travel cash card schweiz

Alle Vor- und Nachteile der Travel Prepaid Mastercard

Es gibt wenige Länder in denen die Schweizer Franken als Landeswährung verwendet werden. Diesen Umstand hat sich die Travel Prepaid Mastercard , die vormals als Travel Cash Kreditkarte bekannt war, zu Nutzen gemacht! Die Prepaid Mastercard von Swiss Bankers richtet sich an Reisende, die einen einfachen Weg suchen im Ausland in Euro oder US-Dollar ohne hohe Gebühren zu bezahlen und dabei eine Prepaid Kreditkarte nutzen möchten. Es klingt vielversprechend – doch kann die Karte wirklich überzeugen oder sind andere Prepaid Kreditkarten im Kreditkartenvergleich attraktiver? Wir habe sie uns für Euch im Detail angeschaut!

Travel Prepaid Mastercard

• keine Jahresgebühr
• Cashback bei 20+ Reisepartnern
• Zugang zu täglich neuen Travel Deals
• bis zu 10 Prozent sparen bei Booking.com
• keine Bearbeitungsgebühr im Ausland
• in EUR, USD oder CHF erhältlich
• weltweit kostenloser Ersatz
• über 70 Millionen Akzeptanzstellen
• maximale Sicherheit dank Prepaid
• schnelles Aufladen per App
• mobile Zahlungsoptionen

Die Leistungen mögen auf den ersten Blick nicht überragend erscheinen, sind aber für ein kostenloses Produkt durchaus interessant. Auf dieser Seite analysieren wir die Travel Prepaid Mastercard in allen Details und zeigen ihre Stärken und Schwächen auf. Da keine Kreditkarte immer für jeden die beste Option ist, mochten wir Euch zudem einige attraktive Alternativen präsentieren!

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Die Vorteile der Travel Prepaid Mastercard

Die nachteile der travel prepaid mastercard, für wen lohnt sich die travel prepaid mastercard, alternativen zur travel prepaid mastercard.

• Fazit zur Travel Prepaid Mastercard

Häufig gestellte Fragen zur Travel Prepaid Mastercard

Der grösste Vorteil der  Travel Prepaid Mastercard ist, dass sie in drei Währungsversionen erhältlich ist – Euro, US-Dollar oder in Schweizer Franken. Wer also viel in der Eurozone oder im amerikanischen Raum unterwegs ist, sollte in Erwägung ziehen, die Prepaid Kreditkarte in der jeweiligen Währung zu beantragen. Zudem fällt bei der Swiss Bankers Travel Mastercard im Gegensatz zu den Konkurrenzprodukten keine Bearbeitungsgebühr für den Einsatz im Ausland an, was sie für Kartenzahlungen auf Reisen sehr attraktiv macht.

Darüber hinaus kommt die Travel Prepaid Mastercard  ohne Jahresgebühr  daher, was sie zu einer attraktiven  kostenlosen Kreditkarte  macht. An anderer Stelle fallen zwar Gebühren an, aber die Gebührenstruktur ist sehr transparent: Der Bargeldbezug erfolgt zu einem festen Preis und ist nicht an die Höhe der Auszahlung gebunden. Im Inland fallen bei Abhebungen am Bancomat 5 Franken/US-Dollar/Euro (je nach Version) an, im Ausland 7.50 Franken/US-Dollar/Euro. Damit können böse Überraschungen bei hohen Abhebungen vermieden werden.

Ein weiterer Vorteil ist auch hier die  schnelle Aufladung der Travel Prepaid Mastercard über die App des Kartenanbieters: innerhalb von 15 Minuten soll das Guthaben auf der Karte verfügbar sein. Per Überweisung dauert es rund zwei Arbeitstage. Wer also kurzfristig Bargeld benötigt kann mit Hilfe der Travel Prepaid Mastercard schnell und unkompliziert an US-Dollar, Euro oder Franken kommen. Das Limit für die Kartenaufladung beträgt bei dieser Prepaid Kreditkarte 10’000 Franken/US-Dollar/Euro. Durch die Abrechnung in Landeswährung können Inhaber der Travel Prepaid Mastercard teure Umrechnungskurse der Hausbank oder schlechte Wechselkurse am Flughafen umgehen.

Ein weiterer Vorteil, der für eine kostenlose Kreditkarte wirklich unüblich ist und durch den man bei geschicktem Einsatz eine Menge Geld sparen kann, sind die bis zu 10 Prozent Cashback bei Booking.com. Die Unterkunft können dabei ganz leicht auf der Swiss Bankers Buchungsseite  vorgenommen und später im Hotel per Travel Mastercard bezahlt werden. Nach dem Aufenthalt erhaltet Ihr das  Cashback im Booking.com-Wallet.

Ausserdem bieten die Swiss Bankers einen kostenlosen Ersatz der Karte bei Verlust oder Diebstahl. Gerade, wenn man länger auf Reisen ist, gibt einem das ein grosses Plus an Sicherheit. Dieser kostenlose Service bietet die Travel Prepaid Mastercard weltweite per Kurier an.

Zu guter Letzt sollte nicht unerwähnt bleiben, dass die Travel Prepaid Kreditkarte für diverse Formen des  Mobile Payments  ausgestattet ist. Sie ist kompatibel mit Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Google Pay, Garmin Pay, Fitbit Pay, und sogar SwatchPAY!.

Wie bei vielen kostenlosen Kreditkarten, gibt es aber auch bei der Travel Mastercard einige Nachteile, die nicht unerwähnt bleiben dürfen. Der grösste Nachteil der Travel Cash Prepaid Mastercard ist trotz ihrer Übersichtlichkeit sicher die Gebührenlage: mit  einem Franken je Transaktion im Geschäft und 5 Franken/Euro/US-Dollar je Bargeldbezug im Inland und 7.50 Franken/Euro/US-Dollar erreicht man schnell die Grenze, an der es günstiger wäre eine teurere Kreditkarte komplett ohne Fremdwährungsgebühr zu bestellen. Gerade wer noch den alten Namen “Travel Cash” im Kopf hat, sollte bedenken, dass das Abheben von Bargeld zu einem erheblichen Kostenfaktor führen kann.

Dazu kommen noch die Aufladegebühren  in Höhe von 1.5 Prozent des Aufladebetrags. Bei der Ladung per Banküberweisung fällt keine zusätzliche Gebühr an, bei Ladung per Kreditkarte jedoch eine zusätzliche Fremdgebühr von ebenfalls 1.5 Prozent. Wer seine Travel Prepaid Mastercard mit einer PostFinance Karte aufladen möchte, muss sogar mit 6 Schweizer Franken an zusätzlichen Gebühren rechnen.

Für kurze Trips in die USA kann sich die US-Dollar-Version lohnen, wer aber mehrfach Abhebungen tätigt oder im Ferienland regelmässig mit der Karte bezahlen möchte sieht die Gebühren sich anhäufen. Weiterhin bietet die Karte sich nur für Reisende in der Eurozone, sowie für die USA an. Sollte man in Japan Yen benötigen oder in Mexiko Pesos ist die Travel Prepaid Mastercard hierfür nicht gedacht und verliert einige Ihrer Vorteile.

Die Travel Cash Prepaid Mastercard lohnt sich primär für Reisende, die häufig in der Eurozone oder den USA unterwegs sind und die volle Kontrolle über ihre Ausgaben behalten wollen. Hierbei bieten sich dann aber eher Kartenzahlungen als Bargeldbezüge an, da die Abhebegebühr auf Dauer ganz schön ins Geld gehen kann.

Doch auch bei der Zahlung in Geschäften hängt es sehr stark vom Einkaufsverhalten ab: tätigt man viele kleine Transaktionen wird die Travel Cash Prepaid Mastercard sehr schnell enorm teuer, da pro Zahlung eine Gebühr von 1 US-Dollar/CHF/Euro anfällt – jedoch keine zusätzliche Bearbeitungsgebühr für den Auslandseinsatz.

Auch lohnenswert ist die Karte mitunter für Personen, die auf Reisen grosse Sorgen haben, dass sie ihre Karte verlieren oder durch Umrechnungskurse grosse finanzielle Einbussen erfahren. Die Ersatzkarte ist gratis und die Prepaid-Eigenschaft schützt vor einem Kontrollverlust der Ausgaben.

Wenn wir an die Vorteile der Travel Cash Prepaid Mastercard denken, müssen wir direkt an die N26 Kreditkarte denken. Die Karte ist ein Geheimtipp unter den Kreditkarten und bietet einige Vorteile, die sich auch auf Reisen sehr auszahlen können. Mit der Karte profitiert Ihr bis zu fünf kostenfreien Bargeldabhebungen pro Monat an allen Geldautomaten mit MasterCard Zeichen im Euroraum in Euro. Ein grosser Vorteil gegenüber der Travel Prepaid Mastercard sind bei der N26 Kreditkarte zudem die gebührenlose Abhebungen in der Schweiz in Euro. Hierbei ist aber wichtig, dass Ihr in Euro abhebt, da Ihr bei Abhebungen in der Schweiz in Schweizer Franken 1,7 Prozent Fremdwährungsgebühr zahlt.

N26 MasterCard Kreditkarte

• Kostenlose Kreditkarte – dauerhaft ohne Jahresgebühr
• Kostenfreie Zahlungen weltweit
• 3 kostenfreie Bargeldabhebungen in Euro im Monat
• Girokonto inklusive
• Abrechnung über modernes Online-Konto

Auch kann es sich lohnen, einen Blick auf ein anderes Produkt der Swiss Bankers Prepaid Kreditkarten zu werfen: Die Life Prepaid Mastercard. Diese bietet sich zwar mehr für den Alltag als für die Reise an, hat kommt aber gegenüber der Travel Prepaid Kreditkarte mit dem entscheidenden Vorteil daher, dass sie keine Ladegebühren und keine Gebühr pro Zahlung (im Inland) hat.

Life Prepaid Mastercard

• Nur für kurze Zeit:  Jahresgebühr geschenkt dem Promo-Code “life4free”
• keine Ladegebühren
• keine Zahlungsgebühren
• Online-Beantragung ohne Bonitätsprüfung
• als digitale Version erhältlich

Eine andere Alternative wäre das Online-Konto von Revolut . Mit diesem Produkt zahlt Ihr keine Gebühren für den Auslandseinsatz, könnt dazu einfache Überweisungen tätigen und sogar noch Meilen dabei sammeln. Bei Revolut gibt es Grenzen bei der maximalen Bargeldverfügung je Monat, aber bei Zahlungen im Ausland behaltet Ihr dank dem Startup den Überblick und zahlt nie wieder zu viel für den Wechselkurs.

Wer oft auf Reisen ist, sollte einen Blick auf unsere Premium Reisekreditkarten wie etwa die American Express Platinum werfen. Diese sind zwar deutlich kostspieliger, dank zusätzlicher Versicherungen und der Möglichkeit Meilen oder Punkte zu sammeln gibt es dort aber sehr attraktive Optionen!

Fazit zur  Travel Prepaid Mastercard

Im Bereich der Prepaid Reisekreditkarten ist die Travel Prepaid Mastercard sicherlich eines der bekanntesten Produkte und in ihrer Art einzigartig. Als Karte für grosse Transaktionen und das schnelle Aufladen im Ausland findet die Travel Prepaid Mastercard sicher ihre Abnehmer. Für die meisten Schweizer, die oft in Deutschland, Österreich, Frankreich oder Italien Transaktionen tätigen, sollte aber die N26 Kreditkarte oder das Produkt von Revolut zum festen Bestand gehören. Aus den Gründen, dass beide Karten vollkommen kostenlos sind und tiefere Gebühren bei den Abhebungen und dem Aufladen anfallen.

Prepaid Kreditkarten haben den grossen Vorteil, dass sie einem die volle Kostenkontrolle und finanzielle Übersicht ermöglichen. Gerade auf Reisen kann dies ein hohes Mass an zusätzlicher Sicherheit mit sich bringen. Man kann nur so viel ausgeben, wie eingezahlt wird. Ausserdem sind sie viel leichter zugänglich als herkömmliche Kreditkarten, da man in der Regel keiner Bonitätsprüfung standhalten muss. Auch Minderjährige können somit in den Genuss des international gängigsten Zahlungsmittels kommen. 

Die Travel Prepaid Kreditkarte kommt ohne Jahresgebühr daher, allerdings können an anderer Stelle dennoch Kosten und Gebühren anfallen.

Ja, leider fallen beim Einsatz der Karte weitere Gebühren an. Insbesondere Transaktions- und Aufladegebühren sollten beachtet werden. Auch beim Bargeldbezug fallen  feste Gebührensätze an. Genauere Infos dazu gibt es hier im Guide!

Antworten abbrechen

Sende mir eine E-Mail, wenn jemand auf meinen Kommentar antwortet

Bei der Travel Prepaid Mastercard steht nicht der vollständige Namen des Inhabers auf der Karte. Darum lässt sich oft im Ausland z.B. keinen Wagen oder eine Wohnung mieten, da die Vorschriften den vollständigen Namen verlangen. eher ärgerlich …

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• Swiss Bankers Travel Card

Swiss Bankers Travel card

Travel is a prepaid card that can be topped up, ideal for holidays or travel to withdraw cash in the local currency from ATMs worldwide and to pay in shops or on the internet. Lost or stolen? It will be replaced free of charge.

The essentials

The ideal card when travelling.

The Travel card is accepted worldwide to withdraw cash in local currency at ATMs, or to pay for your shop purchases. It is simple and safe to use. It is issued with a customisable PIN code. You can also pay using the contactless function on all PayPass terminals. It is simple and secure to use. It is delivered with a personalised PIN code. You order your card and ass credit as needed in your Netbanking or at your BCGE branch. There is no withdrawal limit on the card, but you cannot spend in excess of the amount credited. In the event of theft or loss, the card is immediately replaced with its balance, free of charge and anywhere in the world.

Travel cheaply

The Travel card is issued free of charge (no subscription). It is valid indefinitely. Top-up charges are very economical.

Greater transaction security

The Travel card is not tied to a bank account, which increases security should the card be lost or stolen.

Consult your card balance and your transactions

Further informations, a card that is practical, everywhere in the world.

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Travel Card

The Travel Card* is the elec­tronic suc­cessor to the trav­eler’s check and works like a pre­paid card with a PIN: Load the card with the de­sired amount in CHF, EUR, or USD and with­draw money world­wide in the local cur­rency.

With­draw cash and pay world­wide

Avail­able in chf, eur, and usd, free re­place­ment world­wide if lost or stolen, eas­ily avail­able, quickly loaded, your travel card.

We don't charge an an­nual fee for the Travel Card. You can with­draw cash at the cur­rent ex­change rate world­wide at any time of day or night.

Travel safely with Travel Card: Spend­ing is lim­ited to the credit bal­ance loaded on your card. If your card is lost or stolen, it will be re­placed free of charge, in­clud­ing any credit bal­ance, by cour­ier ser­vice world­wide.

Load fee: 1.5% of the amount loaded

Se­cure Travel Money

Make pur­chases at more than 40 mil­lion busi­nesses and with­draw money at roughly 2 mil­lion ATMs: The Travel Card 1 is a simple and se­cure form of travel funds for cli­ents with a dom­i­cile in Switzer­land or Liecht­en­stein. Be­fore tak­ing a trip, load the card like a pre­paid card at a Credit Suisse counter.

3 Steps to Your Travel Card

Or­der­ing a travel card from credit suisse is easy and con­veni­ent., visit branch.

Visit one of our branches in your area to order a Travel Card.

Our ad­visors will be pleased to tell you about our products and take your order for a Travel Card in the branch of your choice.

Use the card

For or­ders placed be­fore 2:00 p.m. the card will be dis­patched the same day by first-​​class mail. This means you can be­ne­fit from the many be­ne­fits the card of­fers without delay.

The Right Card for You

In Switzer­land or abroad – Credit Suisse debit cards cover all your needs. Pay with the fast and simple con­tact­less func­tion or with­draw money con­veni­ently at ATMs.

Pre­paid Card

Use the Credit Suisse Pre­paid Card* just like a tra­di­tional credit card to make pur­chases world­wide and on­line. You have full cost con­trol over all pay­ments. 

* Card issued by Swiss Bankers Prepaid Services Ltd

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Swiss Bankers «Travel»

Reisen Sie unkompliziert und ohne Risiko: Mit der Swiss Bankers Travel Karte. Schnell aufgeladen, weltweit akzeptiert und ohne Jahresgebühr.

Ihre Vorteile auf einen Blick

Weltweit Bargeld beziehen und bargeldloses Bezahlen

Erhältlich in CHF, EUR und USD

Hohe Sicherheit und kontaktloses Bezahlen

Weltweit kostenloser Ersatz bei Verlust  

Keine Jahresgebühr

Bis zu 10% Cashback auf Booking.com

Kartenfunktionen und Sicherheit

Für Entdecker und Pendler: Die Swiss Bankers Travel Karte ist Ihr treuer Begleiter auf Reisen.

Weltweit an über einer Million Bancomaten Bargeld in der entsprechenden Landeswährung beziehen 

An 43 Millionen Mastercard-Akzeptanzstellen bequem und sicher bargeldlos bezahlen

Bei Verlust wird die Karte kostenlos weltweit ersetzt 

Mit der kostenlosen Swiss Bankers App haben Sie die volle Kontrolle über Ihre Karte

Preise und Konditionen

Für die genauen Kosten und Konditionen wählen Sie Ihre Bank.

Häufige Fragen

Wie funktioniert die Swiss Bankers Travel Karte?

Die Swiss Bankers Travel Karte ist eine wiederaufladbare Prepaid-Karte mit PIN-Code. Die Karte wird von der Swiss Bankers Prepaid Services AG unter dem Namen, der Adresse, Nationalität und dem Geburtsdatum der wirtschaftlich berechtigten Person eingetragen. Der Name ist nicht auf der Karte ersichtlich. Laden Sie nach Bedarf Guthaben auf die Karte – der entsprechende Betrag steht Ihnen auf der ganzen Welt zur Verfügung.

Wo bestelle ich die Swiss Bankers Travel Karte?

Die Swiss Bankers Travel Karte bestellen Sie direkt bei Ihrer Raiffeisenbank. Sie benötigen lediglich ein Raiffeisen Spar- oder Transaktionskonto.

Wo kann ich die Swiss Bankers Travel Karte einsetzen?

Swiss Bankers Länderinformation

ATM-Locator weltweit: Mastercard

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Swiss Bankers Travel-Karte

Für alle, die auf Reisen nicht ans Geld denken möchten: einfach Travel-Karte aufladen und sofort überall auf der Welt Geld in der Währung des Reiselands beziehen oder bargeldlos zahlen – auch online. Bei Verlust ersetzen wir Ihre Karte sofort – Restbetrag inklusive. 

Aus «Travel Cash» wird neu die Swiss Bankers «Travel» Karte! Ihr treuer Begleiter auf Reisen in fremde Länder und in der Schweiz erhält ein neues Design und bietet zusätzliche Vorteile, wie 50% Ermässigung bei 600 Hotels in der Schweiz.

• Kostenlose Travel-Karte zum Aufladen
• Kontaktlos und bargeldlos bezahlen oder Geld abheben – einfach, schnell und sicher in der Schweiz und weltweit
• Unabhängig vom Bankkonto
• Wird bei Verlust sofort weltweit kostenlos ersetzt – inklusive Restbetrag
• Erhältlich in den Währungen CHF, EUR und USD
• Mit der kostenlosen Swiss Bankers App Länder sperren, Karte sperren, PIN neu setzen und mehr
• Rasche und flexible Aufladung dank Kartenzugriff im E-Banking
• Mobiles Bezahlen mit Apple, Google, Samsung etc.
• Bis zu 10% Cashback auf Booking.com erhalten
• Bargeldbezug in der Schweiz: CHF/EUR/USD 5.00
• Bargeldbezug im Ausland: CHF/EUR/USD 7.50
• Bargeldlos zahlen: CHF/EUR/USD 1.00
• Ladekommission: 1,5%
• Produktbeschrieb Travel-Karte (pdf 51 KB) file_download
• Kartenübersicht (pdf 307 KB) file_download
• Basisdokument (AGB) (pdf 194 KB) file_download
• Sicherheitshinweise Swiss Bankers Travel-Karte (pdf 2309 KB) file_download

* Der Cashback ist nur verfügbar, wenn dieser bei der Auswahl der Unterkunft angezeigt wird. Dieser wird erst nach einem Aufenthalt und der Bezahlung der Unterkunft ins Booking.com-Wallet gutgeschrieben. Der Cashback beträgt zwischen 5% und 10%. Das Angebot kann jederzeit innerhalb von 5 Tagen durch Booking.com geändert oder eingestellt werden. Barauszahlung und Rechtsweg sind ausgeschlossen.

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6 Best Travel Cards for Switzerland

Getting an international travel card before you travel to Switzerland can make it cheaper and more convenient when you spend in Swiss Franc. You'll be able to easily top up your card in USD before you leave United States, to convert seamlessly to CHF for secure and flexible spending and withdrawals.

This guide walks through our picks of the best travel cards available for anyone from United States heading to Switzerland, like Wise or Revolut. We'll walk through a head to head comparison, and a detailed look at their features, benefits and drawbacks.

6 best travel money cards for Switzerland:

Let's kick off our roundup of the best travel cards for Switzerland with a head to head comparison on important features. Here's an overview of the providers we've picked to look at, for customers looking for ways to spend conveniently overseas when travelling from United States:

Each of the international travel cards we’ve picked out have their own features and fees, which may mean they suit different customer needs. Keep reading to learn more about the features, advantages and disadvantages of each - plus a look at how to order the travel card of your choice before you head off to Switzerland.

Wise travel card

Open a Wise account online or in the Wise app, to order a Wise travel card you can use for convenient spending and withdrawals in Switzerland. Wise accounts can hold 40+ currencies, so you can top up in USD easily from your bank or using your card. Whenever you travel, to Switzerland or beyond, you’ll have the option to convert to the currency you need in advance if it’s supported for holding a balance, or simply let the card do the conversion at the point of payment.

In either case you’ll get the mid-market exchange rate with low, transparent fees whenever you spend in CHF, plus some free ATM withdrawals every month - perfect if you’re looking for easy ways to arrange your travel cash.

Wise features

Wise travel card pros and cons.

• Hold and exchange 40+ currencies with the mid-market rate
• Spend seamlessly in CHF when you travel
• Some free ATM withdrawals every month, for those times only cash will do
• Ways to receive payments to your Wise account conveniently
• Manage your account and card from your phone
• 9 USD delivery fee for your first card
• ATM fees apply once you've exhausted your monthly free withdrawals
• Physical cards may take 14 - 21 days to arrive

How to apply for a Wise card

Here’s how to apply for a Wise account and order a Wise  travel card in United States:

Open the Wise app or desktop site

Select Register and confirm you want to open a personal account

Register with your email, Facebook, Apple or Google ID

Upload your ID document to complete the verification step

Tap the Cards tab to order your card

Pay the one time 9 USD fee, confirm your mailing address, and your card will be on the way, and should arrive in 14 - 21 days

Revolut travel card

Choose a Revolut account, from the Standard plan which has no monthly fee, to higher tier options which have monthly charges but unlock extra features and benefits. All accounts come with a smart Revolut card you can use in Switzerland, with some no fee ATM withdrawals and currency conversion monthly, depending on the plan you pick. Use your Revolut account to hold and exchange 25+ currencies, and get extras like account options for under 18s, budgeting tools and more.

Revolut features

Revolut travel card pros and cons.

• Pick the Revolut account plan that suits your spending needs
• Hold and exchange 25+ currencies, and spend in 150 countries
• Accounts come with different card types, depending on which you select
• All accounts have some no fee currency exchange and some no fee ATM withdrawals monthly
• Some account tiers have travel perks like complimentary or discounted lounge access
• You need to upgrade to an account with a monthly fee to get all account features
• Delivery fees may apply for your travel card
• Fair usage limits apply once you exhaust your currency conversion and ATM no fee allowances
• Out of hours currency conversion has additional fees

How to apply for a Revolut card

Set up your Revolut account before you leave United States and order your travel card. Here’s how:

Download and open the Revolut app

Register by adding your personal and contact information

Follow the prompts to confirm your address and order your card

Pay any required delivery fee - costs depend on your account type

Chime travel card

Use your Chime account and card to spend in Switzerland with no foreign transaction fee. You’ll just need to load a balance in USD and then the money is converted to CHF instantly with the Visa rate whenever you spend or make a withdrawal. There’s a fee to make an ATM withdrawal out of network, which sits at 2.5 USD, but there are very few other costs to worry about. Plus you can get lots of extra services from Chime if you need them, such as ways to save.

Chime features

Chime travel card pros and cons.

• No Chime foreign transaction fees
• No ongoing charges for your account
• Lots of extra products and services if you need them
• Easy ways to manage your money online and in app
• Virtual cards available
• You'll need to inform Chime you're traveling to use your card abroad
• Low ATM limits
• Cards take 7 - 10 days to arrive by mail

How to apply for a Chime card

Here’s how to apply for a Chime account and order a travel card in United States:

Visit the Chime website or download the app

Click Get started and add your personal details

Add a balance

Your card will be delivered in the mail and you can use your virtual card instantly

Monzo travel card

Monzo cards can be ordered easily in United States and used for spending in Switzerland and globally. Monzo accounts are designed for holding USD only - but you can spend in CHF and pretty much any other currency easily, with no foreign transaction fee. Your funds are just converted using the network exchange rate whenever you pay or make a withdrawal.

Monzo doesn’t usually apply ATM fees, but it’s worth knowing that the operator of the specific ATM you pick may have their own costs you’ll need to check out.

Monzo features

Monzo travel card pros and cons.

• Good selection of services available
• No foreign transaction fee to pay
• No Monzo ATM fee to pay
• Manage your card from your phone conveniently
• Deposits are FDIC protected
• You can't hold a foreign currency balance
• ATM operators might apply their own fees

How to apply for a Monzo card

Here’s how to apply for a Monzo account and order a travel card in United States:

Visit the Monzo website or download the app

Click Get Sign up and add your personal details

Check and confirm your mailing address and your card will be delivered in the mail

Netspend travel card

Netspend has a selection of prepaid debit cards you can use for spending securely in Switzerland. While these cards don’t usually let you hold a balance in CHF, they’re popular with travelers as they’re not linked to your regular checking account. That increases security overseas - plus, Netspend offers virtual cards you can use to hide your physical card details from retailers if you want to.

The options with Netspend vary a lot depending on the card you pick. Usually you can top up digitally or in cash in USD and then spend overseas with a fixed foreign transaction fee applying every time you spend in a foreign currency. You’ll be able to view the terms and conditions of your specific card - including the fees - online, by entering the code you’ll find when your card is sent to you.

Netspend features

Netspend travel card pros and cons.

• Large selection of different card options depending on your needs
• Some cards have no overseas ATM fees
• Prepaid card which is secure to use overseas
• Manage your account in app
• Change from one card plan to another if you need to
• You may pay a monthly fee for your card
• Some cards have foreign transaction fees for all overseas use, which can be around 4%
• Selection of fees apply depending on the card you pick

How to apply for a Netspend card

Here’s how to apply for a Netspend account and order a travel card in United States:

Visit the Netspend website

Click Apply now

Complete the details, following the onscreen prompts

Get verified

Your card will arrive by mail - add a balance and activate it to get started

PayPal travel card

PayPal has a debit card you can link to your PayPal balance account, to spend in Switzerland as well as locally, in person and online. One advantage of PayPal is that there are lots of easy ways to add money in USD - but bear in mind that when you spend in CHF you’ll likely pay a foreign transaction fee of 2.5%. ATM fees apply when you make out of network withdrawals, too, which can push up the costs depending on how you use your card.

PayPal travel cards aren’t connected to your checking account which makes them a handy and secure way to spend, particularly if you already have a PayPal balance account.

PayPal features

Paypal travel card pros and cons.

• Globally accepted card
• Easy ways to top up your PayPal balance including cash and check
• Popular and reliable provider
• Use your card for spending online easily as well
• 2.5 USD fee for out of network ATM withdrawals
• 2.5% fee when you spend in a foreign currency
• Other charges may apply depending on how you fund and use your account

How to apply for a PayPal card

Here’s how to apply for a PayPal account and order a travel card in United States:

Visit the PayPal website or download the app

Click Get Sign up or log into your existing account

Add your personal details to create an account, or tap Request a card if you already have a PayPal account

Follow the prompts to order your card

What is a travel money card?

A travel money card is a card you can use for secure and convenient payments and withdrawals overseas.

You can use a travel money card to tap and pay in stores and restaurants, with a wallet like Apple Pay, or to make ATM withdrawals so you'll always have a bit of cash in your pocket when you travel.

Although there are lots of different travel money cards on the market, all of which are unique, one similarity you'll spot is that the features and fees have always been optimised for international use. That might mean you get a better exchange rate compared to using your normal card overseas, or that you run into fewer fees for common international transactions like ATM withdrawals.

Travel money cards also offer distinct benefits when it comes to security. Your travel money card isn't linked to your US Dollar everyday account, so even if you were unlucky and had your card stolen, your primary bank account remains secure.

Travel money vs prepaid card vs travel credit card

It's helpful to know that you'll be able to pick from several different types of travel cards, depending on your priorities and preferences. Travel cards commonly include:

• Travel debit cards
• Travel prepaid cards
• Travel credit cards

They all have distinct benefits when you head off to Switzerland or elsewhere in the world, but they do work a bit differently.

Travel debit and prepaid cards are usually linked to an online account, and may come from specialist digital providers - like the Wise card. These cards are usually flexible and cheap to use. You'll be able to manage your account and card through an app or on the web.

Travel credit cards are different and may suit different customer needs. As with any other credit card, you may need to pay an annual fee or interest and penalties depending on how you manage your account - but you could also earn extra rewards when spending in a foreign currency, or travel benefits like free insurance for example. Generally using a travel credit card can be more expensive compared to a debit or prepaid card - but it does let you spread out the costs of your travel across several months if you'd like to and don't mind paying interest to do so.

What is a prepaid travel money card best for?

Let's take a look at the advantages of using a prepaid travel money card for travellers going to Switzerland. While each travel card is a little different, you'll usually find some or all of the following benefits:

• Hold and exchange foreign currencies - allowing you to lock in exchange rates and set a travel budget before you leave
• Convenient for spending in person and through mobile wallets like Apple Pay, as well as for cash withdrawals
• You may find you get a better exchange rate compared to your bank - and you'll usually be able to avoid any foreign transaction fee, too
• Travel cards are secure as they're not linked to your everyday USD account - and because you can make ATM withdrawals when you need to, you can also avoid carrying too much cash at once

Overall, travel cards offer flexible and low cost ways to avoid bank foreign transaction and international ATM fees, while accessing decent exchange rates.

How to choose the best travel card for Switzerland

We've picked out 6 great travel cards available in United States - but there are also more options available, which can make choosing a daunting task. Some things to consider when picking a travel card for Switzerland include:

• What exchange rates does the card use? Choosing one with the mid-market rate or as close as possible to it is usually a smart plan
• What fees are unavoidable? For example, ATM charges or top up fees for your preferred top up methods
• Does the card support a good range of currencies? Getting a card which allows you to hold and spend in CHF can give you the most flexibility, but it's also a good idea to pick a card with lots of currency options, so you can use it again in future, too
• Are there any other charges? Check in particular for foreign transaction fees, local ATM withdrawal fees, inactivity fees and account close fees

Ultimately the right card for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences.

What makes a good travel card for Switzerland

The best travel debit card for Switzerland really depends on your personal preferences and how you like to manage your money.

Overall, it pays to look for a card which lets you minimise fees and access favourable exchange rates - ideally the mid-market rate. While currency exchange rates do change all the time, the mid-market rate is a good benchmark to use as it's the one available to banks when trading on wholesale markets. Getting this rate, with transparent conversion fees, makes it easier to compare costs and see exactly what you're paying when you spend in CHF.

Other features and benefits to look out for include low ATM withdrawal fees, complimentary travel insurance, airport lounge access or emergency cash if your card is stolen. It's also important to look into the security features of any travel card you might pick for Switzerland. Look for a card which uses 2 factor authentication when accessing the account app, which allows you to set instant transaction notifications, and which has easy ways to freeze, unfreeze and cancel your card with your phone.

For Switzerland in particular, choosing a card which offers contactless payments and which is compatible with mobile wallets like Apple Pay could be a good plan. Card payments are extremely popular in Switzerland - so having a card which lets you tap and pay easily can speed things up and make it more convenient during your trip.

Ways to pay in Switzerland

Cash and card payments - including contactless, mobile wallet, debit, credit and prepaid card payments - are the most popular ways to pay globally.

In Switzerland, both card payments and cash payments are common. You'll be able to make Chip and PIN or contactless payments or use your favourite mobile wallet like Apple Pay to tap and pay on the go, but it's still worth having a little cash on you just in case - and for the odd situations where cash is more convenient, such as when tipping or buying a small item in a market.

Which countries use CHF?

You'll find that CHF can only be used in Switzerland. If you don't travel to Switzerland frequently it's worth thinking carefully about how much to exchange so you're not left with extra foreign currency after your trip.

What should you be aware of when travelling to Switzerland

You're sure to have a great time in Switzerland - but whenever you're travelling abroad it's worth putting in a little advance thought to make sure everything is organised and your trip goes smoothly. Here are a few things to think about:

1. Double check the latest entry requirements and visas - rules can change abruptly, so even if you're been to Switzerland before it's worth looking up the most recent entry requirements so you don't have any hassle on the border

2. Plan your currency exchange and payment methods - you can change USD to CHF before you travel to Switzerland if you'd like to, but as card payments are common, and ATMs widely available, you can actually leave it until you arrive to get everything sorted as long as you have a travel money card. Top up your travel money card in USD and either exchange to CHF in advance or at the point of payment, and make ATM withdrawals whenever you need cash. Bear in mind that currency exchange at the airport will be expensive - so hold on until you reach Switzerland to make an ATM withdrawal in CHF if you can.

3. Get clued up on any health or safety concerns - get travel insurance before you leave United States so you have peace of mind. It's also worth reading up on any common scams or issues experienced by tourists. These tend to change over time, but may include things like rip off taxis or tour agents which don't offer fair prices or adequate services.

Conclusion - Best travel cards for Switzerland

Ultimately the best travel card for your trip to Switzerland will depend on how you like to manage your money. Use this guide to get some insights into the most popular options out there, and to decide which may suit your specific needs.

FAQ - best travel cards for Switzerland

When you use a travel money card you may find there’s an ATM withdrawal fee from your card issuer, and there may also be a cost applied by the ATM operator. Some of our travel cards - like the Wise and Revolut card options - have some no fee ATM withdrawals every month, which can help keep down costs.

Travel money cards may be debit, prepaid or credit cards. Which is best for you will depend on your personal preferences. Debit and prepaid cards are usually pretty cheap and secure to spend with, while credit cards may have higher fees but often come with extra perks like free travel insurance and extra reward points.

There’s no single best prepaid card for international use. Look out for one which supports a large range of currencies, with good exchange rates and low fees. This guide can help you compare some popular options, including Wise, Revolut and Monzo.

Yes, you can use your local debit card when you’re overseas. However, it’s common to find extra fees apply when spending in foreign currencies with a regular debit card. These can include foreign transaction fees and international ATM charges.

Usually having a selection of ways to pay - including a travel card, your credit or debit card, and some cash - is the best bet. That means that no matter what happens, you have an alternative payment method you can use conveniently.

Yes. Most travel debit cards have options to make ATM withdrawals. Check the fees that apply as card charges do vary a lot. Some cards have local and international fees on all withdrawals, while others like Wise and Revolut, let you make some no fee withdrawals monthly before a fee kicks in.

Both Visa and Mastercard are globally accepted. Look out for the logo on ATMs and payment terminals in Switzerland.

The cards you see on this page are ordered as follows:

For card providers that publish their exchange rates on their website, we used their USD / CHF rate to calculate how much Swiss Franc you would receive when exchanging / spending $4,000 USD. The card provider offering the most CHF is displayed at the top, the next highest below that, and so on.

The rates were collected at 09:36:26 GMT on 25 May 2024.

Below this we display card providers for which we could not verify their exchange rates. These are displayed in alphabetical order.

Send international money transfer

More travel card guides.

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Die Travel Karte ist an rund 130 SBB Verkaufsstellen ganz einfach erhältlich. Dort können Sie sie jederzeit mit einem Guthaben zwischen CHF 100.– und maximal CHF 10 000.– aufladen. Der Betrag wird innert kürzester Frist auf Ihrer Karte aktiviert. Ausserdem können Sie Ihre Karte via E-Banking sowie mit der «Swiss Bankers» App aufladen. Erfolgt die Ladung direkt am SBB Schalter, ist Ihr Guthaben innerhalb von 15 Minuten Ihrem Kartenkonto gutgeschrieben. Keine Wartezeit, sofortiger Einsatz! Eine Überweisung per E-Banking benötigt ca. 0-1 Werktag. 

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Preis- und Produktänderungen vorbehalten.

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Travel ist die sichere Ergänzung zum Bargeld. Unsere Mitarbeiter/innen beraten Sie gerne, damit Sie ihr Reisegeld optimal zusammenstellen können.

Wenn die Karte in Ländern eingesetzt wird, in welchen die Lokalwährung Euro beziehungsweise US Dollar ist, ist es empfehlenswert die Karte bereits in dieser Kartenwährung zu beziehen. Beim Einsatz in Ländern mit einer anderen oder mehreren Lokalwährungen empfiehlt es sich die Travel Karte in Schweizer Franken.

Kartenverlust.

Melden Sie den Verlust Ihrer Karte sofort dem Kundenservice der Swiss Bankers Prepaid Services AG, Tel. +41 31 710 12 15. Es wird Ihnen umgehend Ihre Karte gesperrt und Ihnen eine neue Karte zugeschickt, welche mit dem Restwert der vermissten Karte geladen ist.

Die Zustellung einer Travel Ersatzkarte ist weltweit kostenlos und wird per Kurierdienst versendet. In Europa erhalten Sie die Ersatzkarte in der Regel schon am nächsten Arbeitstag. Auch Reisende in fernen Ländern müssen nicht lange warten – Kunden in den USA erhalten die Ersatzkare nach rund zwei Arbeitstagen und Kunden in weiter entfernten Ländern durchschnittlich nach drei Arbeitstagen nach der Verlustmeldung.

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Swiss Prepaid Card Guide

How are Swiss prepaid card different from standard Swiss credit cards? Does using prepaid cards make financial sense? Find answers to your questions in this guide to using prepaid cards in Switzerland.

1. Which Swiss card issuers offer prepaid cards?

Many Swiss card issuers issue prepaid cards. These include:

• Cornèrcard
• Postfinance
• Swiss Bankers
• Swissquote (SIX)
• Topcard (UBS)

2. How is a prepaid card different from a credit card?

The biggest difference between a prepaid card and a credit card is that a prepaid card cannot be used to make purchases on credit. Because a prepaid card account does not have a line of credit, you must add money to the account before you can use your card.

Creating or carrying a negative balance is not possible. You can only make purchases as long as there is money in your account which can be debited to pay for the purchases. Some prepaid cards come with the option of placing a direct debit order so that money is automatically drawn from your bank account and credited to your prepaid card account.

3. How is a prepaid card different from a debit card?

A debit card is directly linked to a private account at a bank. When you pay or make a cash withdrawal with a debit card, the amount spent is debited from your bank account balance. A prepaid card is not linked to a bank account, but to a prepaid card account from a card issuer. You do not necessarily need to have a bank account in order to use a prepaid card. You must load money to your prepaid card account in order to use a prepaid card.

4. Do I need a bank account to use a prepaid card?

As with credit cards, whether or not you need a bank account in order to obtain a prepaid card depends on the card issuer. For example, you do not need to have a bank account to use prepaid cards from Cornèrcard and Bonuscard. The prepaid cards which are sold at kiosks (like k kiosks from Valora) can also be used without a bank account.

5. How high are the annual fees of Swiss prepaid cards?

Like credit cards, prepaid cards typically have annual card fees. The highest annual fee charged for a Swiss prepaid card is 60 francs per year.

Some prepaid cards do not have annual fees. Swiss no-annual-fee prepaid cards include:

• Travel Card (Swiss Bankers)
• Silver Prepaid card (Swissquote)
• Coop Supercard Visa Prepaid (TopCard)

6. How much does it cost to load prepaid card accounts?

Unlike credit cards, Swiss prepaid cards generally have loading fees. You pay the loading fee every time you “load” your prepaid card by transferring or depositing money into your prepaid card account. With some prepaid cards this fee is waived for the first “loading” and then charged for each additional reloading.

Loading fees vary between prepaid cards:

• 2 francs per loading (some Cornèrcard prepaid cards, for example).
• 1% of the loaded amount, minimum 5 francs per loading (Viseca and Swissquote, for example).
• 4% of the loaded amount, minimum 2 francs per loading (Valora ok.- prepaid Visa or Mastercard).
• 6% of the loaded amount (Yuna To Go).
• No loading fees (Postfinance Mastercard Value, UBS Mastercard Prepaid).

Understanding prepaid card loading fees is very important because they can become very expensive. The interactive Swiss prepaid card comparison on moneyland.ch lets you select how many times you expect to load your prepaid card account each year. The loading fees are accounted for in the comparison based on your entry. You can also find the exact loading fee for each prepaid card in the detailed cost breakdowns.

7. How much do cash withdrawals cost?

Like the cash advance fees of credit cards, the cash withdrawal fees of prepaid cards are typically very high. Withdrawing money from your prepaid card account is generally not a good financial move. Debit cards are much more suitable for cash withdrawals. Many Swiss prepaid cards charge cash withdrawal fees equal to 4% of the amount withdrawn, with a minimum fee of up to 10 francs per withdrawal. When you make cash withdrawals outside of Switzerland, you pay a foreign transaction fee on top of the cash withdrawal fee.

8. What does using prepaid cards outside of the country cost?

When you use a Swiss prepaid card to make purchases from foreign merchants (online or while traveling, for example), you pay foreign transaction fees. Foreign transaction fees vary between prepaid cards, but can be as high as 2% of the amount you spend.

Additionally, you also pay a markup on the currency exchange rate. These markups can be just as important as the foreign transaction fee, and can add another cost equal to more than 2% of the amount you spend.

9. Are there any other costs?

Depending on the prepaid card, you may pay additional costs for certain services. For example, getting a replacement card if you lose your prepaid card typically costs 20 francs.

10. Where can I compare Swiss prepaid cards?

You can compare the costs and benefits of Swiss prepaid cards using the interactive prepaid card comparison on moneyland.ch . 

11. Are prepaid cards cheaper than credit cards?

No. As the moneyland.ch comparison shows, the most favorable credit cards are often cheaper than the most favorable prepaid cards.

It is important to consider the total of all costs and not just annual card fees. The prepaid card comparison accounts for all fees, including loading fees and foreign transaction fees.

12. Do Swiss prepaid cards come with special cardholder benefits?

Most Swiss prepaid cards have very few benefits compared to Swiss credit cards. The majority of prepaid cards do not have rewards programs and do not come with complimentary insurance.

13. Who could benefit from using prepaid cards?

Prepaid cards are widely used by teenagers and students. One reason for this is that banks often market prepaid cards to teenagers as young as 12 or 14 years old. Credit cards, on the other hand, are only available to adults aged 18 or older.

Prepaid cards are also used as an alternative to credit cards by adults who are not eligible for credit cards (due to poor creditworthiness, for example).

Prepaid cards are also often promoted by teachers and educators because they do not allow you to make purchases on credit. Prepaid cards can also be practical for families because they enable parents to monitor their children’s’ spending and to freeze or reload a child’s prepaid card account remotely if necessary.

14. Can Swiss prepaid cards be used for mobile payments?

Yes. Many Swiss prepaid cards work with Apple Pay , Samsung Pay , Google Pay , Swatch Pay , Fitbit Pay or Garmin Pay . You can easily filter Swiss prepaid cards based on their compatibility with popular mobile wallets in the interactive prepaid card comparison.

15. Are there alternatives to Swiss prepaid cards?

In addition to conventional credit cards and debit cards, neobanks now offer cards which can be used much like prepaid cards. Examples include the cards from Swiss neobanks Neon, Yuh and Zak and UK neobanks Wise and Revolut .

The main advantage of neobank cards is that they typically have favorable currency exchange rates, which makes them an affordable option for international purchases. Another major advantage compared to most Swiss credit cards is that you do not pay loading fees to fund your card account. Basic neobank cards typically do not have annual card fees.

More on this topic: Swiss prepaid card comparison Swiss credit card comparison

Leading credit cards

Swisscard Cashback Cards Amex

No annual fees

Two cards Amex & Visa/Mastercard

With cash back

Migros Cumulus Visa

With Cumulus points

Without foreign currency fees

Cheap bank accounts with card

No account fees

Banking partner: Swissquote & Postfinance

CHF 20 trading credit with code «YUHMONEYLAND»

Multi-currency account with Visa card (CHF, EUR, USD, GBP)

Favorable foreign exchange rates

CHF 100 welcome bonus

50 KeyClub points as a welcome gift

Online private account with debit card

Find the cheapest credit card now

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Swiss Bankers Travel Cash Karte: Lohnt sie ich? Welche Alternativen gibt es?

Monito wird von Ihnen unterstützt. Wenn Sie sich über unsere Links bei einem empfohlenen oder beworbenen Service anmelden, verdienen wir unter Umständen eine kleine Provision.

Die Schweiz ist ein wunderschönes, aber auch ein relativ kleines und teures Land. Daher ist es nicht überraschend, dass im Durchschnitt jede in der Schweiz wohnhafte Person mindestens eine Reise in das Ausland pro Jahr durchführt.

Schweizer Banken sind allerdings für hohe Gebühren bei Zahlungen und Bargeldabhebungen im Ausland bekannt. Besonders ärgerlich: Da viele Gebühren über den Wechselkurs erhoben werden, stellen die meisten Reisenden erst nach dem Urlaub fest, wie hoch die Gesamtgebühren waren. Viele kennen den Marktmittelkurs auch gar nicht und bemerken nicht, dass sie Gebühren für Zahlungen im Ausland entrichten.

Die Swiss Bankers Travel Cash Karte soll Abhilfe schaffen und verspricht weltweite Zahlungen zu attraktiven Konditionen. Was die Karte bietet und ob sie sich lohnt, erfahren Sie im Monito-Ratgeber. Viel Spaß! 💸

Fakten zur Swiss Bankers Travel Cash Karte im Überblick:

• Die Travel Cash Karte von Swiss Bankers ermöglicht weltweite Zahlungen zum Fixpreis.
• Die Karte lässt sich in kürzester Zeit online oder an über 200 Stellen in der Schweiz beantragen.
• Wir empfehlen die Prepaid Kreditkarten von Swiss Bankers aufgrund ihrer hohen Gebühren nicht weiter.

Was bietet die Travel Cash Karte von Swiss Bankers?

Die Travel Cash Karte von Swiss Bankers ist ein beliebter Reisebegleiter. Reisende können sie in den drei Währungen CHF, EUR oder USD bestellen. Zahlungen sind aber grundsätzlich weltweit möglich.

Sie verspricht kostengünstige Zahlungen weltweit. Im Vergleich zu klassischen Schweizer Banken stimmt dies zwar, die Gebühren finden wir allerdings trotzdem relativ teuer.  

Diese teilen sich in drei Bereiche auf:

Aufladegebühr.

Bei der Aufladung einer Travel Cash Karte von Swiss Bankers fallen direkt Gebühren an. Diese betragen 1,50 % des Ladebetrags. Möchten Sie bspw. 1000 CHF auf die Karte einzahlen, müssen Sie mit Gebühren in Höhe von 15 CHF rechnen.  

Gebühr bei Zahlungen

Für jede Zahlung berechnet Swiss Bankers eine Grundgebühr von 1 CHF, 1 EUR oder 1 USD, abhängig von der Kontowährung der Karte. Das kann relativ niedrig sein, wenn man zum Beispiel nur große Zahlungen tätigt oder sich summieren, wenn man viele kleine Zahlungen tätigt.

Tätigt man auf der Auslandsreise 50 Kartenzahlungen, liegen die Gebühren bspw. bei 50 CHF, was in unseren Augen absolut überzogen ist.

Gebühren bei Bargeldabhebungen

Wer mit der Swiss Bankers Karte Bargeld abheben möchte, wird leicht enttäuscht sein. Die Gebühren dafür sind nämlich besonders hoch. Innerhalb der Schweiz werden 5 CHF, 5 EUR oder 5 USD fällig. Für Bargeldabhebungen im Ausland verlangt das Unternehmen sogar 7,50 CHF, 7,50 EUR oder 7,50 USD.

Insgesamt sind die Gebühren der Travel Karte von Swiss Bankers insbesondere bei regelmäßigen Auslandszahlungen sehr hoch. Diese sind zwar etwas günstiger als Zahlungen mit vielen klassischen Schweizer Banken, Schweizer Neobanken sind jedoch in der Regel um Längen günstiger.

Welche Vorteile bietet die Swiss Bankers Travel Cash Karte

An der Travel Karte von Swiss Bankers ist nicht alles negativ. Wir finden, dass es sich unter Umständen um einen praktischen Reisebegleiter handeln kann. Die Prepaid Kreditkarte ist vor allem praktisch.

Die Karte lässt sich in zahlreichen Verkaufsstellen in der Schweiz und in Liechtenstein oder auch direkt online erwerben. Anschließend gibt es die Möglichkeit, eine Aufladung per Überweisung innerhalb von einem Werktag oder eine Aufladung per Karte vorzunehmen.

Wer bis kurz vor Reiseantritt keine passende Reisekreditkarte organisiert hat, kann kurzfristig auf die Travel Karte von Swiss Bankers zurückgreifen. Die Verwaltung erfolgt komplett über die Swiss Bankers App und lässt sich damit auch im Ausland abwickeln. Besonders interessant: Wer die Travel Karte im Ausland verliert, erhält kostenfrei meist innerhalb von drei Werktagen einen Ersatz zugestellt. Digital hinterlegte Karten werden sogar sofort ersetzt.

Außerdem unterstützt die Karte nahezu alle gängigen mobilen Zahlungssysteme. Dazu zählen:

• Samsung Pay

Ansprechend finden wir auch, dass man bis zu 5 Travel Karten über Verkaufsstellen erwerben kann. So hat man direkt einen Ersatz, falls man eine verliert.

Lohnt sich die Travel Karte von Swiss Bankers?

Die Travel Cash Karte aus dem Hause Swiss Bankers ist eine praktische Prepaid Kreditkarte. Diese eignet sich insbesondere für kurzfristig geplante Reisen, bei denen es nicht möglich ist, eine günstigere Alternative zu beschaffen. Wer allerdings ausreichend Zeit hat, sollte eine echte Reisekreditkarte von einem Anbieter wie Wise oder Revolut bestellen. Diese sind im Auslandseinsatz deutlich günstiger.

Wir sind uns sicher, dass sich die Travel Karte von Swiss Bankers für die meisten Nutzer nicht lohnt. Das liegt nicht an den gebotenen Leistungen, sondern einfach an den enormen Gebühren, die für Zahlungen und Bargeldabhebungen anfallen.

Welche Alternativen zur Travel Karte von Swiss Bankers gibt es?

Glücklicherweise gibt es zahlreiche Alternativen zur Travel Karte. Viele Neobanken bieten Prepaid Kreditkarten an, die exzellente Konditionen im Auslandseinsatz versprechen. In der Schweiz sind sowohl Wise als auch Revolut verfügbar. Dabei handelt es sich um die wahrscheinlich günstigsten Reisekreditkarten für Schweizer.

Das Multi-Währungs-Konto von Wise ermöglicht es, über 55 verschiedene Währungen zu halten. Einzahlungen per Überweisung sind hier kostenfrei. Mit der zugehörigen Debitkarte lassen sich weltweit kostengünstigste Zahlungen zum Mittelkurs tätigen. Außerdem besteht die Möglichkeit, bis zu 200 € pro Monat kostenfrei weltweit abzuheben.

Wer regelmäßig Auslandsüberweisungen tätigt, kommt mit Wise ebenfalls auf seine Kosten. Wise ermöglicht kostengünstige Geldtransfers zum Mittelkurs in zahlreiche Länder. Das Beste dabei: Man kann Geld direkt vom Multi-Währungs-Konto überweisen.

Damit ist Wise deutlich günstiger und flexibler als die Travel Karte von Swiss Bankers.

Das Standard Konto von Revolut ist ebenfalls eine exzellente Reisekreditkarte. Zahlungen sind hiermit bis zu einem Limit von 1000 € pro Monat weltweit kostenfrei möglich. Außerdem können Nutzer bis zu 200 € pro Monat kostenfrei weltweit abheben. Normalerweise nutzt Revolut den Mittelkurs bei Auslandstransaktionen. An Wochenenden fallen jedoch 1,00 % an Gebühren an.

Bei Revolut handelt es sich um ein vollwertiges Bankkonto mit der gesetzlichen Einlagensicherung. Nutzer können außerdem Versicherungen, Kryptowährungen oder auch Aktien über die Revolut App erwerben. Damit handelt es sich um eine günstigere und deutlich vielseitigere Alternative zur Travel Karte von Swiss Bankers.

Wir würden die Travel Cash Karte von Swiss Bankers nicht weiterempfehlen. Die hohen Gebühren sind unserer Meinung nach nicht wettbewerbsfähig. Wise und Revolut sind eine deutlich bessere Alternative mit niedrigeren Gebühren und deutlich umfangreicheren Funktionen.

Der einzige enorme Vorteil der Travel Karte ist, dass man sie innerhalb kürzester Zeit abschließen kann. Personen, die es versäumt haben, sich auf ihren Urlaub vorzubereiten, finden in der Travel Karte jedoch eine gute Last Minute Option.

Warum Sie Monito vertrauen können

Sie kennen die  oft unverschämten Kosten für Überweisungen ins Ausland  wahrscheinlich nur zu gut. Nachdem sie 2013 selbst mit dieser Frustration konfrontiert waren, starteten die Monito-Gründer François, Laurent und Pascal eine Geldtransfer-Suchmaschine, um die besten Geldtransferdienste auf der ganzen Welt zu vergleichen.

Heute  vertrauen rund 8 Millionen Menschen  jedes Jahr auf die preisgekrönten Vergleiche, Bewertungen und Leitfäden von Monito. Unsere Empfehlungen werden durch Millionen von Preisdatenpunkten und Dutzende von Expertentests gestützt - so können Sie  beruhigt die beste Entscheidung treffen .

Über 15 Millionen Nutzer auf der ganzen Welt vertrauen Monito.

Die Experten von Monito verbringen zahlreiche Stunden mit dem Testen und Vergleichen von Geldtransfer-Dienstleistern.

Partnerprovisionen beeinflussen niemals unsere Unabhängigkeit

Travel money guide: Switzerland

What every traveler needs to know about how to spend finding the right travel money product to use in switzerland..

In this guide

Travel card, debit card or credit card?

These are your options for spending money in switzerland, which credit card issuers are accepted in switzerland, potential credit card fees in switzerland, compare travel credit cards, swiss currency, buying swiss francs in the us, atms in switzerland, keep your travel money safe in switzerland, how many francs do i need to bring to switzerland, exchange rate history.

Travel money type

Compare more cards

Top picks of 2024

Whether you plan on skiing the Matterhorn or exploring the historical Basel Munster church, you’ll need to organize your travel money before you arrive in Switzerland. Switzerland accepts credit cards, debit cards and cash, with plenty of ATMs available throughout the country.

Credit cards are the best payment option thanks to their wide acceptance and safety measures. One that waives foreign transaction fees can also spare your wallet from extra expenses. However, debit cards and cash can serve you equally well during your Switzerland adventure.

Our picks for traveling to Switzerland

40+ currencies supported

• 4.85% APY on USD balances
• $0 monthly fees
• Up to $100 free ATMs withdrawals worldwide
• Hold and convert 40+ currencies

Up to $300 cash bonus

• 0.50% APY on checking balance
• Up to 4.60% APY on savings
• $0 account or overdraft fees
• Get a $300 bonus with direct deposits of $5,000 or more

Free ATM transactions

• $50 waivable monthly fee
• 0% foreign transaction fee
• Securely move money domestically and globally
• 5 monthly out-of-network ATM reimbursements
• Free international HSBC ATM transactions

There are numerous ways to access your money when you’re on vacation, and it’s best to use a combination of products. Credit cards give you money when you need it and can cover you in a financial emergency. Debit cards are good for access to your cash, without all the traveling fees.

Whether you’re heading to Switzerland for some skiing or simply to enjoy the culture, be sure to get your spending budget in order before you leave so you can hit the slopes with no worries.

Visa and Mastercard branded cards are accepted in more places than American Express and Diners cards throughout Switzerland. Look for logos at ATM point of sale terminals to be sure.

Switzerland has a modern banking economy — it’s their primary industry — so you won’t need lots of cash on your travels. If your card has a chip you’ll be able to make contactless payments.

Using a credit card

A travel credit card gives you access to a line of credit and you won’t pay for currency conversion when you transact in francs. Make sure the card doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees as well: the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card is a good example of such a card (Terms apply, see rates & fees ).

We don’t advise making a withdrawal on credit as cash advance charges apply and you’ll start paying an APR the day the transaction is made. Consider additional extras on your travel credit card such as insurance or an increased rewards for travel when you’re comparing credit cards to use overseas.

• Tip: Some providers waive cash advance charges when you keep a positive balance and make ATM withdrawals. Find out which providers let you do this and which won’t.
• No currency conversion fees
• Features such as insurance or reward points earning
• Some offer no foreign transaction fees
• You’ll pay a lot for a cash advance
• Rewards program may cost more than they are worth

Switzerland has “high merchant acceptance” for Visa, Mastercard and even Discover. Some merchants may accept American Express, but don’t rely on it.

For cash withdrawals, look for Six Multipay and Post Finance for all cards. Amex cardholders can make cash withdrawals from ATMs of Euronet, Credit Suisse and UBS.

Depending on your credit card and how you use it, you could incur:

• Foreign transaction fees. Pay up to a 3% fee for every transaction. That’s $150 for every $5,000 spent abroad.
• Currency conversion fees. Paying in US dollars at ATMs and vendors could set you up to pay a Dynamic Currency Conversion fee. Beware of using this option, though — the conversion fee is high and exchange rates are poor.

Explore top debit cards with no foreign transaction fees and travel credit cards by using the tabs to narrow down your options. Select Compare for up to four products to see their benefits side by side.

• Credit cards

Using a debit card

A debit card lets you spend and withdraw in Switzerland like you would at home. Find a debit card that waives the international ATM withdrawal fee, such as one from Betterment Checking , and you can make free ATM withdrawals when you use an ATM offered by a Swiss bank. European and Swiss banks don’t charge ATM fees.

• Tip: Make sure your debit card has a chip to avoid situations where you card won’t be accepted.
• Secured with a chip and PIN technology
• Block transactions with a phone call if you lose your card
• It’s easy to find ATMs in Switzerland
• Comes with a backup card
• Money-back guarantee for fraud
• No backup card if you lose it on your trip
• Some charge currency conversion and ATM fees

Using a prepaid travel card

There are no prepaid travel cards that hold Swiss francs. Usually, the advantage of these cards is you can hold multiple foreign currencies at a time and save on currency conversion fees. A travel card makes sense if you’re spending your time in the Eurozone (France, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, etc.) and the UK, but if you’re spending the majority of your time in Switzerland, you’ll pay for currency conversion when you spend in francs.

The currency conversion fee can be double the charge applied to most credit cards and debit cards. Travel money products can charge the Visa or Mastercard rate plus 4.5% for currency conversion and charges for international ATM withdrawals. So, regardless of which product you choose, you’re going to pay for currency conversion, international ATM withdrawals — or both when you use a travel card in Switzerland.

• Hold multiple foreign currencies at a time
• Save on currency conversion fees
• Not able to load Swiss francs
• Pay a currency conversion fee to use USD
• You’ll pay ATM fees

Paying with cash in Switzerland

It’s cheaper to get your cash exchanged in Switzerland than in the US, and even cheaper still with a no-fee ATM card. If you do have US dollars or euros you need to exchange in Switzerland, bureaux de change outlets can be found at airports and train stations. Or, change your money at a bank to get the most competitive rate for changing cash — and it shouldn’t charge a commission either.

• Tip: Some large retailers will accept euros — though a majority will not. If you use euros, you will get a worse rate than paying with the local currency.
• Greater payment flexibility
• Convenience
• More difficult to manage expenses
• Higher risk of theft

Using traveler’s checks

Traveler’s checks are an outdated way to travel with money — it’s far easier and cheaper to use an ATM. If you do have traveler’s checks, you can cash your them at exchange offices in train stations or a bank. Exchange offices offer the same rates as banks; however they may charge a commission for the transaction.

• Tip: Banks are open during regular business hours weekdays from 8:30 a.m.to 4:30 p.m.
• Accepted at most banks and hotels
• Can be costly with initial purchase charges
• Not all merchants accept traveler’s checks

The main banks in Switzerland are:

• Bank J. Safra Sarasin
• Banque Cantonale de Genève
• Credit SuisseEFG International
• Julius Baer
• Migros Bank
• Swiss Raiffeisen
• Zurich Cantonal Bank

It’s cheaper to exchange your US dollars once you arrive in Switzerland, either at a bank or an ATM. If you want francs before you arrive, get money changed at any of the providers listed here. There are ATMs at every international airport (Zurich, Geneva, Basel, etc.), which should eliminate the need to change currency in the US.

• American Express

Refreshing in: 60s | Sat, Jun 22, 06:04PM GMT

You’ll have little issue finding an ATM in Switzerland. To save on extra costs, try to bring a debit card that doesn’t charge international ATM fees, like the one from Betterment Checking.

The overall travel risk for tourists in Switzerland is low, and ranks at #11 for the safest country in the world. Still, exercise a reasonable level of caution and common sense in high tourist areas and on public transit.

Yes, the rumors are true, Switzerland is one of the most expensive countries in the world to visit, and — according to some estimates — the most expensive country in the world to live. Plan to spend anywhere from $75 to $400 a day, depending on what adventures you seek.

*Prices are approximate and based on summer seasonality and are subject to change

The Swiss Franc is one of the most stable currencies in the world and definitely one of the most valuable. Since the Global Financial Crisis, the value of the US dollar has dropped against the Swiss franc. The past few years, 1 USD is worth about 0.90 CHF.

Case study: Bart snowboarding in Verbier, Switzerland

Bart goes to Switzerland every couple of years to snowboard. He splurges on a six-day heli-skiing package in Verbier, which is recognized as providing the best off-piste snowboarding in the world.

Bart says he gets to the mountain from Geneva and, when he’s done, takes a little side-trip to Berlin and then to Paris before flying home. He uses Swiss francs in Switzerland and euros in Germany and France. He spends about three weeks to a month in Europe each time he visits.

What’s your recommendation about travel money for Switzerland?

Bart says if you’re conscious of cutting out the fees for international transactions, you can’t find a better card than the Charles Schwab debit card, which is the account he’s had for years. It doesn’t charge international ATM fees, currency conversion fees or an account maintenance fee.

Kyle Morgan

Kyle Morgan is SEO manager at Forbes Advisor and a former editor and content strategist at Finder. He has written for the USA Today network and Relix magazine, among other publications. He holds a BA in journalism and media from Rutgers University. See full profile

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Help-Center

• Block your card
• Address change
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• Credit card limit
• Installment option
• All concerns

SWISS Miles & More Gold

The credit card duo offering enhanced service and more miles: Collect even more award miles every time you make a cashless payment. You receive 5.000 award miles as a welcome bonus and you benefit from comprehensive travel insurance and Sixt Rent a Car membership.

• Up to 2 miles for every CHF 2.– spent
• 5.000 award miles as a welcome bonus
• No expired miles
• SIXT membership
• Travel inconvenience insurance

The travel credit cards for better service and more miles

SWISS Miles & More Gold credit cards guarantee you great worldwide acceptance. With the SWISS Miles & More Gold credit cards you earn up to 2 award miles for every CHF 2 spent 2 . Thanks to numerous benefits, you travel without any worries, safely and in comfort. 

Benefits of the SWISS Miles & More Gold credit cards

Swiss miles & more bonus program .

The SWISS Miles & More frequent-flyer and award program lets you earn miles when you fly or make a purchase. You can redeem these miles on award flights or gifts.

More information about the SWISS Miles & More program

How to redeem your award miles

Earn award miles every time you make a purchase when you use one of our SWISS Miles & More Gold credit cards. The miles are credited to your account and you can redeem them at any time for exciting flights or gifts.

Receive a welcome bonus

New customers receive a one-off welcome bonus of 5.000 award miles for the SWISS Miles & More Gold credit card duo. 

Stop your miles expiring

Award miles are valid for 36 months and expire if they are not redeemed within this period. The SWISS Miles & More Gold credit card duo stops your miles from expiring 3 , provided that you use one of your SWISS Miles & More Gold credit cards at least once a month for purchases that are eligible for miles, and if you have been the cardholder for at least one month.

Earn SWISS Miles & More award miles 

For every CHF 2 spent 2 :

• 2 miles 1  when paying with the SWISS Miles & More American Express® Gold
• 0.8 miles 1  when paying with the SWISS Miles & More Visa Gold
• 0.8 miles 1  when paying with the SWISS Miles & More World Mastercard® Gold

Exchange award miles for Points and Qualifying Points

As a SWISS Miles & More cardholder, you have the chance to exchange up to 25,000 of your award miles for valuable Points and Qualifying Points once per calendar year. 4  You receive 20 Points / 20 Qualifying Points in return for 5,000 award miles.

Travel insurance included

Transport accident insurance for disability or death; covers costs up to a maximum of CHF 700,000

Search, rescue, and recovery costs up to a maximum of CHF 60,000

Travel inconvenience insurance: Covers costs for catering and hotel accommodations up to CHF 150 in the event of delayed flights, flight cancellations, or missed connecting flights; covers costs for clothing and toiletries up to CHF 700 if baggage is delayed by at least six hours

Shopping insurance up to a maximum of CHF 750

Detailed general conditions of insurance for SWISS Miles & More credit cards

Additional insurance options and SWISS travel packages

Additional insurance.

As a SWISS Miles & More Gold credit cardholder, you benefit from special offers on various additional insurance options . 

SWISS Travel Packages 

Together with our partners, we have developed travel packages designed especially for our SWISS Miles & More Gold credit card customers, offering extra comfort and security when traveling and which, as an addition to your card, are available at preferential terms and conditions.

Travel Packages

As a SWISS Miles & More Gold credit cardholder, you receive SIXT Gold membership. Enjoy exclusive advantages from your very first trip with SIXT.

• Double the miles on spending 6
• No rental formalities – convenient and fast rental through your stored customer profile
• Up to 10% discount with Sixt Rent a Car and Sixt Rent a Truck and up to 20% discount on SIXT limousine service
• 4-hour mobility guarantee in the event of breakdown   

Further advantages with SIXT as a Miles & More Gold credit cardholder are:

• SIXT+: a one-off 5,000 award miles and an extra 500 km plus double miles 6  for your car subscription
• SIXT ride: double miles 6  for a trip with SIXT ride

American Express Selects

Exclusive offers (for hotels, restaurants, and shops) available for American Express cardholders.

American Express Selects offers  

Mastercard Priceless Cities 

Priceless® Cities offers Mastercard cardholders completely unique and exclusive experiences. This exciting program is on offer in more than 44 cities worldwide, including London, Paris, Sydney, and New York.

Mastercard Priceless Cities

Swisscard App

The Swisscard app provides you with information about your credit card and payments anywhere and at any time.

You can use your SWISS Miles & More Gold credit cards to make cashless payments with your smartphone or smartwatch. Your SWISS Miles & More Gold credit cards support the following mobile payment solutions: 

Samsung Pay

• Remain financially flexible by choosing to pay in installments 5
• Stay safe while shopping online thanks to 3-D Secure 
• Make contactless payments in shops
• Withdraw cash anywhere in the world 
• Customer service available around the clock 
• Replace cards within 48 hours, wherever you are in the world
• Frequent flyers benefit from favorable conditions

1 With the SWISS Miles & More American Express® Gold, you receive 2 award miles for every CHF 2 spent. With the SWISS Miles & More Visa Gold, you receive 0.8 award miles for every CHF 2 spent. With the SWISS Miles & More World Mastercard® Gold, you receive 0.8 award miles for every CHF 2 spent. 2 Except for fees, interest, back-charges, cash withdrawals, payments for bank transfers and currency exchanges (also into monetary surrogates such as cryptocurrencies, Traveler Cheques, topping up cashless payment methods etc.) as well as payments to securities brokers, payments for services associated with the card (e.g. optional insurance) and any gaming or similar gambling transactions.         3 You can find the exact terms and conditions governing the expiry of miles here . 4 You can find the exact terms and conditions about the exchange of miles here . 5 You can find the exact terms and conditions about the installment facility here . 6 You can find the exact terms and conditions about the SIXT partner Programm here

Documents and links

• Factsheet SWISS Miles and More Gold
• Miles & More programme

Apply for SWISS Miles & More credit cards & benefit

Prepaid Kreditkarten

Services & Support

Swiss Bankers

Die Prepaid Kreditkarte für Reisen.

Die Prepaid Karte für jeden Tag.

Zur Übersicht

Wichtige Information:

Am 10. April 2024 wurden das Kundenportal sowie der Web-Zugriff auf das Kartenkonto eingestellt. Bitte laden Sie die Swiss Bankers App herunter, um weiterhin uneingeschränkten Zugriff auf alle Dienste zu haben.

Land auswählen:

Sprache auswählen:

PIN ändern Immer sicher: selbst bei Verlust der Karte Karte aufladen Swiss Bankers App

Travel - Die kostenlose Prepaid Kreditkarte für Reisen.

Travel von Swiss Bankers ist die sichere Prepaid Kreditkarte für Ihre Reisen. Sie erhalten die Karte sofort, können Guthaben nach Bedarf laden und weltweit bezahlen – ohne Jahresgebühr und mit voller Kostenkontrolle.

Ihre Vorteile mit Travel, der neuen Travel Cash Karte.

Ohne jahresgebühr..

Reisen Sie unkompliziert und ohne Risiko mit der aufladbaren Travel Reisekarte ohne Jahresgebühr und mit kostenloser Ersatzkarte bei Verlust. 

Weltweit bezahlen.

Die Karte wird in über 70 Millionen Geschäften und Hotels sowie beim Online-Bezahlen akzeptiert. Bargeldbezüge sind an Bancomaten im In- und Ausland möglich. Bei Fragen hilft Ihnen unser kostenloser Kundenservice weiter.  

Sofort erhältlich.

Travel ist bei verschiedenen Verkaufsstellen  und bei fast allen Banken schnell und ohne Bonitätsprüfung erhältlich – für alle Personen ab 16 Jahren und mit Vollmacht der Eltern schon ab 12 Jahren. Wahlweise in CHF, EUR oder USD. 

Einfaches Aufladen.

Ihre Karte können Sie bei der Verkaufsstelle , mit der Swiss Bankers App , in unserem Kundenportal oder per E-Banking mit Beträgen bis maximal CHF/EUR/USD 10’000 aufladen. 

Bis zu 10 % Cashback bei Booking.com.

Sparen Sie bis zu 10% auf Booking.com bei über 28 Mio. Unterkünften weltweit – zusätzlich auf vergünstigte Unterkünfte und dem Genius-Treueprogramm.

Swiss Bankers App.

Die Swiss Bankers App bietet praktische Funktionen wie Überblick über Guthaben und Ausgaben, Karte aufladen, sofortige Sperrung bei Verlust, sofortiger digitaler Kartenersatz in der App und mehr. Profitieren Sie auch vom Mobile Payment . Sie bezahlen bequem mit Ihrem Smartphone oder Ihrer Smartwatch, z.B. via Apple Pay oder Samsung Pay.

Länder­informationen.

Nützliche Informationen zu Ihrem Reiseziel.

Weltweit immer sicher.

Bei Verlust oder Diebstahl wird Ihnen die Karte inklusive Guthaben weltweit kostenlos mit Kurierservice ersetzt. Digital in der Swiss Bankers App hinterlegte Karten werden umgehend neu aktiviert.

Mehr zur Sicherheit

Gebühren und Karteninformationen.

Kartenbeitrag

Jahresgebühr CHF 45

Monatsgebühr CHF 2.90

1.5% 1 , Karte über Verkaufsstelle bezogen Schnelle Ladung per Kreditkarte / Debitkarte (ca. 15min): Zusätzliche Kosten von 1.5% (auf Ladebetrag mit Ladegebühr). Ladung mit PostFinance Karte: Zusätzliche Kosten von CHF 6.  Tipp: Die Aufladung über E-Banking erfolgt in der Regel innerhalb von einem Arbeitstag. Es fallen keine zusätzlichen Kosten zu den Ladegebühren an.

Keine,  Karte bei Swiss Bankers bezogen Keine 1 , Karte über Verkaufsstelle bezogen Schnelle Ladung per Kreditkarte / Debitkarte (ca. 15min): 1.5%. Ladung mit PostFinance Karte: CHF 6.  Tipp: Die Aufladung über E-Banking erfolgt in der Regel innerhalb von einem Arbeitstag und ist kostenlos 1 .

Keine Schnelle Ladung per Kreditkarte / Debitkarte (ca. 15min): 1.5%. Ladung mit PostFinance Karte: CHF 6.  Tipp: Die Aufladung über E-Banking erfolgt in der Regel innerhalb von einem Arbeitstag und ist kostenlos. 1

1.5 % 1 Schnelle Ladung per Kreditkarte / Debitkarte (ca. 15min): Zusätzliche Kosten von 1.5% (auf Ladebetrag mit Ladegebühr). Ladung mit PostFinance Karte: Zusätzliche Kosten von CHF 6.  Tipp: Die Aufladung über E-Banking erfolgt in der Regel innerhalb von einem Arbeitstag. Es fallen keine zusätzlichen Kosten zu den Ladegebühren an.

Abhängig von den Konditionen 1

Keine 1 Schnelle Ladung per Kreditkarte / Debitkarte (ca. 15min): 1.5%. Ladung mit PostFinance Karte: CHF 6.  Tipp: Die Aufladung über E-Banking erfolgt in der Regel innerhalb von einem Arbeitstag und ist kostenlos.

Lademöglichkeiten

- Banküberweisung / E-Banking - Kreditkarte / Debitkarte / PostFinance Karte - Verkaufsstellen Tipp: Öffnen Sie die Swiss Bankers App und drücken Sie auf «Laden». Sie finden dort Ihre persönlichen Zahlungsinformationen. Alternativ können Sie diese auch im Kundenportal einsehen.

Gebühr pro Zahlung

CHF 1 / EUR 1 / USD 1

Bearbeitungsgebühr Währungswechsel

Bargeld-Bezugsgebühr in der Schweiz

CHF 5 / EUR 5 / USD 5

Nicht verfügbar

Abhängig von den Konditionen

Bargeld-Bezugsgebühr Ausland

CHF 7.50 / EUR 7.50 / USD 7.50

Ersatzkarte

Weltweit kostenloser Ersatz bei Verlust oder Diebstahl in der Regel innerhalb von drei Arbeitstagen, inklusive Kartenrestwert. Ersatz digitaler Karten innerhalb eines Arbeitstages. 

Ersatz bei Verlust oder Diebstahl inklusive Kartenrestwert gegen die Gebühr von CHF 20.00 in der Schweiz und CHF 50.00 im Ausland. Ersatz digitaler Karten innerhalb eines Arbeitstages. 

Ersatz digitaler Karten innerhalb eines Arbeitstages bei Verlust oder Diebstahl inklusive Kartenrestwert gegen die Gebühr von CHF 20.00.

abhängig von den Konditionen

Ersatz bei Verlust oder Diebstahl inklusive Kartenrestwert gegen eine Gebühr von CHF 20.00 in Deutschland und CHF 50.00 ausserhalb Deutschlands. Ersatz digitaler Karten innerhalb eines Arbeitstages. 

Kartenaufladung

Min. CHF 100 / EUR 100 / USD 100 Max. CHF 10 000 / EUR 10 000 / USD 10 000

Min. CHF 100 Max. CHF 10 000

Min. CHF 100 / EUR 100 / USD 100 Max. CHF 20 000 / EUR 20 000 / USD 20 000

Kartenwährungen

CHF / EUR / USD

Einsatzmöglichkeiten

- Bancomat (Bargeldbezug) - Bezahlterminals/Automaten - Kontaktloses Bezahlen - Internet/Online Zahlungen

- Bezahlterminals/Automaten - Kontaktloses Bezahlen - Internet/Online Zahlungen

Mobile Payment

- Apple Pay - Samsung Pay - Google Pay - Garmin Pay, Fitbit Pay, SwatchPAY!

In EUR / USD:  Verkaufsstellen aufrufen

Online Shop öffnen , Banken, SBB Verkaufsstellen aufrufen

Via  Swiss Bankers App

Ausgewählte Privatbanken  

Verkaufsstellen aufrufen

Anzahl Karten pro Person

5 Karten über die Verkaufsstellen

1 Karte über Swiss Bankers 5 Karten über die Verkaufsstellen

Swiss Bankers App Funktionen

- Karte mit Geld aufladen - Karte sperren - Geo-Blocking - Ausgaben Statistik - Viele weitere Funktionen

- Karte sperren - Geo-Blocking - Ausgaben Statistik - Viele weitere Funktionen

Verkaufsstellen

1  Ladegebühr kann je nach Vertriebspartner abweichen 

Alles anzeigen

Bis zu 10% Cashback auf Booking.com – zusätzlich auf vergünstigte Unterkünfte!

Sparen Sie bis zu 10% zusätzlich bei 28 Mio. Unterkünften weltweit mit der Travel Karte

Gilt auch bei bestehenden Rabatten wie z. B. dem Genius-Treueprogramm

Die Travel Karte ist kostenlos und hat keine Jahresgebühr

Buchen Sie jetzt Ihre nächste Unterkunft mit der Travel Karte über die Swiss Bankers Buchungsseite

Wichtig: Der Cashback ist nur über die Swiss Bankers Buchungsseite verfügbar und sofern Sie die Unterkunft mit der Travel Karte bezahlen. Sie benötigen zudem ein Konto bei Booking.com.

Jetzt zur Swiss Bankers Buchungsseite**

** Bitte beachten Sie, dass Booking.com nicht dem Bankkundengeheimnis unterliegt und Kundendaten ausserhalb der Schweiz übermittelt werden können. Auf der Webseite bzw. App von Booking.com gelten die Allgemeinen Geschäftsbedingungen von Booking.com. Die Swiss Bankers Prepaid Services AG übernimmt keine Haftung bei Nutzung der Angeboten von Booking.com.

Häufige Fragen.

Antworten auf allgemeine Fragen zu PIN-Code, Sicherheit, Mobile Payment sowie Services finden Sie unter Häufige Fragen allgemein .

Wo ist die Prepaid Karte Travel erhältlich?

Travel erhalten Sie bei unseren  Verkaufsstellen . 

Wie viele Karten darf ich besitzen?

Maximal 5 Karten über Verkaufsstellen , diese Anzahl variiert jedoch je nach Vertriebspartner.

In welchen Währungen gibt es Travel?

Travel ist in Euro, US-Dollar oder in Schweizer Franken erhältlich.

Mehr anzeigen

Alles noch einfacher mit der Swiss Bankers App.

Mit den praktischen Funktionen der Swiss Bankers App wird der Umgang mit Travel noch bequemer und übersichtlicher.

Informationen über die Travel Prepaid Kreditkarte

Suchen Sie eine gratis Prepaid Kreditkarte für Reisen?

Sie wollen mit einer gratis Kreditkarte verreisen und in tollen Hotels, vom einfachen Bed & Breakfast bis zum 5-Sterne-Luxushotel, zu besten Konditionen übernachten? Dann haben wir die Lösung für Sie: Die Travel Karte von Swiss Bankers bietet alles auf einmal. Die Travel Karte ist kostenlos und gleichzeitig sparen Sie bis zu 10% auf Booking.com bei über 28 Mio. Unterkünften weltweit – zusätzlich auf vergünstigte Unterkünfte! Ob für Reisen in der Schweiz, City-Trips in Europa oder USA-Reisen – die Travel ist der perfekte Reisebegleiter und in den Währungen CHF, EUR und USD erhältlich.

Wie kann ich mit der Travel Geld sparen?

Wenn Sie gern in Hotels übernachten, ist die kostenlosen Travel genau die richtige Wahl. Vom Hostel bis zum luxuriösen 5-Sterne-Hotel -  in mehr als 600 Hotels in der Schweiz, Deutschland, Österreich und Italien bekommen Sie mit der Travel bis zu 50 % Rabatt. Dank der integrierten Hotelcard-Mitgliedschaft sparen Sie bei rechtzeitiger Buchung Ihrer Reisen bares Geld.

Mit Ihrer Travel Karte können Sie sämtliche Hotelcard-Vorteile nutzen. Das Gute daran ist, dass Swiss Bankers für Sie die Hotelcard-Mitgliedschaft übernimmt – so sparen Sie sich die reguläre Hotelcard-Gebühr in Höhe von CHF 99 pro Jahr. Es steht Ihnen frei, ob Sie als Travel Karteninhaber das Angebot an vergünstigten Hotelübernachtungen nutzen wollen oder nicht. Nutzen Sie diesen Vorteil ohne zusätzliche Kosten und sparen Sie bei einer künftigen Hotelbuchung bares Geld! Einfach Ihre Travel Karte hier registrieren , Ihr Hotel über die Plattform Hotelcard.com buchen und vor Ort mit der Travel Karte die Hotelrechnung bezahlen.

Warum ist die Travel Prepaid Kreditkarte ideal für Reisende?

• Bis zu 50 % Rabatt in mehr als 600 Hotels – vom Hostel bis zum 5 Sterne Hotel
• Kostenlose Ersatzkarte weltweit (in der Regel innerhalb von 3 Arbeitstagen)
• Keine Jahresgebühr
• In den Währungen CHF, EUR und USD erhältlich ohne Wechselgebühren
• Über 70 Millionen Akzeptanzstellen weltweit
• Volle Kostenkontrolle über die Swiss Bankers App
• Mobile Payment mit Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay u.v.m.
• Keine Bonitätsprüfung
• Für alle ab 16 Jahren erhältlich (mit Zustimmung eines gesetzlichen Vertreters ab 12 Jahren)

Für wen ist die kostenlose Prepaid Kreditkarte geeignet?

Wenn Sie eine sichere Bezahlkarte ohne Jahresgebühr suchen, mit der Sie Ihre Ausgaben unter Kontrolle haben, ist die Travel Prepaid Kreditkarte genau die Richtige. Sie ist ideal für alle, die keine fixen Gebühren bezahlen und die Karte weltweit auf Reisen einsetzen möchten. Bei Verlust wird die Karte weltweit kostenlos inkl. Guthaben in ein bis zwei Tagen per Kurier ersetzt. Digital kann eine Ersatzkarte sogar sofort auf ihrem Smartphone verfügbar gemacht werden.

Nur beim Aufladen und Einsetzen der Karte fallen Gebühren an.  Wenn Sie gelegentlich eine Prepaid Kreditkarte benötigen, sind Sie mit der Travel bestens bedient. Mit der kostenlosen Swiss Bankers App profitieren Sie von weiteren Vorteilen: Zu jeder Zahlung erhalten Sie eine Benachrichtigung in Echtzeit und behalten so alle Ausgaben im Blick und Ihr Budget unter Kontrolle. Sie können mittels Mobile Payment mit dem Smartphone bezahlen, jederzeit Ihre PIN ändern und Ihre Karte mit Sicherheitseinstellungen maximal schützen, wie z. B. das Sperren von Ländern.

Welche Vorteile hat eine Karte ohne Jahresgebühr?

Wenn Sie noch nicht so genau wissen wann und wie oft Sie die Karte einsetzen möchten, ist die Travel genau die richtige Karte für Sie. Mit der Travel Prepaid Kreditkarte haben Sie keine Fixkosten. Es fallen nur bei der Nutzung Gebühren an. Auch wenn Sie noch nicht so genau wissen, ob und wann Sie eine Prepaid Kreditkarte benötigen, ist es durchaus sinnvoll, die Travel kostenlos online zu beantragen. Benötigen Sie die Karte eines Tages, müssen Sie diese nur aufladen und diese ist dann sofort einsatzbereit.

Fallen Transaktionsgebühren an?

Die Travel Prepaid Kreditkarte ist ideal für alle, die ihre Karte nur gelegentlich nutzen. Das Guthaben kann je nach Bedarf aufgeladen werden. Dafür wird i. d. R. eine Ladegebühr von 1.5 Prozent des geladenen Betrages erhoben (bei einigen Verkaufsstellen sind Abweichungen möglich). Wird die Karte nicht weiter genutzt, fallen keine weiteren Kosten an. Nur wenn Sie mit der Karte bezahlen, belastet Swiss Bankers 1 CHF Gebühr pro Transaktion (oder je nach Kartenwährung 1 EUR bzw. 1 USD).

In welchen Währungen ist die Prepaid Kreditkarte verfügbar?

Sie können die Karte nicht nur in Schweizer Franken (CHF), sondern auch in Euro (EUR) und US-Dollar (USD) bestellen. Die Ladegebühr ist für alle Währungen gleich.

Wie kann ich die Karte aufladen?

Die Travel können Sie schnell und bequem in den Filialen des Vertriebspartners aufladen, bei dem Sie die Karte bestellt oder erworben haben. Viele Swiss Bankers Partnerbanken bieten das sofortige Aufladen im E-Banking an. Zusätzlich können Sie die Travel Karte über die Swiss Bankers App oder das Kundenportal per Banküberweisung oder mittels Kreditkarte, Debitkarte oder PostFinance Karte aufladen. Bei der Aufladung per Kreditkarte oder über PostFinance, ist das Guthaben innerhalb weniger Minuten auf der Karte verfügbar. Eine Einzahlung per Banküberweisung kann zumeist noch am gleichen Arbeitstag Ihrer Karte gutgeschrieben werden.

Mit wie viel Guthaben kann ich die Karte aufladen?

Der minimale Ladebetrag beträgt EUR/USD/CHF 100, der maximale Ladebetrag bzw. der maximale Kartensaldo beträgt EUR/USD/CHF 10'000.

Wie schnell geht eine Aufladung?

Sie können die Karte einfach und schnell aufladen. Per Banküberweisung steht Ihnen das neue Guthaben zumeist noch am gleichen Arbeitstag zur Verfügung. Bei Aufladung über Kreditkarte oder Postfinance Karte wird der Ladebetrag innerhalb weniger Minuten Ihrer Karte gutgeschrieben.

Wer kann die Karte aufladen?

Eine Einzahlung per Banküberweisung kann uneingeschränkt entweder durch Sie oder über eine andere Person erfolgen. Das Aufladen über Kreditkarte oder PostFinance ist nur mit einer auf Sie ausgestellten Karte möglich. Alternativ können Sie sich von einem anderen Swiss Bankers Karteninhaber auch Geld per Send – unserem innovativen Geldtransferservice – jederzeit zusenden  lassen.

Wie werden die hohen Sicherheitsstandards gewährleistet?

• Mit der Swiss Bankers App können Sie die Karte für bestimmte Länder sperren oder entsperren.
• Der PIN-Code kann jederzeit in der Swiss Bankers App geändert werden.
• Bei Verlust einfach und schnell die Karte per Swiss Bankers App sperren. Eine neue Travel Karte mit Ihrem vorhandenen Guthaben senden wir Ihnen weltweit kostenlos per Kurier innerhalb weniger Tage zu.
• Überwachung verdächtiger Transaktionen rund um die Uhr durch unsere Sicherheits-Experten.
• Bei erkanntem Betrugsverdacht sofortige Benachrichtigung und Sperrung der Karte durch Swiss Bankers.

* Der Cashback ist nur verfügbar, wenn dieser bei der Auswahl der Unterkunft angezeigt wird. Dieser wird erst nach einem Aufenthalt und der Bezahlung der Unterkunft ins Booking.com-Wallet gutgeschrieben. Der Cashback beträgt zwischen 5% und 10%. Das Angebot kann jederzeit innerhalb von 5 Tagen durch Booking.com geändert oder eingestellt werden. Barauszahlung und Rechtsweg sind ausgeschlossen.

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Top Credit Cards With Priority Pass Lounge Access

Enhance your next trip by spending time in a lounge before your flight.

Credit Cards With Priority Pass

Getty Images

There is a Priority Pass credit card for each type of traveler.

Some of the links on this site contain offers from our partners .

Key Takeaways

• Priority Pass has over 1,500 airport lounges around the world.
• Select travel credit cards offer a complimentary membership with free entrance for the cardholder and up to two travel companions.
• Travelers receive complimentary drinks, food, Wi-Fi and more inside the lounge.

Waiting at the airport for your flight can be an uninviting experience. Seats at the gate are often uncomfortable and crowded, while food options are typically overpriced. However, if you have access to an airport lounge, you'll enjoy comfortable seating, complimentary food and drinks, and free Wi-Fi.

Priority Pass credit cards allow travelers to enjoy the amenities inside more than 1,500 lounges around the world. Learn more about Priority Pass lounges, which credit cards offer Priority Pass membership and which factors you should consider before applying.

Priority Pass Lounge Benefits

Benefits can vary, depending on the location. You may find multiple Priority Pass lounges at the same airport that offer different amenities. However, most Priority Pass lounges offer the following complimentary benefits:

• Meals or snacks
• Beverages, including alcohol
• Comfortable seating

According to Zac Hood, founder of Travel Freely, a points and miles app for beginners, "International lounges typically stand out as more upscale with better food," than U.S. lounges.

The Priority Pass website or mobile app provides an overview of the benefits available inside each lounge. A third-party service called LoungeBuddy also shares highlights and user reviews.

How Many Times Can You Use Your Card's Priority Pass Benefits?

Complimentary access to participating airport lounges is often unlimited for people with a Priority Pass credit card. However, not all credit cards that offer this benefit include unlimited access for free. Some cards include just a handful of complimentary visits per year and charge for each additional visit. Other credit cards do not include any free visits and charge every time you want to enter the lounge.

Ben Komenkul, a travel points and miles educator at Ben's Big Deal, says, "Priority Pass cardmembers get full access to Priority Pass airport lounge for up to two guests when flying any airline the same day." However, there can be some exceptions to the rule.

5 Best Credit Cards for Priority Pass Lounge Access

There are numerous Priority Pass credit cards to choose from, so we narrowed down the list to our favorites for each type of traveler.

For Luxury Travelers: The Platinum Card® from American Express

The Platinum Card from American Express is well-known for its premium travel benefits and top-notch customer service. In addition to Priority Pass lounges, cardholders also receive complimentary access to Centurion Lounges, Escape Lounges and Plaza Premium Lounges. It features numerous benefits, including more than $1,500 in value with its cardholder credits. Cardholders receive Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy Gold elite status for no charge, and they'll earn five points per dollar when booking flights through American Express Travel or directly with the airline. Membership Rewards points can be used to book travel, get statement credits and more, including transferring to 21 airline and hotel partners. You'll pay a $695 annual fee for this card. ( See Rates & Fees )

For Best Rewards: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Savvy travelers love the Chase Sapphire Reserve for its benefits and flexible rewards. The card earns three points per dollar on dining and travel worldwide and up to 10 points per dollar on purchases through Chase Travel. Points are worth 50% more when booking travel through Chase, or you can transfer to 14 airline and hotel loyalty programs. The card also features an annual $300 travel credit that automatically applies to eligible purchases. You'll pay a $550 annual fee for this card.

For Hotel Elite Status: Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

Hotel elite status provides numerous complimentary benefits, including upgrades at check-in, late checkout and higher earning power on hotel spending. The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card includes automatic Hilton Honors Diamond elite status, which is the loyalty program's highest tier. Cardholders also receive a $400 Hilton resort credit and a $200 flight credit every year. Plus, the card includes an annual free night that can be used at almost any Hilton property worldwide. For big spenders, you can earn an additional free night by spending $30,000 and a second free night by spending $60,000. You'll pay a $550 annual fee for this card.

The information for the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has been collected independently by U.S. News and the card is not currently available on the site. The information has not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer and it is accurate as of the date posted.

For Sharing Benefits: Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite Credit Card

The Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite Credit Card includes Priority Pass memberships that can be shared by up to four people. While other Priority Pass credit cards allow cardholders to bring up to two guests with them, this card allows cardholders to give Priority Pass benefits to other people. The card also earns two points per dollar on travel and dining plus 1.5 points per dollar on all other purchases. Customers who qualify for Preferred Rewards can earn up to 75% bonus points. The card also includes $550 in fee credits to offset its annual fee of $550.

The information for the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite Credit Card has been collected independently by U.S. News and the card is not currently available on the site. The information has not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer and it is accurate as of the date posted.

For No Annual Fee: Signify Business Cash℠ Card by Wells Fargo

Travel credit cards have significant annual fees that are hard to justify for some travelers. The Signify Business Cash Card by Wells Fargo is a business credit card that includes Priority Pass access without charging an annual fee. The card earns an unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase and includes a 0% introductory annual percentage rate offer on purchases for 12 months. Whenever you want to visit a Priority Pass lounge, simply pay an entrance fee to use all of its benefits.

The information for the Signify Business Cash℠ Card by Wells Fargo has been collected independently by U.S. News and the card is not currently available on the site. The information has not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer and it is accurate as of the date posted.

Tags: credit cards

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

Advertiser Disclosure

Bankrate.com is an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. The offers that appear on this site are from companies from which Bankrate.com receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site, including, for example, the order in which they may appear within listing categories. Other factors, such as our own proprietary website rules and the likelihood of applicants' credit approval, also impact how and where products appear on this site. Bankrate.com does not include the entire universe of available financial or credit offers.

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

Best travel credit cards of June 2024

• • Credit card strategy
• • Credit card comparisons

• • Rewards credit cards
• • Travel credit cards

• • Credit cards
• • Personal finance

The listings that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which Bankrate receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. Here's an explanation for how we make money.

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You have money questions. Bankrate has answers. Our experts have been helping you master your money for over four decades. We continually strive to provide consumers with the expert advice and tools needed to succeed throughout life’s financial journey.

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Bankrate.com is an independent, advertising-supported publisher and comparison service. We are compensated in exchange for placement of sponsored products and services, or by you clicking on certain links posted on our site. Therefore, this compensation may impact how, where and in what order products appear within listing categories, except where prohibited by law for our mortgage, home equity and other home lending products. Other factors, such as our own proprietary website rules and whether a product is offered in your area or at your self-selected credit score range, can also impact how and where products appear on this site. While we strive to provide a wide range of offers, Bankrate does not include information about every financial or credit product or service.

Travel credit cards help you earn valuable points and miles on your purchases. For maximum value, some cards earn rewards not only on travel, but also everyday purchases like dining, groceries and gas. You can redeem these rewards for free or discounted flights, hotel stays or to cover other travel-related expenses.

The best travel cards also come with additional features. Even no-annual-fee travel cards are likely to offer perks like sign-up bonuses, intro APR offers and travel insurance. But for top-of-the-line benefits like airport lounge access, elite status and travel credits, expect to pay an annual fee.

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We helped over 150,000 users compare travel cards in 2023

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At Bankrate we strive to help you make smarter financial decisions. While we adhere to strict editorial integrity , this post may contain references to products from our partners. Here's an explanation for how we make money  and  how we rate our cards  .

Bankrate's Best Travel Credit Cards of June 2024

• Best starter travel card:  Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
• Best for flat-rate rewards:  Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
• Best for luxury travel:  The Platinum Card® from American Express
• Best for no annual fee:  Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card  ( See Rates & Fees )
• Best for foodies:  American Express® Gold Card
• Best for everyday spending: Citi Strata Premier℠ Card
• Best for intro APR:  Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
• Best for point values:  Chase Sapphire Reserve®
• Best for practical perks:  Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
• Best for pairing:  Chase Freedom Unlimited®
• Best for hotel bookings: Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card
• Best no-annual-fee hotel card:  Hilton Honors American Express Card
• Best for luxury hotel perks: Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
• Best for transfer partners:  Bilt Mastercard®
• Best for gas:  Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card
• Best for companion tickets:  Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
• Best starter airline card:  Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card
• Best for savers: Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card
• Best for first-year value:  Discover it® Miles
• Best for fair credit:  Credit One Bank Wander® Card
• What to know about travel credit cards
• Tips for choosing the best travel card

Travel credit card perks

How do credit card points and miles work.

• Expert advice on travel cards

How we assess the best travel credit cards

• Frequently asked questions
• Ask the experts

Credit range

A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.

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You might also consider these cards

Card categories

Best starter travel card

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Bankrate score

Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.

Intro offer

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℠.

60,000 bonus points

We calculate this number by multiplying the card's intro offer by Bankrate's valuation of this issuer's rewards program , showing you how much your points or miles are worth in dollars.

Rewards rate

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.

Regular APR

21.49% - 28.49% Variable

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

What we love: This popular card comes loaded with features that can make it easy even for occasional travelers to offset the modest $95 annual fee without eating into hard-earned rewards. Plus, its rewards program is one of the best, giving you some of the most valuable travel redemptions — through both Chase and transfer partners — and Chase card pairing opportunities if you want to build your card portfolio eventually. Learn more: Why expert Margaret Weck loves using the Chase Sapphire Preferred Alternatives:   If you’re looking for an even simpler travel card, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a terrific option. Its flat rewards rate makes it easy to know exactly how much you’ll earn with every purchase and though it can’t match the Sapphire Preferred’s redemption flexibility, it offers more redemption options than the typical travel rewards card. 

• You earn Ultimate Rewards points with this card — some of the most valuable and flexible rewards around, especially if you pair it with Chase’s cash back cards in the future.
• The card touts significant long-term benefits like anniversary bonus points and travel credits, as well as travel protections like trip cancellation insurance and a car rental collision damage waiver.
• Doesn’t offer airline- or hotel-specific perks like free checked bags, elite status or free night stays.
• The sign-up bonus is decent, but the card has previously offered higher, chart-topping bonus points.
• 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

Best for flat-rate rewards

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

New Venture cardholders can earn 75,000 miles once they spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening

Earn 75,000 miles

5 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day.

2 Miles - 5 Miles

19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)

• 5 Miles 5 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• 2 Miles 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day

What we love: It’s a great option for travelers looking for a straightforward rewards program and flexible redemption options. You'll earn unlimited miles on all eligible spending and can redeem not only for travel bookings, but also as a statement credit to cover travel purchases made in the past 90 days. Learn more: Why expert Jacqueline DeMarco loves the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card Alternatives: The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers a higher rewards rate in some everyday spending categories and potentially more valuable points. Chase points are worth 1.25 cents each if you redeem for travel through Chase, while Capital One miles are only worth 1 cent each when you redeem for travel. Plus, Chase rewards are more helpful for occasional travelers since you can redeem as cash back at 1-cent-per-point value.

• Carries solid perks given its low annual fee, including expedited airport purchase security and hotel experience credits, lost luggage reimbursement and more.
• Zero foreign transaction fees make this an excellent choice for international travelers.
• You can’t offset the annual fee with annual travel credits or bonuses alone as you can with some rival cards.
• The card’s sign-up bonus carries a high spending requirement, so it may be tough to earn if you don’t have large purchases on the horizon.
• 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

Best for luxury travel

The Platinum Card® from American Express

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.

Earn 80,000 points

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. Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.

See Pay Over Time APR

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

What we love: Luxury travelers and big spenders will appreciate the bevy of travel benefits, including annual statement credits worth around $1,700, elite hotel loyalty status and access to perhaps the most comprehensive airport lounge access available with a credit card. Learn more: Why expert Holly Johnson loves the Platinum Card® from American Express Alternatives: The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offers a taste of luxury at a lower cost than many premium travel cards. You can unlock a generous rewards rate on both travel and general purchases, complimentary access to popular airport lounge memberships and valuable annual travel credits and anniversary miles.

• Comes with a generous welcome offer and a longer time period to earn it compared to most rewards cards.
• A robust line-up of airline and hotel partners and related perks make this card truly valuable for travelers.
• The $695 annual fee may not be worth it if you don’t spend much on travel frequently or can’t take full advantage of the card’s luxury — and often niche — perks.
• Redeeming and maximizing the card’s credit and benefits requires some legwork and can be a bit confusing.
• 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.

Best for no annual fee

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

• Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel

20,000 miles

5 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. 1.25 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day.

1.25 Miles - 5 Miles

• 1.25 Miles 1.25 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day

What we love: This card offers some of the same advantages as the Capital One Venture, without the burden of an annual fee. It gives you the chance to earn flat-rate miles on your everyday spending and the option to transfer miles to over 15 loyalty program partners to even cover travel purchases outside Capital One — a unique level of redemption flexibility for a starter travel card. Learn more: Reasons to get the VentureOne Rewards Card Alternatives: A general-purpose flat-rate credit card that offers 2X points or 2 percent cash back on all purchases may bring more value if you don’t travel often and aren’t ready to upgrade to a travel rewards credit card with an annual fee. However, the Discover it® Miles earns a flat-rate 1.5X miles that can also be redeemed for cash back at 1-cent per mile, which is unusual for travel rewards.

• The welcome offer is generous for a no-annual-fee travel credit card.
• Booking hotel stays and rental cars through Capital One Travel nets you an impressive 5X miles.
• Unlike several no-annual-fee travel cards, redeeming for non-travel purchases waters down your rewards’ value.
• Capital One has no major U.S. carrier in its line-up of travel partners.
• $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
• 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

Best for foodies

American Express® Gold Card

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 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points

Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. 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.

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

What we love: Few credit cards are more rewarding for traveling foodies than the American Express Gold Card. Both the food-related annual credits and the rewards rates at restaurants, U.S. supermarkets and on flights booked directly with airlines or via the Amex travel portal are some of the best on the market. In fact, the up to $240 in credits each year alone nearly make up for the annual fee. Learn more: Why the Amex Gold is worth the annual fee Alternatives: If the Amex Gold Card’s annual fee sounds high, consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card . It carries key travel perks, high travel and dining rewards rates, and a much lower annual fee.

• This card features one of the best rewards return rates available on dining, groceries and food deliveries.
• There is no preset spending limit, so you can enjoy extended purchasing power, and you also have the option to pay off purchases with Pay Over Time if necessary.
• Although the card touts a solid collection of travel perks, it doesn’t include popular premium card perks like airport lounge access or trip cancellation/interruption insurance.
• Only eligible airfare earns more than 1X points, while rival cards often earn similar (or higher) reward rates on hotel stays and other travel purchases as well.
• 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.

Best for everyday spending

Citi Strata Premier℠ Card

• 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

70,000 bonus points

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.

21.24% - 29.24% (Variable)

• 10X Earn 10 points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on CitiTravel.com.
• 3X Earn 3 points per $1 on Air Travel and Other Hotel Purchases, at Restaurants, Supermarkets, Gas and EV Charging Stations.
• 1X Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases

What we love: This card’s high rewards rate in everyday bonus categories makes it an especially good choice for occasional travelers and people looking for a standalone rewards card. Its practical bonus categories mean you can earn rewards quickly, even if you don’t actually spend a ton on travel. Alternatives:   As long as you don’t mind buying groceries online, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card could be an even more lucrative everyday rewards card. That’s thanks mostly to its high point redemption value (1.25 cents per point when you use points to book travel with Chase, versus just 1 cent per point when you book with Citi using the Strata Premier).

• It’s one of the only travel cards that offers a high rewards rate on groceries, dining and gas, so it should work well whether it’s your standalone card or just one part of your card stack.
• Its annual hotel benefit carries enough value to potentially offset the annual fee on its own.
• The annual hotel benefit, though generous, isn’t very flexible: You’ll only get the $100 discount if you book a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) through CitiTravel.com.
• Based on Bankrate’s latest point and mile valuations, Citi ThankYou rewards carry a lower average redemption value than Chase, Amex and Capital One rewards.
• 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

Best for intro APR

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

• 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.

25,000 points

• 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.

19.24% - 29.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers

• 1.5X 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.

What we love: This entry-level travel card keeps things simple for occasional travelers. It offers simple flat-rate rewards and lets you redeem for a broad mix of travel options not typically available on many travel cards, such as cash back toward purchases with travel agencies,  zoos, art galleries and more. It’s even more valuable if you’re a Bank of America customer and can qualify for a rewards boost through the Bank of America Preferred Rewards® program. Learn more: Is the Bank of America Travel Rewards card worth it? Alternatives: The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card is another great starter travel card, but, unlike many cards in this category, it lets you transfer your miles to airline and hotel partners, potentially for a higher redemption value.

• Its easy-to-earn sign-up bonus and intro APR offers give this card good short-term value.
• No annual fees or foreign transaction fees sweeten this offer.
• It only offers 1.5X points on purchases, and you can’t transfer points can’t to airline partners for more rewards value, so it may not be as lucrative as competing cards.
• The top tiers of the Bank of America Preferred Rewards® program may be out of reach for many cardholders.
• 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.

Best for point values

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

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℠.

Earn 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠. Earn 5x total points on flights through Chase Travel℠. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining. Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

22.49% - 29.49% Variable

• 10x Earn 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠.
• 5x Earn 5x total points on flights through Chase Travel℠.
• 3x Earn 3x points on other travel and dining.
• 1x Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

What we love: Rewards-savvy travelers will be hard-pressed to find a card with better rewards potential than the Sapphire Reserve. Points are worth 50 percent more through Chase Travel, and potentially more with the right transfer partner. It’s a stellar partner for Chase’s cash back cards and stacks on even more value with enough perks to recoup the annual fee without relying on hard-earned rewards. Learn more: Why expert Holly Johnson loves the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card Alternatives: The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offers some of the same key perks as the Sapphire Reserve at a much lower cost. Along with a generous rewards rate on both Capital One Travel and general purchases, the card boasts valuable, practical benefits like competitive airport lounge access , up to $300 in annual Capital One Travel credits and 10,000 bonus miles every year on your account anniversary.

• You can kickstart your rewards bank with one of the most valuable sign-up bonuses on the market.
• Its top-tier benefits include up to $300 in annual travel statement credits, Priority Pass airport lounge access, exhaustive travel protections and stand-out partner perks.
• The card’s cost could be a deterrent for some new cardholders, especially if they plan on encountering adding multiple authorized users.
• You won’t get as many luxury hotel and airport lounge perks with this card as you would with some of its rivals.
• 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®

Best for practical perks

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

• 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

75,000 miles

10 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. 5 Miles per dollar on flights booked through Capital One Travel. 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day.

2 Miles - 10 Miles

• 10 Miles 10 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• 5 Miles 5 Miles per dollar on flights booked through Capital One Travel

What we love: This is the perfect middleground for travelers who want the practical benefits from luxury travel cards without dealing with bloated features and an annual fee upwards of $500. It offers complimentary lounge access, high-earning bonus rewards categories, anniversary credits and bonus miles, which can easily make the card worth it for frequent travelers. Learn more: Capital One Venture X Benefits Guide Alternatives: If a higher annual fee is no issue, consider The Platinum Card® from American Express. It’s a top choice for frequent travelers thanks to its impressive welcome offer and luxury perks like annual travel credits, lounge access and hotel elite status. However, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® may be better if your luxury travel experience calls for racking up more rewards.

• Offers anniversary bonus miles and a chance to earn credits worth hundreds of dollars starting at your first account anniversary.
• Comes with complimentary lounge access at over 1,300 lounges for you and two guests per visit.
• To earn the anniversary credit, travel must be booked through the Capital One Travel portal. That’s not as flexible as some other cards, which offer credits that cover any travel purchases, regardless of how you book.
• Lacks some perks found on other premium travel cards like airline or hotel elite status, which can get you benefits like free checked bags or room upgrades.
• 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

Best for pairing

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) — worth up to $300 cash back. That’s 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases.

Up to $300 cash back

Enjoy 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. 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service. 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

20.49% - 29.24% Variable

• 5% Enjoy 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.
• 3% 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service.
• 1.5% 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

What we love: Not only does it earn 1.5 percent cash back on general spending, but it also has a bonus cash back rate for drugstores and dining at restaurants. And if you pair it with one or two premium Chase travel cards, you could pool your rewards for better travel redemption value.  Learn more: Why I love the Chase Freedom Unlimited Alternatives: If you want to take advantage of even more rewarding cash back categories and remain in the Chase family, consider the Chase Freedom Flex® .

• You can pool rewards with other Chase cards to maximize your earnings.
• The additional rewards rate offer can add even more cash back to your pocket for the first year.
• The welcome offer isn’t as competitive as other cards’ offers.
• Maximizing rewards with this and other Chase cards can get complicated for people who like simple rewards programs.
• 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.

Best for hotel bookings

Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card

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

21.24%, 26.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR

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

What we love: It offers a great rewards rate on hotel bookings and gives you a chance to earn a $50 annual statement credit with a $50 minimum airline purchase. Add in a solid rate on airline purchases, other travel and restaurants and this card carries great value as a standalone mid-tier card for occasional travelers. Alternatives: If you want to earn travel rewards but don’t actually spend much on hotels and airfare, the lower-tier Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card is also worth a look. Though it earns also rewards on travel, it boasts a great mix of other practical everyday categories (including gas stations).

• You can transfer points to Wells Fargo’s new list of airline and hotel partners, including popular programs like British Airways Executive Club, Choice Privileges and more, which could boost the redemption value of your rewards.
• The $50 annual statement credit offsets more than half the card’s $95 annual fee and should be a cinch to earn if you fly at least once per year.
• Wells Fargo only offers one other card that earns travel rewards (the Autograph), and there is some category overlap between the two, so they may not be as lucrative as some competing card stacks.
• The card doesn’t carry some popular travel perks available on other mid-tier travel cards, such as credits for expedited airport security screening or rideshares.
• Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
• 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.

Best no-annual-fee hotel card

Hilton Honors American Express Card

• Earn 70,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points plus a Free Night Reward after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 7/31/2024.

Earn 70,000 points

Earn 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio. Earn 5X Points per dollar on purchases at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations. Earn 3X Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.

20.99%-29.99% Variable

• 7X Earn 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio.
• 5X Earn 5X Points per dollar on purchases at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations.
• 3X Earn 3X Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.

What we love: This card earns rewards in a terrific mix of everyday bonus categories, so it should be easy to rack up Hilton points even if you don’t spend a ton on hotel bookings. Since it charges no annual fee and provides a few Hilton Honors benefits like Silver status, it’s also a great fit if you’re new to hotel cards and want a single no-annual-fee option instead of juggling multiple rewards cards. Learn more: Why expert Holly Johnson loves the Hilton Honors American Express Card Alternatives: The American Express® Green Card could be more flexible since it lets you earn and redeem rewards on a much wider variety of travel purchases, including airfare and bookings with several hotel brands, not just Hilton. You can transfer points to the Hilton Honors program as well, but the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card may be better if you prefer upgraded Hilton-specific rewards, loyalty status and other perks.

• Comes with automatic Silver Elite status, which includes a free fifth award night when you book at least four consecutive nights with points.
• Earns rewards in three of the average person’s biggest spending categories, making it a terrific standalone option for earning Hilton points.
• A higher-tier Hilton card would earn more on Hilton bookings and could be more lucrative for frequent guests, even with an annual fee.
• You can only redeem points with Hilton and its partners, which limits the rewards value you earn on the everyday categories compared to a general-purpose cards’ rewards.
• Earn 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio.
• Earn 5X Points per dollar on purchases at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations.
• Earn 3X Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.
• 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.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
• No Annual Fee.

Best for luxury hotel perks

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card

• Earn 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.

Earn 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points

• Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. 3X points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines. 2X points on all other eligible purchases.
• 6X Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®
• 3X 3X points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines
• 2X 2X points on all other eligible purchases

What we love: Frequent Marriott guests looking for luxury card-level perks and elite status should be able to justify this premium card. Along with a terrific rewards rate on Marriott bookings and an annual free night award, you could enjoy generous annual credits for restaurant purchases and Marriott property stays, airport lounge access, elite night credits and more. Learn more: Best Marriott credit cards Alternatives: If you’re looking for top-tier travel perks but want the flexibility to earn and redeem rewards for stays at any hotel chain, consider an elite travel card from Chase or Amex, which can come with generous travel benefits, airport lounge access and the ability to transfer points to Marriott. The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is another lucrative alternative.

• Outperforms other Marriott cards with its boosted rewards on travel-related categories and 21X points at Marriott Bonvoy hotels, thanks to the automatic Platinum Elite status.
• It’s one of the only hotel cards that includes complimentary Priority Pass lounge access, top travel protections and credits for expedited airport security screening.
• Unlocking some of the card’s best perks — like Five Suite Night Awards — requires a $60,000 annual spend, which may be tough to reach even for frequent Marriott guests.
• Unless luxury perks are at the top of your wishlist, the annual fee may not be worth it and a lower-tier hotel card may offer more value overall.
• $300 Brilliant Dining Credit: Each calendar year, get up to $300 (up to $25 per month) in statement credits for eligible purchases made on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card at restaurants worldwide.
• With Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status, you can receive room upgrades, including enhanced views or suites, when available at select properties and booked with a Qualifying Rate.
• Free Night Award: Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
• Each calendar year after spending $60,000 on eligible purchases on your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, you will be eligible to select a Brilliant Earned Choice Award benefit. You can only earn one Earned Choice Award per calendar year. See https://www.choice-benefit.marriott.com/brilliant for Award options.
• $100 Marriott Bonvoy Property Credit: Enjoy your stay. Receive up to a $100 property credit for qualifying charges at The Ritz-Carlton® or St. Regis® when you book direct using a special rate for a two-night minimum stay using your Card.
• Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®: Receive either a statement credit every 4 years after you apply for Global Entry ($100) or a statement credit every 4.5 years after you apply for a five-year membership for TSA PreCheck® (up to $85 through a TSA PreCheck official enrollment provider) and pay the application fee with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
• Each calendar year with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card you can receive 25 Elite Night Credits toward the next level of Marriott Bonvoy® Elite status. Limitations apply per Marriott Bonvoy member account. Benefit is not exclusive to Cards offered by American Express. Terms apply.
• Enroll in Priority Pass™ Select, which offers unlimited airport lounge visits to over 1,200 lounges in over 130 countries, regardless of which carrier or class you are flying. This allows you to relax before or between flights. You can enjoy snacks, drinks, and internet access in a quiet, comfortable location.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees on international purchases.
• With Cell Phone Protection, you can be reimbursed, the lesser of, your repair or replacement costs following damage, such as a cracked screen, or theft for a maximum of $800 per claim when your cell phone line is listed on a wireless bill and the prior month's wireless bill was paid by an Eligible Card Account. A $50 deductible will apply to each approved claim with a limit of 2 approved claims per 12-month period. Additional terms and conditions apply. Coverage is provided by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
• $650 Annual Fee.

Best for transfer partners

Bilt Mastercard®

Intro offer is not available for this Wells Fargo credit card.

3x points on dining. 2x points on travel. 1x points on other purchases. Earn up to 1x points on rent payments without the transaction fee, up to 100,000 points each calendar year. When you make at least 5 posted transactions in a statement period using your Bilt Mastercard, you'll earn points on rent and qualifying net purchases.

1X Points - 3X Points

• 3X Points 3x points on dining
• 2X Points 2x points on travel
• 1X Points 1x points on other purchases
• 1X Points Earn up to 1x points on rent payments without the transaction fee, up to 100,000 points each calendar year. When you make at least 5 posted transactions in a statement period using your Bilt Mastercard, you'll earn points on rent and qualifying net purchases.

What we love: Not only is this card is a terrific choice for renters since it earns rewards and waives transaction fees when using it to pay rent, it’s also great for rewards strategists considering the extremely robust travel rewards program. You can earn rewards on travel and dining and your points carry a high value whether you redeem through the Bilt travel portal or one of the many airline and hotel transfer partners. Alternatives: If you like the Bilt card’s travel rewards program but don’t see yourself renting long term, consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. It earns generously on both travel and dining and also boasts high-value points and transfer partners. If the way you pay rent doesn’t incur credit card payment fees, a flat-rate card may also be worth weighing. 

• It’s the only card that helps you avoid the fees typically associated with paying rent with a credit card.
• Offers a solid collection of travel perks for a no-annual-fee card, including trip cancellation and interruption protection, trip delay reimbursement and other high-level travel protections.
• You can only use rewards to cover rent, toward a future home down payment or for travel and shopping. Cash back isn’t an option.
• There is no sign-up bonus. Most competing travel cards — even those with no annual fee — offer at least a $200 bonus.
• $0 Annual Fee.
• Earn up to 1x points on rent payments without the transaction fee, up to 100,000 points each calendar year.
• 2x points on travel.
• 3x points on dining.
• 1x points on other purchases.
• Earn points when you make 5 transactions that post each statement period.
• When renting at a Bilt Alliance property, you can choose to have your rent payments automatically reported by Bilt to the three major credit bureaus each month; Experian™, TransUnion™, and Equifax™.

Best for gas

Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

• Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value.

20,000 bonus points

Earn unlimited 3X points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans. Earn 1X points on other purchases.

20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR

• 3X Earn unlimited 3X points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans.

What we love: The Wells Fargo Autograph card is a great option for occasional travelers and households on the go looking to earn rewards while avoiding an annual fee and reduced redemption value for cash rewards. It’s one of a few entry-level travel cards to offer high, year-round bonus rewards for gas, dining, transit and other key travel needs. Learn more: Is the Wells Fargo Autograph worth it? Alternatives: If you’re looking for ways to maximize the value of your rewards, you should consider a travel card that lets you transfer your points to airlines or hotels, like the Bilt Mastercard® or Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.

• While some issuers only reward travel purchases made directly with airlines or through issuer portals, this card lets you shop around for the best deal on third-party travel sites and still earn extra rewards.
• Carries decent perks such as rental car collision damage waiver coverage, roadside assistance and Visa Signature® Concierge benefits, like access to Visa’s Luxury Hotel Collection (terms apply).
• Unlike with traditional travel cards, you cannot transfer your points to airlines or hotels
• The travel perks and intro APR are weak compared to competing travel-oriented cards’ offers.
• Select "Apply Now" to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
• 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.

Best for companion tickets

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

• Earn 85,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

Earn 85,000 miles

Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets. Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.

• 3X Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
• 2X Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
• 1X Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.

What we love: The annual companion certificate on Main Cabin domestic flights (taxes and fees apply) comes with this card after the first year is valuable enough to justify the annual fee even if you’re just looking for great Delta perks to make travel smoother with a partner. Plus, the companion certificate is easier to obtain than other airline cards’ since it carries no spending requirement that must be met beyond the card’s annual fee. Alternatives: The American Express® Green Card could be a great alternative since it charges a lower $150 annual fee, lets you earn and redeem rewards on travel with any eligible airline (not just Delta) and offers credits for Loungebuddy lounge access and Clear Plus. You can even transfer points to Delta at a 1:1 ratio.

• Boasts several valuable travel perks, including priority boarding, a free first checked bag and specialized annual credits for select rideshare services and reservations with Delta Stays and Resy.
• Gets you closer to Medallion Status and discounts on in-flight purchases, complimentary upgrades, and more.
• Its rewards rate on non-travel purchases is lacking — a general-purpose travel card could potentially offer better rewards value and flexibility for rewards travel outside Delta.
• No longer offers complimentary Delta Sky Club lounge access as of this year, although airport lounge access is a staple perk for premium travel cards.
• Receive a Companion Certificate on Main Cabin domestic, Caribbean, or Central American roundtrip flights each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Ticket requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights and no more than $250 for roundtrip international flights (both for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
• Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars each Medallion Qualification Year and get closer to Status with MQD Headstart.
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
• Earn $1 Medallion® Qualification Dollar for each $20 of purchases made on your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card in a calendar year and get a boost toward achieving Medallion Status for next Medallion Year.
• Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
• Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
• Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
• Receive Zone 5 Priority Boarding on Delta flights; board early, stow your carry-on bag and settle in sooner.
• Receive either a statement credit every 4 years after you apply for Global Entry ($100) or a statement credit every 4.5 years after you apply for a five-year membership for TSA PreCheck® (up to $85 through a TSA PreCheck official enrollment provider) and pay the application fee with your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Members with an eligible ticket will be added to the Complimentary Upgrade list, after Delta SkyMiles Medallion Members and Reserve Card Members.
• $350 Annual Fee.

Best starter airline card

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

• Earn 85,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Earn 85,000 points

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. Earn 2X points on Rapid Rewards® hotel and car rental partners. Earn 1X points on all other purchases.

• 2X Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases.
• 2X Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.
• 2X Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming.
• 2X Earn 2X points on Rapid Rewards® hotel and car rental partners.
• 1X Earn 1X points on all other purchases.

What we love: This card’s anniversary bonus offers enough value to nearly offset the annual fee on its own, so it should be a terrific low-stakes option whether you’re new to airline cards or a regular Southwest flyer looking for a low-maintenance card. Plus, its sign-up bonus value is on par with the value you’ll get with much pricier airline and travel cards. Learn more: Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus benefits guide Alternatives: The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card could offer better value overall, despite its $149 annual fee. It carries an annual $75 Southwest travel credit and 7,500 bonus points each year on your account anniversary — more than enough value to justify the higher fee.

• You’ll automatically earn 3,000 Rapid Rewards points each year after your account anniversary, which could offset much of the card’s already-low annual fee.
• Delivers the same hefty sign-up bonus as higher-tier Southwest cards.
• Unlike several travel cards, it doesn’t carry rewards categories for popular everyday purchases like gas or dining.
• It may not be the best Southwest value for frequent flyers since it poses a 3 percent foreign transaction fee and doesn’t offer perks like upgraded boardings or elite status benefits.
• 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.

Best for savers

Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card

• 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.

60,000 points

Earn unlimited 2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases. Earn unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all other purchases.

21.24% - 29.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers

• 2X Earn unlimited 2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases.
• 1.5X Earn unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all other purchases.

What we love: If you do your banking with Bank of America and qualify for Preferred Rewards status, this card could provide an exclusive 25 percent to 75 percent rewards rate boost. The  rewards rates — 2X points on dining and travel, with 1.5X points on all other purchases — could increase to an incredible 3.5X on travel and dining with an unrivaled flat 2.62X points rate. Learn more: Why expert Sara Coleman loves the Bank of America Premium Rewards Card Alternatives: The similarly-priced Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is one of the best alternatives thanks to its stellar travel protections, yearly bonus rewards and stronger rewards program. However, flat-rate cards like the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card or the Discover it® Miles card could be lucrative if you don’t think the $95 annual fee is worth it.

• The $95 annual fee is relatively affordable for this card category thanks to the up to $100 in yearly airline incidental statement credits.
• You can smooth out your travel experience with great benefits like credits toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry and comprehensive travel insurance.
• Attaining the highest rewards rate is not an easy feat, since you’ll need to hold significant funds in Bank of America accounts.
• This card does not offer a few popular premium travel perks like lounge access.
• Low $95 annual fee.
• 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.

Best for first-year value

Discover it® Miles

• 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.

Discover Match®

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

18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR

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

What we love: In addition to the exceptionally valuable Discover Match® , this card combines solid flat-rate rewards with consumer-friendly terms, like minimal fees and an equal value for both travel and cash back redemptions. Travelers who value simplicity will appreciate this card’s straightforward rewards and adaptability — even when you aren’t traveling. Learn more: Why expert Holly Johnson loves the Discover it® Miles Alternatives: The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card carries a more straightforward and still easy-to-reach welcome bonus. The VentureOne card also gives you the option of transferring miles to more than a dozen airline and hotel partners, which could increase the redemption value of your rewards.

• All miles earned in your first year will be matched at the end of the year, which could make it one of the most valuable first-year offers for no annual fee.
• Miles don’t lose value when they’re redeemed for cash back, which gives it a leg up over many travel rewards programs for occasional travelers.
• You’ll miss out on pretty standard travel perks like travel insurance, and car rental damage protection.
• The rewards structure lacks flexibility; you won’t be able to transfer your miles or use them to book travel.
• 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.

Best for fair credit

Credit One Bank Wander® Card

Intro offer is not available for this Credit One Bank credit card.

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.

29.74% Variable

• 10X Earn 10x points on eligible hotels and car rentals booked through the Credit One Bank travel partner site
• 5X Earn 5x points on eligible travel, dining, and gas
• 1X Earn 1x points on all other purchases

What we love: The Credit One Bank Wander® Card is a solid option if you want to earn points on travel but have trouble qualifying for mainstream travel cards. Not only is this card accessible with only fair credit, but its rewards program boasts generously high rewards rates in key travel categories. Learn more: Best travel cards for people with bad or fair credit Alternatives: If you don’t mind putting down a refundable security deposit, consider a no-annual-fee secured card like the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card *. It’s a unique secured card that lets you build credit while earning rewards in a category of your choice (with travel just one of many popular options) as well as grocery stores and wholesale clubs.

• It’s one of the only travel rewards cards available with a fair credit score, making it a decent option if you want to earn travel rewards as you work on your score.
• Provides 5X points in travel, dining and gas, plus 10X points on eligible hotel and rental car bookings through Credit One Bank — rare and impressive rates with only fair credit.
• Its annual fee is high compared to other cards you can get with a fair credit score , so it may not be the best fit if you prioritize building credit over earning rewards.
• Other travel cards may offer better perks, fewer redemption restrictions and more value, so it may be worth working on your score with a lower-cost card before committing to the costly annual fee.
• 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

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 information about the American Express® Green Card and Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured card has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuers.

Compare Bankrate's best travel credit cards of 2024

What are travel credit cards.

Travel credit cards allow cardholders to earn points or miles on a variety of purchases (typically travel-related), which are redeemable for travel bookings, statement credits, gift cards and more.

The best travel credit cards do more than help you foot the bill for your next flight — travel cards also offer perks to upgrade your entire travel experience. Trip insurance , annual travel credits, concierge services and lounge access are all common benefits. Airline and hotel co-branded credit cards sometimes offer specific discounts and perks for loyalty program members.

Pros and cons of travel credit cards

Although a well-chosen travel card can pay huge dividends, it might not be the right move for every traveler. Before you apply, take time to weigh the benefits versus the drawbacks of travel credit cards .

Tips on choosing the best travel credit card for you

The right travel credit card for you will carry features and benefits that give you the best value. To help you narrow down your choices, here are the steps to choosing the best travel card.

How to choose a travel credit card

1. know how you prefer to travel.

Knowing whether your travel expenses lean toward airfare, hotel stays or a mix of other travel will help you decide whether you should get an airline card, hotel card or general-purpose travel card. A co-branded airline or hotel credit card may be a good fit if you mostly travel with a certain brand and want exclusive privileges to enhance your experience. A general-purpose travel card is better if you prefer to keep your travel options open.

2. Prioritize redemption value

You may have to pick between simplicity and maximum value when comparing cards and rewards programs. Many travel cards offer a standard point or mile redemption value of 1 cent when you redeem toward travel through the issuer portal, but some cards can get you a higher redemption value when you transfer rewards to airline or hotel partners. However, it's common for many travel reward programs to reduce the redemption value toward non-travel options or limit these redemption options altogether. If you prefer simplicity over maximizing rewards, you may want to consider cards that allow you to redeem points or miles at an equal 1-cent value toward general travel purchase credits, cash back or other non-travel options.

3. Match your card to your spending habits

Take a look at your typical spending and find which travel categories and non-travel categories you spend the most in to help you choose a card that offers a high rewards rate for your regular spending. Just make sure you factor in rewards spending caps.

4. Note what's worth the extra money

High rewards rates and valuable travel perks are the biggest reasons to get a travel card, but many of the best cards carry a high annual fee. You could stick with a no-annual-fee travel card (or at least one with around a $99 fee) if you're mainly focused on earning rewards, but you may have to pay up to $500 or more for luxurious perks like airport lounge access, comprehensive travel insurance and hundreds of dollars in annual travel credits .

5. Look toward your next trip abroad

If you travel overseas, check to see if the card you're considering charges a foreign transaction fee. And since some credit cards aren't as widely accepted as others, you'll also want to make sure your credit card will work when traveling overseas . For example, merchants may not accept Discover and American Express cards as widely as Visa and Mastercard. If a trip is coming up in the next three to six months, keep an eye out for the big sign-up bonuses travel cards are known for. As a rule of thumb, the higher the annual fee, the higher the sign-up bonus should be.

Co-branded travel cards vs. general travel cards

Experts typically divide travel credit cards into two categories: co-branded travel cards and general travel cards. Co-branded cards are linked to a particular airline or hotel, while general travel cards offer more flexible reward opportunities. Here’s why and when you might want one or the other.

• Co-branded cards
• General travel cards

Co-branded travel cards tend to offer higher rewards rates on eligible travel purchases in exchange for limiting your reward redemption options to just one airline or hotel program . These cards may also feature more specific perks associated with the respective hotel or airline, such as free award nights, complimentary airline elite status or priority boarding — which general-purpose travel cards don’t often carry).

However, you won’t be able to use your rewards with a wide variety of different hotels and airlines like general-purpose cards allow. Plus, despite co-branded travel cards’ typically higher rewards rates, many brand-specific rewards tend to be worth less than the potential value of general-purpose cards’ points and miles.

When to get a co-branded travel card : When you often fly or stay with a specific airline or hotel and want to maximize your benefits with that brand.

General travel cards earn rewards on various travel categories and aren’t limited to a particular airline or hotel. Such cards may lack some of the dedicated perks you’ll find on a co-branded travel card, such as in-flight discounts, but make up for it with rewards flexibility and broader perks like general travel credits, expedited security screening and wider airport lounge access. 

The top travel cards even let you transfer your points or miles to airline and hotel loyalty programs, often at a 1:1 rate. Redeeming with some airlines and hotels can even make your rewards more valuable than they would be if you redeemed with the card issuer.

When to get a general travel card : When you have no preferred airline or hotel and want the additional flexibility a general travel card offers. 

Who should get a travel credit card?

A travel credit card is almost always worth it for frequent travelers or anyone who wants to earn rewards toward their next vacation.

If you can save up airline miles, rack up points for free nights at hotels or get discounted travel through your credit card issuer, you’re on your way to significant travel savings. However, the right travel card for you will depend on your travel habits.

Frequent travelers

Naturally, the ideal candidate for a travel card is someone who travels a lot or plans to book several flights and hotel stays per year. However, in some cases, you don’t have to be a frequent traveler to reap the benefits of a travel rewards card. A number of cards offer good rewards rates on general purchases.

Travel beginners

If you’re new to travel rewards, a good place to start is with a travel card that makes it easy to earn and redeem points, without requiring you to navigate a complex rewards program or worry about tiered rewards rates or varying point redemption values. 

Brand loyalists

If you tend to book travel with the same brands frequently or already belong to an airline or hotel loyalty program, a co-branded travel card can offer terrific value.  Airline- and hotel-specific rewards cards often earn a top rate on bookings with the brand as well as exclusive perks like lounge access and automatic elite status. 

Business travelers

Some of the most valuable travel credit cards are business cards . Whether you're a freelancer on the go or the CEO of a Fortune 500, the right travel credit card can help you earn high rewards rates on everyday business purchases. 

International travelers

If you frequently travel abroad, a card with no foreign transaction fees is a great way to help you avoid extra costs on overseas purchases. Plus, if you hate waiting in line at airport security or customs, a lot of travel cards offer statement credits to reimburse you for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees.

Luxury travelers

Luxury travel cards often charge a pretty penny but also offer a ton of value via perks like lounge access and annual travel credits. These perks not only make travel more comfortable, but also often carry enough value to offset the card’s cost on their own.

Still unsure if a travel credit card is right for you? Check out our Credit Card Spender Type Tool where you can get personalized credit card recommendations based on your credit score, spending habits and daily needs.

Here’s how a Bankrate editor chose his travel card

Here’s how a bankrate editor chose his travel card.

With all of this advice in mind, let’s see how a credit card expert made their pick. Here’s Bankrate editor Nouri Zarrugh on how he chose his travel card:

When it comes to earning rewards, I’ve always stuck with cash back cards, preferring the simplicity of knowing exactly how much my rewards are worth and the ease of redeeming for statement credits. Recently, though, I decided I wanted to travel a bit more frequently, and I figured a new travel rewards card could be a great tool to help me earn free trips. When choosing the right card for me, a few major points of consideration stood out: Cost: I didn’t feel like I traveled enough to justify a huge annual fee. Simplicity : I wanted to stick with a single, streamlined travel card and not worry about juggling multiple rewards programs or rewards rates. Perks : While I didn’t need anything too fancy, I thought it might be nice to have a perk like TSA Precheck included, since I hate waiting in long airport security lines. To my surprise, the card that stood out most was the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card. Though it carried an intimidating annual fee of $395 ( See Rates & Fees ), I found this cost was more than worth it once I dug into the details. In fact, its benefits were so valuable, I barely needed to worry about offsetting the cost.  Two of its annual perks — a $300 Capital One travel credit and 10,000 bonus miles every year on my account anniversary — are valuable enough to offset the fee on their own. This means as long as I take one flight a year, I can basically break even on the card. Any rewards or perks I get beyond that feel like pure upside. It’s a huge bonus, then, that the card also includes practical benefits like Priority Pass lounge access and a credit of up to $100 toward the cost of Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. While I’ve never frequented airport lounges, I see these privileges as essentially free considering the value of the annual travel credit and bonus miles. So, I figure, why not take advantage?  For me, the Venture X strikes the perfect balance: A flat rewards rate that makes it easy to earn miles on everything I buy; flexible redemption through Capital One or via transfer to airlines and hotels, and practical perks I know I’ll use when I travel. I never imagined I’d have a $395 travel card in my wallet, but for me, it’s at worst a coupon for a flight every year, which can nudge me to take that next trip. — Nouri Zarrugh, Editor, Bankrate

Travel benefits may differ from card to card, but some of the most popular travel cards available often feature a few key perks. 

Travel insurance

Travel cards may offer various travel insurances , such as trip delay protection, trip cancellation insurance, lost baggage insurance or car rental insurance. These benefits aren’t worth anything until you need them, but you’ll be glad you have them when your flight is canceled or your luggage gets lost.

Travel credits

Credits toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry are a popular and common benefit on many travel cards. You can typically use this credit once every four years, which roughly corresponds to how long a TSA PreCheck or Global Entry membership lasts. Some cards may also provide an annual credit toward Clear Plus — another expedited security membership. Higher-end travel cards often offer annual statement credits toward travel purchases, and many of these credits nearly offset these cards’ annual fees. 

In-flight perks

Co-branded airline cards typically offer some airport and in-flight benefits on top of their reward-earning capabilities. These can include discounts on in-flight purchases (usually 25 percent back on refreshments and WiFi), free checked bags, flight seating upgrades or priority boarding. 

Free hotel award nights

Co-branded hotel cards may include free hotel award nights annually as part of their benefits. Some cards also add an extra complimentary awards night to your stay if you’ve booked a certain number of consecutive nights. These nights are typically capped at a certain value (sometimes based on the card or your elite status), and may be valuable enough to make up for some cards’ annual fees.

Airport lounge access

One of the most popular (and valuable) travel benefits featured on high-end and luxury travel cards is complimentary access to airport lounges. The lounges you gain access to depend on the card, though co-branded cards will often grant access to the lounge corresponding to the card’s airline. The Amex Platinum card currently offers the best airport lounge access .

If you want to add a credit card to your portfolio for your travel needs, knowing what cards are popular and why people like them can help steer your decision. We regularly stay abreast of these conversations online and noticed two travel cards come up regularly: the Chase Sapphire Reserve and The Platinum Card from American Express .

These cards shine because they offer some of the best rates on travel purchases and the most comprehensive set of benefits and perks . Despite their annual fees, what you get in return can far outweigh your costs. And the conversation around these two cards isn’t new: Is the effort of maximizing their perks worth it?

What people say about travel credit cards perks

The Sapphire Reserve is often referred to as the gold standard in travel benefits and protections, and the value of its trip insurance is a big part of that. A member of the Rick Steves Forum remarks on the value of the insurance: “It has pretty extensive coverage wherever I travel … my entire trip is covered as long as I charged any portion of the trip to my card.” This feature is unique to the Sapphire Reserve and sets it apart from other premium cards, which require you to charge your entire trip purchase to the card to have active coverage.

But using trip insurance isn’t always a simple process. As a user in the r/CreditCards forum on Reddit cautions: “Credit card travel insurance in general is very specific on what it covers, and people tend to overestimate just how useful the coverage actually is,” they write. “These are named peril policies, so unless you see your exact situation as a covered hazard the policies won't pay out.”

The Platinum Card from American Express gets a lot of buzz for reasons similar to the Sapphire Reserve. The card gives so many benefits, credits and additional perks that it’s often called a coupon book for luxury travel. But for many people, the value comes down to whether they’re willing to do the work to maximize its features. Another r/CreditCards member says they use the card’s Hilton and Marriott status boosters, rental car company loyalty program automatic status features, Centurion lounge access, hotel and airline incidental credits, membership credits and more. Using all these features helps them offset the annual fee.

While some people love maximizing the card’s features to extract  as much value as possible, others, like this Redditor, think it’s too much work:

“The only benefit the Platinum card really adds is Centurion but only to the [cardholder] … I believe the Platinum is worth [it] at least the first year for the [sign-up] bonus but then it doesn't get much use after that. Trust me the credits are really annoying to use.” — r/CreditCards user

These two premium cards stand out from the rest because they offer the most comprehensive features available to suit your travel needs and protect you from any issues that arise. The Chase Sapphire Reserve is an exceptional option to protect you from travel issues, but make sure you know the fine print. While the Amex Platinum may not be as ideal for travel protections, the credits offered more than offset its annual fee if you can put in the effort to fully maximize them.

Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned cardholder, your travel card should always work in your favor by offering the features and benefits you’ll actually use and that make your travels more enjoyable. But whether you’re willing to put in the effort to maximize a card’s value is something you’ll need to decide for yourself.

*The quotes and citations included on this page have been verified by our editorial team and are accurate as of the posting date. Be sure to check the issuer's website/terms and conditions for all up to date content. Outlinked content may contain views and opinions that do not reflect the views and opinions of Bankrate.

Credit card points and miles are two of the key types of credit card rewards , along with cash back. You’ll earn points and miles by making purchases with your credit card, but you can typically redeem these rewards for travel, gift cards and more — not just statement credits.

Points and miles tend to be more flexible than cash back, but since their value depends on how you redeem them — and, in the case of travel redemptions, where you’re going, when you book, your fare class and more — it may take a bit more effort to make the most of them.

What are your points and miles worth?

Since many airlines and hotels use dynamic pricing models that continually optimize airfare and room prices, it can be hard to know exactly how much your rewards are worth without doing a little math.

Luckily, you don’t need to be a travel hacker to get a sense of this idea. Before you redeem, you can check your reward redemption value by dividing the cost of a plane or hotel booking in cash by its cost in points or miles. This calculation will result in the cash value of your points or miles.

You can also compare this value to Bankrate’s latest points and miles valuations to determine if you’re getting a good deal on your redemptions. Bankrate collected data on hundreds of bookings across dozens of airline, hotel and credit card rewards programs and estimated how much each program’s rewards are worth on average .

• Airline rewards values
• Hotel rewards values
• Credit card program rewards values

The table below shows Bankrate’s estimated reward redemption value for a variety of popular airline loyalty programs. You’ll notice how widely the value varies between airlines, with some offering close to 3 cents per point in average redemption value and others struggling to meet a 1-cent-per-point value.

Keep in mind, however, that these values are averages based on a variety of fare classes, destinations, booking periods and more. For example, while Bankrate estimates Delta SkyMiles carry an average redemption value of around 1.2 cents per mile, they could be worth more or less depending on the details of your booking. 

*Based on weighted average of median point/mile values across economy and first/business class fares.

Like airline miles, hotel points fluctuate in value. The table below shows Bankrate’s estimated point values for some of the most popular hotel brands. 

As you can see, hotel points tend to be worth less than airline and credit card rewards on average, often carrying less than 1 cent per point in redemption value. That said, hotel loyalty programs sometimes offer more favorable exchange rates when you transfer rewards from a credit card rewards program. For example, you may be able to turn 1,000 credit card points into 2,000 hotel points (a 2:1 transfer ratio). 

*Based on median point values across budget, mid-tier and luxury hotel bookings.

Unlike hotel and airline rewards programs, credit card reward programs typically earn points or miles that offer a consistent redemption value when you use them with the issuer. Though the redemption value of your rewards may vary based on how you redeem, each redemption method should offer a consistent baseline value. 

Some credit card rewards programs may also allow you to transfer your points or miles to airline and hotel loyalty programs, which could boost their value considerably. For each major credit card rewards program, we estimate a baseline redemption value (assuming you book for travel with the issuer) and a Bankrate’s Value, which averages the program’s best-value transfer partners.

*Based on an average of the issuer’s five highest-value transfer partners (if available).

When to use rewards vs. cash

To demonstrate when it’s best to use your reward miles versus paying in cash, we set up this example:

We estimate American Airlines AAdvantage miles are worth 1.0 cents. If you book a seat in the main cabin on a one-way flight from Boston to Miami, and it costs either $139 or 21,500 miles, your miles are only worth $0.006 ($139 / 21,500 miles = $0.006). Since your miles for this flight are worth less than 1.0 cents, you may want to save your miles and pay cash for this flight.

But if you book a first-class seat on the same flight for $433 or 31,500 miles, your miles are now worth $0.013 ($433 / 31,500 = $0.013). Since 1.3 cents is higher than our latest valuation, you’re coming out ahead if you use your miles to pay for this flight.

Bankrate experts share their advice on using travel credit cards

It’s important to know how to maximize your rewards and perks. Otherwise, a travel card could end up being a money pit. Here are a few pointers from our experts for making the most of your travel card: 

Combine cards to maximize rewards

Knowing how much you spend in different categories and which merchants are eligible for rewards will help you earn more and build an optimized stack of rewards cards. A flat-rate card is often a great starting point to earn the same rate on every purchase you make. As you build out a rewards strategy, you can incorporate a card with bonus categories to earn even more in your highest spending areas.

Expert Insight:

“For a long time, I’ve used a combination of Chase credit cards known as the Chase trifecta for all my family’s spending…. [I] don’t typically use my Sapphire Reserve for everyday spending and bills. Since it only offers 1X points on non-bonus category spending, I use my Freedom Unlimited to make sure I earn a minimum of 1.5 percent cash back on everything I buy.” “I use each card strategically to earn as much in rewards as possible, then I pool them in my Sapphire Reserve account to redeem them for airfare, excursions, hotels and more.” — Holly D. Johnson — Award-winning personal finance writer and Bankrate contributor: Why I love the Chase Sapphire Reserve

Maximize your rewards value with transfer partners and issuer travel

Save your rewards for the most valuable redemption options. Travel points and miles often lose value toward non-travel options like cash back, so you’ll want to redeem your rewards for travel through the issuer portal for at least 1 cent per point or mile. However, transferring your rewards to the right airline or hotel partner program is usually worth the extra effort since it could net you even more value.

Expert Insight

“When I redeem my points through the Chase Ultimate Rewards program, the most I can get is 1.25 cents apiece, which is pretty good. However, if I transfer them to a partner airline’s loyalty program, I will often get much more. For example, I can transfer my points to United Airlines MileagePlus and use them to pay for flights. When I do, I generally get a value of 2 or more cents per point — in line with Bankrate estimates that Chase Ultimate Rewards points are worth around 2 cents apiece on average when used with the right transfer partner.” — Margaret Wack — Personal finance expert and Bankrate contributor: Why I love the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

Make the most of your travel perks

Travel benefits are one of the main reasons to get a travel card, and are often key to making up a card’s annual fee. Be sure to read the fine print to make sure you can take full advantage of these offers . For example, one card’s travel credit may apply to any travel purchase, including airfare, while another card’s may only cover costs like baggage fees or in-flight purchases. 

“This is the year to take inventory of your credit cards and make sure they’re serving you well. If you’re paying an annual fee, look for a card with recurring benefits. Whether it’s annual award nights, waived luggage fees or elite status benefits, these perks can offset your annual fee and make your travels more pleasant … Despite putting minimal spending on my Hilton Honors Amex Aspire card, I keep renewing it every year. That’s because the card provides automatic Hilton Diamond elite status, which can easily offset the $550 annual fee. Recurring card benefits like [these] can save you a lot on travel and are worth considering when shopping for a new credit card.” — Ariana Arghandewal — Travel rewards expert and Bankrate contributor: Five benefits you need from a travel credit card

Plan for the sign-up bonus

The best travel cards come with generous welcome offers, but these bonuses may require a high spend in a short timeframe. That’s why it’s important to consider whether the spending requirement fits with your typical spending habits or whether you need to plan purchases to meet the requirement. Just be sure not to overextend yourself or take on debt you can’t pay back just to earn a bonus — interest and fees can easily eat through any value you’d get.

“Keep in mind that credit card sign-up offers change often. So if you’re interested in a particular card but not blown away by its current offer (there are some for 100,000 points or more that aren’t always worth the trouble), it could be worth your while to wait for a better one.” — Ariana Arghandewal — Travel rewards expert and Bankrate contributor: 6 ways to get bigger credit card bonuses

Look out for limited-time offers, partner perks and other benefits

Keeping an eye out for limited-time offers like extraordinarily high sign-up bonuses, perks with partner services (like rideshares or delivery services) and other reward-earning opportunities is a great way to squeeze the most value from your travel card. Issuers sometimes provide shopping and travel portals and card-linked reward programs for select purchases (like for pre-paid dining or participating merchant spending), which can help you bank extra rewards.

“Keep an eye on your email inbox and rewards portal for any limited-time promotions your issuer may be offering. Many American Express cards feature Amex Offers, which lets you access perks like statement credits for spending a certain amount on specific hotels and other retailers.  Other cards, like the Capital One Venture X, also have occasional promotional offers, such as a credit for 5 percent back on VRBO rentals.” — Lori Zaino — Travel expert and Bankrate contributor: How to maximize credit cards for cheaper accommodations this holiday season

Track your spending and rewards each account statement

Track your favorite stores’ and services’ merchant category codes (MCCs) to fine-tune your spending habits for maximum rewards. If you notice your expenses changing, this practice may also help you notice whether you need to change which rewards cards you carry.

“The first step to optimizing your spending is to take the time to collect the MCCs of stores you frequently shop at. During the process, you might find that some stores in the same chain may have different MCCs, depending on their primary inventory. Even different counters or sections in the same department store may carry different MCCs. You can use this to your advantage if you know one location near you will provide a better cash back rate than the other. These “loopholes” can provide great opportunities to reap cash back on purchases that typically wouldn’t earn rewards.” — Garrett Yarbrough — Writer and credit cards expert at Bankrate: Merchant category codes: How to earn more cash back

Our data: What credit score do you need for the best travel cards?

It’s no secret that your credit score heavily influences which cards you’re likely to get approval for. But how good does your credit need to be to get the best credit cards for travel? We analyzed our data of Bankrate readers who applied for credit cards on our pages in 2023 and compared the approval rates of readers’ different credit tiers.

We found that, on average, 61.9 percent of users with excellent credit were approved for travel cards on our site. Then, an average of 39.5 percent and 19.5 percent of users with good and fair credit, respectively, got approval for travel credit cards they applied to.

If you have fair or bad credit, you still have options for travel credit cards. For example, the Credit One Bank Wander Card caters to people with fair credit — 57 percent of people with fair credit who applied on our site in 2023 were approved for this card , according to our data.

Obviously, the better your credit, the more likely you are to get the card you apply for , but other factors can affect your application. Issuers may also consider your income, recent credit applications, homeownership status and monthly rental or mortgage payment. Keep these other factors in mind with your credit score when you apply for credit cards.

Have more questions for our credit cards editors? Feel free to send us an email , find us on Facebook , or Tweet us @Bankrate .

When evaluating the best travel cards, we consider a mix of factors, including how cards score in our proprietary card rating system and whether cards offer features that fit the priorities of a diverse group of cardholders, from earning rewards in popular categories to scoring a large sign-up bonus or high-value perks. Whenever possible, we also feature cards that are available at various credit levels and price points. 

We analyzed over 150 of the most popular cards and scored each based on its rewards rate, estimated annual earnings, welcome bonus value, APR, fees, perks and more to determine whether it belonged in this month’s roundup of the best travel cards.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the key factors in our rewards card scoring methodology — our primary scoring category for travel cards — and details we considered when putting together our list of the best travel cards.  

• Flexibility 15%
• Customer experience 5%

Great rewards value

The primary criteria for a rewards-earning card’s rating is its rewards value. This includes the card’s average rewards rate, estimated annual rewards earnings, sign-up bonus value and reward redemption value.

To estimate a card’s average annual rewards earnings, we first calculate its average rewards rate based on how much it earns in different bonus categories and how closely its categories align with the average person’s spending habits. In other words, we assess whether the card earns rewards at a high rate in the most popular spending categories. 

We use consumer spending data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to get a reliable third-party measure of people’s spending habits. The most recent BLS data estimates average total spending in 2022 was $72,967 per consumer. We then narrow our focus to which purchases are likely to be put on a credit card and earn rewards, subtracting expenditures like housing, vehicle purchases and education. This gives us a total “chargeable” annual spend of around $25,500.  

This includes the following spending by category:

• Groceries: $5,700
• Dining out: $3,600
• Entertainment: $2,400
• Gas: $3,100
• Apparel and services: $1,900

Using this data, we assign a weighting to each of a card’s bonus categories. For example, a card’s grocery rewards rate receives a 22 percent weighting based on how much of the average person’s budget is spent on groceries.

We also estimate the redemption value of points or miles from various issuer, airline and hotel rewards programs.

This weighting and rewards valuation allows us to estimate a card’s average annual rewards earnings — how many points or miles you’d earn with a given card if your spending was about average and you used the card for all of your purchases — as well as what those points are worth. We also use point valuations to determine a card’s sign-up bonus value

With these calculations complete, we assign each card a score based on how its average rewards earnings, sign-up bonus value, rewards rate and redemption value stack up against other rewards cards.

The better these values, the higher its score will be, making it more worthy of inclusion in our list and increasing its potential ranking.

Reasonable rates and fees

We also score cards based on how much it costs to keep them in your wallet or carry a balance. 

To start, each card is scored based on whether it offers an intro APR and how its ongoing APR compares to the rates available on other rewards cards. However, the latter rating only has a slight influence on the card’s score and whether the card is included in our list, since rewards card users generally try to avoid carrying a balance.

More important to both a card’s score and its inclusion in our list is how its annual fee influences its overall value. We consider a card’s annual fee in two ways — how it ranks relative to the fees you’ll find on other cards in the category and how it impacts a card’s overall rewards value. 

Cards with an annual fee will always be at a slight disadvantage in our scoring system since annual fees inherently cut into your rewards value. However, if a card offers terrific value via its ongoing rewards and perks, it can earn a high score and a spot in our list even if it carries a high annual fee. After all, the highest rewards rates and most valuable perks are often found on cards with annual fees. 

With this in mind, we rate a card based primarily on how its ongoing rewards value and ongoing perk value (such as annual credits or bonuses) stack up against those of other cards in the category when you subtract annual fees.

That said, we strive to include as many no-annual-fee options in our list as possible since many people would rather not worry about offsetting fees, even if a card carries impressive rewards and perks.

Redemption flexibility

Rewards cards may make it easy to earn a lot of points, miles or cash back, but how easy is it to use those rewards? After all, if it takes a ton of effort to redeem rewards or you can only redeem rewards in a couple of ways, a card may be more trouble than it’s worth. 

As such, we rate each card’s flexibility based on the restrictions it imposes on earning and redeeming rewards. We factor this rating into a card’s overall score and consider it when deciding on a card’s inclusion in our list. 

Flexibility factors include whether a card only allows you to earn a high rewards rate on only a small amount of spending or requires you to meet a certain earning threshold before you can redeem rewards. We also examine whether your points are worth less when you opt for some redemption options over others and whether a card gives you the flexibility to transfer rewards to travel partners.

Valuable perks

We also score each card’s set of features – its perks and benefits — against five tiers of features to provide a rating. 

We break down these tiers as follows:

• Tier 1 includes fewer features than even standard credit cards (for example, an ultra-streamlined card that offers basic utility and next to nothing in the way of ancillary benefits). 
• Tier 2 includes the benefits you’d expect on standard Visa or Mastercard credit cards, such as free access to your credit score, car rental insurance and $0 liability for fraudulent charges. 
• Tier 3 includes “prime card” or better-than-average card features like cellphone insurance, lost luggage insurance, concierge services and purchase protection. 
• Tier 4 includes luxury features such as airport lounge access, elite status with an airline or hotel and credits for expedited security screening membership programs. 
• Tier 5 includes the sort of exemplary benefits you’ll find on top-tier luxury cards, such as high-value travel credits, cardholder memberships and other unique and valuable perks.

In evaluating the best cards, we tend to favor cards that offer at least Tier 3 benefits, unless they include other unique features that could make up for less-impressive perks.

And since this list focuses on travel cards, we tend to favor cards that carry travel-centric features like travel insurance, airport lounge access and credits for expedited security screening, instead of more general perks like food delivery credits or shopping discounts.

More information on travel credit cards

Frequently asked questions about travel credit cards, are travel credit cards worth it.

Travel cards can be well worth it since they often have exclusive travel perks like credits for airfare, hotel stays, expedited airport security services and more, as well as complimentary airport lounge access and airline or hotel privileges. However, many of the best travel credit cards come with annual fees. It’s important to at least offset the cost of these cards by taking advantage of the various travel perks and features included on the card. 

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

It’s possible to get a travel credit card with bad or fair credit, but most travel rewards cards are geared toward people with good or excellent credit (a FICO score of at least 670, or a VantageScore of at least 661).

Do travel miles or points expire?

Even though many major credit cards earn rewards that don’t expire, you may lose your points and miles if your account closes or isn’t in good standing. However, some co-branded cards’ rewards may expire if you don’t earn or redeem rewards within a certain timeframe (typically 12 to 36 months after the rewards are earned).

Check out our guide to credit card rewards expiration for a thorough breakdown of several popular issuers’ policies.

Are points or miles better on a credit card?

Whether points or miles offer better value will depend on the specific rewards program and how you redeem rewards. One airline loyalty program may earn miles that offer less than 1 cent each in average redemption value while another program’s points may offer close to 3 cents each on average. Similarly, a hotel card’s points may be worth less than half of a credit card issuer’s rewards points. Some programs offer points with only average baseline redemption value but high value when transferred to a partner airline or hotel. 

Ask the experts: Is it a good idea to have multiple travel credit cards?

Thomas Nitzsche

Stephanie Zito

Erica Sandberg

Financial Educator, Debt and Credit

Whether you should have multiple travel credit cards depends on several factors, including your brand affinity, frequency of travel and ability to pay off your cards in full each month. As a credit counselor, I see many people carrying credit card debt at high interest rates while continuing to make charges to the account for the sake of earning rewards. They lose far more than they earn each month. Having more than one travel credit card could make sense for you if you’re able to maximize your earnings by strategizing spending across each card. Just take into account annual fees and actual interest paid.

Contributor, Personal Finance

If you’re up for managing multiple cards and their benefits, then there are definitely big reward payouts to be had. But if the thought of multiple cards is overwhelming, it’s also a good strategy to have one or two more flexible cards and focus on maximizing your earnings and redemptions until it becomes second nature.

Contributor, Credit Cards

Definitely! I currently have two travel credit cards. In addition to the Chase card that I use for my United Airlines purchases, I have the Capital One Venture card for all other airlines. I earn a solid amount of miles on everything I buy with it, so it's an easy go-to for non-travel related expenses.

Article sources

We use primary sources to support our work. Bankrate’s authors, reporters and editors are subject-matter experts who thoroughly fact-check editorial content to ensure the information you’re reading is accurate, timely and relevant.

Global entry: Trusted traveler enrollment program . U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Accessed on June 12, 2024.

Discover International acceptance . Discover. Accessed on June 5, 2024.

“ Consumer Expenditures 2022 ,” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Accessed on June 12, 2024.

* See the online application for details about terms and conditions for these offers. Every reasonable effort has been made to maintain accurate information. However all credit card information is presented without warranty. After you click on the offer you desire you will be directed to the credit card issuer's web site where you can review the terms and conditions for your selected offer.

Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. The information, including card rates and fees, is accurate as of the publish date. All products or services are presented without warranty. Check the bank’s website for the most current information.

• Best for Everyday Spending
• Best for Flat-Rate Cash Rewards
• Best for Rotating Cash Back Categories Label
• Best for Families
• Best for Groceries, Dining, and Entertainment
• Best for Self-Care and Pet Card
• Why You Should Trust Us

Best Cash Back Credit Cards of June 2024

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

The information for the following product(s) has been collected independently by Business Insider: Wells Fargo Attune℠ Card, Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card†, Chase Freedom Flex®, U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card. The details for these products have not been reviewed or provided by the issuer.

• Best cash back credit card for everyday spending : Chase Freedom Unlimited®
• Best cash back credit card for flat-rate cash rewards : Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
• Best cash back credit card for rotating cash back categories : Discover it® Cash Back
• Best cash back card for families : Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
• Best cash back credit card for groceries, dining, and entertainment : Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
• Best cash back credit card for self-care and pet care : Wells Fargo Attune℠ Card

Introduction to Cash Back Credit Cards

Cash-back credit cards are among some of the most popular card types, returning anywhere from 1% to 10% cash back on all kinds of purchases — and often without an annual fee. For folks who are just getting into credit card rewards, or who want to keep things simple, cash-back credit cards are a good choice since they don't require much work to use.

Best Cash Back Credit Card Comparison

Earn 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% on all other purchases

0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months

20.49% - 29.24% Variable

Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy

Good to Excellent

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Solid flat cash-back rate
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. You can combine cash-back rewards with Ultimate Rewards points if you have an eligible card
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. No annual fee
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Some other cards offer a higher rate of cash back on certain types of purchases

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a great choice for credit card beginners and experts alike. With no annual fee and a high earnings rate, it's worth considering as an everyday card — and it's even better when you pair it with an annual-fee Chase card like the Chase Sapphire Reserve®.

• 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.
• Member FDIC

• Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.

0% intro APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers for 15 months from account opening

20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable

Earn $200 cash rewards bonus

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Good welcome bonus for a $0 annual fee card
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Straightforward 2% cash rewards on purchases with no categories to track
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Strong benefits including cell phone protection, Visa Signature perks, and an intro APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. If you've opened a Wells Fargo card in the past six months, you may not qualify for an additional Wells Fargo credit card
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Foreign transaction fees

The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is definitely worth considering if you want to earn a strong rate of cash rewards on purchases without rotating categories or earning caps and with no annual fee. It's got a solid welcome bonus and intro APR offer, which puts it high on our list of the best zero-interest credit cards.

• Select "Apply Now" to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
• Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
• 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5.
• $0 annual fee.
• No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don't expire as long as your account remains open.
• Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
• Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.

Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases automatically.

0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers

18.24% - 28.24% Variable

Earn Unlimited Cashback Match™

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. From April 1 to June 30, 2024, you can earn 5% cash back at gas stations & electric vehicle charging stations, home improvement stores, and public transit on up to $1,500 in purchases after enrollment, then 1%
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Discover will match your cash back earned at the end of your first account year
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Cap on how much bonus cash back you can earn each quarter
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. If the quarterly categories aren't convenient for you, you can earn more cash back with a different card

The Discover it® Cash Back is one of the best credit cards that offers 5% back on popular rotating categories up to a spending limit. Your rewards are matched by Discover after the first 12 months, and the card has no annual fee.

• Intro Offer: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.
• Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases—automatically.
• Redeem your rewards for cash at any time.
• 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.
• Get a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases. Then 18.24% to 28.24% Standard Variable Purchase APR applies, based on credit worthiness.
• No annual fee.
• Terms and conditions apply.

Earn 6% cash back on purchases at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year, then 1%). Earn 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions. Earn 3% cash back on transit (including taxis, rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses, and more). Earn 3% cash back on gas at U.S. gas stations. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases. Cash back is received as Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.

$0 intro for the first year, then $95

0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers from the date of account opening

19.24% - 29.99% Variable

Earn a $250 statement credit

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Generous bonus rewards, especially at U.S. supermarkets
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. One of a small handful of credit cards that offer bonus rewards on select streaming services
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Intro APR offer
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Unlike many other cash-back cards, it charges an annual fee
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. If you spend more than $6,000 at US supermarkets each year, you'll want to use another card once you reach that cap

The Amex Blue Cash Preferred is one of the best cash-back cards, particularly for consumers who spend a lot of money at U.S. supermarkets, use streaming services, or have lots of commuting and gas expenses. The annual fee is worth it if your typical spending lines up with the card's bonus categories.

• Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
• $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
• Buy Now, Pay Later: Enjoy $0 intro plan fees when you use Plan It® to split up large purchases into monthly installments. Pay $0 intro plan fees on plans created during the first 12 months from the date of account opening. Plans created after that will have a monthly plan fee up to 1.33% of each eligible purchase amount moved into a plan based on the plan duration, the APR that would otherwise apply to the purchase, and other factors.
• Low Intro APR: 0% on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening. After that, your APR will be a variable APR of 19.24% - 29.99%.
• 6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%).
• 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
• 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations.
• 3% Cash Back on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more).
• 1% Cash Back on other purchases.
• Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit on Amazon.com at checkout.
• $84 Disney Bundle Credit: With your enrolled Blue Cash Preferred Card, spend $9.99 or more each month on an auto-renewing Disney Bundle subscription, to receive a monthly statement credit of $7. Valid only at Disney Plus.com, Hulu.com or Plus.espn.com in the U.S.
• Terms Apply.

Earn 10% cash back on purchases made through Uber & Uber Eats, plus complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024. Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases. Earn 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply). Earn 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®). Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.

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

19.99% - 29.99% Variable

Earn $200 cash back

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Bonus cash back on dining, entertainment, and grocery store purchases
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Long intro APR period for purchases and balance transfers
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Other cards earn more cash back in certain bonus categories
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Not the highest sign-up bonus among cash-back cards

The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card offers a good welcome bonus and excellent return rates that can earn you cash back on common expenses like dining, groceries (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target), streaming, and entertainment — plus there's no annual fee to worry about.

• Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
• Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), plus 1% on all other purchases
• Earn 10% cash back on purchases made through Uber & Uber Eats, plus complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024
• Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
• Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
• No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus cash back won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how much you can earn
• 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.99% - 29.99% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
• No foreign transaction fee
• No annual fee

Earn unlimited 4% cash rewards on select self-care, planet-friendly, and sports, recreation, and entertainment purchases. Earn 1% cash rewards on other purchases.

0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases

Earn a $100 cash rewards bonus

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. High cashback rate on common expenses including gyms, spas, pet care, concert tickets, and public transit
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Cellphone protection
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Limited reward redemption beyond cash back

Best Cash Back Credit Card Reviews

Cash back credit cards make it easy to rack up rewards by offering simple redemption opportunities: Either convert your cards into a statement credit toward your card's outstanding balance, or use them for travel redemptions or other exciting prizes and rewards. The best cash back credit cards offer bonus categories, introductory 0% APR for balance transfers and new purchases, or additional value on everyday transactions.

These are the top options available in 2024, according to Business Insider's team of personal finance experts. 

Best Cash Back Card for Everyday Spending

If you're looking for a card that combines strong bonus categories with decent flat-rate rewards on non-bonus spending, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® could fit the bill. It offers 5% cash back (5x points) on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back (3x points) on dining and drugstore purchases, and 1.5% cash back (1.5x points) on everything else. 

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® has no annual fee and offers a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months. After that, there's a 20.49% - 29.24% Variable. If you have a major purchase ahead of you, that introductory offer can be useful.

If you also have an annual-fee Chase Ultimate Rewards card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card , Chase Sapphire Reserve® , or Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card , you can pool your points from the two cards. Then, you'll be able to transfer the whole body of points to Chase's airline and hotel partners or use them to book travel through Chase with a bonus.

Plus, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® has a substantial welcome offer: additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). 

Read our Chase Freedom Unlimited® review

Best Cash Back Card for Flat-Rate Cash Rewards

Not only does the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card rank highly in this guide, but it also tops our list of the best 2% cash back credit cards . It earns a flat rewards rate on everything —  2% cash rewards on purchases, with no bonus categories to keep track of. Our guide to earning and redeeming Wells Fargo Rewards details all the ways to use your cash rewards from this card.

It offers a substantial welcome bonus for a no-annual-fee card: $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first three months from account opening. In addition, new cardholders get a 0% intro APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers for 15 months from account opening (followed by a 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable APR). That's super useful if you have large expenses you want to pay off over time. 

The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card comes with a good array of benefits, which include cell phone protection, roadside dispatch, travel emergency assistance, and access to the Visa Signature® Concierge. However, it does charge foreign transaction fees, so if you're traveling outside the US, you'll want to pack a different card.

Read our Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card review

Best Cash Back Card for Rotating Cash Back Categories

If you prefer a card that earns straight cash back, not points, and like the idea of rotating bonus categories, the Discover it® Cash Back could be a great fit. You can earn 5% cash back in popular rotating quarterly bonus categories when you activate, on up to $1,500 in combined spending (then 1%). You'll also earn 1% back everywhere else (from April 1 to June 30, 2024, earn 5% cash back at gas stations & electric vehicle charging stations, home improvement stores, and public transit on up to $1,500 in purchases after enrollment, then 1%).

Instead of a regular welcome bonus, Discover rewards new cardholders in a different way. After the first 12 months, it will match all of the rewards you earn from the card through the Discover Cashback Match program. That means you can effectively earn up to 10% back in your first year — and if you're a big spender, this can pay off handsomely.

Read our Discover it® Cash Back review

Best Cash Back Card for Families

If you're looking for an American Express cash back card, especially if you have a large family that spends a lot on groceries, streaming, and commuting, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is an excellent option. It offers a 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers from the date of account opening, before switching to a 19.24% - 29.99% Variable APR.

Currently, the card offers a welcome bonus of a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new card within the first six months from account opening. It also comes with a handful of travel and shopping protections, including car rental insurance, return protection, purchase protection, and extended warranty. 

Keep in mind there's an annual fee of $0 intro for the first year, then $95, so you'll want to be sure you spend enough to justify paying it. If you prefer a no-annual-fee Amex cash-back card, check out the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express instead.

The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express offers the highest rewards rate available for grocery spending, although there is a $6,000 annual spending cap on that 6% rate. After that, you earn 1% (cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as statement credits or at Amazon.com checkout). Otherwise, the card earns 6% back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% back at U.S. gas stations and on transit, and 1% back on all other purchases.

Read our Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express review

Best Cash Back Card for Groceries, Dining, and Entertainment

The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card seems almost custom-made for folks who like to get out and experience life to the fullest. If you're a foodie, love attending concerts and sporting events, or even enjoy entertaining at home, this card can help you earn a lot of rewards for your spending.

Cardholders earn 3% cash back on dining, at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target), entertainment, and popular streaming services, and 1% cash back on all other purchases. The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card also offers 5% cash back on hotels and car rentals booked through the Capital One Travel portal.

The welcome bonus is generous, too: $200 cash back after you spend $500 on purchases within three months from account opening. And if you've got big purchases coming up, a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months (3% fee for the first 15 months, then 4% at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer you at any other time) (followed by a 19.99% - 29.99% Variable APR) can make it easier to spread out your payments ( rates and fees ).

This card offers a handful of good benefits, including extended warranty***, travel accident insurance***, and travel emergency assistance services***. As with all other Capital One credit cards , you won't pay foreign transaction fees on international purchases, so it's great to use when you're out globetrotting.

Also, if you don't think your credit score is good enough to qualify for the regular version of the card, and you're currently enrolled in college, you could apply for the student version of the card to convert to the regular version after graduation.

Read our Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card review

Best Cash Back Card for Self-Care and Pet Care (Gyms, Spas, Pet Care)

The brand-new Wells Fargo Attune℠ Card is perfect for people who prioritize fitness, self-care, pet care, live shows and other ticketed experiences, and environmentally friendly choices. This no-annual-fee card earns 4% cash back on select purchases in self-care, planet-friendly, and entertainment categories such as gyms and fitness expenses, spas, pet care and grooming, concert tickets, public transit, some thrift stores, EV charging stations, and similar purchases. 

New cardholders can also take advantage of two introductory offers: $100 cash rewards bonus when you spend $500 in purchases in the first three months from account opening, and 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases (then 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable APR). 

Read more in our Wells Fargo Attune card review .

What You Should Know About Cash Back Credit Cards

Cash back credit cards can be an easy way to break into the world of credit card rewards. They come in a few different types:

• Flat rate —  These cards earn the same rate of cash back on all purchases. For example, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® earns 1.5% back on most spending (the Freedom Unlimited also offers bonus cash back on eligible travel, dining, and drugstore purchases).
• Select bonus categories — Many other cash back cards offer bonus cash back (more than 1%) on select spending categories. For example, with the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card† , you'll earn 4% back on dining, streaming services, and entertainment, and 3% back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target).
• Rotating categories — A few cards, including the Chase Freedom Flex® , offer bonus cash back on a selection of spending categories that changes every quarter of the year. These cards have a cap on how much bonus cash back you can earn each quarter — with the Chase Freedom Flex®, you'll earn 5% back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases each quarter (then 1%).
• Some cards are starting to offer yet a fourth format for delivering cash back rewards: pick your own bonus categories from a list of options. These cards include the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card and the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card .

If you're willing to juggle multiple credit card accounts, there's value in having both cash back and points-earning cards. If you prefer a single-card strategy, evaluate your goals and consider how much you're willing to pay in annual fees to make the best decision for your situation.

If you're trying to put money back in your wallet, our top recommendations are to transfer your cash back to a bank account or use it to reduce the amount owed on your credit card statement.

On the other hand, if you're hoping to earn rewards that you can redeem for travel, a card that earns points is more up your alley. Our points-earning picks for the best rewards credit cards  earn either Amex Membership Rewards points, Chase Ultimate Rewards points, Citi ThankYou Rewards points, or Capital One miles. You can transfer all of these currencies to travel partners and redeem them for things like free flights. (Note that while Capital One calls its rewards currency "miles," they aren't miles with a given airline program.)

How to Use a Cash Back Credit Card

To use a cash back credit card, you'll want to remember that it won't be worth it if you're paying interest or late fees. It's important to pay your balance in full each month, make payments on time, and only spend what you can afford.

Cash back cards vary greatly in their return rates — you can earn anywhere from 1% to 6% back. Even better, many cash back cards have no annual fee , so you don't have to pay for the privilege of earning rewards.

If you're new to rewards credit cards and aren't interested in earning travel points or miles, a cash back card is the best option for you. With cash back cards, 1% back will always be 1 cent back, no matter what, and you can use your cash back to lower your monthly bill or transfer it to your checking account, among other options.

The best cash back credit card for you depends on your spending habits and if you prefer a flat rate of cash back on all spending or earning bonus cash back on specific types of purchases. Flat-rate cash back cards are best for those who don't want to keep track of multiple bonus categories and just want a simple earning structure.

But if you really want to maximize your rewards earning, choosing a card that earns bonus cash back in categories where you spend a lot — like groceries, dining, or gas — can make a huge difference in your rate of return.

How to Choose a Cash Back Credit Card

To choose the best cash back credit card for you, you'll want to look for a few things:

• The cash back rate for your common spending categories . Extra cash back for gas isn't much use if you don't drive. Consider how you intend to use this card, and look at the rate for those spending categories.
• How you redeem your cash back . Make sure you're clear on what you're earning. Is it statement credit? Cash? Points? If points, can they be combined with or transferred to other cards you have, or brands you like?
• The annual fee . An annual fee may make or break your choice. Are you willing to pay one? And more importantly, can you afford it comfortably — or will it be effectively wiped out by the cash back you'll earn in a year?

We don't mention the APR because the rate only applies if you're carrying a balance on your credit card. We recommend applying for a cash back credit card intending to pay off the balance in full each month. For other categories of credit cards, like balance transfer cards, the APR might be a more important consideration.

If this all sounds too complicated, you can't go wrong by using the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card, which has no annual fee and a flat earning rate of 2% cash rewards on purchases.

Cash back credit cards are often best used in combination with cards that earn points to create a complete credit card portfolio that takes advantage of multiple types of rewards. If you're trying to decide whether to open a cash back credit card, whether as your first card or one of many, bear these pros and cons in mind:

Pros of cash back credit cards

• They rarely carry annual fees
• There are no restrictions on how you can redeem and spend the cash
• You can earn airline and hotel status by booking with cash (but not points)

Cons of cash back credit cards

• They rarely offer large sign-up or welcome bonuses
• Cash back is generally less valuable, dollar for dollar, than points

Cash Back Credit Card Best Practices

If you have a cash-back credit card or are considering opening one, you'll want to make the most of it. Keep the following steps in mind to get the most value from your card:

Always Pay Your Balance in Full

Credit card cash back or points aren't useful if you're carrying a balance and paying interest charges each month. To make the most of rewards, use your card responsibly: Spend only the money you have and pay your bill in full each month.

Track and Maximize Bonus Categories

Some cash-back cards offer elevated rewards rates on specific spending areas, like restaurants, gas stations, or supermarkets. Some of these cards even change those areas from quarter to quarter, meaning you'll want to stay on top of where your card earns the most and when.

If you use your cash-back card for every purchase, you don't need to be as diligent, but if you're using your card as one of many you'll want to be sure you know how to maximize rewards.

Redeem Your Cash Back Rewards

It might be tempting to let your cash back pile up just to watch the total tick up, but it's more useful if you redeem it. You can generally apply the cash to your card balance or get it deposited in your checking account, and either one is a fine option. 

Consider Opening A "Partner" Card For Additional Value

As mentioned above, in some cases, you can transfer cash back to a points-earning card on which your rewards are worth more. This strategy isn't required to make the most of your cash back card, but it can help take rewards to the next level.

Chase cards are an example of this: If you hold a cash-back card like the Chase Freedom Flex® and a points-earning card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, you can transfer rewards earned on the Freedom Flex to the Sapphire Preferred, and unlock more redemption options. 

Cash Back Credit Card Frequently Asked Questions

Cash-back credit cards work by giving you a percentage of every dollar you spend — usually at least 1% — as cash back in your card account. Some cash-back cards earn a higher percentage in bonus categories, such as groceries, dining, or gas. You can transfer the cash back you earn from these cards to a bank account, use it to pay down your credit card statement, or redeem it for gifts and merchandise.

Cash-back credit cards do give cash, but that's not to say you'll necessarily see the physical cash. You're typically awarded cash back as a credit that you can use to cancel out purchases from your credit card statement, or to redeem for gift cards or merchandise online. Some cards do let you take your cash as a deposit to your account or as a check.

No single credit card offers the most cash back in every category, but there are a few that stand out for high rewards. For example, the Amex Blue Cash Preferred Card earns 6% back on the first $6,000 you spend each calendar year at US supermarkets (then 1% back), and 6% back on select US streaming services. And the most rewarding choice for dining out is the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card† with 4% back. 

A cash back card could be better than a travel or rewards card, depending on what you want to do with your rewards. If you primarily want to put money back in your bank account rather than earn rewards you can redeem for travel, a cash back credit card is ideal — and you usually won't have to pay a very high annual fee, if you have to pay one at all. 

To make the most of a cash back credit card, always pay the balance in full each month. Also, read up on rewards rates for different spending areas (some cards offer elevated rates in areas like restaurants, gas stations, or supermarkets). Make sure to actually redeem your cash back instead of letting it pile up, and consider opening a "sister" card from the same issuer. Some cash back cards let you transfer rewards to travel cards from the same bank, then transfer points to airline and hotel partners they're worth the most.

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

We looked at the dozens of cash back credit cards currently available to new applicants and narrowed down our list by looking at a few factors:

• Ease of use — Are there any hoops to jump through, like needing to be a member of a specific bank?
• Rewards earning potential — How much cash back can you earn with this card, and how broad are the bonus categories?
• Annual fee — Many cash back cards waive an annual fee, but for the few that do charge a fee, is it justified based on the card's rewards?
• Options for various types of consumers — We wanted our top cash back card picks to reflect different types of users, from families looking to maximize grocery spending to those looking to rebuild their credit score.

See a full breakdown of how we rate credit cards at Business Insider.

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

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

**Enrollment required.

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

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

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the 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 rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, please click here.

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