choice.

Premium Protection

The option to purchase Premium Protection car rental insurance on the Amex Gold card is a game changer.

You’ll pay one low price of $12.25 to $24.95 for the entire period, up to 42 total days, for primary theft and damage coverage. The actual rate will depend on your state of residence and the level of coverage chosen. Note that this is not a per-day rate like the car rental agencies charge.

Just enroll in the coverage via your online card account, then whenever you charge your rental car to your card, you’ll have the coverage automatically. You are not charged prior to renting a car.

There is no deductible. Accidental death/dismemberment coverage is included. Liability coverage, uninsured/under-insured motorist coverage, or disability coverage is not included.

Cardholders and authorized listed drivers are covered.

Applicable coverages for both secondary and Premium Protection include rental car damage, theft, and loss of use.

Coverage is not available when renting vehicles in Australia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, and New Zealand.

There are several additional exclusions, including the theft of an unlocked vehicle, illegal activity, intoxication of the driver, and war. Access the Guide to Benefits for a complete list of exclusions, terms, and conditions.

Filing a Claim

You can file a claim online or call 800-338-1670. You must file the claim within 30 days of the event and submit the required claim form within an additional 15 days. You’ll then have 60 days to submit the required documentation.

Bottom Line: The Amex Gold card comes with secondary car rental insurance with the option to purchase primary Premium Protection for one low rate that covers the entire rental period. 

Trip Delay Insurance

To be eligible for trip delay insurance, you must pay for your entire trip with your Amex Gold card, associated rewards, or a combination of the 2. Using airline vouchers, certificates, or discounts, such as those associated with your frequent flyer account, in combination with your card, are also acceptable. Eligible travelers include family members, travel companions, and a spouse or domestic partner.

Trip delay insurance reimburses an eligible traveler for incidental expenses incurred after a 12-hour or greater trip delay. Eligible expenses can include lodging, meals, toiletries, medication, and necessary personal items.

Eligible Losses and Coverage Limits

The following types of losses are eligible covered losses :

• Inclement weather preventing a traveler from beginning a trip or continuing on a trip
• Terrorism or hijacking
• A common carrier’s equipment failure (documented)
• Lost/stolen travel documents, such as passports

You could receive up to $300 per trip with a limit of 2 claims per card, per 12-month period. Coverage is secondary to any other applicable coverage including reimbursement by the airline.

Loss exclusions include prepaid expenses, losses that were known to the public or the traveler prior to the trip, and intentional acts by the covered traveler. Access the card’s  Guide to Benefits for more details on loss exclusions under trip delay coverage.

You’ll have 60 days from the date of the loss to file a claim. You can do so by calling 844-933-0648 or the number on the back of your card to be directed to the claims department.

You’ll then have 180 days to submit the required documentation, which can include a statement from the common carrier validating the delay, receipts, your card statement showing the trip charge, and other requested supporting information.

Bottom Line: The Amex Gold card comes with trip delay insurance that provides up to $300 per trip for eligible expenses incurred after a 12-hour or greater delay due to a covered loss. 

Baggage Insurance Plan

To be eligible for baggage insurance, pay for your common carrier ticket entirely with your Amex Gold card and/or associated rewards. Trips paid for, in full or in part, with non-American Express rewards such as airline loyalty programs are not eligible.

You, your spouse or domestic partner, children under 23, and certain dependent handicapped children are covered for baggage insurance as long as the trip is paid for in full with your card and/or associated rewards.

Lost, damaged, or stolen baggage is covered, except in the event of war, government confiscation, or acts arising out of customer actions, for the following coverage limits.

High-risk items such as jewelry, gold, silver, platinum, electronics, furs, and sporting equipment, are limited to $250 per item maximum, per trip. 

Certain items are not covered under baggage insurance — here is a condensed list of those items:

• Credit cards, cash, securities, or money equivalents (such as money orders or gift cards)
• Travel documents, tickets, passports, or visas
• Plants, animals, or food
• Glasses, contact lenses, hearing aids, prosthetic devices, and prescription or non-prescription drugs
• Property shipped prior to departure

You’ll have 30 days from the date of the loss to file a claim. To file a claim, you can go online or call 800-228-6855 within the U.S. To call from outside of the U.S., call 303-273-6498 collect.

You’ll then have 60 days to submit supporting documentation including a list of items lost, receipts, a statement showing the trip was purchased with the card or associated rewards, and common carrier reports.

Please note that we have abbreviated coverage descriptions and all terms and conditions are not spelled out in their entirety. You’ll want to access the benefits guide for full information.

Bottom Line: You and certain family members are covered for baggage insurance of up to $1,250 per person when traveling with a common carrier. You’ll need to pay for your entire trip with your card or rewards associated with your card for coverage to be valid. 

Travel Accident Insurance

Travel accident insurance that comes with the Amex Gold card pays a benefit in the unlikely event of accidental death or dismemberment of the primary card member, additional card member, spouse or domestic partner, or children under the age of 23.

The trip must be paid for with the Amex Gold card and/or associated Membership Rewards points (Pay With Points).

The coverage pays a benefit for death or severe injury suffered as a result of riding in, boarding, exiting from, or being struck by a common carrier.

The benefit paid is based on a table provided and can be up to $100,000.

While not travel insurance specifically, these additional benefits can provide assistance when planning a trip or if an unexpected event should disrupt your trip.

Emergency Travel Assistance

The Amex Global Assist Hotline provides important 24/7 assistance when traveling more than 100 miles from home. Receive help finding medical, legal, and translation referrals as well as assistance securing emergency transportation.

In addition, you could receive help securing a replacement passport or finding missing luggage.

You can reach the Global Assist Hotline at 800-333-2639. Outside the U.S., call 715-343-7977.

Actual services provided by third parties that incur costs are the responsibility of the cardholder.

Services are also not available in areas such as Cuba, Iran, Syria, North Korea, or the Crimea region.

No Foreign Transaction Fees

You’ll want to include the Amex Gold card during your next trip, as the card does not charge foreign transaction fees ( rates & fees ).

Additional Travel Benefits

Receive help planning your trip with Insider Fares via AmexTravel.com, upgrade your flights with points , American Express Travel Insurance , onsite benefits at The Hotel Collection , Amex Offers , and more.

While the Amex Gold card comes with several valuable travel insurance benefits, you would not select the card for this specific reason. The card shines when it comes to earning on select everyday purchases, for purchasing airline tickets, and its flexible travel redemption options. Those should be key reasons for selecting the card.

The fact that there are travel insurance benefits that come complimentary with the card is just one more reason to consider the card.

If having premium travel insurance benefits is a priority for you, you might consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred ® Card , The Platinum Card ® from American Express , the Chase Sapphire Reserve ® , or the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card , all of which offer some of the best travel insurance benefits.

You can read about more credit cards with travel insurance  in our article on this specific topic.

For the car rental collision damage coverage benefit of the American Express Gold Card, 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. 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. For the trip delay insurance benefit of the American Express Gold Card, up to $300 per covered trip that is delayed for more than 12 hours; and 2 claims per eligible card per 12 consecutive month period. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company. For the baggage insurance plan benefit of the American Express Gold Card, baggage insurance plan coverage can be in effect for eligible persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen baggage during their travel on a common carrier (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) when the entire fare for a common carrier vehicle ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an eligible account. Coverage can be provided for up to $1,250 for carry-on baggage and up to $500 for checked baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the common carrier (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus). For New York State residents, there is a $10,000 aggregate maximum limit for all covered persons per covered trip. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. For the global assist hotline benefit of the American Express Gold Card, you can rely on the Global Assist Hotline 24 hours a day / 7 days a week for medical, legal, financial or other select emergency coordination and assistance services while traveling more than 100 miles away from your home. Third-party service costs may be your responsibility. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Card members may be responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.

The information regarding the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

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 .

Related Posts

UP's Bonus Valuation

This bonus value is an estimated valuation  calculated by UP after analyzing redemption options, transfer partners, award availability and how much UP would pay to buy these points.

GSA SmartPay ® 3 Government Card Benefits

Progress informed from the past, and inspired by the future, cardholder guides.

For more information regarding your new Citi ® Commercial Card, please access the appropriate Cardholder Guide below.

• Travel Cardholder Guide
• Purchase Cardholder Guide
• Fleet Cardholder Guide

Cardholder Travel Insurance

As a cardholder, you will receive global travel accident and lost luggage insurance so you feel safe and secure wherever you travel with a Citi ® Commercial Card.

• Travel Accident Insurance Guide
• Lost Luggage Insurance Guide

Association Guide to Benefits

In addition to the card benefits provided by Citi, Visa and Mastercard provide card benefits such as Car Rental Insurance and Travel and Emergency Assistance. For full details, please read the appropriate Guide to Benefits below.

• MasterCard Guide to Benefits
• Visa Guide to Benefits

Online Tools

Citi's global online tool, CitiManager ® , enables you to manage business expenses from anywhere around the globe from your computer or mobile device; you can view statements online, confirm account balances, sign up for email and SMS alerts, and much more. If you have not already signed up for the CitiManager ® tool, please log on to www.citimanager.com/login and click on the 'Self registration for Cardholders' link. From there, follow the prompts to establish your account.

For more information on the CitiManager ® tool, view our CitiManager ® Cardholder Quick Reference Guide .

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JetBlue Card

Earn 10,000 bonus points 

after qualifying purchases 2

on eligible JetBlue purchases 2

at restaurants and eligible grocery stores 2

annual fee 1

Earn 10,000 bonus points

after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days 2

on all other purchases 2

Mosaic status faster

Earn toward Mosaic with every purchase 2, 3

No blackout dates

That’s any seat, any time, on JetBlue-operated flights 3

Redeem for any seat, any time on JetBlue-operated flights

Points required for an Award flight will vary based on the published base fare at the time of booking 3

Points never expire

Your points will be ready whenever you are 3

Points pooling

Earn & share points with family and friends 3

Cash + Points

Short on points (or cash) for that trip? Pay for your flight with almost any combination of dollars and TrueBlue points – starting with as few as 500 points 3

50% savings

on eligible inflight purchases on JetBlue-operated flights 2,4

$0 Fraud Liability protection

Means you’re not responsible for unauthorized charges

No foreign transaction fees

on international purchases 1

Chip technology

so paying for your purchases is more secure at chip-card terminals in the U.S. and abroad

Interest Rates and Charges Summary

Fee summary.

See Terms and Conditions for a complete listing of rates and fees

Important Information

Offer subject to credit approval. This offer is available through this advertisement and may not be accessible elsewhere. Other offers may be available. For complete pricing and other details, please see the  Terms and Conditions .

This offer is valid for approved applicants. Any bonus associated with this offer may only be earned once. You may not be eligible for this offer if you currently have or previously had an account with us in this program. In addition, you may not be eligible for this offer if, at any time during our relationship with you, we have cause, as determined by us in our sole discretion, to suspect that the account is being obtained or will be used for abusive or gaming activity (such as, but not limited to, obtaining or using the account to maximize rewards earned in a manner that is not consistent with typical consumer activity and/or multiple credit card account applications/openings). Please see the About This Offer section of the Terms and Conditions for important information.

Annual Fee is $0. 0% introductory APR on balance transfers made within 45 days of account opening is applicable for the first 12 billing cycles that immediately follow each balance transfer. This introductory APR offer does not apply to purchases and cash advances. For new and outstanding balance transfers after the introductory period and all purchases, the variable APR is 21.24% to 29.99%, depending upon our review of your application, your credit history at account opening, and other factors. The variable APR for cash advances is 29.99%. The APRs on your account will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate and are subject to change. The minimum monthly interest charge will be $0.50. Balance transfer fee: 5% (min. $5). Cash advance and fee: 5% (min. $10). Foreign transaction fee: $0. See  Terms and Conditions  for updated and more information about the terms of this offer, including the "About the Variable APRs on Your Account" section for the current Prime Rate information.

Conditions and limitations apply. Please refer to the  Introductory Bonus Offer section of the  Terms and Conditions for more information about the introductory offer. Please refer to the Reward Rules within the  Terms and Conditions for additional information about the rewards program. Mosaic status may not be achievable based on the assigned credit line and ability to maintain that credit line.

Refer to TrueBlue Terms and Conditions for details, including information on fares eligible for award flights.

JetBlue-operated flights only. Codeshare flights and flights operated by a partner airline are not eligible for inflight purchase savings.

JetBlue and TrueBlue are registered trademarks of JetBlue Airways Corporation.

The JetBlue World Mastercard (JetBlue Card) is issued by Barclays Bank Delaware pursuant to a license from Mastercard International Incorporated. Mastercard, World Mastercard, World Elite Mastercard, and the circles design are registered trademarks of Mastercard International Incorporated.

© 2024 Barclays Bank Delaware, PO Box 8801, Wilmington, DE 19801, Member FDIC.

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Introducing DCB TravelSmart Card – your travel buddy for a hassle-free travel experience worldwide! This Card is powered by Visa International. Use the Card to access your DCB Account for cash withdrawal or purchase transactions worldwide along with a host of exclusive features and privileges. Now travel worldwide without any hassle of currency conversion. Simply swipe the Card for transactions, create happy memories with your DCB TravelSmart Card. Highlights:

• Foreign currency markup fee as low as 2%
• Worldwide acceptance at all Visa merchant establishments
• No currency conversion required.
• Accidental Insurance Cover (Domestic & International):- INR 1,00,000 on accidental death (Only Air, Rail or Road)
• Lost Card Liability Cover (Domestic & International):- Upto INR 2,00,000
• Enjoy exclusive discount offers at Visa merchant establishments
• DCB TravelSmart Card can be used in India as a regular Debit Card
• Replacement of existing DCB Debit Card to DCB TravelSmart Card is convenient and hassle free

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RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege – RBC’s Luxury Travel Credit Card

Card Details

Your points add up quickly and take you far

Earn 1.25 Avion points for every $1 you spend. Take a look at our Air Travel Redemption Schedule to see how your points let you fly faster!

Travel your way, on your schedule

Book flights on any airline, on any flight, at any time 3 . You can also use your points to redeem for vacation packages, hotels, cruises and tours 5 .

The Friday Friend Pass - 2 for 1 Ski Passes!

Love skiing or snowboarding? Get one FREE lift pass when you buy one Friday lift pass with an RBC Avion Visa, at participating resorts across Canada. Learn More

So easy to book travel

Use our online tool to book travel rewards instantly .

Air travel made better

Enjoy global airport lounge access 23 , airport security fast track lanes 4 , and dedicated airport parking 4 at select Canadian airports.

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Save and Earn Faster with RBC Offers

Load personalized offers for great brands before you shop to get cash savings or to earn bonus points faster.

Redeem points for other great stuff

Including the latest Apple products, over 50,000 tech products at Best Buy, and an amazing selection of merchandise, gift cards 6 , RBC Financial Rewards vouchers and more.

Convert your points to other programs

Eligible Avion Rewards members can convert points to other loyalty programs including WestJet dollars and Hudson’s Bay Rewards points.

Payback with points

Use your Avion points toward your credit card balance. 7

Additional Features

Great Benefits – Just for RBC Avion Visa Cardholders

From exclusive perks to enhanced coverage, explore all the benefits that come with being an RBC Avion Visa Cardholder.

Extensive insurance coverage

• Mobile Device Insurance included – up to $1,500 12
• Travel with ease with trip cancellation 12 and trip interruption 12 insurance, and emergency medical 12 .
• Plus, eligible purchases 12 made on the card are protected.

For more details regarding all available insurances on this card,  click here .

Instant Fuel Savings at Petro-Canada

Link your card and get the following:

• Instantly save 3¢/L on fuel 8 and always earn 20% more Petro-Points 9
• Always earn 20% more Avion points 10

For more details click here .

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Earn more Be Well points at Rexall

Link this card with your Be Well card to:

• Get 50 Be Well points for every $1 spent on eligible products at Rexall 14
• Redeem Be Well points faster for savings in store on eligible purchases 15 ; 25,000 Be Well points = $10

Get up to 20% 22 off at Hertz and earn 3x 21 the points

Up to 20% savings 22 (applies to the base rate only), and more Avion points 21 are just more advantages of being an Avion cardholder. Additionally, get upgraded to Five Star status in the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Program 21 . Find out how to load this offer .

Get $0 delivery fees for 12 months from DoorDash 18

Add your eligible RBC credit card to your DoorDash account to:

• Get a 12-month complimentary DashPass subscription 19 – a value of almost $120
• Enjoy unlimited deliveries with $0 delivery fees on orders of $15 or more when you pay with your eligible RBC credit card

Credit Card Lock

You can lock your RBC credit card temporarily at any time. Use Credit Card Lock if you’ve misplaced your card, simply log in to the RBC Mobile app and choose the card you want to lock. Learn More 14 off at Hertz and earn 3x 15 the points : 20% savings 14 (applies to the base rate only), and more Avion points 15 are just more advantages of being an Avion cardholder. Additionally, get upgraded to Five Star status in the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Program 15 .  Find out how to load this offer .-->

Rest easy — in comfort and style

The Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection offers benefits such as late check-outs and automatic room upgrades.

Personal assistance when you need it

A Visa Infinite Privilege Concierge 4 can book tickets and restaurants, and help plan your travels, research your requests and locate hard-to-find items.

Exclusive music and dining experiences

Savour unique dishes and meet the chefs that create them at the top restaurants with the Visa Infinite Dining Series.

Optional Extras

Optional Add-On Services

Take advantage of all the benefits your credit card has to offer by adding optional services to protect your identity, your family, and your credit card balance:

Add-on Travel Insurance

RBC Road Assist

BalanceProtector Max Insurance

Identity Theft & Credit Protection

Apply online for a luxury travel credit card

Applying online is safe and secure. Get a response in less than 60 seconds.

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Revision in Interest Rates

Revision in Savings Account Interest rates w.e.f. October 01, 2024

RBL Bank is registered with DICGC

Linking PAN with Aadhaar

Last date to link PAN with Aadhaar was June 30, 2023. Link your PAN with Aadhaar & Avoid your PAN from becoming inoperative!

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RBL Bank is now live on the GST portal for GST payment.

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Your RBL Bank Credit Card is now more secure than ever. Switch on/off your Card at any time.

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Irctc rbl bank credit card, india, all aboard.

Discover an incredibly rewarding way to explore India with the IRCTC RBL Bank Credit Card. Loaded with benefits, it is designed to reward you back on travel bookings and ensure a seamless experience with features like Tap & Transit, and Scan & Pay.

A rewarding welcome

• 500 Reward Points up for grabs! Simply, shop with your IRCTC RBL Bank Credit Card within the first 30 days of Card issuance and get rewarded.

There is a revenue sharing arrangement between RBL Bank & IRCTC for this card.

Cardmember will earn reward points as defined in respective product terms & conditions. However, offline UPI transactions under INR 2,000 done at small merchants on RBL Bank RuPay Credit Card will not be eligible for rewards points, voucher benefits, milestone benefits or any other product benefits, unless stated otherwise. For clarity, small merchants in this case means merchants with turnover of not more than INR 20 lakh during the previous financial year.

40X joys await you!

Level up your travel with up to 40X benefits! The Card comes at an annual fee of INR 500, and you could end up with benefits worth up to INR 20,000 annually by shopping, dining, travel bookings and more with the Card. That’s 40 times the value of your annual fee! Here's How

Rich value, just for you!

Redeem your Reward Points directly on IRCTC at incredible value. 1 Reward Point = INR 1.

Only applicable on www.irctc.co.in and mobile application.

Tap & Transit (NCMC Credit Card)

Navigate your daily commutes effortlessly at metro and bus stations by simply tapping your card, streamlining your travel experience. To view more details, click here

Scan and Pay (UPI wala Credit Card)

Eliminate the hassle of handling cash and enjoy a seamless payment process by using UPI where you can simply scan and pay for a smooth transaction process. To view more details, click here

Travel in comfort

Relax before your journeys with 8 complimentary (2 visits per quarter) lounge access at railway stations. Click here to view list of lounges.

Train cancelled? But journey is still on

Plan worry-free! Enjoy INR 5,000 cancellation protection in case your train is cancelled at the last minute.

To view claim process, click here

Save on transaction fees

Transaction charges of 1% will be reversed on IRCTC RBL Bank Credit Card. Max INR 200 surcharge waiver per month on transaction up to INR 5,000.The transaction charges will be reflected in your next statement cycle.

Book train tickets, book rewards!

Earn 5 Reward Points per INR 200 spent on train ticket bookings through the IRCTC website or App.

Even regular commutes are rewarding!

Earn 3 Reward Points per INR 200 swiped on FASTag recharge from RBL Bank Digital Channels/NCMC Reload/UTS App.

Unlock more rewards with your holiday plans!

Not just rewards on train tickets, you also earn 2 Reward Points per INR 200 spent on booking flights, hotels and cruises from the IRCTC website or App.

Get more from shopping, dining, movies…

Earn 1 Reward Point per INR 200 spent everywhere from the things you love!

Click here for detailed terms and conditions.

• To get aboard the all-India ease of transit, your IRCTC RBL Bank Credit Card comes with a Membership Fee of INR 500 + GST.

Click here to view the details of your membership.

Other Features

How to apply?

Conclusion (CTA)

ShopRite Credit Card journey starts with 2,000 Reward Points

Simple steps to get your welcome gift:

GRIEVANCE REDRESSAL -  In case of any grievance, write to [email protected] . For any further complaint/issue, you may contact the nodal officer here .

ROLES & RESPONSBILITIES - Click here to view the complete details of activities engaged by the co-brand partner.

SACHET PORTAL - Click here to visit the RBI Sachet Portal.

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