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• Our top picks
• Travel credit card details
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• Pros and cons
• How to make the most of a travel card
• Alternatives to travel cards
• Our methodology
• Frequently asked questions

The Best Travel Credit Cards of 2024

June 27, 2024

How we Choose

Whether you’re an occasional traveler looking to save on your next vacation or a frequent traveler looking for premium travel perks, there’s a travel rewards card for you. We’ll break down our top picks for the best travel rewards credit cards.

Best travel credit cards of 2024

• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card : Best welcome bonus
• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card : Best for flat-rate rewards
• The Platinum Card® from American Express : Best for luxury travel
• Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card : Best first travel card
• American Express® Gold Card : Best for foodies
• Citi Strata Premier℠ Card : Best for occasional travelers
• Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card : Best for intro APR
• Chase Sapphire Reserve® : Best for point value
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card : Best for annual credits
• Discover it® Miles : Best for no annual fee
• Chase Freedom Unlimited® : Best for pairing with Chase cards
• Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card : Best for hotels
• Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card : Best for gas and transit
• Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card : Best for travel credits
• Credit One Bank Wander® Card : Best for fair credit
• United Quest℠ Card : Best for United MileagePlus members

Additional Options:

• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: Best for budget flyers
• Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card: Best hotel credit card
• American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp®: Best no-annual-fee airline card

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Rewards rate

At a glance, overall rating, why we like this card.

This card has one of the highest sign-up bonuses you’ll find with a mid-level travel card. Plus, it offers generous rewards for your travel and dining purchases and additional benefits like a 25% boost in points value when you redeem your rewards through the Chase Travel℠ portal.

• You'll find more benefits with this card than with other mid-level travel cards, including an anniversary boost and a hotel credit.
• Instead of the typical 1-cent–per-point value you might find on rival travel cards, you can enjoy 25% more value when you book travel through Chase Travel℠.
• Bonus categories are limited to travel and dining, so you have little flexibility in how you earn rewards.
• The card lacks attractive travel perks like airport lounge access or security precheck credits.

Bottom Line

If you are hoping to fast-track your way to your next trip, the Chase Sapphire Preferred offers ample opportunities to earn rewards, along with a generous sign-up bonus.

• 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, 2024.
• Member FDIC

Rates & Fees

Capital one venture rewards credit card.

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers a great flat rate of 2X miles for all purchases and gives you ultimate flexibility for redemption, including for travel purchases booked outside of the Capital One portal non-travel rewards, such as gift cards (though you may get a lower value). You can also enjoy additional benefits, like an up to $100 credit toward Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®, that can help offset the $95 annual fee.

• Simple earning structure and flexible redemption options
• Generous sign-up bonus
• Lack of large domestic travel transfer partners
• Low redemption value unless using select airlines

The Capital One Venture Card is a top-notch travel card that offers simplicity and valuable perks without the pricey annual fees associated with many premium cards in this category or skimping on rewards.

• Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
• Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• 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
• Enrich every hotel stay from the Lifestyle Collection with a suite of cardholder benefits, like a $50 experience credit, room upgrades, and more
• Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs

The Platinum Card® from American Express

See if you’re pre-approved for this card using our CardMatch tool .

This popular premium card from American Express comes fully-loaded with travel benefits, including luxury lounge access, Hilton Honors gold status (enrollment required), no foreign transaction fees and an impressive list of travel benefits that will help offset the $695 annual fee.

This card currently touts a generous welcome offer: You can earn 80,000 points if you spend $8,000 in your first six months of card membership, which we estimate to be worth around $800 when you book through AmexTravel (where points are worth around 1 cent each).

• Extensive list of travel credits and premium perks
• Ability to transfer points to a host of airline partners, including Delta Airlines
• Limited amount of bonus categories
• Expensive annual fee

For frequent travelers or those looking to make their dream vacation a reality, the Amex Platinum checks every box and provides generous travel credits to offset its high annual fee.

• 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 with American Express Travel when you pay with 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.
• $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $189 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 year period for TSA PreCheck® application fee for a 5-year plan only (through a TSA PreCheck® official enrollment provider), 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.
• Terms Apply.

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

This card is ideal as a first travel card because you don’t have to strategize to offset an annual fee every year, but can still enjoy terrific travel benefits. You can redeem for various travel purchases like hotels, rental cars and flights either through Capital One’s travel portal or other travel websites. Plus, you can transfer your rewards to partner loyalty programs — adding more flexibility in your travel.

• No need to offset the cost of an annual fee
• Low minimum spend for sign-up bonus
• Lower rewards rate and less perks than cards with an annual fee
• Reduced value of your miles when you use the rewards for non-travel redemption options, such as statement credits or gift cards

This card offers a straightforward earning structure and an attainable sign-up bonus, allowing cardholders to rack up miles while not worrying about an annual fee.

• $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
• Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.99% - 29.99% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies

American Express® Gold Card

The Amex Gold card offers an industry-leading 4X points at restaurants (including U.S. takeout and delivery) and U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar) as well as 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or amextravel.com.

It also features dining benefits, such as an up to $120 in yearly statement credits on select restaurants, including Grubhub and The Cheesecake Factory, and up to $120 in Uber cash annually. In addition to the foodie-friendly rewards rate, this card offers a valuable introductory offer and travel perks like baggage and car rental insurance when you book with your Gold card.

• If you spend a lot on food and dining, its industry-leading rewards rate on restaurant and U.S. supermarket purchases is hard to beat.
• Like the Amex Green card, you can transfer points to multiple air travel partners, including Delta Airlines, and hotel partners, like Hilton Honors.
• Its annual fee is pricier than what’s on some travel credit cards.
• You must redeem travel rewards through amextravel.com.

The Amex Gold is one of the best cards on the market with its generous rewards rate and lucrative introductory offer. If food and travel account for a large portion of your spending, this card’s value more than covers the $250 annual fee.

• Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
• $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.
• $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and 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, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
• Get a $100 experience credit with a minimum two-night stay when you book The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel. Experience credit varies by property.
• Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• Annual Fee is $250.

Citi Strata Premier℠ Card

Thanks to its high rewards rate in a terrific mix of everyday spending categories — not just travel — this card makes it easy to earn points even if you don’t spend a ton on travel. It’s hard to find a card that offers such a high rewards rate in all three of groceries, dining and gas, so this card makes a great centerpiece for a travel rewards strategy.

• Even if you only spend modestly on travel, this card’s annual fee should be easy to offset thanks to its everyday rewards and valuable annual hotel benefit.
• You can pair this card with one or both of Citi’s no-annual-fee rewards cards and enjoy a terrific rewards rate on everything from travel and groceries to gas, dining and more based on your spending habits.
• The annual hotel benefit, though valuable, isn’t the most flexible perk. If you spend less than $500 each year on a single hotel booking, you’ll miss out on the benefit entirely.
• Competing travel cards offer higher rewards rates on general travel, higher point redemption values and more flexible, airfare-centric perks that may be a better fit for frequent flyers.

If you want to earn travel rewards but don’t actually spend much on travel, this may be the most lucrative standalone rewards card you can get.

• Earn 70,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $700 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com
• Earn 10 points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on CitiTravel.com.
• Earn 3 points per $1 on Air Travel and Other Hotel Purchases, at Restaurants, Supermarkets, Gas and EV Charging Stations.
• Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• $100 Annual Hotel Benefit: Once per calendar year, enjoy $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) when booked through CitiTravel.com. Benefit applied instantly at time of booking.
• No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card
• No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

The Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card is a great choice for infrequent travelers who want ultimate flexibility when it comes to earning and redeeming rewards. Cardholders can redeem points for statement credit to pay toward travel expenses, like flights, hotels, vacation packages, cruises, rental cars or baggage fees. Additionally, you can redeem for dining purchases.

You can also take advantage of its sign-up bonus — 25,000 online bonus points if you spend $1,000 in your first 90 days, redeemable for a $250 statement toward travel and dining made on your credit card within the last 12 months, including on third-party sites like Expedia or Travelocity.

• Ultraflexible redemption policy that can cover some purchases outside travel
• Can redeem rewards as a statement credit months after the initial travel or dining purchase
• Rewards rate for travel purchases not as lucrative as others in this category
• Not the most valuable sign-up offer

Despite the fact that cardholders won’t be able to weigh spending toward a particular category to maximize their points, this card is a great fit for occasional travelers who still want to earn rewards but without having to pay an annual fee.

• Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
• 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
• Use your card to book your trip how and where you want - you're not limited to specific websites with blackout dates or restrictions.
• Redeem points for a statement credit to pay for travel or dining purchases, such as flights, hotel stays, car and vacation rentals, baggage fees, and also at restaurants including takeout.
• 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 19.24% - 29.24% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%.
• If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means instead of earning an unlimited 1.5 points for every $1, you could earn 1.87-2.62 points for every $1 you spend on purchases.
• Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
• This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

For those looking for a premium credit card with generous travel perks and a top-tier sign-up bonus, the Chase Sapphire Reserve is considered to be one of the best options on the market. And with no blackout dates, expiration dates for points or point limits, the card offers major redemption flexibility.

The sign-up bonus is worth a whopping 60,000 points or $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠ after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months, so you are getting more than a cent per mile value. With the $300 annual credit for travel purchases, generous earning structure and impressive list of additional perks, seasoned travelers have plenty of opportunity to offset the steep $550 annual fee.

• Wealth of travel perks and rewards categories
• Increase your point value by 50% by redeeming them for travel through Chase Travel℠
• Required spend of $300 on travel annually before travel category rewards rates apply
• Lower rewards value for merchandise

While the price of admission for Chase’s premium travel card is steep, the bonuses and wealth of luxury travel perks will be worth it in the long run for experienced travelers.

• 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®

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

The Venture X is an instant top contender in the premium card market with its fully-loaded annual benefits that can be worth over $400. Yearly perks like bonus miles on your account anniversary (equal to $100 in travel) and a $300 travel credit when you book travel through Capital One Travel, can help cover the annual fee. Compared with other high-end travel rewards credit cards, the $395 annual fee is modest, and many travelers will come out well ahead.

• You can enjoy a fairly simple rewards structure with unlimited 2X miles in all purchase categories, in addition to bonus rewards in Capital One travel categories.
• The card offers statement credit for Global Entry and TSA Precheck, which adds to your overall savings.
• The sign-up bonus is generous, but it requires a high spend.
• While not unusual, you'll need excellent credit to be eligible for this premium card.

Travel rewards cards packed with this many features typically come with sky-high annual fees, but the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card delivers with luxury benefits and a more down-to-earth annual fee.

• 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 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
• Elevate every hotel stay from the Premier or Lifestyle Collections with a suite of cardholder benefits, like an experience credit, room upgrades, and more

Discover it® Miles

For a no-annual-fee card, Discover offers simplicity. You’ll be able to earn unlimited miles and have flexible redemption options like statement credits towards travel purchases or as cash deposits into your bank account. Plus, cardholders have a unique opportunity at the end of their first year when Discover will match every mile you earn.

• Appealing welcome offer that can essentially double all the miles earned at the end of the first year
• Competitive redemption value for cash back at 1 cent per mile
• Rewards earning potential takes a significant hit after your first year
• Can’t transfer miles to airline frequent-flyer programs

The Discover it® Miles card offers an impressive list of high-end travel perks and a generous first-year welcome offer for travel credit card newbies, but earning benefits drop off substantially after the first 12 months.

• Unlimited Bonus: Unlimited Mile-for-Mile match for all new cardmembers—only from Discover. Discover gives you an unlimited match of all the Miles you’ve earned at the end of your first year. You could turn 35,000 Miles to 70,000 Miles. There’s no signing up, no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a Miles-for-Miles match.
• Automatically earn unlimited 1.5x Miles on every dollar of every purchase
• No annual fee
• Turn Miles into cash. Or redeem as a statement credit for your travel purchases like airfare, hotels, rideshares, gas stations, restaurants and more.
• 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases. Then 18.24% - 28.24% Standard Variable Purchase APR will apply.
• Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
• Discover is accepted nationwide by 99% of the places that take credit cards.
• Terms and conditions apply.

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Its flat rate and bonus categories, especially for the first 12 months, make it a great companion for premium Chase cards. If you want to rack up as many Chase Ultimate Rewards points as possible and then use them toward your next trip, then this card can help you get there. Plus, its welcome offer can help boost rewards.

• Its bonus earnings for the first 12 months boost your rewards and this card’s upfront value.
• You can pool this card’s rewards with certain Chase travel cards to get more redemption and transfer flexibility.
• Other cards have better travel benefits or welcome offers if you want as many rewards and perks as possible.
• You won’t get the full potential of this card without pairing it with a premium Chase card, which comes with annual fees.

This card’s true potential lies in pairing it with certain Chase travel cards. Make sure you use it to pool your Ultimate Rewards points for more value when redeeming for travel.

• Intro Offer: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!
• Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
• After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
• No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
• Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
• No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
• Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.

Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card

Though it boasts a terrific rewards rate on hotel bookings and airfare, it’s flexible enough to offer great value even for occasional travelers. You can redeem points for both cash back and travel, earn bonus rewards on restaurants and score an especially easy-to-earn annual credit.

• You can offset over half the card’s cost just by taking advantage of the $50 annual statement credit you’ll get with a $50 minimum airline purchase. That’s easy to earn even if you only fly once per year.
• Wells Fargo now offers a decent list of airline and hotel partners, making the card easily the issuer’s most appealing option for occasional or semi-frequent travelers.
• You’ll miss out on some of the more popular travel and airline credit card perks, like TSA PreCheck credits, free checked bags and priority boarding, which may be more valuable to frequent travelers than an annual statement credit.
• While you can stack and pool points with the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card, it only offers one lucrative category not already covered by the Autograph Journey: gas stations.

This is a solid mid-tier card for semi-frequent travelers looking for flexible redemption and a balance of everyday and travel-centric rewards.

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

Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

It offers one of the best rewards rates you can get on everyday travel – including airfare, hotels, gas stations and transit – without paying an annual fee. And since it also rewards dining (another key everyday spending category), it makes for a terrific standalone rewards card.

• It has no annual fee and a high rewards rate for everyday spending categories.
• It earns bonus rewards in common spending categories like gas stations and restaurants as well as in harder-to-find categories like phone plans, making it an especially versatile option.
• Though the card earns bonus rewards in a great mix of everyday categories, it offers a lackluster rate on grocery purchases, which could limit its standalone value.
• Unlike some competing no-annual-fee travel cards, the Autograph doesn’t let you transfer points to airline or hotel loyalty programs, limiting the potential value of your rewards.

This card could be a great fit for occasional travelers who want to earn rewards on everyday spending and have the flexibility to redeem for cash back.

• Select "Apply Now" to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
• Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value.
• Earn unlimited 3X points on the things that really add up - like restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans. Plus, earn 1X points on other purchases.
• $0 annual fee.
• 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases. 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable APR thereafter.
• Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
• Redeem your rewards points for travel, gift cards, or statement credits. Or shop at millions of online stores and redeem your rewards when you check out with PayPal.

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus credit card is ideally suited for entry-level travelers. Even if you only fly occasionally with Southwest airlines, you can easily boost rewards and receive a generous welcome offer. The perks for this card rival those found in higher-tier cards, such as getting the first two checked bags for free and two EarlyBird Check-In® each year.

• Can almost cover the annual fee with 3,000-point anniversary bonus
• Valuable perks on a domestic airline with a reputation for being customer-friendly
• Does not include certain perks often found with travel cards, such as priority boarding or a fast track to elite status
• Lacks airline partners and international travel options

For those already integrated into the Southwest ecosystem, this card offers generous bonus opportunities and access to unique, customer-friendly perks for a reasonable annual fee.

• Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• 3,000 anniversary points each year.
• Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases.
• Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.
• Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming.
• 2 EarlyBird Check-In® each year.
• Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.

Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card

This card from Bank of America offers great value for a $95 annual fee card, especially if you already bank with them. If you are a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you’ll be rewarded with an additional 25 percent to 75 percent redemption bonus on all your earnings.

In addition, this card offers some of the strongest travel insurance benefits you can get, up to a $100 annual statement credit that you can use for airline incidental expenses, an application fee credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, and a points program that rewards spending in a variety of categories.

• The $100 annual statement credit you can use towards airline expenses and the application fee credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry more than offset the $95 annual fee.
• Preferred Rewards members receive some of the highest rewards rates among any travel or cash back credit cards.
• If you’re not a Preferred Rewards member, the benefits of the card are not as robust compared to other cards with similar annual fees.
• The $100 airline incidental credit only covers qualifying incidentals and not actual flight costs.

The Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card combines the benefits of a cash back card and premium travel card and is an especially good value for those with existing Bank of America accounts.

• Low $95 annual fee.
• Receive 60,000 online bonus points - a $600 value - after you make at least $4,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
• Earn unlimited 2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases and unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all other purchases. No limit to the points you can earn and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
• If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means you could earn 2.5-3.5 points on travel and dining purchases and 1.87 - 2.62 points on all other purchases, for every $1 you spend.
• Redeem for cash back as a statement credit, deposit into eligible Bank of America® accounts, credit to eligible Merrill® accounts, or gift cards or purchases at the Bank of America Travel Center.
• Get up to $100 in Airline Incidental Statement Credits annually and TSA PreCheck®/Global Entry Statement Credits of up to $100, every four years.
• Travel Insurance protections to assist with trip delays, cancellations and interruptions, baggage delays and lost luggage.
• No foreign transaction fees.

Credit One Bank Wander® Card

This is one of the only travel cards accessible to people with fair credit. It also offers a high rewards rate on a great mix of travel spending, including gas, airfare, hotels, resorts and bookings made through travel agencies. This will be especially appealing if you prefer booking directly with airlines and hotels to maximize loyalty rewards and elite status.

• People with fair-to-excellent credit can earn high rewards on eligible travel and everyday purchases like dining and gas.
• Frequent travelers can earn generous rewards even while working toward elite status with airline and hotel loyalty programs.
• It offers fewer perks compared to other mid-level travel cards with a similar annual fee and high variable APR.
• Points aren’t transferable and remain fixed at a value of 1 cent each when redeemed for cash back, which could prove limiting for frequent travelers who know how to maximize points for greater value.

This could be a top pick for travelers who struggle to qualify for cards with more travel perks and transfer partners.

• Earn 10x points on eligible hotels and car rentals booked through the Credit One Bank travel partner site
• Earn 5x points on eligible travel, dining, and gas
• Earn 1x points on all other purchases
• Redeem your reward points for statement credits, gift cards, merchandise, flights, hotels, and more
• With $0 Fraud Liability, you won’t be responsible for unauthorized charges
• Free Online Credit Score and Credit Report summary, terms apply
• If you are a Covered Borrower under the Military Lending Act, you may get a different offer
• See Rates & Fees

United Quest℠ Card

If you like to regularly travel on United Airlines (or their partner airlines) then this card is worth a look. Not only do you earn enhanced bonus miles for United purchases, other travel and select everyday purchases, you also get an impressive amount of airline-specific perks. This includes anniversary credits and free first and second checked bags for you and one companion.

• Impressive sign-up bonus and anniversary credits
• Easy to earn miles with popular bonus categories like dining and select streaming purchases
• High annual fee for infrequent United flyers
• No airport lounge access

The United Quest Card is a terrific option for semi-frequent United travelers, but cardholders should plan to redeem United miles at least twice a year to take full advantage and offset the annual fee.

• Limited-time offer: Earn 70,000 bonus miles and 500 PQP after qualifying purchases
• Earn 3 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases
• Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel, dining and select streaming services
• Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Free first and second checked bags - a savings of up to $360 per roundtrip (terms apply) - and priority boarding
• Up to a $125 United® purchase credit and up to 10,000 miles in award flight credits each year (terms apply)
• Earn up to 6,000 Premier qualifying points per calendar year (25 PQP for every $500 you spend on purchases)

The information about the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card, the American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Card, the American Express® Green Card and the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card has been collected independently by CreditCards.com and has not been reviewed by the issuer.

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

*All information about the Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard® has been collected independently by CreditCards.com and has not been reviewed by the issuer.

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

Comparing the best travel credit cards of 2024

Editor’s picks: best travel credit card details, best welcome bonus: chase sapphire preferred® card.

• Best features : This card packs in plenty of value that is rare for only $95 a year. It comes with a high sign-up bonus, generous rewards program and competitive redemption values.
• Biggest drawbacks : You may need to look beyond the Chase Sapphire Preferred if you prefer luxury features like TSA PreCheck, priority boarding, travel credits and lounge access.
• Alternatives: The Citi Strata Premier℠ Card  has a similar annual fee and a generous welcome offer too. Travelers who want to book travel outside of credit card portals and who spend a lot on gas and in-store grocery purchases may get better value out of the Strata Premier card.
• Bottom line : A modest annual fee, impressive sign-up bonus and ultra-flexible rewards redemption give this card great short- and long-term value for travelers who don’t need a ton of luxury perks.

Read our Chase Sapphire Preferred Card review or jump back to this card’s offer details .

Best for flat-rate rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

• Best features : For a reasonable annual fee, this popular Capital One credit card offers standout rewards with an easy rewards structure and versatile redemption options. You can transfer miles to over 15 loyalty programs or redeem for statement credit toward travel.
• Biggest drawbacks : Capital One doesn’t have many domestic travel transfer partners. This can make it harder to maximize the value of your miles when booking domestic flights.
• Alternatives : If you’re looking to earn at a flat-rate but aren’t too pleased with the Venture card’s $95 annual fee ( See rates and Fees ), the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card is a suitable alternative. Although cardholders only earn 1.25X miles on all purchases, the card still comes with a sign-up bonus of 20,000 miles for spending $500 in the first three months. This is a smaller bonus and a lower rewards rate than the Venture card, but it’ll also be easier to obtain, making this an ideal option for modest spenders.
• Bottom line : This card is a great option if you’re looking for an easy way to earn high travel rewards on all purchases. But if you’re after top-drawer travel perks, you may want to look elsewhere.

Read our Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card review or jump back to this card’s offer details .

Best for luxury travel: The Platinum Card® from American Express

• Best features : This premium card comes fully-loaded. You can enjoy luxury lounge access, elite status with Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy hotels (upon enrollment) and even travel consultants to help plan your trip. A laundry list of travel credits can also help offset the card’s annual fee.
• Biggest drawbacks : The card only earns bonus rewards on flights and prepaid hotels. You might earn more with cards that offer bonus points or miles on both travel and everyday essentials. Plus, some of the credits – like the card’s luxury fitness credit or Walmart+ credit – don’t have broad appeal, making it harder to offset the high $695 annual fee.
• Alternatives : Unlike the Platinum card, the American Express® Gold Card lets you earn high bonus rewards for purchases made in categories beyond travel, including restaurant and U.S. supermarket purchases. It also comes with a lot of the same benefits as the Platinum card, such as car rental insurance, purchase protection and Hotel Collection benefits, all for a much smaller $250 annual fee.
• Bottom line : If you can take advantage of its many perks, this card should tick all the right boxes for big spenders and frequent travelers looking for luxury travel perks, particularly complimentary airport lounge access.

Read our American Express Platinum Card review or jump back to this card’s offer details .

Best first travel card: Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

• Best features : The VentureOne card is a basic travel card for beginners who want to earn flexible rewards but aren’t ready to commit to an annual fee ( See rates and Fees ). VentureOne cardholders can earn bonus miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 1.25X miles on every other purchase. You can transfer these miles to numerous airline and hotel partners.
• Biggest drawbacks : Other no-annual-fee travel cards offer better perks and higher rewards rates than the VentureOne’s 1.25X miles.
• Alternatives : The Bilt Mastercard® is a unique no-annual-fee card that earns points on rent payments without the processing fees. But the card is also a great beginner travel card, offering bonus rewards on travel and dining (points are transferable too). Plus, if you wait until the first of the month, your patience will be rewarded with double points on all non-rent purchases for 24 hours (on up to 10,000 bonus points). That’s a whopping 6X points on dining, 4X points on travel and 2X points on all other non-rent purchases. You must use the card 5 times each statement period to earn points.
• Bottom line : Budget-friendly travelers can get a decent amount of value out of this starter travel card, but if transferring rewards to travel partners isn’t a priority for you, a flat-rate cash back card may be more lucrative.

Read our Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card review or jump back to this card’s offer details .

Best for foodies: American Express® Gold Card

• Best features : Traveling foodies, rejoice – this card offers an industry-leading 4X points at restaurants, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. You’ll also earn 4X points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year, then one point per dollar) and 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or AmexTravel.com. Trips with common carriers that are booked with your Gold card are covered for baggage insurance worth up to $1,250 for carry-on bags and $500 for checked bags.
• Biggest drawbacks : The annual fee is $250, pricier than other travel rewards cards with mid-level travel perks. And unless food is a significant portion of your spending, the card’s rewards rate and food delivery credits may not be the best fit.
• Alternatives : The Citi Strata Premier℠ Card  comes close to matching the Amex Gold with its rewards rates, but its annual fee is much lower (just $95).
• Bottom line : If you’re a frequent traveler who makes dining out a staple of their vacations and staycations, you’ll get a lot of value with this card.

Read our American Express Gold Card review or jump back to this card’s offer details .

Best for occasional travelers: Citi Strata Premier℠ Card

• Best features: Along with its practical everyday bonus categories, this card stands out with its annual hotel benefit, which can offer enough value to offset the annual fee on its own.
• Biggest drawbacks: Citi points don’t offer an especially high travel redemption value and the annual hotel benefit, while generous, carries a high spending requirement.
• Alternatives: The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card may be a better option for frequent travelers thanks to its high rewards rate on general travel booked via Chase Travel, its more flexible annual hotel credit and its high base point redemption value (1.25 cents per point via Chase Travel).
• Bottom line: This is one of the best travel cards out there if you’re more focused on everyday rewards than luxury perks.

Read our full   Citi Strata Premier℠ Card review  or or jump back to this card’s offer details .

Best for intro APR: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

• Best features : This card will appeal to infrequent travelers who don’t typically book through travel portals. Instead, you can redeem your points for any travel and dining purchases made on your credit card within the last 12 months. And if you’re a Preferred Rewards member, you can earn up to 25% to 75% more points on every purchase.
• Biggest drawbacks : The best rewards are reserved for Bank of America customers with savings or investment accounts. If that’s not you, you can likely find another card that rewards your travel purchases at a higher rate.
• Alternatives : The Capital One VentureOne also does not charge an annual fee or foreign transaction fee ( See rates and Fees ), but even casual travelers can benefit from its valuable purchase and travel protections.
• Bottom line : The Bank of America Travel Rewards card is a solid choice for occasional travelers focused on earning some rewards and avoiding an annual fee.

Related : Is the Bank of America Travel Rewards card worth it?

Read our Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card review or jump back to this card’s offer details .

Best for point value: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

• Best features : This top-of-the-line card comes with a wealth of travel perks, including a sign-up bonus worth $900 when redeemed through Chase Travel℠ (60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first three months). In addition to the $300 travel credit, you can try out services like Instacart+ and DashPass for free for one year.
• Biggest drawbacks : Despite the annual credit and elevated bonus categories, the card’s $550 annual fee might be challenging to offset every year.
• Alternatives : If you’re looking for a card with annual credits and luxury lounge access, The Platinum Card® from American Express offers a wider network but carries a slightly higher annual fee of $695.
• Bottom line : Frequent travelers who can take full advantage of the Sapphire Reserve card’s perks and bonus categories can also enjoy the card’s boosted value on travel redemptions.

Related : Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Ch ase Sapphire Reserve

Read our Chase Sapphire Reserve review or jump back to this card’s offer details .

Best for annual credits: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

• Best features : Cardholders can take advantage of this card’s yearly credits to help offset its annual fee and enjoy additional perks like lounge access. And when you book through Capital One Travel, you’ll earn some of the highest rewards available for hotels, rental cars and flights.
• Biggest drawbacks : You’ll have to book your travel through Capital One Travel instead of directly through an airline or hotel to get the best value out of this card.
• Alternatives: The Platinum Card® from American Express is one of the best travel cards for lounge access and other luxury perks. Frequent travelers who can take advantage of all those perks can easily offset the card’s high annual fee.
• Bottom line : The Venture X should appeal to both frequent travelers who want to earn more than just 1 mile per dollar on all non-travel purchases and luxury travelers who want to enjoy premium travel without paying the typical sky-high annual fees.

Read our Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card review or jump back to this card’s offer details .

Best for no annual fee: Discover it® Miles

• Best features : The Discover it® Miles offers simplicity and flexibility without the annual fee. All purchases earn a fairly average 1.5X miles. But Discover sweetens the deal by matching all the miles you’ve earned at the end of your first year. Instead of travel, you can also redeem rewards online with Amazon or when you pay with PayPal (though redemption value might be lower).
• Alternatives : The  Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card  is another solid no-annual-fee travel card ( See rates and Fees ). It not only offers a flat rate of 1.25X miles on every purchase, but also 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. That could make it easier for frequent travelers to earn rewards. It also has a number of travel and consumer protections that you won’t find with most entry-level travel cards, including the Discover it ®  Miles.
• Bottom line : This card skips the annual fee and the generous first-year welcome offer is ideal for budget-friendly travelers or someone looking for their first travel credit card.

Read our  Discover it ®  Miles review  or jump back to this  card’s offer details .

Best for pairing with Chase cards: Chase Freedom Unlimited®

• Best features: Its 1.5% rate on general purchases makes it a great catch-all card as part of your overall travel rewards strategy. You can use this card with certain Chase cards to get more Chase Ultimate Rewards points, one of the most valuable credit card points.
• Biggest drawbacks: It has a 3% foreign transaction fee, so if you were planning to use this card abroad on your travels, it can be more costly.
• Alternative(s): The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is one of Chase’s premium travel cards, with solid earning rates on dining and travel. For a modest $95 annual fee, it comes with top-of-the-line travel benefits, increases points redemption value through the Chase travel portal and can transfer points to Chase travel partners.
• Bottom line: If you already have a Chase travel card — or are planning to get one in the future — this card is a must-have for maximizing travel rewards.

Read our full Chase Freedom Unlimited® review or jump back to this card’s offer details .

Best for gas and transit: Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

• Best features: This card’s mix of bonus categories should be a terrific fit if you’re looking for a low-cost way to earn rewards on both everyday travel and big trips. You’ll earn rewards at a great rate on everything from gas and transit to airfare and hotels, without worrying about maximizing point values or offsetting an annual fee.
• Biggest drawbacks: Its list of perks is just okay, even for a no-annual-fee travel card. You’ll miss out not only on benefits like expedited security screening and lounge access, but also the ability to transfer points to airline and hotel loyalty programs.
• Alternatives: Though it may earn rewards at a lower rate, the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card could be a great alternative. Its streamlined, flat-rate rewards program is a great fit if you’re new to earning miles, and the card gives you the flexibility to transfer miles to Capital One airline and hotel partners, which could boost their redemption value.
• Bottom line: The Autograph card is a great option if you want to earn rewards on everyday travel and need the flexibility to redeem for both travel and cash back.

Read our Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card review or jump back to this card’s offer details .

Best for travel credits: Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card

• Best features : Along with perks like an annual credit up to $100 for airline incidentals, which includes seat upgrades and airline lounge fees, this card offers a credit of up to $100 to cover the cost of a TSA Precheck or Global Entry application. That perk isn’t always included on travel cards at the $95-annual-fee level. You can also redeem for cash back as a deposit into Bank of America® checking or savings accounts or for gift cards and purchases at the Bank of America Travel Center.
• Biggest drawbacks : Unlike many travel rewards cards with an annual fee, this card doesn’t let you transfer rewards to partner airline or hotel loyalty programs to squeeze more value out of your points. Plus, the card’s best rewards rates are reserved for people with large savings or investment accounts with Bank of America.
• Alternatives: The Chase Sapphire Preferred card has greater flexibility for travelers who want to transfer their points to airline or hotel travel partners. It also comes with better redemption value if you book travel through the Chase Travel℠ portal and travel protections.
• Bottom line : This card could be a good fit for heavy packers who can take advantage of the airline incidental fee credits or people who already have a Bank of America account. Those who are loyal to one airline or don’t bank with Bank of America may not find much value in this card.

Read our Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card review or jump back to this card’s offer details .

Best for fair credit: Credit One Bank Wander® Card

• Best features : Even people with fair credit can take advantage of the card’s bonus rewards in a variety of travel categories. Many travel cards only earn generous bonus rewards for airline or hotel purchases or for travel booked through the issuer’s travel portal. But the Wander card is more flexible, giving you more freedom to book travel the way you like.
• Biggest drawbacks : There are no transfer partners, so your points are worth a maximum of 1 cent each. Plus, the card has fewer perks compared to other mid-level cards with a similar annual fee.
• Alternatives : Your options are limited if you’re looking for another travel card open to people with fair credit. But many Capital One cards like the Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard® * or the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card could help you rack up a lot of rewards that you can use to help cover the cost of travel. You can also take advantage of convenient and cost-saving features found in the Capital One Travel Portal.
• Bottom line : This card is a solid pick for credit-builders who also want to earn travel rewards.

Read our Credit One Bank Wander® Card review or jump back to this card’s offer details .

Best for United MileagePlus members: United Quest℠ Card

• Best features : Even semi-frequent United flyers can come out ahead with this mid-tier airline credit card, thanks to all the ways the card’s perks can offset its $250 annual fee. That includes multiple anniversary credits, priority boarding, checked baggage fee waivers and the up to $100 credit for TSA Precheck or Global Entry application fee.
• Biggest drawbacks : Unlike other airline cards with a high annual fee, the United Quest doesn’t offer complimentary lounge access. Plus, the sign-up bonus has a high spend requirement: You’ll need to spend $4,000 in the first three months to earn the sign-up bonus of 70,000 miles plus   500 Premier Qualifying Points.
• Alternatives : If the annual fee doesn’t fit your budget, the United℠ Explorer Card is worth a look since it has a $0 intro annual fee (then $95 annually), but still carries a generous sign-up bonus, priority boarding, purchase and travel protections and an up to $100 credit for TSA Precheck or Global Entry application fee.
• Bottom line : The United Quest Card packs in a lot of perks and value, making it a solid pick for loyal United travelers looking for an enhanced travel experience.

Read our United Quest℠ Card review or jump back to this card’s offer details .

Best for budget flyers: Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

• Best features : This entry-level airline card has some of the same popular features as more expensive Southwest consumer travel cards, including a chance to earn the Southwest Companion Pass® – one of the most coveted perks in all of travel rewards. If you earn 135,000 points in a year, you can pick a companion to fly with you for free (except for taxes and fees) for up to two years on any Southwest flight that you purchase with cash or points.
• Biggest drawbacks : Unlike some other airline cards, this no-frills card doesn’t earn bonus points in popular everyday categories like gas or grocery stores. Plus, the card’s anniversary bonus of 3,000 points is lower than the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card’s bonus.
• Alternatives : The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card may be a better fit for budget travelers. It comes with a $0 intro annual fee for the first year (then $150) and a chance to earn bonus miles faster thanks to practical bonus categories including restaurants and U.S. supermarkets. It also has a number of convenient features like priority boarding and a chance to earn a $200 Delta flight credit. Plus, Delta and its partner network are much more extensive than Southwest.
• Bottom line : The Rapid Rewards Plus card is a decent choice for occasional Southwest flyers looking for a cheap rewards travel card. But if you fly Southwest frequently and want to double your anniversary points while avoiding foreign transaction fees, consider upgrading to the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card and its higher annual fee of $99.

Read our Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card review .

Best hotel credit card: Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card

• Best features : This card offers great long-term value for frequent travelers who stay at the world’s largest hotel chain a few nights or more per year. You get plenty of chances to offset the $95 annual fee, including a free night every year after your account anniversary (up to 35,000 points) and a high rewards rate in the popular, practical bonus categories of travel, grocery, gas and dining purchases, as well as a flat rate of 2X points on all other eligible purchases.
• Biggest drawbacks : You can only use your rewards with Marriott hotels. So if you don’t frequent the brand, you’ll be better served by a different hotel credit card or a general-purpose travel rewards card, which offers greater flexibility in how you redeem your rewards.
• Alternatives : If you’re not loyal to one hotel chain, the Chase Sapphire Preferred should give you more redemption options. It earns bonus points on travel, dining and select online grocery purchases – points that can be redeemed in a variety of ways, including for travel, or transferred to one of Chase’s airline or hotel partners. And when you redeem for travel through the Chase Travel℠ portal, your points have 25% more value.
• Bottom line : Travelers who stay at Marriott frequently enough to offset the $95 annual fee will appreciate this card. But depending on your spending habits and the hotel features that matter most to you, you may get greater value with another Marriott card .

Read our Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card review .

Best no annual fee airline card: American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Card

• Best features : This no-annual-fee airline card gives households a chance to earn miles on more than just travel. You’ll earn 2X miles not only on eligible American Airlines purchases, but also at grocery stores, which increases the card’s earning potential for the average consumer. The MileUp card also has a low spend threshold for its sign-up bonus: Spend just $500 in your first three months and you’ll earn 10,000 miles and a $50 statement credit.
• Biggest drawbacks : This card lacks a number of cost-saving perks found with other airline cards, including a free first checked bag for you and additional passengers and a chance to earn travel credits for your spending. Depending on how often you fly and how many people you travel with, you could actually save more money with a travel card that charges an annual fee.
• Alternatives : The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card has a similar rewards rate and charges no annual fee for the first year, then $150 thereafter. That gives you time to test out perks you won’t find with the MileUp card, like priority boarding, a first checked bag free for you and eight additional passengers and a chance to earn a $200 flight credit after spending $10,000 in a calendar year.
• Bottom line : This card is worth a look if you’re loyal to American Airlines but only fly occasionally and are looking for a no-annual-fee credit card . But if you want the flexibility to fly with different carriers while still earning high rewards, you may get better value out of a general-purpose travel rewards card.

Read our American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp review .

How do travel credit cards work?

Travel rewards credit cards let you earn points or miles you can redeem for travel purchases. Some offer a flat rate on general purchases, but many offer bonus rewards for typical travel purchases or everyday spending categories, like restaurants, gas or even groceries.

Earning points or miles is usually as easy as swiping your card, and some cards provide limited-time offers and sign-up bonuses to add more incentives. The basics of points and miles cards are pretty much the same. You earn and accumulate rewards by making purchases with your card, and redeem for a discount on your next trip.

Your redemption options will vary by card. Most require that you redeem points or miles for travel purchases. (Some let you redeem for gift cards or cash back, but it might be at a lower value.) You can typically redeem points or miles by booking future trips through a designated portal, like Amextravel.com or Chase Ultimate Rewards, or transferring rewards to an issuer’s travel partners to book flights or hotel stays. Some allow you to redeem for a statement credit on travel purchases made within a certain time frame.

Your redemption options will vary by card. Typical options include:

• Booking new travel
• Transferring points or miles to a travel partner
• Statement credit for past travel purchases

Redeeming for travel often yields the best value, while non-travel options like gift cards might have a lower redemption value. You can typically redeem points or miles by booking future trips through a designated portal, like Amextravel.com or Chase Ultimate Rewards, though some let you redeem directly with the airline or third-party travel agency.

General travel credit cards + –

General travel or general-purpose credit cards aren’t tied to or co-branded with a particular airline or hotel. They are best for any traveler who values flexibility in how they earn and redeem rewards.

Depending on the card, you can earn higher points not only on travel-related purchases, but also in popular categories like groceries, gas and dining. You can redeem the points you earn in many different ways, like statement credits and travel. A 1-cent-per-point value is typical, but points may be worth less when used for non-travel options or more if transferred to the right travel partner.

Transferring your points over to an airline or hotel loyalty program can help you strategize so you can get the most out of your points. However, average point values vary from program to program, so you’ll need to test out different routes and carriers to see how far your points can take you before you transfer points between loyalty programs.

Some of the most popular rewards programs for general travel credit cards include:

• American Express Membership Rewards
• Chase Ultimate Rewards
• Capital One Travel
• Citi ThankYou Points

Is a general travel credit card worth it?

Co-branded cards usually feature high-value airline or hotel perks. Examples like automatic hotel elite status, companion passes or free checked bags could be worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

But general travel cards give you more flexibility to choose how you travel and where you stay. Plus, plenty of general travel cards come loaded with valuable benefits not tied to specific airlines and hotels — especially if you’re willing to pay an annual fee.

Most general travel cards carry higher rewards rates compared to airline cards with similar annual fees, which gives you a chance to earn more rewards faster. And you’ll have a number of redemption options that make each of your points worth at least 1 cent, which is worth more than the rewards you’ll earn with most hotel rewards programs and some airline rewards programs.

Here’s a look at some of the top features your general travel card may offer:

• Annual travel credits : Premium cards like the Capital One Venture X and Chase Sapphire Reserve reward cardmembers with annual travel credits worth hundreds of dollars, which you can use to offset previous travel costs or book new travel through the card’s travel portal.
• Airport lounge access : A number of mid-level and premium travel cards offer discounted or complimentary airport lounge access for you and your guests. Users can enjoy amenities like complimentary food and drinks, showers or even spa treatments. Popular airport lounge networks include Priority Pass lounges and the exclusive American Express Global Lounge Collection.
• Luxury hotel benefits : Your card issuer may offer Visa or Mastercard’s luxury hotel collection benefit. This perk can lead to room upgrades, free breakfast, food or beverage credits and late check-out. This is typically offered with credit cards with Visa Signature or Infinite benefits or cards with Mastercard World or World Elite benefits, though you’ll have to check with your card issuer to be certain.
• Car rental elite status : With the right general travel rewards card, you can not only rent a car but also get discounts and status upgrades that let you skip the lines when renting and returning, as well as vehicle upgrades based on availability and other exclusive perks.

Airline travel credit cards + –

Airline credit cards are co-branded cards that carry the name of the card issuer and a particular airline. They’re a great fit for travelers who regularly fly with a particular airline and can take advantage of the perks found within its rewards program.

Some of the most popular airline rewards programs include:

• Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
• American Airlines Aadvantage
• Southwest Rapid Rewards
• Delta SkyMiles
• United MileagePlus

Like general travel cards, airline rewards cards can earn rewards on a variety of purchases, but your redemption options are more limited. To get the best value, you’ll typically want to redeem your rewards for flights with the airline or one of its partners.

Is an airline credit card worth it?

They offer less flexibility and might have an annual fee, but airline cards can make your travel experience easier and save you a lot of money, even after you factor in the cost of an annual fee.

Here’s a look at some of the top airline credit card benefits:

• Free checked bags :   Avoid paying a fee for your first checked bag and a travel companion’s bag. Many airlines charge $30 to $35 per checked bag, per trip, so the savings can add up, especially if you’re traveling with a large family.
• Fast track to elite airline status : Frequent flyers looking for an enhanced flying experience will have to spend thousands of dollars and spend a lot of time in the air to unlock the top-of-the-line perks that come with elite status. But the right airline credit card can cut down on the eligibility requirements and may even come with automatic elite status or welcome offers and additional credits that get you elite status faster.
• Travel companion pass : Earning an airline companion pass takes some work, but if you qualify you can bring a passenger along on a future flight for free (though you’ll still have to pay taxes and fees). Some airlines even offer companion passes that let you bring a guest with you on any flight you book for a year or more.
• Priority boarding : This perk helps you quickly board a plane and get your carry-on stowed away in an overhead bin before it fills up.
• In-flight discounts : This perk helps you save on drinks, snacks and other extras purchased on your flight. You’ll typically enjoy a discount of 20% to 25% off.

How to choose an airline

It’s best to select a card co-branded with an airline that you will use frequently, which typically means choosing an airline that flies out of an airport close to where you live, or one that you use the most. Smaller hubs may have limited options, but you should check to make sure that the airline you want has routes at your preferred airport. For example, Southwest does not fly out of Newark Airport, so if Newark is your primary airport another co-branded airline card might be a better fit.

Hotel travel credit cards + –

Hotel credit cards are co-branded cards that earn points you can redeem for stays with a specific hotel chain. Some of the most popular hotel rewards programs include:

• Marriott Bonvoy
• Hilton Honors
• IHG One Rewards Club
• World of Hyatt

Is a hotel credit card worth it?

Like airline credit cards, hotel credit cards can pack in a lot of brand-specific perks to reward your loyalty. Some cards offer supersized rewards rates, typically for hotel-related purchases. These earning rates can make it easier to quickly rack up points for future visits.

On top of the high-earning potential, hotel travel cards may also come with some of the following benefits:

• Free night : Many hotel cards automatically reward you with a free night at select properties every year on your anniversary. Others give you a chance to earn a free night after you spend a certain amount on the card.
• Room upgrades : Your card could automatically qualify you for room upgrades when available, giving you more space or better views.
• Elite hotel status : Some of the best hotel cards come with automatic elite status, making you eligible for exclusive perks, while others put you on a fast track to achieve higher levels of elite status.

How to choose a hotel

While you should pick an airline card based on frequency and availability, choosing a hotel card might come down to personal preference. You’ll find most hotel chains concentrated in mid-to large-size cities, so you can select a hotel group that works best for your needs. Hotel chains often include a price range from luxury to budget friendly. For example, Marriott includes both Fairfield Inn & Suites and the Ritz-Carlton in its suite of hotels. So, whether you splurge on one trip or save costs on another, you can still earn rewards.

However, if you happen to travel a lot to very remote cities, you might want to ensure that your preferred hotel chain has a location there.

Business travel credit cards + –

Business travel cards are a terrific option if you own a company or work as a freelancer and travel often for work. They can be co-branded or a general travel card.

Some of the more popular business cards include:

• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express review
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card
• Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business Credit Card

Is a business travel card worth it?

Business travel cards offer a competitive rewards structure similar to other travel cards, but you can typically earn bonus rewards in business categories, like purchasing software and office supplies. Not only can business travel cards help keep your work and personal expenses separate, but they can also help you cut down on business costs.

You might see these benefits on a business travel card:

• Bonus rewards on large purchases : Some cards will offer an elevated rewards rate for big purchases, so you can earn miles or points for big-ticket items.
• No fee for employee cards : You can rack up even more points or miles when you add employees as authorized users at no additional cost. This action can also be a great way to track company spending.
• Account management tools: To help manage your company budget, business travel cards might come with apps or programs that could ease record keeping, like the ability to upload receipts quickly or link to a spreadsheet.
• Travel and hotel perks : Like other travel cards, you can often enjoy annual benefits, like a hotel reward night, lounge access or statement credits.

Co-branded travel cards versus general travel cards

The biggest difference between co-branded cards and general travel cards is flexibility. Co-branded cards are ideal for brand loyalists who prefer to commit to one particular airline or hotel group. They often come with perks that you might not find on general travel cards (like elite status or free checked bags), but how you earn and redeem rewards is limited to that specific brand.

For instance, you might feel locked in to book a pricier room with a co-branded hotel card even if there are more affordable options.

With general travel cards, you have more freedom to select flights or hotels that fit into your schedule and price range, but you might lose out on some perks. If you prefer flexibility, a general travel card might work better for you. If you enjoy more elite perks or are a fan of a particular brand, you might consider a co-branded card.

Pros and cons of travel credit cards

• Travel for less: Money-saving benefits, such as high travel reward rates, sign-up bonuses and travel credits, can help bring down the overall cost of travel.
• Generous perks: The best travel cards feature perks like room or seat upgrades, free hotel stays, statement credits and lounge access that might enhance your overall travel experience.
• Fast track to elite status: Elite status, which offers maximum program benefits for airlines or hotels, often takes time to earn. Some travel rewards cards help cut down on the qualification period, or they offer automatic elite status, which means you can start earning elite status benefits sooner.
• Earn points as a loyalty member along with rewards : If you are a loyalty member, then you can earn loyalty points with that hotel or airline brand as well as travel reward points when you book with a travel credit card.
• No foreign transaction fees : Most travel cards don’t charge a foreign transaction fee, which can help cut down costs when traveling abroad.
• Complex rewards programs: Keeping up with the travel rewards card program rules can be confusing, especially when redeeming or transferring points to a travel partner. It takes careful planning and calculation to ensure you are maximizing the value for your rewards.
• Limited redemption outside of travel: Travel cards typically provide the best value when redeeming for travel. While some cards offer redemptions for non-travel options, such as statement credits or gift cards, these are typically worth less.
• High annual fees: Determining whether an annual fee is worth it can be difficult, and many of the best travel credit cards have yearly costs starting from $95 to $100. Premier travel cards could have annual fees in the $200 to $700 range.
• Higher interest rates : Typically, travel cards carry a higher ongoing APR, so if you carry a balance every month, then a low-interest credit card or balance transfer card might be a better fit.
• Typically best only for frequent flyers : Since most travel cards offer the most elevated bonus rates for travel, such as flights, hotels and car rentals, you won’t reap its maximum benefits unless you fly often.

Who should get a travel credit card

• Frequent flyers . If you spend lots of time up in the air or staying at hotels, you can absolutely benefit from the rewards and perks that come with a travel credit card. But if you’re new to travel or only travel occasionally, look for no-annual-fee cards or ones with simple rewards categories. All globetrotters can appreciate the lack of foreign transaction fees many travel cards offer.
• Brand loyalists . Fans of particular airlines and hotel chains can reap some serious rewards with their go-to brands. Loyal customers can rack up an incredible amount of hotel points or flight miles using a card like the American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp or the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless.
• Luxury travelers . Vacationers looking for top-shelf travel perks may have to pay to carry their card, but The Platinum Card from American Express and the Chase Sapphire Reserve offer benefits that can easily offset their annual fees. You’ll find high-end earnings rates on your purchases to back it up. Take advantage of exclusive add-ons, like access to airport lounges, free checked bags, specialty offers and more.
• Road trippers . Some travel cards earn rewards on purchases at gas stations and hotel stays, which can be valuable if you’re on the road a lot. A hotel credit card like one in the Hilton Honors program or Marriott Bonvoy may be a great choice if you regularly take cross-country trips and stay at hotels.

Who should skip a travel credit card

• Fans of low-maintenance credit cards. While flat-rate travel cards are available, travel cards with fixed bonus categories or a tiered rewards structure often have the best rewards rates. The card that’s most fitting for you will depend on your spending habits. If you aren’t ready or willing to strategize to get the most out of your travel card, a more straightforward rewards credit card may be a better fit.
• Someone looking for flexibility . Cash back credit cards are usually more versatile and might work best for infrequent travelers or people with higher non-travel-related expenses. They can help you maximize your earnings on everyday categories like supermarkets, gas, transit, streaming services or online purchases. Mostly, redeeming can be far less complicated and far more flexible. Depending on the credit card, redemption options may include statement credit, direct deposit, check and travel.
• Someone prone to overspending . The best travel rewards credit cards can help you save a lot of money but only if you avoid a balance. Since rewards cards typically come with higher interest rates, paying your balances in full can save you money and create the best value. If you can’t, you run the risk of losing more money to interest charges than you earn in rewards. You may even fall into credit card debt. If you aren’t able to pay your balances in full, consider a low-interest credit card .

Do you know how much your points or miles are worth?

Choosing a card based solely on the number of miles or points you stand to earn can be a costly mistake. Redemption values can vary, and points and miles do not always transfer on a 1-to-1 basis, meaning 1,000 “miles” earned do not always translate to 1,000 miles of travel.

For example, the Citi Strata Premier card has a sign-up bonus of 70,000 points after spending $4,000 in your first three months of account opening. With the Strata Premier card, most redemption options have a baseline value of 1 cent, so this offer can be worth at least $700. But based on Bankrate’s latest point valuations , we estimate that the right high-value transfer partner could boost your point value up to 1.9 cents on average. That could make your sign-up bonus worth an incredible $1,330.

Compare that to a card like the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card, which offers a sign-up bonus of 140,000 points after spending $3,000 within the first three months. Since IHG Rewards are estimated to be worth 0.7 cents on average based on our points valuation, that comes out to a value of $980 dollars.

Understanding the true value of your rewards program can help you to maximize value and select the card that offers the best rewards for your spending habits.

How to calculate the value of your points and miles

To find the value of your points and miles, divide the cost of paying cash for the booking (such as the plane ticket or hotel room) by the number of points or miles required. Then compare this number to Bankrate’s points and miles valuation for the airline, hotel or credit card rewards program.

For example, if a flight on Southwest Airlines costs $800 out of pocket or 50,000 miles, the value is 1.6 cents per mile ($800 divided by 50,000 miles equals $0.016 or 1.6 cents). Since this is slightly higher than our estimated value of 1.5 cents per mile, you’re getting a good deal if you book this flight.

But if you redeem for a gift card instead and find a $25 card costs 10,000 Southwest Rapid Rewards miles, your value drops to 0.25 cents per mile ($25 divided by 10,000 miles equals $0.0025 or 0.25 cents). Since this is far below the 1.5-cent-per-point value you should look for, you’re better off using cash for this gift card and saving your points for a better deal.

How to compare travel credit cards

Deciding which travel credit card is best for you can be difficult. Many cards have similar redemption options, earn rewards in the same categories or cost more than you’re willing to pay for an annual fee. The right card for you will provide value with both perks and rewards rates that match your needs and align with purchases you already make.

To find the right one, you may find it helpful to compare several cards at once so you can see which one offers the best value for your personal finances and travel habits.

• Are you an occasional or frequent traveler? Frequent travelers typically have an easier time taking advantage of the numerous perks found with a travel card. If you travel less frequently, then a cash back card may make more financial sense.
• Are you loyal to a certain airline or hotel? If you’re a fan of a particular airline or hotel chain, you can enjoy specific benefits with that company’s co-branded travel card, like companion pass or annual hotel credits. A general-purpose card, however, gives you flexibility to choose any travel partner when traveling.
• What travel perks and protections matter most to you? Higher rewards status with hotels or airlines, access to airport lounges or automatic elite status are a few examples of travel perks a card might offer. You can also have more peace of mind with any travel protections that a travel card might provide, like trip cancellation and interruption insurance, lost baggage insurance and 24/7 global assistance. Make sure to look for a card that has the features that matter most to you.
• Do you have to change your spending habits to earn and redeem rewards?  Rather than tailoring your spending to match a card’s bonus categories, you might choose a card that already rewards your typical spending habits. Also, watch out for restrictions like spending limits, which can hinder your ability to earn maximum rewards. And when redeeming, make sure your card provides the best value. Some travel cards don’t provide the best value when redeeming for non-travel-related options, such as gift cards or statement credits.
• Does the card have sign-up bonuses and annual fees?  A card’s welcome offer can boost your first year earnings. Look for the spend requirement to ensure you can meet it without overspending. Additionally, a card’s annual fee can be a significant factor. Cards with high annual fees often offer some of the best rewards and perks, but if you can’t offset the fee every year it might not be worth it.
• How does the card’s international acceptance and foreign fees measure up?  For people who frequently travel internationally, this detail can be a game changer. A card without a foreign transaction fee can help budget your trip. But you also want to make certain that the card has broad international coverage. Some cards, like Discover, while working on their international network, might be riskier to carry abroad.

How to make the most out of your travel credit card

Whether you’re planning a quick getaway or extended trip, your rewards from a travel credit card can either enhance your experience or save you money. If you have your eye on Walt Disney World or a small family gathering, you can use these strategies now to experience an elevated trip in the future.

• Score a welcome offer . To make the most of your purchases and capitalize on travel rewards, seek out a welcome offer with an affordable spend requirement. Some of the top sign-up offers could be large enough to help you score free travel.
• Take advantage of the card’s bonus rewards categories . Find a travel rewards card that offers bonus points for purchases you already make to supercharge your earnings. For example, if your weekly work plans include lunch outside of the office, you could earn 3 points for every $1 spent at restaurants as a Citi Strata Premier cardholder, maximizing your earnings potential.
• Consider a travel card that earns transferable points . Transferable points are points earned with one travel card that can be redeemed with another participating program. Based on Bankrate’s latest point valuations, the right high-value transfer partner could be the best way to maximize your rewards earnings.
• Don’t forget your credit card benefits . Your travel credit card could have hidden credit card perks that make travel more enjoyable and save you money, such as complimentary breakfast at hotels or free checked bags. In just one trip, a family of four could easily offset a card’s annual fee through baggage fees alone. Other benefits, such as lost baggage coverage, not only reimburse you for clothing, toiletries or medication you had to purchase because of delayed or lost luggage, but provide additional peace of mind while traveling.
• Consider a credit card combination . Pair your travel card with another credit card that earns high rewards in areas you spend the most to maximize value. You may even be able to combine cards within the same rewards program. Chase, American Express, Capital One and Citi all offer some of the best credit card combinations that can help you rack up transferable rewards.
• Skip the foreign transaction fees . Make sure to take along a card that skips this common overseas charge, typically 3% charge anytime you use the card internationally. You can avoid this by choosing a travel credit card that waives foreign transaction fees, such as the Capital One and Discover credit cards.

Alternatives to Travel Credit Cards

If you don’t want to commit to a travel card, but still want to earn travel rewards, then you have options.

• A cash back credit card lets you earn cash rewards, which you can often redeem for a statement credit to cover travel and other purchases.
• A card with a 0% intro APR might work better for people planning a large purchase. It can help you budget for a trip, as long as you can pay off the balance before the intro offer period ends.
• A no-annual-fee card that also carries no foreign transaction fees might suit infrequent travelers. With this type of card, you can still save on trips abroad without worrying about added fees or offsetting costs every year.

In the news: What is credit card travel insurance?

Travel insurance, or trip insurance, is a policy providing reimbursement or resources if something goes wrong during your trip. The coverage of the trip insurance varies depending on if it’s provided through a credit card or purchased as a separate policy.

Credit cards may provide a form of trip insurance when you use your card to pay for trip-related expenses. Credit card travel insurance can cover everything from trip cancellation and trip interruption, to lost luggage and car rental loss and damage insurance.

In some cases, the coverage provided by the credit card may be enough to cover your needs for a travel-related event. But confirm the benefits before you travel and make sure it offers the right coverage, for example, if you are traveling internationally or need a “cancel for any reason” policy.

How we picked the best travel cards

Research methodology : We analyzed 300 travel rewards credit cards to identify the best offers currently on the market. The major factors we considered include:

• Rewards rate : Does the card offer a competitive rewards rate for the travel category? For general purpose travel cards, this rate is generally between 1.25X to 2X rewards. For co-branded hotel or airline credit cards, we looked for a rate between 3X and 10X points on brand purchases, plus a competitive rate in other bonus categories.
• Welcome offer : Annual fee travel credit cards, in particular, may offer a welcome bonus valued between $500 to $900. We considered the value of the sign-up bonus, alongside the required spend to receive it.
• Additional travel perks : We considered whether the card offers additional travel benefits beyond base rewards. For instance, for airline credit cards, we considered whether they offered priority boarding, a free checked bag or lounge access. For hotel credit cards, we considered whether they offered upgrade opportunities for Wi-Fi and free hotel stays with a card anniversary. For premium travel credit cards, we considered whether the card touted travel credits, travel insurance and other benefits that justified the high annual fee.
• Rates and fees : Travel credit cards do tend to carry annual fees and higher APRs than low-interest credit cards. However, we considered how a card’s APRs compared to the current credit card industry average and whether any fees could be avoided or recouped by its travel rewards and benefits.

All criteria used : Rewards rates, rewards categories, sign-up bonus, point values, transfer partners, redemption options, redemption flexibility, annual fee, other rates and fees, travel credits, airport lounge access, travel accident insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, concierge service, other travel benefits, travel portal functionality, credit needed, customer service, events or other perks

More information on travel credit cards

For more information on all things travel cards, continue reading content from our credit card experts:

• Cash back vs. points
• Trip cancelation reimbursement by credit card
• No foreign transaction fee credit cards

Frequently asked questions about travel credit cards

What is the difference between points and miles on a credit card + –.

When you’re shopping for a travel credit card, you’ll likely have two rewards currencies to choose from: points and miles.

Credit card points are the more flexible of the two options, usually allowing you to redeem your rewards for flights or hotel stays with a number of brands. Some cards allow you to redeem points for cash back, gift cards or merchandise, but often at a lower value than a travel redemption.

Credit card miles usually refer to frequent-flyer miles with a particular airline, such as Delta or United. If you have a miles-earning card, this usually means you can only redeem your miles for flights with one particular airline, though there are exceptions. These types of cards are also called co-branded cards and often come with additional perks like free checked bags.

What credit score do you need for a travel credit card? + –

Travel credit cards often feature higher rewards rates and numerous benefits, which typically means the odds of approval are higher for someone with a good or excellent credit score — usually around a 670 FICO score or higher.

But someone with bad or fair credit still has options. Although the credit card may not be labeled specifically as a travel rewards card, cards like the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card don’t require great credit and offer rewards in travel categories like hotels and rental cars.

Do travel points and miles expire? + –

Typically, rewards won’t expire for the life of the account. However, each card is different so it’s always best to read your card’s terms and conditions. For instance, some cards do have rewards that expire after a period of inactivity. In some cases, you could forfeit your rewards by missing a payment or canceling a card . Every card comes with its own set of rules, so always read the fine print.

How many miles do you need for a free flight? + –

The miles you’ll need for a free flight depend on the type of card you have, its rewards and redemption structure and whether it offers bonus value on travel redemptions.

For example, If you book through Amex, your points are worth 1 cent apiece on travel redemptions. That means if a flight costs $500, you’ll need 50,000 points to book. However, with Chase Ultimate Rewards, points are valued at 1.25 cents, so a $500 trip would need only 25,000 points.

What purchases are part of the travel category for travel credit cards? + –

How purchases are categorized depends on both the merchant and the issuer and may vary from card to card. Typically, bookings for airlines, hotel stays and rental cars will fall under travel. However, some cards, such as the Bank of America Travel Rewards card, broaden the category to include other types of purchases like timeshares, campgrounds and parking garages.

Check the issuer’s website or contact the issuer directly to get a complete list of what is considered travel for your specific card.

About the Author

Jeanine Skowronski

Jeanine Skowronski is a credit card expert, analyst, and multimedia journalist with over 10 years of experience covering business and personal finance. She has previously served as the Head of Content at Policygenius, Executive Editor of Credit.com, Deputy Editor at American Banker, Staff Reporter at TheStreet and a columnist for Inc. Magazine.

About the Editor

Robert Thorpe

Robert Thorpe is an editor for CreditCards.com

About the Reviewer

Stephanie Zito

Stephanie Zito is a professional traveler, humanitarian and credit card points collector sharing savvy travel tips she has learned firsthand from more than 20 years of circling the globe as a backpacker, expat and premium traveler in more than 125 countries and all seven continents.

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• Key takeaways

Our top picks for the best no-annual-fee travel credit cards

Comparing the best travel credit cards with no annual fee, more info on our top picks for no-annual-fee travel credit cards: editorial reviews, what is a travel credit card with no annual fee, who should get a no-annual-fee travel credit card, pros and cons of travel credit cards with no annual fee, how to choose the best travel credit card with no annual fee, how to apply for a travel credit card with no annual fee  , are no-annual-fee travel credit cards worth it, faqs: best travel credit cards with no annual fee.

Best Travel Credit Cards With No Annual Fee for 2024

• Travel credit cards make it easy to earn points, miles or cash back on your most common travel expenses.
• Several travel credit cards have no annual fees, making them even more valuable.
• Our top picks for the best no-annual-fee travel credit cards include the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card , Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card , Hilton Honors American Express Card , and Chase Freedom Unlimited® among others.
• A travel credit card with no annual fee may not be a great fit for your needs if you only travel once or twice a year.
• Cards with no annual fees may have foreign transaction fees, so check the terms of each card carefully if you plan to travel internationally.

Travel credit cards help you earn free hotel stays, airline discounts and other valuable benefits. Add in no annual fee on top of this and you can maximize the value of your travel credit card and enjoy even more benefits on your next vacation. 

Before you apply for a travel card with no annual fee, it’s important to compare your options. To make the process easier, we reviewed seven no-annual-fee travel credit cards to determine which ones pack the biggest punch in terms of interest rates, fees and other considerations.

Join us as we look at the best travel credit card with no annual fee based on the following criteria:

• Earning rates on popular travel categories
• Status matching with hotel and airline loyalty programs
• Reward redemption methods

Our top picks for the best travel credit cards with no annual fee

• Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card: Best for simple rewards
• Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card: Best for Delta SkyMiles® loyalists
• Hilton Honors American Express Card: Best for loyal Hilton customers
• IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card: Best for loyal IHG customers
• Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Best for extra benefits
• Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express: Best for road trips in the U.S.
• United Gateway℠ Card: Best for United Airlines loyalists

Best for simple rewards

Capital one ventureone rewards credit card.

Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on all purchases and 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.

Card Details

More card info

• 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, then 19.99% - 29.99% variable APR.
• Balance transfer fee of 3% for the first 15 months; 4% at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer you at any other time
• Miles won’t expire for the life of the account and there’s no limit to how many you can earn
• Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
• Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
• No annual fee
• Intro APR offer
• Low spending requirement for welcome offer
• Good or excellent credit recommended
• Few travel perks

Best for Delta SkyMiles® loyalists

Delta skymiles® blue american express card.

Earn 2X miles on Delta purchases, 2X miles at restaurants (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.), and 1X miles on all other eligible purchases.

• Pay with Miles: take up to $50 off the cost of your flight for every 5,000 miles you redeem with Pay with Miles when you book on delta.com.
• Receive a 20% savings in the form of a statement credit after you use your Card on eligible Delta in-flight purchases of food and beverages.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• Terms Apply.
• 20% in-flight savings
• Easy-to-earn welcome bonus
• Low earning rate
• No free checked bags
• No priority boarding

Best for loyal Hilton customers

Hilton honors american express card.

Earn 7X Hilton Honors Points on eligible Hilton purchases, 5X points on eligible U.S. restaurant, U.S. supermarket, and U.S. gas station purchases, and 3X on all other eligible purchases.

• Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors™ Silver status with your Card. Plus, spend $20,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year and you can earn an upgrade to Hilton Honors™ Gold status through the end of the next calendar year.
• Automatic Hilton Silver status
• 20% bonus points on eligible stays
• Low point redemption value
• Need good or excellent credit to qualify
• Fewer perks than some travel cards

Best for loyal IHG customers

Ihg one rewards traveler credit card.

Earn up to 17x total points per $1 spent when you stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts, 3x points on purchases on monthly bills, at gas stations, and restaurants, and 2x points on all other purchases.

Best for extra benefits

Chase freedom unlimited®.

Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

Best for road trips in the U.S.

Blue cash everyday® card from american express.

Earn 3% cash back on up to $6,000/year spent at U.S. supermarkets (then 1%), 3% back on up to $6,000/year at U.S. gas stations (then 1%), 3% back on up to $6,000/year on online retail purchases (then 1%), and 1% back on all other eligible purchases. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.

• 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months after account opening, then 19.24% to 29.99% variable APR.
• Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
• Thinking about getting the Disney Bundle which can include Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+? Your decision made easy with $7/month back in the form of a statement credit after you spend $9.99 or more each month on an eligible subscription (subject to auto renewal) with your Blue Cash Everyday® Card. Enrollment required.
• Enjoy up to $15 back per month when you purchase a Home Chef meal kit subscription (subject to auto renewal) with your enrolled Blue Cash Everyday® Card.
• 0% APR on eligible purchases for 15 months
• Generous rewards at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations & online shopping
• Rewards cap on spending at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and online retail purchases
• 2.7% foreign transaction fee
• Low rewards rate outside of bonus categories

Best for United Airlines loyalists

United gateway℠ card.

Earn 2X miles on United purchases, at gas stations and on local transit and commuting. Earn 1X miles on all other purchases.

The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card has everything you need to start any journey off on the right foot. New cardholders can get 20,000 bonus miles simply for spending $500 within three months of opening an account, a great deal for a no-annual-fee card. VentureOne Rewards also gives you 1.25x miles for every dollar spent and 5x miles on hotels and rental cars through Capital One Travel.

Although VentureOne Rewards has a generous welcome offer, it has a low reward rate on non-travel purchases, so there’s no opportunity to earn extra based on your other spending habits. It’s also reserved for consumers with excellent credit, so it can be difficult to get approved.

▶︎ Read more: Capital One VentureOne review

The Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card is the best no-annual-fee travel credit card for loyal Delta Air Lines customers, as you get to rack up SkyMiles every time you make a purchase. You can use those miles to get free or discounted airfare, cover your checked bag fees, book with Delta Vacations or make in-flight purchases. We also love that the SkyMiles® Blue card has no foreign transaction fees, making it a great fit for international travelers.

If you don’t fly frequently, or you prefer to book the cheapest tickets instead of staying loyal to one airline, the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card probably isn’t the best fit. Most of the redemption options are Delta-focused, so you won’t be able to use many of your perks if you don’t take at least a few Delta flights per year.

▶︎ Read more: Delta SkyMiles Blue review

The Hilton Honors American Express Card is one of the best no-annual-fee travel credit cards because it helps you earn free nights and other perks at participating Hilton properties. This makes it a great fit for anyone loyal to Hilton over other hotel chains. You earn 7 points per dollar spent on all purchases made with participating Hilton hotels and resorts, 5 miles per dollar spent on dining and 5 miles per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets.

One of the biggest drawbacks of the Hilton Honors American Express Card is that many of the benefits relate to Hilton stays. If you take a lot of day trips rather than overnight ones, you may not be able to use your Hilton Honors Points often enough to justify having the card.

▶︎ Read more: Hilton Honors Amex review

IHG owns more than a dozen hotel brands, so the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card from Chase may be a good fit if you love to stay at IHG properties when you travel. This card gives you 80,000 bonus points if you spend at least $2,000 on purchases within three months of opening an account. You also earn up to 17 points for every dollar spent at IHG hotels and resorts.

Although this card has plenty of perks, it may not be the best fit for your needs if you don’t travel often, or if you prefer to book with non-IHG hotel brands. You also have to spend at least $20,000 on the card each year to qualify for Gold Status with IHG’s loyalty program.

Chase Freedom Unlimited® is one of the best travel cards with no annual fee because it gives you 5% back on all travel booked through the Chase Travel portal and 3% on purchases made at restaurants and drugstores. We love that this card comes with tons of extra benefits, such as a three-month DashPass subscription, 5% cash back on Lyft rides and a three-month Instacart+ membership.

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® card may not be the best fit if you prefer to book directly with travel vendors rather than using a dedicated travel portal. You also need good or excellent credit to qualify to get approved for this card.

▶︎ Read more: Chase Freedom Unlimited review

The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express comes with access to the Global Assist® Hotline and complimentary car rental loss and damage insurance. Global Assist® connects you with trained professionals who can help you make travel plans. You also earn 3% back on your first $6,000 in purchases at U.S. gas stations each year (then 1%), making this card ideal for users who prefer to drive to their destinations instead of flying or taking public transportation.

Blue Cash Everyday makes it easy to earn cash back, but it has a limited number of travel benefits, so it may not be the right fit if you want to maximize your earnings on flights, hotel stays and other travel expenses. It also has a foreign transaction fee, so it’s not ideal for overseas travel.

▶︎ Read more: Amex Blue Cash Everyday review

Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/​benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.

The United Gateway℠ Card from Chase gives you 2 miles per dollar spent on all United Airlines purchases, making it ideal for users who always fly with United rather than using multiple airlines. Cardholders also get 2X miles on gas station purchases and local transit/commuting expenses.

Many card benefits, such as 25% cash back on in-flight food and drinks, only apply to United purchases. If you don’t book with United very often, you may benefit more from getting a different travel credit card with no annual fee.

No annual fee means you don’t pay a fee each year just to keep your account open. You may have to meet other account requirements, but there’s no cost to maintain your card. 

Travel credit cards give you points, miles and other rewards on common travel expenses, including airfare, hotel stays and train tickets. A no-annual-fee travel credit card gives you the best of both worlds. You can earn rewards based on your travel habits without paying money to keep your account active.

How do travel credit cards with no annual fee work?

When you have a credit card with an annual fee, you have to pay the same amount of money every year no matter how much you use the card. If you have a no-annual-fee credit card , you don’t have to pay a fee to keep your account open.

This is a major benefit for budget-conscious travelers who want to earn rewards without forking over cold, hard cash. If there’s no annual fee, there’s also no need to worry about using the card often enough to break even.

The best travel credit cards with no annual fee are ideal for casual travelers, as there’s no charge to keep your account active. If you don’t travel for a year or two, you don’t have to worry about getting charged for a dormant account.

These cards may also be a good fit for students studying abroad or users who don’t have a ton of experience managing credit. If you plan to study abroad, look for a student credit card with no annual fee that also doesn’t charge any foreign transaction fees.

• Opportunities to earn points, miles or cash back on your travel expenses
• Access to partner benefits, such as status upgrades within hotel and rental car loyalty programs
• Ability to transfer rewards to partner companies
• May have limited benefits due to the lack of an annual fee
• General-purpose credit cards usually offer more redemption options
• Some companies require you to book through a branded portal to take advantage of your travel benefits

Keep these factors in mind as you search for the best credit card for travel with no annual fee.

Rewards credit cards for travel typically offer points, miles or cash back on each eligible purchase. You can use these rewards to pay for hotel stays, airfare, transit expenses and other travel costs.

Flexible travel options

Some cards have no blackout dates or other restrictions when using your rewards to make travel plans. Others require you to book through a third-party website or a dedicated portal, so you may not be able to cancel your plans without forfeiting your rewards.

The higher the APR on your credit card, the more interest you’ll pay if you don’t pay your balance by the end of your billing cycle. You can get cards with 0% APR , which allows you to make purchases and/or balance transfers at a rate that’s lower than the regular APR.

When comparing travel credit cards, watch out for steep fees such as balance transfer fees, cash advance fees or fees for late payments. Opt for cards with no foreign transaction fees when traveling abroad.

It’s common for travel credit cards to come with additional benefits, such as travel insurance, rental car coverage, shopping protections and extended warranty coverage. You may even qualify for complimentary memberships or statement credits.

Compare no-annual-fee cards with annual-fee cards

If you travel frequently, you may benefit more from having a credit card with an annual fee instead of a card with no annual fee. Annual fees typically offer higher earning rates and more benefits, like a fee credit for global entry or a card with airport lounge access .

Many travel credit cards require good or excellent credit scores . When you’re ready to apply, be prepared to provide your name, address, telephone number, annual income and monthly mortgage or rent payment. You’ll also need to enter your Social Security number on the application.

To apply for a card, visit the issuer’s website and follow the instructions on the form.

How to improve your chances of getting approved for a travel credit card with no annual fee

To improve your chances of approval, apply for a card that matches your credit profile. If your score is in the good range, you’re likely to be denied if you apply for a card that requires excellent scores. 

You can also try prequalifying or applying with a cosigner. If you prequalify for a card, the issuer has already reviewed some of the information on your credit reports and determined that you may fit their approval criteria. Note that prequalification doesn’t guarantee approval; it just makes it more likely.

A cosigner promises to pay back what you borrow if you can’t afford to make your payments. If you decide to apply with a cosigner, make sure the person you choose has a strong credit profile and a steady source of income. Applying with a cosigner with poor credit won’t help you and may even hurt your credit.

No-annual-fee travel credit cards are worth it if you want to earn rewards without worrying about how much you’re earning compared to how much you’re spending to keep the card active. 

You may benefit more from a travel credit card with an annual fee if you travel frequently and want access to even more benefits. If you only travel once or twice per year, consider getting a traditional credit card. You may benefit from earning cash back or points at restaurants, grocery stores and other everyday purchases.

▶︎  Read more: Best credit cards for grocery shopping & best credit cards for restaurants

Are there travel cards with no annual fee?

Yes. Our list of the best travel credit cards with no annual fee has seven entries, so you have plenty of options when it comes to earning travel rewards without having to pay a fee every year.

Which airline credit card does not have an annual fee?

The airline credit cards with no annual fee include the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card, American Airlines Aadvantage® MileUp® and JetBlue Card.

Is a travel card with annual fee worth it?

A travel card with no annual fee may be worth it if you want to earn travel rewards but don’t want to worry about how much you are spending to match the rewards to the price of an annual fee.

What is the best credit card to use while traveling?

If you always stay at the same hotel chain, the best card for your needs may be a co-branded card such as a Delta credit card , that helps you earn free nights and other hotel-related perks. 

If you’re loyal to one airline, look for a travel credit card that gives you miles or points to use on airfare and in-flight purchases.

What is the most accepted credit card for international travel?

Many overseas merchants accept Visa and Mastercard. It’s less common for merchants to accept Discover or American Express cards when you’re traveling in a foreign country. When choosing a credit card for international travel, remember to look for a card with no foreign transaction fees.

Which is the best no annual fee travel credit card?

The best travel credit card with no annual fee depends on your travel preferences and overall shopping habits. If you like to buy from the same brands, look for a card that maximizes your earnings on purchases from those brands. Otherwise, look for a card with low fees and plenty of perks.

About the Author

Leigh Morgan is a seasoned personal finance contributor with over 15 years of experience writing on a diverse range of professional legal and financial topics. She specializes in subjects like navigating the complexities of insurance, savings, zero-based budgeting and emergency fund development.

In the last five years, she’s authored over 300 articles for credit unions, digital banks, and financial professionals. Morgan is also the author of “77 Tips for Preventing Elder Financial Abuse,” a book focused on helping caregivers protect the elderly from financial scams.

In addition to her writing skills, she brings real-world financial acumen thanks to her previous experience managing rental properties as part of a $34 million real estate portfolio.

About the Reviewer

Blake Esken has over 15 years of experience in product management and has been a member of the Los Angeles Times staff for over five years.

As part of his role at the Los Angeles Times Commerce Team, Blake acts as the in-house reviewer and fact checker for LA Times Compare. He supervises all content for compliance and accuracy and puts to use skills he has honed through years of experience managing high-stakes projects for a range of industry-leading companies.

He has a strong background in data analysis, compliance, and communication, which allows him to support LA Times Compare through fact-checking in an effort to provide up-to-date and factual information across our content.

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* Opinions expressed here are those of the LA Times Compare Cards Team and have not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser or entities included within this content. See our editorial policy for more details.

All products or services are presented in this content without warranty. The information, including card details such as rates and fees, is accurate at the time of publish. Please visit each bank's website directly for the most current information.

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• Electricity

Energy bill relief payments in Australia 2024-25

Posted by Katrina Hasdell 28/06/2024

With the rising cost of living placing increased pressure on households, Australian federal, state and territory governments are offering a range of relief payments to eligible energy customers. These payments can be made in addition to regular energy rebates, and some require a specific application to access.

This Canstar Blue article explores the current Energy Bill Relief Fund 2023-24 and its 2024-45 extension, as well as other state- and territory-specific relief funding and emergency energy assistance payments.

Who is eligible for energy bill relief?

Energy bill relief is a one-off or series of payments offered by Australia’s federal, state or territory governments to help householders and small business owners manage rising energy costs. These payments include those originating from the national Energy Bill Relief Fund, as well as state- and territory-specific payments.

Some energy bill relief payments may require applicants to be eligible concession cardholders. Depending on the relief payment and the state or territory offering it, the following cardholders may be eligible:

• Seniors Card
• Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) Gold Card
• Pensioner Concession Card
• Health Care Card.

Energy bill emergency assistance payments might alternatively require that recipients prove that they’re suffering financial distress, or can only be accessed via the customer’s energy retailer’s hardship program. Read on to learn the requirements of schemes according to your location.

What is the Energy Bill Relief Fund?

The Energy Bill Relief Fund 2023-24 and its 2024-25 extension was introduced by the Federal Government to help with the energy costs of residential householders and small businesses. Under the 2023-24 scheme, the federal funding was targeted at concession card holders, family or carer payment recipients and other households receiving electricity concessions from their local state or territory government. 

Under the 2024-25 extension, households will receive $300 towards electricity bills in four quarterly instalments. This will be automatically applied by energy providers to customers’ electricity bills beginning July 1, 2024.

However, households on an embedded network, such as those who live in apartment buildings, caravan parks or retirement villages, will need to apply to their state or territory government to receive the payment.

About one million eligible small businesses will automatically receive $325 off their energy bills over 2024–25. The credits will be applied in quarterly instalments . To qualify, a business’s annual electricity consumption must be below the threshold set by their state or territory.

How do I apply for energy bill relief?

The 2024-25 extension of the Energy Bill Relief Fund is automatically applied by energy providers to customers’ electricity bills, meaning there is no need to apply for the payment. 

You can, however, apply for additional rebates or concessions to lighten the financial burden. These payments vary from state to state. Read on to find out what’s available in your area and how much you could receive.

Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the Ausgrid network in Sydney but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 3911kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.

Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the Citipower network in Melbourne but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.

Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the Energex network in Brisbane but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4613kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.

Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the SA Power network in Adelaide but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4011kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.

Energy bill relief in NSW

In 2023, eligible households in New South Wales received a one-time relief payment of up to $500, paid in quarterly instalments beginning July 31. An additional $300 is available to households and small businesses to cover the 2024-25 financial year. 

This relief payment is different from other energy rebates available in NSW. Other rebates include the Family Energy Rebate, which gives up to $180 per retail (on market) household per financial year, and the Seniors Energy Rebate, which gives eligible self-funded retirees $200 to help pay their energy bills each financial year. 

More information about these additional rebates can be found on the NSW government’s website.

Other available rebates and concessions include:

• Low Income Household Rebate
• Medical Energy Rebate
• Life Support Rebate
• Family Energy Rebate
• Seniors Energy Rebate.

Note: For NSW households receiving energy rebates, only one Energy Bill Relief Fund payment per household will be available.

Energy bill relief in Victoria

Victorian householders received a $250 relief payment through the 2023-24 Energy Bill Relief Fund. Relief payments have now been extended to 2024-25 with an additional $300 available for eligible households.

Further state-sanctioned discounts, concessions and rebates are available for Victorians, including the Annual Electricity Concession which gives back 17.5% of electricity usage and service costs to eligible households . More information can be found on Victoria’s Department of Energy website. Additional rebates and concessions include:

• Annual Electricity Concession
• Excess Electricity Concession
• Excess Gas Concession
• Life Support Concession
• Medical Cooling Concession
• Non-mains Energy Concession
• Winter Gas Concession.

Note: Only one Energy Bill Relief Fund is available per Victorian household and the applicant must be the person named on the electricity account.

Energy bill relief in QLD

Queensland households will have the $1,000 Cost of Living Rebate 2024-25 automatically credited to electricity bills from July 1, 2024.

This payment is offered in addition to the Federal government’s $300 Energy Bill Relief Fund payment available to all eligible households and businesses in 2024-25.

The Queensland government has other state-specific rebates and concessions that can be found on its website. Other rebates include the Electricity Rebate, which gives households $ 372.20 per year, and the Reticulated Natural Gas Rebate, which provides $86.75 per year.

Additional rebates and concessions include:

• The Electricity Rebate
• The Reticulated Natural Gas Rebate
• Medical Cooling and Heating Electricity Concession Scheme
• The Home Energy Emergency Assistance Scheme.

Note: The Cost of Living Rebate is available for grid-connected customers only (with exceptions for some Ergon Energy customers in isolated communities).

Energy bill relief in SA

South Australians already receiving the $500 Energy Bill Relief Fund 2023-24 payment will automatically receive the 2024-25 extension.

From July 1, eligible households will receive up to $300 a year, paid in quarterly credits on their electricity bill. Customers in embedded networks will receive the $300 as a one-off bank account payment. 

The South Australian Government has other state-specific rebates and concessions . Eligible households in SA can claim the Energy Bill Concession of up to $274.85 per year from July 1. There is also a Residential Park Resident Concession for up to $622.85 a year for residents who own their own dwelling and pay for water, sewerage and energy, or a payment of up to $409.45 a year for residential park residents who pay for water and energy.

• Energy Bill Concession
• Residential Park Resident Concession
• Medical Heating and Cooling Concession
• Home Dialysis Electricity Concession.

Energy bill relief from retailers

If you require further financial assistance to pay your energy bill, on top of the government rebates, you can contact your electricity provider directly to ask for a better deal or to enquire about additional help they may be able to provide. 

All energy providers must have energy hardship policies in place, which allow customers experiencing financial hardship to avoid disconnection or debt recovery action.

AGL energy bill relief

AGL ’s Staying Connected program offers financial help and personalised assistance to customers having trouble paying their energy bills. AGL may ask customers to pay what they can afford or work with them to help them use power more efficiently.

AGL customers needing financial assistance can contact the retailer on 131 245.

EnergyAustralia energy bill relief

EnergyAustralia offers its customers the EnergyAssist Program. EnergyAustralia can help customers apply for government grants and other assistance schemes. Customers in the program may also have their account removed from standard EnergyAustralia credit and collection activities, and be offered flexible payment methods and extensions.

Customers in financial hardship can call EnergyAustralia on 133 466.

Origin energy bill relief

Origin customers have access to payment plans, spend controls, service limitations, temporary plan adjustments, personalised financial agreements, bill smoothing and the potential waiver of late fees. In NSW, ACT, QLD, SA, NT and WA, Origin’s financial assistance program is called Power On. In Victoria, Origin customers can access help through the Victorian Payment Difficulties Framework.

Customers requiring financial assistance can contact Origin on 1300 980 711.

Image credits: Billion Photos/Shutterstock.com

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• Credit Cards

Credit Card Travel Insurance: Best Deals

Posted by Bruce Pitchers March 31, 2023

If your credit card offers complimentary travel insurance, are you making the most of the cover offered? Canstar looks at the credit card travel insurance offered by leading credit card providers.

When awarding out Outstanding Value Credit Cards and Bank of the Year | Credit Cards Awards , our expert panel looks not only at cards’ interest rates, rewards and fees, but also their features.

And many premium cards come with complimentary travel insurance, which can save you hundreds of dollars if you take an overseas holiday.

So on the back of our latest awards and 5-Star Outstanding Value ratings, here’s a round-up of some of the travel insurance cover offered by major credit card providers.

NB: below are approximate values and baggage cover is on a per family basis. For exact figures, please refer to each credit card’s individual travel insurance policy.

Bank of the year | credit cards.

This year TSB is the winner of Canstar’s prestigious award for Bank of the Year | Credit Cards . It took out our top award, in part, because of the great rewards and features offered by its cards. Not only does its Platinum Mastercard offer complimentary overseas travel insurance, all TSB cards offer other insurance perks, covering price, purchase and mobile phone insurance.

TSB Platinum Mastercard Travel Insurance

Use your card to pay for at least half your pre-paid travel expenses and you and your family will receive overseas travel insurance (children under 19).

Main points of policy cover:

• Cancellation of Journey: $10,000 (including for domestic travel)
• Medical and Repatriation Expenses: Unlimited
• Emergency Dental: Unlimited
• Accidental Death or Permanent Total Disablement: $100,000
• Personal Baggage: $4000
• Rental Vehicle Excess: None

In addition, all TSB cards come with three over types of insurance cover (T&Cs apply):

Purchase protection insurance

Offers 180 days’ cover against theft or accidental damage over new personal items that you purchase with your eligible card:

• Limit per claim/per year: $675
• Excess per claim: Nil

Price protection insurance

Reimburses the price difference between the original price of an item you purchased with your card and the lower price for the exact same item as shown in a printed advertisement within 30 days of your original purchase.

• Limit per claim: $500
• Limit in any 12-month period: $1000

Mobile phone protection insurance

Provides you with cover against accidental damage or theft of your eligible mobile phone if you pay for your monthly bill or prepaid top-up using your card.

• Limit per claim: $800
• Limit in any 12-month period: $1350
• Excess per claim: $55

American Express

When you book and pay for your return trip with your Gold Rewards Card or Airpoints Platinum Card, you can take advantage of complimentary domestic and overseas travel insurance for you, your spouse and your dependent children under the age of 23. An excess of $250 can apply.

Gold Rewards Card Travel Insurance

• Cancellation of Journey: $30,000
• Medical and Repatriation Expenses: $2.5m
• Emergency Dental: $1000
• Accidental Death or Permanent Total Disablement: None
• Personal Baggage: $30,00

Airpoints Platinum Card Travel Insurance

• Accidental Death: $10,000
• Rental Vehicle Excess: $3000

NB: Amex’s Airpoints Platinum Card also comes with $500 of smartphone screen cover

Airpoints Visa Platinum Travel Insurance

Use your card to pay for at least half your pre-paid travel expenses and you and your family will receive overseas travel insurance (children under 19). An excess of $200 can apply.

• Cancellation of Journey: Unlimited
• Personal Baggage: $30,000
• Rental Vehicle Excess: $600

BNZ Advantage Visa Platinum Travel Insurance

If you are a BNZ Advantage Visa Platinum holder at the time you make payment towards pre-paid travel costs, you receive travel insurance for you and your family (children under 19) and domestic rental car excess cover.

• Personal Baggage: $20,000
• Rental Vehicle Excess: $5000

Air New Zealand Airpoints Platinum Visa

If you are a Kiwibank Air New Zealand Airpoints Platinum Visa and use your card to pay for flights, car rental or accommodation, you receive free travel insurance for you and your family (children under 19) and domestic rental car excess cover.

• Medical and Repatriation Expenses: From $100,00 to unlimited, depending on region
• Emergency Dental: $1500
• Accidental Death: $50,000
• Personal Baggage: $10,000 to $40,000 depending on region
• Rental Vehicle Excess: $2000

If you hold any of the cards listed below and use it to pay for at least $500 (or $250 if travelling only to Australia and/or a South Pacific Island) of your pre-paid travel costs, you are eligible for overseas travel insurance cover for you and your family (children under 19):

• Westpac Airpoints Platinum Mastercard : up to 35 days’ overseas travel insurance
• Westpac Airpoints World Mastercard : up to 120 days’ overseas travel insurance
• hotpoints Platinum Mastercard : overseas travel insurance for up to 35 days per round trip, with no limit to the number of trips you can take each year
• hotpoints World Mastercard : overseas travel insurance for up to 120 days per round trip, with no limit to the number of trips you can take each year
• Accidental Death: Up to $100,000

In addition, all the above Westpac cards come with purchase protection and extended warranty insurance (T&Cs apply):

Offers 90 days cover against theft or accidental damage over new personal items that you purchase with your eligible card:

• Limit per claim/per year: $3000/$125,000

Extended warranty insurance

Offers up to 12 months of extended warranty on personal items that you purchase with your eligible card.

• Limit per year: $10,000

Credit card travel insurance

If you are going to make use of your credit card’s travel insurance, there are some important points that you should keep in mind. And if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact your credit card/insurance provider:

• Always check your eligibility and that your insurance is in place before you travel – don’t take it for granted that you’re covered
• Check age limits: those over 75 are not automatically covered, and different providers have different rules about when children stop being covered by family insurance
• It’s vital you check that any traveller’s pre-existing medical conditions are covered, many serious ailments aren’t covered
• Check the duration of the cover, most insurance is for trips between 40-90 days. For longer periods, you might be able to pay extra to extend your cover
• Most credit card travel insurance requires you to put your travel purchases on your card, but exceptions can be made, for example if using your card to book incurs a fee. For example, you can still be eligible for ANZ’s card’s insurance cover if you pay for your trip directly from an ANZ account
• If you’ve won your trip, or been gifted it, you may still be eligible to claim your card’s complimentary travel insurance cover
• Check any excesses you might have to pay in the event of a claim

Compare Credit Cards with Canstar

If you’re interested in a new credit card, our free comparison tool covers all the major cards in the market, and includes our prestigious Star Ratings.

The comparison table below displays some of the rewards credit cards currently available on Canstar’s database for Kiwis looking to spend around $2000 per month (some may have links to providers’ websites). The products are sorted by Star Rating (highest to lowest), followed by provider name (alphabetical). Use Canstar’s credit card comparison selector to view a wider range of credit cards. Canstar may earn a fee for referrals.

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• Canstar is an information provider and in giving you product information Canstar is not making  a recommendation or giving an opinion in relation to acquiring or disposing of a particular credit product or loan. If you decided to apply for a credit product or loan, you will deal directly with a credit provider, and not with Canstar. Rates and product information should be confirmed with the relevant credit provider. For more information, read the product disclosure statement (PDS) and Canstar’s terms of use and liability disclaimer .
• This is provided for information purposes only.  It is general in nature and has not taken into account your particular financial situation or goals so is not a personalised service. Consider whether this  information is right for you. It is recommended that you consult a financial adviser before making any financial decision.

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Citibank credit cards rebranded as... - Check fees, benefits

F ormer Citibank credit card users can anticipate a seamless transition to Axis Bank’s revamped credit card offerings, slated for full integration by July 15, 2024. Following Axis Bank's acquisition of Citibank India's consumer banking operations, cardholders will receive upgraded Axis Bank cards by the end of this year.

In a reassuring notification to customers on June 14, Axis Bank confirmed that during the transition period, existing Citibank cards will continue to operate without changes to card numbers, CVV, transaction limits, annual fees, and spend-based fee waivers. This ensures uninterrupted usage until the full migration is complete.

What will your new Axis Bank credit cards offer?

Axis bank rewards credit card (formerly citi rewards credit card), indianoil axis bank premium credit card (formerly indianoil citi credit card), axis bank horizon credit card (formerly citi premiermiles card), axis bank shoppers stop credit card (formerly first citizen citi credit card), axis bank cashback credit card (formerly citi cash back credit card), ikea family credit card by axis bank (formerly ikea family credit card by citi), axis bank rewards credit card (formerly citibusiness credit card), indianoil axis bank premium credit card (formerly indianoil citibusiness credit card).

Earn 6 EDGE Miles for every Rs 150 spent at registered IOCL outlets for fuel transactions, 2 EDGE Miles for every Rs 150 spent on groceries, and 1 EDGE Mile for other categories. Redemptions include free fuel, travel, partner outlets, airline miles, catalogue purchases, and cashback. Enjoy perks like complimentary lounge access twice per quarter, 30% off on Zomato food delivery twice a month, and 1% fuel surcharge waiver at over 35,000 IOCL outlets.

Axis Bank Prestige Credit Card (Formerly Citi Prestige Credit Card)

Earn 2 EDGE Miles for every Rs 100 spent on international transactions and 1 EDGE Mile for every Rs 100 spent on other transactions. Redemptions include travel bookings via Axis Bank Travel EDGE portal, partner outlets, airline miles, and catalogue purchases. Convert EDGE Miles to 20+ airline and hotel loyalty programmes. Perks feature 2,500 EDGE Miles on annual renewal, complimentary vouchers worth Rs 10,000 from ITC or Taj Hotels, complimentary night on booking a 2-night stay at select hotels, reduced forex mark-up of 1.8%, unlimited complimentary access to domestic and international airport lounges, up to 20 complimentary lounge visits for guests, eight domestic airport meet-and-greet services, two airport transfers per year, eight complimentary golf rounds/lessons annually, 24x7 concierge services, complimentary tickets on BookMyShow, exclusive offers with Axis Bank Dining Delights via EazyDiner.

What should you do?

While awaiting the arrival of their new Axis Bank cards, former Citibank customers are advised to monitor communications from Axis Bank regarding card delivery and familiarize themselves with the updated benefits and perks associated with their new cards. Until then, existing Citibank cards can be used as usual.

Advertiser Disclosure

Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive financial compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). However, the credit card information that we publish has been written and evaluated by experts who know these products inside out. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers that are on the market.  See our advertising policy here where we list advertisers that we work with, and how we make money. You can also review our  credit card rating methodology .

• Credit Cards ›
• Citi Strata Premier Card

Full List of Travel Insurance Benefits for the Citi Strata Premier Card [2024]

Brett Holzhauer

Content Contributor

37 Published Articles

Countries Visited: 22 U.S. States Visited: 29

Michael Y. Park

20 Published Articles 233 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 60+ U.S. States Visited: 50

Jestan Mendame

Compliance Associate

1 Edited Article

Countries Visited: 12 U.S. States Visited: 3

Table of Contents

Citi strata premier card overview, auto rental collision damage waiver, trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance, lost baggage insurance, trip delay insurance, no foreign transaction fees, filing a claim, how coverage compares to other credit card issuers, 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 Citi Strata Premier℠ Card is an outstanding travel credit card that punches above its weight in value for cardholders. It launched in May 2024 and targets consumers who travel regularly but don’t want to pay a high annual fee for a laundry list of benefits.

Along with its rewards and hotel savings benefit, the card comes with respectable travel insurance in case your travels come with a hiccup, such as damage to a rental car, weather issues, or sudden illness. I’m guilty of believing that nothing can go wrong as a traveler, but the more often you hit the road the more likely something will eventually happen — even to the most diligent traveler.

So, if you’re in the market for a new travel credit card, the Citi Strata Premier card is worth considering for its solid offering of rewards, benefits, consumer protections, and travel insurance.

Here’s what you need to know about the card.

The Citi Strata Premier card delivers significant value for cardholders who regularly book travel with the card. It comes with a straightforward list of benefits and features , including up to 10x ThankYou Points on travel booked through Citi Travel and a $100 hotel annual benefit. The card has a modest $95 annual fee, which puts it in the same category as the Chase Sapphire Preferred ® Card .

The Citi Strata Premier℠ Card is a great all-around travel rewards card that allows you to earn big rewards on a variety of purchases like air travel, at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, and more, along with flexible redemption options, all for a modest annual fee.

• 10x points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through CitiTravel.com
• 3x points on air travel, other hotel purchases, restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, and EV charging stations
• $100 annual hotel benefit
• $95 annual fee
• Earn 70,000 bonus ThankYou ® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $700 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com
• Earn 10 points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on CitiTravel.com.
• Earn 3 points per $1 on Air Travel and Other Hotel Purchases, at Restaurants, Supermarkets, Gas and EV Charging Stations.
• Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• $100 Annual Hotel Benefit: Once per calendar year, enjoy $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) when booked through CitiTravel.com. Benefit applied instantly at time of booking.
• No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card
• No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases
• APR: 21.24%- 29.24% Variable APR
• Foreign Transaction Fees:  None

The Citi Strata Premier card offers rental car insurance (called MasterRental Coverage) for cardholders when they book a vehicle using the card. To be eligible for the card’s coverage, you must:

• Pay for the entire rental car bill with the card .
• Decline the insurance offered by the rental car insurance company .

When you use this card to book a rental car, this insurance coverage is secondary. This means that in the case of a claim, your auto insurance comes first. This is slightly different than other travel credit cards, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, which offers primary rental car insurance .

Additional drivers listed on the rental agreement are eligible for coverage, as well.

Coverage You Can Expect

• Maximum coverage is the cash value of the rental car
• Reasonable towing expenses to the nearest collision repair facility
• $500 of valid loss-of-use charges imposed by the rental company for the period the car is out of service
• The rental agreement is for no more than 31 consecutive days both inside and outside of the U.S.
• Rental car coverage is secondary to your own auto insurance policy
• Restricted vehicles include: full-size vans mounted on a truck chassis, trucks, pickups, SUVs, campers, trailers, motorcycles, motorbikes, mopeds, recreational vehicles, antique vehicles, limos, exotics, and vehicles with an open cargo bed
• Vans are limited to transporting up to 8 people
• Personal liability
• Any loss that occurs while the car is off-road or on an unpaved surface

We’ve abbreviated the details of the policy’s MasterRental Coverage. You can find the entire Citi Strata Premier card Guide to Benefits here .

Trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance is the core coverage of a travel insurance policy. This covers you in case your trip goes awry because of flight cancellations, weather, illness, and so on.

When you pay for your trip using the Citi Strata Premier card, you get both of these types of coverage at no additional cost. Here’s what the policy covers and how much you can expect in coverage.

How Long You’re Covered

• Trip cancellation coverage begins on the date the trip was purchased and ends on the trip departure date.
• Trip interruption coverage begins on the trip departure date and ends on the trip completion date.

Maximum Coverage

• $5,000 maximum per covered traveler per trip
• $10,000 in total claim coverage per 12 months

Covered Events

• Trip cancellations or interruptions that occur because of accidental bodily injury, loss of life, sickness of a qualifying traveler, or family member of a qualifying traveler.

When traveling on a common carrier, you could be eligible for up to $3,000 in coverage if your bag is lost to theft or misdirection.

However, the coverage is limited to these 3 criteria:

• The actual purchase price of the item
• The actual cash value of the item at the time it is lost or damaged with a deduction for depreciation
• Or the cost to replace the item

Cardholders are limited to 2 claims per 12-month consecutive period.

Trip delays can happen for several reasons, resulting in costs you may not have budgeted for. This insurance can help cover those losses.

This covers flight delays, cancellations because of weather or operational issues, and lost or stolen passports or travel documents. However, the delay must be at least 6 hours to qualify.

If this happens, you’re covered up to $500 in incurred costs. This can include but is not limited to meals, lodging, toiletries, medication, and other personal-use items.

Paying with a credit card comes with several advantages over a debit card or using cash. Moreover, using it outside of the U.S. can help you avoid expensive currency conversion transactions. And with the Citi Strata Premier card, you don’t incur any foreign transaction fees. So you can swipe away, earn valuable Citi ThankYou Points , and not hassle with converting into local currency or absorbing costly fees.

Credit card companies typically outsource the insurance coverage and policy management to a third party. This is the case with Citi. So, if you need to file a claim, the easiest way is to get started on the Claims Administrator website here .

Keep in mind that all claims must be filed within 60 days of the initial loss.

For each claim, you must provide supporting documentation. The documentation needed varies based on the claim. For example, if you have a rental car claim, you need to show the following:

• Receipt or statement for the rental car
• Copy of your driver’s license
• Copy of the declaration page of any primary vehicle insurance or other valid insurance or coverage
• A copy of the police report when the rental vehicle is stolen, vandalized, or involved in a multiple-vehicle collision or a collision that requires the vehicle to be towed or makes the vehicle undrivable
• Repair estimate from a certified collision repair facility
• Copy of the rental location’s fleet utilization log for the period it’s out of service, if loss-of-use charges are being claimed
• Any other documentation that may be reasonably requested to validate a claim

The other major credit card issuers offer competitive policies for their cardholders, making an argument for having multiple credit cards. Like any other insurance policy, comparing coverage policies is important to see which one best suits your needs.

Here are what Amex, Chase, and Capital One offer to their cardholders of similar cards.

Chase issues some of the most popular credit cards, including the Chase Sapphire Preferred card. This card, among other Chase cards, comes with trip interruption/cancellation and an auto rental collision damage waiver.

If you want a low annual fee credit card, while still earning valuable rewards, Chase and Citi are comparable in their coverages offered to cardholders. However, the one significant difference is the Chase Sapphire Preferred card offers a primary auto rental collision damage waiver , while the Citi Strata Premier card has secondary coverage.

American Express

American Express has a long list of credit cards offering travel insurance coverage , including the American Express ® Green Card . The card has a $150 annual fee and offers a long list of benefits , including insurance for your travels .

The Amex Green card offers secondary car rental loss and damage insurance like the Citi Strata Premier card. However, the Amex Green card offers trip delay insurance and baggage insurance, compensating for the slightly higher annual fee.

Capital One

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card , with a $95 annual fee ( rates & fees ), is a similar card to the Citi Strata Premier card. However, its trip interruption insurance policy falls short in comparison. It only covers up to $2,000 in expenses per insured person, while the Citi Strata Premier card pays up to $5,000.

The Citi Strata Premier card is a solid travel credit card for someone who enjoys earning transferable rewards to partners like Singapore Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, and Avianca Airlines — to mention a few. However, the travel insurance offered by the card may be lacking compared to other cards in the same category, so be sure to do your due diligence before booking your next trip.

Moreover, if you’re extra cautious, consider purchasing a travel insurance policy to protect you and your fellow travelers in case something goes awry.

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

For the car rental loss and damage insurance benefit of the American Express ® Green Card, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

For the baggage insurance plan benefit of the American Express ® Green Card, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

For the trip delay insurance benefit of the American Express ® Green Card, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

The information regarding the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the American Express ® Green Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the Citi Premier ® Card has expired and the card is no longer open to applicants.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the citi strata premier card metal.

No, the Citi Strata Premier card is not metal.

What is the annual fee for the Citi Strata Premier card?

The annual fee is $95 .

Is the Citi Strata Premier card worth the annual fee?

The $95 annual fee can quickly be made back if you use the card’s benefits, including the $100 annual hotel savings benefit.

What is the difference between the Citi Strata Premier card and Citi Premier card?

The Citi Strata Premier card replaced the Citi Premier ® Card , but the rewards for spending are identical.

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About Brett Holzhauer

Brett is a personal finance and travel junkie. Based out of Fort Lauderdale, he’s had over 100 credit cards and earned millions of credit card rewards. He learned the tricks of the trade from his mom, and has taken many steps forward. He wasn’t exposed to much travel as a kid, but now has a goal of reaching 100 countries in his life. In 2019, he sold all of his possessions to become a digital nomad, and he says it was one of the best decisions he ever made. He plans to do it again at some point in his life.

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How to decide when you need travel insurance and when you don’t

• Updated: Jun. 30, 2024, 6:12 a.m. |
• Published: Jun. 30, 2024, 6:05 a.m.

Claims by travelers over age 50 spike during the summer months. Getty Images

• Christopher Elliott | Elliott Syndicate

If you’re planning to travel somewhere this summer, you’re probably thinking of buying travel insurance.

Kingsley Hopkins is. He’s headed to Portugal and Iceland with his girlfriend, and he wants to make sure he’s covered for things like medical emergencies or trip disruptions, “or if a volcano erupts,” he says.

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