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Rakuten Card Guide: English Support, Payments, Renewals, and More!

Rakuten Card is a credit card that international residents in Japan can easily apply for thanks to 24-hour English support. Read on for an informational guide on card renewals, payments, procedures when losing your card, and more!

Rakuten Card Facts

Rakuten Card is a widely used credit card in Japan with more than 21 million cardholders.

It's also favored by overseas students and international residents in Japan for its reward points earned by using your card. There is no annual fee.

Rakuten Card is provided by Rakuten Group, Inc. , an e-commerce giant in Japan. In recent years, Rakuten has gained popularity overseas through its sponsorship of FC Barcelona in the First Division of the Spanish Football League.

This article will give details on how to resolve issues that may occur when using the Rakuten Card , card renewals , and language support for international residents.

Easy Online Application! Apply for a Rakuten Card (Japanese)

Table of Contents

• 1. Rakuten Card’s English Support
• 2. How to Renew Your Rakuten Card
• 3. Payment Due Date and Methods
• 4. What to Do When Losing Your Card?
• 5. Cancellation/Utilizing the Rakuten Card in Japan

Rakuten Card’s English Support

Currently, the Rakuten Card application and Rakuten e-NAVI, a cardholder service website for checking your account, are only available in Japanese.

However, the customer call center provides English support for inquiries over the phone.

Contact the call center, and an English-speaking representative will return your call. Utilize this service if you’re not confident in using Japanese over the phone, or prefer assistance in English.

The customer call center accepts both domestic and international calls.

Contact numbers are listed below.

Domestic: 0570-66-6910 (Weekends and holidays included, 9:30-17:30) International: 81-92-474-6287 (Weekends and holidays included, 9:30-17:30 JST)

How to Renew Your Rakuten Card

Most people are concerned with credit card renewals. As a cardholder, there are no renewal or in-person contact procedures after your Rakuten Card has expired.

A new Rakuten Card will be sent to your registered address when your card is nearing its expiration date. This is typically mailed between the end of the month before your expiration month or the start of that same month.

Changes in your registration information, such as your mailing and e-mail address, can be done via Rakuten e-NAVI: the cardholder website.

Payment Due Date and Methods

The payment due date and payment method should be kept in mind when using your credit card.

Payment on the 27th of the Following Month

Rakuten Card’s statement period closes at the end of every month. The payment date for that period is by the 27th of the following month (if the 27th falls on a business holiday, then payment is due the next business day).

There are two payment methods available. You can choose to pay by bank transfer (automatic withdrawal) or at a convenience store .

1. Bank Transfer Payment

When paying by bank transfer, you need to register your bank account information on Rakuten e-NAVI during or after the credit card application process. You are not required to submit any documents.

As a precaution, bank transfer payments cannot be changed to convenience store payments once selected . Keep this in mind when choosing bank payments as your payment method.

2. Convenience Store Payment

If you opt for convenience store payments, you can use the information terminals installed in convenience stores to pay.

A ticket will be printed once you enter your payment number and phone number into the terminal. Take this ticket to the register to pay in cash.

Payment numbers are sent by e-mail when using your credit card. Information on your payment due date will also be included in the same e-mail. You will be responsible for completing your payment by that date.

Please be aware that once the payment due date passes, you cannot pay at a convenience store .

Convenience Stores with Payment Terminals

The convenience stores and terminals that support payments for Rakuten Card are listed below.

・ Lawson (Loppi) ・ FamilyMart (FamiPort) ・ MINISTOP (MINISTOP Loppi) ・ Seicomart (Club Station)

FamilyMart’s FamiPort is available in six languages: Japanese, Chinese, English, Korean, Portuguese, and Russian.

Conviniently make payments in your native language! Easy Online Application! Apply for a Rakuten Card (Japanese)

What to Do if You Lose Your Card?

It's important to know beforehand how to handle a lost credit card.

If your card is lost or stolen, please contact the designated phone line for lost or stolen cards to freeze your card . Contact Rakuten as soon as your card is missing to prevent any unauthorized usage.

The dedicated numbers for lost or stolen cards are listed below.

Domestic: 0120-86-6910 (24-hour reception) International: 81-92-474-9256 (24-hour reception)

If you are calling from overseas, a collect call can be made at the front desk of your hotel.

The process to reissue a new card is done via Rakuten e-NAVI. A new card generally takes between a week and ten days to be delivered to your registered address.

How to Cancel Rakuten Card

If you want to cancel your credit card, you must request a cancellation . Canceling a Rakuten Card is a simple procedure, so you won’t be hassled when you’re in a rush to fly home.

Contact the Rakuten Card customer call center with your credit card on hand. Simply tell a representative that you wish to cancel your card.

The customer call center numbers are listed below.

Domestic: 0570-66-6910 (Weekends and holidays included, 9:30-17:30) International: 81-92-474-6287 (Weekends and holidays included, 9:30-17:30)

English support is available around the clock, whether you’re in Japan or overseas. After contacting the call center, an English-speaking representative will return your call to assist you.

If you wish to cancel a Rakuten Premium Card or Rakuten Gold Card, then call the number printed on the back of your card (9:30-17:30).

Utilizing the Rakuten Card in Japan

On the fence about which credit card to apply for in Japan? Then consider choosing the Rakuten Card! It offers many services, including English support for inquiries and payments that can be made at convenience stores without a bank account.

Make your life in Japan more convenient by applying for the user-friendly Rakuten Card.

Getting A Credit Card In Japan: Guide And Foreigner-Friendly Suggestions

Rakuten Credit Card: How to Apply and Advantages

All Photos by Pixta

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JavaScriptが無効の為、一部のコンテンツをご利用いただけません。JavaScriptの設定を有効にしてからご利用いただきますようお願いいたします。（ 設定方法 ）

• 楽天グループサービス一覧

よく検索されるキーワード

• カード申し込み・発行状況
• 楽天e-NAVIにログイン

年会費 11,000 円 （税込み）

楽天プレミアムカードの基本情報

ご利用における注意事項 こちらをクリックして必ずご確認ください.

• カード利用獲得ポイントの還元率が異なる ご利用先を見る
• 楽天ETCカードの詳細を見る

特典（期間限定ポイント含む）進呈には上限や条件があります。詳細は以下をご覧ください。

• 楽天市場ご利用分、楽天カード通常分、楽天カード特典分を合算したものとなります。 楽天市場ご利用分：商品ごとのお買い物金額（税抜き・クーポン利用後）100円につき1ポイント（通常ポイント）となります。 楽天カード通常分：楽天市場でのカードご利用額100円につき1ポイント（通常ポイント）となります。 楽天カード特典分：楽天市場でのカードご利用額（消費税・送料・ラッピング料除く）100円につき1ポイント（期間限定ポイント）となります。獲得ポイントには上限があります(楽天プレミアムカード・楽天ビジネスカード：5,000ポイント、その他のカード：1,000ポイント)
• お誕生月サービスは、楽天市場・楽天ブックスでの楽天ゴールドカード・楽天プレミアムカードご利用額100円につき1ポイント（通常ポイント）となります。獲得ポイントには上限があります（楽天ゴールドカード：月間2,000ポイント、楽天プレミアムカード：月間10,000ポイント）。
• 楽天市場コースを選んでいる場合に対象となります。楽天市場コース特典分は、楽天市場でのカードご利用額100円につき1ポイント（通常ポイント）となります。獲得ポイントには上限があります（月間10,000ポイント）。
• 楽天証券の楽天カードクレジット決済での 投信積立の詳細を見る
• 普通預金の金利優遇の商品詳細を見る 楽天銀行での楽天カードご利用代金 引き落としを見る
• 楽天ペイの楽天カードからの チャージ払いの詳細を見る
• 国内空港ラウンジの詳細を見る
• 海外空港ラウンジの詳細を見る
• 2025年 1月 1日(水)以降利用は年間5回まで無料と変更になります。それに伴いサービス提供方法も変更となりますので詳細は2024年夏以降にご案内いたします。
• 手荷物宅配サービスの詳細を見る
• 海外旅行傷害保険の詳細を見る
• 国内旅行傷害保険の詳細を見る

一部ポイント還元の対象外となる場合がございます。

楽天カード特典分は、楽天市場で開催中のSPU（スーパーポイントアッププログラム）の特典となります。特典進呈には上限や条件がございます。

楽天 プレミアムカードの 魅力

お得な ポイントサービス, 1 楽天市場のお買い物がお得に.

楽天プレミアムカードをお持ちの方は、楽天市場でお得にお買い物いただけます。

2 選べる 3 つのコース

楽天プレミアムカードをお持ちの方に、優待サービスをご用意しております。ご自身のライフスタイルに合わせてコースを1つお選びください。

お買い物でポイントを 貯めたい方におすすめ

毎週火曜日・木曜日のプレミアムカードデーに楽天市場でお買い物をするとポイント 最大4倍

旅行や出張にいくことが 多い方におすすめ

楽天プレミアムカードで楽天トラベルの決済をするとポイント 最大3倍

さらに海外旅行の際に便利な手荷物宅配サービスをご利用いただけます。

休日は家で映画や音楽を 楽しみたい方におすすめ

楽天プレミアムカードでRakuten TVまたは楽天ブックスの決済をするとポイント 最大3倍

楽天プレミアムカードをお持ちの方は、お誕生月に楽天市場・楽天ブックスをさらにお得にご利用いただけます。

4 楽天証券の還元率アップ

楽天プレミアムカードをお持ちの方は、 楽天証券で投信積立クレジット決済を行うと、ポイント還元率がアップします。

※ 代行手数料年率0.4%（税込み）未満の銘柄の場合

※ 楽天証券のページに遷移します

楽天プレミアムカード会員ご本人様は、プライオリティ・パス会員カードの発行を無料でお申し込みいただけます。

プライオリティ・パスは、楽天プレミアムカード到着後、別途お申し込みが必要となります。楽天カード会員様専用オンラインサービス「楽天e-NAVI」よりお申し込みください。同伴者様もご利用される場合は別途料金がかかります。同伴者様のご利用があった場合、後日楽天プレミアムカード会員ご本人様に同伴者料金としてお1人様1回につき3,300円（税込み）をご請求させていただきます。

プライオリティ・パス会員は、世界148カ国にある1,300カ所以上の空港ラウンジを無料でご利用いただけます。※2023年4月時点 会員制の落ち着いたラウンジにて、搭乗までの時間をストレス無く、有意義にお過ごしください。

※2025年1月1日(水)以降のご利用は年間5回まで無料と変更になります。それに伴いサービス提供方法も変更となりますので詳細は2024年夏以降にご案内いたします。

楽天プレミアムカードと当日航空券（もしくは半券）をご提示いただくと楽天プレミアムカード会員様は対象の国内空港ラウンジを無料でご利用いただけます。 急な出張も安心、くつろぎのひとときをお過ごしください。

3 楽天カード トラベルデスク

記憶に残る、少し贅沢な旅のお手伝いをします。 ニューヨーク・ホノルル・パリ・上海など世界44拠点（2023年10月1日時点）の現地デスクがお客様の旅をサポートいたします。

パスポート・カードの紛失や盗難、病気やケガなど

都市・観光情報など様々な情報のご紹介

レストラン・オプショナルツアーのご予約など

楽天プレミアムカードには、3種類の保険が自動的に付帯されております。 備えられる安心、守られている余裕。行き届いたサポート体制で、楽天プレミアムカード会員様のカードライフを支えます。

傷害死亡・後遺障害保険金最高5,000万円を補償。 ケガや病気、あるいは携行品の破損等、海外旅行における不慮の事故に対応します。

国内旅行中の事故や、ホテル・旅館内での火災事故等に対して傷害死亡・後遺障害保険金最高5,000万円まで補償いたします。

楽天プレミアムカードでご購入の商品（1個1万円以上）が購入日より90日以内に偶然な事故（破損、盗難、火災等）により損害を被った場合、最高300万円まで補償いたします。

引受保険会社：楽天損害保険株式会社

お客様が安心・快適にご利用いただくために、様々なサービスをご用意いたしております。

カード利用お知らせメール

メールでご利用状況をいち早くご案内。不正利用の早期発見につながります。

24時間体制で不審なカード利用を監視・検知しています。

ネットショッピングにおける「なりすまし」などの被害を未然に防ぎます。

カード紛失・盗難時における不正利用の損害金額を補償します。

楽天カードをお持ちでない方は新しく楽天プレミアムカードをお申し込みいただけます。

新規入会&利用で 5,000 ポイント

ポイント（期間限定ポイント含む）の進呈には条件がございます。

すでに楽天カードをお持ちの方は、 お持ちの楽天カードから切り替えで楽天プレミアムカードをお申し込みいただけます。

楽天プレミアムカードへ切り替えで 3,000 ポイント

2枚目のカードのお申し込み

すでに楽天カードをお持ちの方は、 お手持ちのカードに加えて2枚目に楽天プレミアムカードをお申し込みいただけます。

2枚目に楽天プレミアムカードを作成で 3,000 ポイント

ポイント未利用時の倍率です。

楽天市場ご利用分は、商品ごとのお買い物金額（税抜き・クーポン利用後）100円につき1ポイント（通常ポイント）となります。

楽天カード通常分は、楽天市場でのカードご利用額100円につき1ポイント（通常ポイント）となります。

楽天カード特典分は、楽天市場でのカードご利用額（消費税・送料・ラッピング料除く）100円につき1ポイント（期間限定ポイント）となります。

楽天カードご利用通常ポイントおよび楽天カードご利用特典ポイントはカード決済分のお買い物のみがポイントアップ対象となります。 「楽天市場ご利用分」「楽天カード特典分」は、楽天市場で開催中のSPU（スーパーポイントアッププログラム）の特典となります。特典（期間限定ポイント含む）進呈には上限や条件があります。

楽天市場コース特典分は、楽天市場でのカードご利用額100円につき1ポイント（通常ポイント）となります。獲得ポイントには上限があります（月間10,000ポイント）。

楽天トラベルご利用分は、楽天トラベルよりポイント進呈されます。詳細は楽天トラベルのホームページよりご確認ください。

トラベルコース特典分は、楽天トラベルでの楽天プレミアムカードでのオンライン決済が必要となります。獲得ポイントには上限があります（月間10,000ポイント）。

Rakuten TV or 楽天ブックスご利用分は、Rakuten TV・楽天ブックスよりポイント進呈されます。詳細は各ホームページよりご確認ください。

エンタメコース特典分は、Rakuten TVもしくは楽天ブックスでのカードご利用額100円につき1ポイント（通常ポイント）となります。獲得ポイントには上限があります（月間10,000ポイント）。

お誕生月サービスは、楽天市場・楽天ブックスでの楽天プレミアムカードご利用額100円につき1ポイント（通常ポイント）となります。獲得ポイントには上限があります（月間10,000ポイント）。

楽天市場ご利用分 ※2

楽天カード通常分 ※3

楽天カード特典分 ※4

市場コース特典分 ※5

楽天トラベルご利用分 ※6

トラベルコース特典分 ※7

Rakuten TV or 楽天ブックスご利用分 ※8

エンタメコース特典分 ※9

Popular among foreigners! Explanation of types of Rakuten Credit Cards, how to make one, and tips for screening.

• Lifestyle Support
• Financial Services and Mobile Communications

The Rakuten Credit Card is a very popular credit card among Japanese and non-Japanese alike. Issued by the Internet giant Rakuten, the credit card is easy to apply for online and has a reputation for a relatively smooth application process.

In this article, we will explain why Rakuten Credit Cards are so popular and introduce three attractive features of Rakuten Credit Cards. We also provide a comparison of the eight different Rakuten credit cards and tips on how to pass the screening process.

For foreign residents in Japan, it is very important to make good use of credit cards to improve their quality of life. Please read this article to find the best Rakuten credit card for you.

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【 Three Reasons for the Popularity of the 】 Rakuten Credit Card

The Rakuten Credit Card is attractive because you can apply online, receive your card quickly, and earn free Rakuten points.

1. you can apply online

Rakuten Credit Card can be applied for online, so it is easy for foreigners who are not fluent in Japanese to apply. Another convenient feature of the online application is that you do not need a stamp.

2. fast delivery of cards

It takes about one week to receive your Rakuten Credit Card after you have applied for it. It usually takes about two weeks to receive the credit card, so the time required to receive the credit card is quite short.

3. free award Rakuten points will be given

When you apply for Rakuten Credit Card, you will receive 5000 free Rakuten points. It is recommended to check the official website regularly, as campaigns sometimes increase the number of points to 8,000 points, for example.

【8 types of 】 recommended Rakuten credit cards

There are many types of Rakuten credit cards, so you may be wondering which one you should choose. Here we will explain the main Rakuten Credit Cards.

1. Rakuten Card

Rakuten Card is the most orthodox card and is easy to use for everyone. It is recommended for all foreigners.

To learn more about Rakuten Card and apply for a card, please contact us. click here Oh my god!!!

2. Rakuten PINK Card

Rakuten PINK Card is a credit card for women and is recommended for female foreigners. If you enter the customized service for 330 yen per month, you can use coupons and insurance services for women.

To learn more about Rakuten PINK Card and apply for it click here Oh my god!!!

3. Rakuten Gold Card

Rakuten Gold Card is a credit card ranked higher than Rakuten Card. It is recommended for foreigners who frequently fly or drive, as it offers free use of airport lounges twice a year and no annual fee for the ETC card.

To learn more about Rakuten Gold Card and apply for it click here Oh my god!!!

4. Rakuten Premium Card

Rakuten Premium Card is a credit card ranked higher than Gold Card. It is recommended for foreigners who travel frequently, as it offers free airport lounge access and travel accident insurance.

To learn more about Rakuten Premium Card and apply for it click here Oh my god!!!

5. Rakuten Bank Card

Rakuten Bank Card is a Rakuten Card that can also be used as a Rakuten Bank cash card. It is recommended for foreigners who have an account with Rakuten Bank.

To learn more about Rakuten Bank Card and to apply click here Oh my god!!!

6. Rakuten ANA Mileage Club Card

Rakuten ANA Mileage Club Card is a credit card for frequent ANA flyers, allowing you to earn ANA miles and eliminating the need to check-in at the airport counter.

To learn more about Rakuten ANA Mileage Club Card and apply for the card click here Oh my god!!!

7. Rakuten Card Academy

Rakuten Card Academy is a student-only credit card recommended for international students. It is convenient because it automatically switches to the regular Rakuten Card when you graduate from school.

To learn more about Rakuten Card Academy and to apply click here Oh my god!!!

8. alpen group Rakuten Card

Alpen Group Rakuten Card is a credit card affiliated with Alpen Group, a famous sporting goods company. It is recommended for foreigners who love sports, as it offers benefits such as Alpen points.

To learn more about the Alpen Group Rakuten Card and apply for it click here Oh my god!!!

Comparison chart of cards by type

How to make and apply for rakuten credit card.

To apply for Rakuten Credit Card, access the application page on Rakuten's website, enter the required information, and complete the identification verification process.

Foreign residents will always be asked to identify themselves, so be sure to have your residence card or other identification ready. You must also identify yourself to the delivery person when you receive your card.

How to apply for Rakuten Credit Card

• Access Rakuten's application page
• Select a card type
• Enter your address and other personal information
• Enter your income and workplace information.
• Choose to add Rakuten Edy
• Enter your bank account
• Identification.
• Awaiting Review
• Receive a card

4 tips to pass the Rakuten Credit Card screening

There are a few tips to keep in mind to pass the Rakuten Credit Card screening.

1. longer period of stay is more advantageous

You can apply for a visa if your period of stay is at least 3 months, but those who stay longer are more likely to be screened. It is important to apply when you have some leeway in your period of stay.

2. it is more advantageous not to have a cash advance

It is easier to pass without a cash advance because it requires a review of income and other factors.

3.JCB is said to have a strict screening process.

You can choose from VISA, Mastercard, American Express, and JCB (depending on the type of card), but JCB is a Japanese brand and is said to have a tougher screening process. If you have no particular preference, it is safe to avoid JCB.

4. do not apply for more than one card at the same time

If you apply for several cards besides Rakuten at the same time, you may be considered suspicious and fail the screening process. Card companies share information, so you cannot apply for cards from other companies without Rakuten's knowledge.

Useful information and support for living in Japan

Living in Japan is fascinating, but it is not uncommon to face many challenges due to language barriers and cultural differences. For example, you may encounter difficulties in all aspects of life, from using keigo (honorific expressions) in everyday and business situations, to difficulties in finding housing, using public services, preparing for the JLPT exam, and even meeting new friends and loved ones.

At such times, Goandup Salon will be your reliable partner!

Our community provides support and information to help foreign residents in Japan to make their life in Japan richer and more comfortable.

• Japanese Language Study will meet the needs of all levels, from daily conversation to the use of keigo in business situations, to efficient Japanese language learning methods and preparation for the JLPT exam.
• living aspect of the program provides concrete advice and information on how to establish a foundation for living in Japan, including explanations of Japanese culture and rules, finding housing, and how to contract public services and living infrastructure.
• Jobs & Careers Regarding the "what if" section, we can help you find a job, change jobs, and understand Japanese business etiquette and workplace culture, which are key to a successful career in the workplace.
• Travel & Dining Guide will introduce you to hidden gems in Japan, must-try gourmet information, and other unique local attractions to help you experience Japan more deeply.

If you have any questions or concerns about life in Japan, Goandup Salon is here to help you! We will wholeheartedly support you to make your life in Japan smoother and more enjoyable.

For more information, click here ▼

Goandup Salon" community for foreigners living in Japan

The Rakuten Credit Card is easy to apply for online, easy to get approved, and offers many great benefits. By making good use of your Rakuten Card, you can make your life in Japan more convenient and affluent. You can also find the best card that suits your lifestyle from the eight types introduced here.

If you don't have Rakuten Card yet, why don't you take this opportunity to apply for it? Why don't you start a comfortable credit life with Rakuten Card?

Finally, we have prepared an article with information on how foreigners can make good use of credit cards in Japan.

◆ Five Japanese credit cards for foreigners! And tips on how to pass the screening process. ◆ How can foreigners get a credit card in Japan? ◆ How to make it easier for foreigners to get credit cards in Japan ◆ The Complete Guide to Japanese Debit Cards for Foreigners!

These articles provide detailed information on recommended credit cards other than Rakuten Card, the procedures for foreigners to obtain a card, and tips to make it easier to pass the screening process. We also provide information on convenient debit cards for foreigners who have difficulty in getting a credit card, so please check them out.

Credit and debit cards are strong allies for foreigners during their stay in Japan. Please refer to these articles to make your life in Japan comfortable and fulfilling.

We, "Goandup", will continue to promote the charm of Japan to the world.

If you found this article useful or enjoyable in any way, we would appreciate your support to fund our operations., we would appreciate donations of any amount via the paypal link below. ▶️ paypal.me/goandup, related articles.

Introducing Japanese unlimited data SIM cards recommended for foreigners!

5 recommended share houses for foreigners in Sapporo, Hokkaido!

• Housing Search and Real Estate Information

No worries for foreigners! 20 English-speaking dentists in Tokyo's 23 wards

• Public Services and Living Infrastructure

How to rent an apartment in Tokyo for foreigners! Includes rent rates!

Explanation of the process and fees when a visa consultant is hired to apply for a visa.

• Visa and Residency Guide

Summary of how foreigners can obtain a "Volunteer Visa" to stay in Japan

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Best credit cards for travel insurance

From trip cancellation to baggage delay and rental car protection, these cards have you covered

Published: August 17, 2022

Author: Aaron Broverman

Author: Lee Huffman

Editor: Brady Porche

How we Choose

The best credit cards for travel insurance offer valuable travel benefits that protect you when problems happen on your trip. Your ideal card should include a generous welcome bonus, strong earning power and attractive benefits that you’ll actually use.

The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired. Please review our list of best credit cards , or use our CardMatch™ tool to find cards matched to your needs.

Over the last year, travel has had its share of challenges. And, that’s especially true for airline travel, which has been plagued with delays and cancellations due to a perfect storm of increased demand, problems with staffing and other challenges.

When you fly, these types of interruptions can derail your entire vacation, making for a frustrating experience. But the good news is that there are credit cards that offer travel protections to cover expenses when your flight is delayed, interrupted or canceled. They may even cover certain expenses if your checked bag is lost or damaged. These perks can be pretty useful if you’re a regular traveler.

To help you get started, here’s a look at the best credit cards for travel insurance based on the features that are most important to you, as well as tips on how to choose the perfect option for your travel and spending style.

Chase Sapphire Reserve: Best travel insurance coverage amounts

Travel benefits rundown : Auto rental collision damage waiver; baggage delay insurance; emergency evacuation and transportation services; lost luggage reimbursement; roadside assistance; travel accident insurance; travel and emergency assistance services; trip cancellation/interruption insurance; trip delay reimbursement

Why we picked it : The Chase Sapphire Reserve card offers some of the top coverage amounts among travel credit cards. Your trip is covered against cancellation or interruption up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip, and when your trip is delayed more than six hours, you and your family are covered up to $500 per ticket. And in terms of baggage, you’ll receive lost baggage reimbursement of up to $3,000 per passenger per trip, even when your luggage is damaged, and baggage delay insurance for delays of more than six hours (up to $100 a day for five days).

The Reserve also offers emergency evacuation and transportation services for up to $100,000 if you or a member of your immediate family becomes sick or injured, as well as travel accident insurance of up to $1,000,000. And when you rent a car, you’ll receive primary rental car insurance for up to $75,000 against theft or damage to the vehicle.

• Generous travel protections
• $300 annual travel credit
• Priority Pass Select airport lounge access
• Up to $100 in credits toward Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
• $550 annual fee
• Lower sign-up bonus compared to similar premium cards (60,000 points when you spend $4,000 in your first three months)

Who should apply : If you’re a frequent traveler, can deal with the $550 annual fee and want access to a variety of solid travel insurances, this card is hard to beat. Plus, you’ll get stellar rewards rates on travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards as well as on general travel purchases. For a full list of perks, be sure to read through our Chase Sapphire Reserve card benefits guide .

Who should skip : There are similar travel cards with slightly fewer offerings but much lower annual fees, such as the Sapphire Reserve’s sister card — the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, highlighted below. If you don’t anticipate spending enough to offset the Reserve’s annual fee (or use enough of its added statement credits), you might look elsewhere.

Chase Sapphire Preferred: Best travel insurance coverage for a low annual fee

Travel benefits rundown : Auto rental collision damage waiver; baggage delay insurance; lost luggage reimbursement; roadside dispatch; travel accident insurance; travel and emergency assistance services; trip cancellation/interruption insurance; trip delay reimbursement

Why we picked it : At first glance, it appears that the Sapphire Reserve and Preferred offer the same travel insurance coverages (minus emergency evacuation and transportation, which is only offered by the Reserve). But where they differ is in timing and coverage amounts — through which the Reserve offers better coverage.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card  charges one of the lowest annual fees ($95) of all the cards on this list, but you still receive some stellar travel insurance perks. The collision damage waiver for rental cars carries no country exclusion like many other credit cards (though you’ll receive coverage for up to the cash value of the vehicle), and you get many of the same benefits as the Sapphire Reserve.

Here’s a look at other travel insurance differences between the Preferred and Reserve:

• Travel accident insurance goes up $1,000,000 for the Reserve and up to $500,000 for the Preferred.
• Trip delay reimbursement starts at delays of six hours or more for the Reserve and 12 hours or more for the Preferred (or if an overnight stay is required). Both cards cover you and your family up to $500 per ticket for unreimbursed expenses.
• Roadside assistance with the Reserve covers you for up to $50 per incident four times a year, whereas you’ll need to pay for any services when using the Preferred’s Roadside Dispatch perk.
• Comparable travel insurance benefits without a large annual fee
• 80,000-point welcome bonus when you spend $4,000 in three months (for a reasonable annual fee)
• $50 annual statement credit when booking hotels through Chase
• 10 percent anniversary points bonus
• No airport lounge access or access to multiple travel-related statement credits
• Less elevated travel insurance perks compared to the Reserve

Who should apply : If you’re interested in a travel card with solid travel insurance benefits but can’t quite justify the Reserve’s high annual fee, you’ll do well with the Sapphire Preferred. Similarly, the card offers ongoing rewards on general travel and travel through Chase. For more information, you can read through our Chase Sapphire Preferred benefits guide .

Who should skip : The Sapphire Preferred is really only worth skipping if you’re looking for more elevated travel insurance perks, ongoing rewards or statement credits . Otherwise, it’s a great option.

The Platinum Card from American Express: Best range of travel insurance benefits

Travel benefits rundown : Travel assistance (including lost luggage reimbursement and legal assistance); travel inconvenience or delay insurance (including missed flights and luggage delays); trip cancellation and interruption insurance; travel accident insurance; car rental loss and damage insurance; various travel medical coverages (including emergency medical transportation, emergency medical services, emergency dental treatment and prescription expenses)

Why we picked it : The Platinum Card® from American Express comes with a pretty comprehensive travel insurance package if you can handle its hefty $695 annual fee. It also comes with many of the same travel insurance benefits as the rest of the American Express travel card slate, but its benefits , in particular, are so significant that they’re worth a spot on this list.

Enjoy travel assistance that includes help tracking down lost luggage and, in the event it’s not found, get reimbursed for up to $1,200 per trip. This coverage also includes up to $10,000 per trip for legal assistance. With travel inconvenience insurance — including missed departures, connections and luggage delays — get up to $250 per person for additional travel and food and up to $1,000 for baggage delays of four hours or more. Further, secondary trip cancellation and interruption insurance covers up to $10,000 per trip and $20,000 per year, travel accident insurance covers up to $500,000 and car rental loss and damage insurance covers up to the repair cost or value of the car.

To round out the Amex’s Platinum’s premium travel insurance benefits, in the event of an emergency, you’ll receive: $100,000 for medical transportation, $250,000 for medical services, $1,000 for dental treatment and $1,000 for prescriptions.

• Extensive list of travel insurance benefits and annual statement credits
• Global Lounge Collection access, including the Centurion Lounge, Delta Sky Clubs, Priority Pass Select lounges and more
• Exceptional 80,000-point welcome bonus when you spend $6,000 in your first six months
• Automatic hotel elite status
• Limited ongoing rewards categories if you spend quite a bit outside of travel
• Very high $695 annual fee

Who should apply : If you’re looking for the best of the best in terms of a travel rewards card, the Amex Platinum is hard to beat. Be sure, of course, that you can either afford to pay its high annual fee or would spend enough and use enough of its statement credits to offset the yearly cost. For more information on all that this premium American Express card has to offer, read our Amex Platinum benefits guide .

Who should skip : The Amex Platinum has a lot going on, and if you’re not interested in taking advantage of its many, many benefits (Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit, Clear credit, hotel and airline credits, Uber, Walmart+, digital entertainment credits and more), you may be better off with a lower-fee travel card with slightly less robust travel insurance perks.

Capital One Venture X: Best for adding authorized users

Travel benefits rundown : Auto rental collision damage waiver; trip cancellation and interruption insurance; travel and emergency assistance services; trip delay reimbursement; travel accident insurance; lost luggage reimbursement

Why we picked it : With the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card , you can add up to four authorized users at no additional charge. These authorized users have access to the same trip protections, lounge access and other benefits as the primary cardholder — making it our pick for the best option for authorized user access.

The Venture X offers numerous travel protections, including an auto rental collision damage waiver of up to the cash value of the car (or up to $75,000 for new cars), trip cancellation and interruption insurance of up to $2,000 per person, travel accident insurance of up to $1,000,000, lost luggage reimbursement of up to $3,000 per trip for common carrier tickets, trip delay reimbursement of up to $500 per ticket when a trip is delayed for six hours or more (or requires an overnight stay), and travel and emergency assistance services (though you’ll need to pay any associated fees out of pocket).

• Reasonable annual fee given its ongoing rewards, welcome bonus and statement credit opportunities
• Ability to add up to four authorized users at no cost
• 75,000-mile welcome bonus after spending $4,000 in your first three months
• Cellphone protection
• Travel bonus categories limited to the Capital One Travel portal
• Not as many travel-related statement credits compared to other premium travel cards

Who should apply : If you’re looking for a premium travel card with quality travel insurance benefits and a few statement credits, but without an incredibly high annual fee, the Venture X could be the right choice for you. Other Capital One Venture X benefits include an annual travel statement credit, a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit and access to Priority Pass and Capital One lounges.

Who should skip : If you aren’t keen on booking a majority of your travel through the Capital One portal, you may look elsewhere. This card offers 10X miles on hotel and rental cars booked through the portal, 5X miles on flights booked through the portal and just 2X miles on all other purchases.

Bank of America Premium Rewards: Best for large bank balances

Travel benefits rundown : Trip delay reimbursement; trip cancellation/interruption insurance; baggage delay insurance; lost luggage reimbursement; travel and emergency assistance services; emergency evacuation and transportation coverage; auto rental collision damage waiver; roadside dispatch

Why we picked it : Travelers who maintain large bank balances can earn up to 75 percent more rewards with the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card thanks to Bank of America’s Preferred Rewards program. In addition to travel insurance protections, you’ll earn 2X points on travel and dining and 1.5X points on everything else. With the 75 percent maximum bonus, your earning power grows up to 3.5X and 2.625X, respectively.

In terms of travel insurance benefits, you’ll receive trip delay reimbursement of up to $500 per ticket when a trip is delayed for more than 12 hours, trip cancellation/interruption insurance of up to $2,500 for non-refundable tickets and baggage delay insurance of up to $100 per day for five days when baggage has been delayed for six or more hours. You’ll also get lost luggage reimbursement, travel and emergency assistance services, emergency evacuation and transportation coverage, an auto rental collision damage waiver and roadside dispatch, as noted above.

• Monthly bonus for large banking balances via the Preferred Rewards program
• Airline incidental and Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credits
• 50,000-point welcome bonus when you spend $3,000 in your first 90 days
• Relatively low $95 annual fee
• Requires larger deposit balances to get maximum value from Preferred Rewards program
• No airline or hotel transfer partners
• Lack of more premium travel benefits

Who should apply : If you’re already a Bank of America banking customer and are looking to boost your card’s rewards rates, owning the Bank of America Premium Rewards card is a great way to do so. Plus, you’ll get access to some pretty valuable travel insurance benefits. For more information, consider reading through our Bank of America Premium Rewards card benefits guide .

Who should skip : If you don’t carry at least a $20,000 balance within a Bank of America account, getting this card for the Preferred Rewards program points boost really isn’t worth it. Instead, consider looking toward the Sapphire Preferred, as it offers comparable travel insurance benefits, but with higher ongoing rewards rates and a bigger first-year bonus.

Comparing the best credit cards for travel insurance

Types of travel insurance coverage on credit cards.

Rewards credit cards  offer valuable travel insurance protections that can help you save money and protect your travel plans. Benefits vary by card, but the most common types of credit card travel insurance benefits include:

• Trip cancellation/interruption insurance : This coverage reimburses travelers for prepaid, non-refundable travel expenses when a trip is canceled or cut short by sickness, severe weather or other covered situations.
• Trip delay reimbursement : When travel is delayed by a set number of hours or requires an overnight stay, trip delay reimbursement covers unreimbursed expenses. Qualifying expenses can include meals and lodging, for example.
• Lost luggage reimbursement : When your checked or carry-on luggage is damaged or lost by the airline, this coverage reimburses travelers for replacing clothing, toiletries, luggage and more.
• Auto rental collision damage waiver : This waiver protects the cardholder when the rental car is damaged or stolen. Coverage is primary or secondary, and it does not cover damage to other property or injuries to people inside or outside the vehicle.
• Emergency evacuation and transportation : If you or an immediate family member becomes injured or sick during a trip and requires emergency evacuation, this benefit covers medical expenses and transportation.

How to choose a credit card for travel insurance

With so many travel credit cards offering travel insurance benefits, some consumers may have difficulty picking the right one. Here are a few factors you should consider before applying:

• Travel protection limits. How much does the card reimburse or cover in case your travel plans are affected? And how many people are included?
• Travel protection exclusions. How long do you have to wait before the card’s benefits can be used?
• Welcome bonus. Does the card offer an attractive welcome bonus, and can you meet the minimum spending requirements within the allotted time frame?
• Earning power. Review the card’s ongoing rewards rates to determine if they align with how you spend.
• Other card perks. What other perks does the card offer beyond travel protections? If it offers statement credits or discounts that you likely won’t use, there’s likely a cheaper option for you.
• Annual fee. Are the card’s features, benefits and earning power worth the annual fee?
• Authorized users. Does the card allow authorized users — and if it does, how much does it cost to add them?

Bottom line

There are many credit cards that can cover you in the event your next trip gets pushed back or ruined altogether. While the best travel credit cards with travel insurance all offer similar protections, the benefits or terms vary by card.

Besides the travel protections offered, be sure to compare benefits, earning power and annual fees to find the card that best fits your lifestyle and travel plans.

Editorial Disclaimer

The editorial content on this page is based solely on the objective assessment of our writers and is not driven by advertising dollars. It has not been provided or commissioned by the credit card issuers. However, we may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners.

Aaron Broverman has been covering personal finance for over a decade for Creditcards.com starting with its former sister site Creditcards.com Canada. His personal finance work has also appeared on Yahoo, Money Under 30 and Bankrate.

Lee Huffman spent 18 years as a financial planner and corporate finance manager before quitting his corporate job to write full time. He contributes to CreditCards.com and has been writing about early retirement, credit cards, travel, insurance and other personal finance topics since 2012. He enjoys showing people how to travel more, spend less and live better through the power of travel rewards.

On this page

• Types of travel insurance coverage
• Best travel insurance coverage amounts
• Best travel insurance coverage for a low annual fee
• Best range of travel insurance benefits
• Best for adding authorized users
• Best for large bank balances
• Comparing cards for travel insurance
• How to choose a card

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CreditCards.com is an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. The offers that appear on this site are from companies from which CreditCards.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. CreditCards.com does not include the entire universe of available financial or credit offers. CCDC has partnerships with issuers including, but not limited to, American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citi and Discover.

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[2022 Version] Rakuten Card Application Process

This post is also available in 日本語

Credit cards issued overseas cannot be used for settlement in Japan. Rakuten Card is a card issued in Japan. If you are over the age of 18 and resident in Japan, you can apply for a card even if you are a foreign national or foreign student. It is said that the screening is relatively easy to pass too. It is easy to collect points that can be used with the Rakuten Group, and the card is very popular with people living in Japan.

On this occasion, therefore, I shall introduce how to apply for and make a Rakuten card. Please read this in conjunction with previous articles on this topic.

Articles related to the Rakuten Card

• What is the “Rakuten Card” a popular credit card in Japan?
• Characteristics of the Rakuten Premium Card and Comparison with the Rakuten Card
• Which Rakuten Card is Better? Introduction and Recommendations
• Procedure for applying for and making a Rakuten Card

Flow from applying for the Rakuten Card to receiving rewards on joining

• Prepare information required in advance
• Applying from a PC or smartphone Once you pass the entry screening, your card shall be issued and sent to you
• Receive the card
• Receive entry rewards(new member rewards and rewards on usage).

Preparation for applying for the Rakuten card

Personal identification documents（residence card, special permanent resident certificate）.

Confirm the below.

• Expiry date has not been exceeded
• Current address is registered
• Name described on the ID confirmation documents Unless you apply as described on this document, you may fail the screening

Japanese bank account information

A Japanese bank account opened by the applicant is required to register for an account from which the withdrawal can take place. Prepare your “cash card or bankbook” to confirm the account number and branch number.

Requires an email address that can be immediately verified and a phone number where person in question can be contacted.

Applying for the Rakuten card

Use your computer or smartphone to apply at the URL below. If you want to increase your credit limit, and are a working adult, we recommend applying for the Rakuten Premium Card. If you are a student, we recommend applying for the Rakuten Card Academy.

Rakuten Card

Points to note

• No. 1 in Customer Satisfaction for 13 consecutive years*2021 Japanese Customer Satisfaction Index Survey Credit Card Industry
• Shopping at Rakuten market gives three times the points reward!! * Privileges are subject to limits and conditions.
• Card with e-money “Edy” loaded
• Includes “Anshin” function to respond to problems

Campaign “New Member & Usage Points Present!”

Rakuten Premium Card

• Free Priority Pass with access to airport lounges throughout the world!
• Shopping at Rakuten market gives five times the points reward!!
• Automatically added overseas and domestic travel insurance!
• No Rakuten ETC card annual fees!
• Six times point return when shopping at Rakuten Market in your birthday month!

Rakuten Card Academy

• Able to use “Rakuten Gakuwari” (automatically applied for students until the age of 25)
• High level of point return when used for Rakuten Books or Rakuten Travel
• Usage limit of “Up to 300,000 yen” prevents overuse
• After graduation, you automatically switch to the “Rakuten card”

Below, we shall describe how you should apply if you are not a Rakuten member, using the “Rakuten Card” screen. (By becoming a Rakuten Member before applying, it becomes possible to save the information you entered during this process.)

Enter basic information

Select the brand and card design you wish to use. The design you can select changes according to the brand you choose.

Enter your name. Enter the same information in Kanji as is found on your identification document. You may omit any middle names you have only if the name is too long to type. For hiragana, enter furigana in hiragana. Romaji is the notation that will be printed on the face of the card. If this matches the information on your passport, you can relax knowing that the card will be usable overseas.

Enter your gender/date of birth/telephone number 1/email address. The “mobile phone/smartphone” field in the e-mail address is the e-mail address issued by your mobile carrier. If you use a Google (@gmail.com) or Apple (@icloud.com) address, enter it in the email address field for the computer, even if you normally use that address on your cell phone or smartphone.

Answer the following items:

• Select whether or not you would like to receive notification messages from Rakuten Card and Rakuten Points Card。
• Address Make sure that you enter your current address in Japanese characters. If the characters do not fit, you should omit the apartment name rather than the room number.
• Family information Select your family structure
• Number of people in the household Select the number of persons living in the same household, whether living separately or together. (The person concerned is counted as one person.)
• Residential situation Reply regarding your status in the house you currently live in, that is whether you own, rent, or live in a dormitory.
• Years of residence
• Payment of housing loan or rent Select whether or not this applies not only to you or to the other people living in the same household as you as well.

Enter your place of work or school.

If you have any income from any type of employment, such as full-time, temporary, or part-time, select “Employed” and enter your annual income including tax. Select “Student” in case of an international student. （Several questions may be added for this item, depending on the selections you make.）

Enter the balance of your savings account. Honestly enter the amount of savings in the Japanese bank account that you have opened.。

Answer in regard to the following items.

• Billing address
• Purpose of use for the card after membership When used for regular shopping, you should choose “Use for regular shopping, etc.”
• Amount loaned from other companies Enter the amount honestly.
• Equipped with Edy function Prepaid electronic money functions are available free of charge, so you should apply for any you are interested in. You can also set the auto-charge feature.
• Notifications from Rakuten Edy

Enter the account from which to pay the amount used.

You can only register accounts with the name you use to apply for your card.

Set your pin code. Enter a 4-digit number you will not easily forget. You cannot enter “0000” or “9999”. Avoid using numbers that are easy to guess, such as date of birth or telephone number.

This completes the entry of basic information. Click the <Next> button and proceed to “Enter workplace information”.

Entering workplace information

If you select “Worker” in basic information

• Workplace name
• Name of prefecture where workplace located
• Workplace telephone number Do not enter your number, but rather enter a fixed telephone number for the workplace.
• Number of years worked
• Industry type
• Confirmation of driver’s license, etc.

If you select “Student” in basic information

• School or college name

Once you have entered the workplace information, click the “Next” button, and move to “Enter Rakuten member registration information”.

Enter Rakuten member registration information

The email address you entered in basic information shall become your Rakuten member user ID.

Set your Rakuten member password! Enter your desired string that is “6 characters or more” in “half-sized alphanumeric characters”.

Once you have set whether to receive Rakuten member news or not, you will need to confirm whether the displayed “Rakuten member registration information” is correct or not. The automatically displayed information is the information entered as basic information. If there are any mistakes, click the <Return to Basic Information Input>button, and correct your basic information.

If there is no problem, click the <Next> button and move to “Enter Rakuten Member Registration Information”.

Enter your payment account information.

Enter the account information for the financial institution selected in basic information.

• Name of financial institution
• Branch number
• Account number

Once you have finished inputting, click the <Confirm entered content> button. When the “Confirm Account Information” screen appears, check the information and, if everything is correct, click the “Apply to Financial Institution” button. You will be taken to the automatic account transfer application page on the financial institution’s website. （Please note that if you close the Rakuten Card site during the financial institution site procedure, or if the procedure takes too long, you will have to start over from the beginning.）

Family Card

Once you complete the card application, you can also choose a family card. If you want to use this, enter the names of family members in the application instead of your own.

Membership screening and card issue

Once all the information has been entered, you will receive a “Notification of Application Receipt” e-mail.

You can check the status of your membership screening and card issuance at the following URL Enter the “Card Application Receipt ID, your date of birth, and the last 4 digits of your phone number” in the body of the e-mail, and click the <Check Issuance Status> button. https://apply.card.rakuten.co.jp/status/input.xhtml

Receive your Rakuten card

If the membership screening is successful, the card will be issued and delivered in approximately one week.

The credit card will be delivered by mail requiring personal identification (specified matter transmission type) by Japan Post or by Sagawa Express with receiver confirmation support. Only the person who applied for the card can receive the card. When your card is delivered, be sure to check the “email just before delivery” that comes before it arrives.

When receiving, you must also present a photo identification document, so please have your Residence Card or Special Permanent Resident Certificate handy.

Receiving entry rewards (new entry rewards and card usage rewards)

When you receive your Rakuten Card, receive your reward points. You can use each point as 1 yen.

Entry rewards

You will receive these points when you apply for and join in Rakuten Card for the first time. These are normal points so there is no expiry date. Please note that to receive this service, you must register with Rakuten e-NAVI, the online service for Rakuten Card members only.

3,000 reward points for card usage

If you apply for Rakuten Card for the first time and meet the following two conditions after entry, you will automatically receive these points around the end of the following month. These are time-limited points so they have an expiration date. Be sure to use them before they expire!

• Using the card for the first time Use the card by the end of the month following the “date of application” for the card (not eligible for cash advances)
• Account Transfer Settings Complete the account transfer setup by the 25th of the second month following the “date of application” for the card.

Additionally, check the information on the website carefully, as brand campaigns may also be running.

Rakuten Card entry screening

To make the screening process as easy as possible, we have outlined the key points you need to know.

• Apply with the name described on your personal identification
• For “Purpose of use after entry,” select only “Use for everyday purchases, etc.
• Set cashing to 0 yen
• Do not apply for automatic revolving payment service
• If you fail the screening once, you can apply again after six months have passed Longer stays, more stable income, and longer periods of service are useful when applying.

If you have problems

If you face problems when applying, such as difficulties with the Japanese language screen, the process does not work properly, or you are unable to receive your card because you are not home, contact the contact center. An English-speaking representative will call you back.

【Contact Center】 Tel. 0570-66-6910 / 092-474-6287 (9:30-17:30) Press “0#” when you hear the voice guidance.

【FAQ in English】 https://support.rakuten-card.jp/category/show/531?site_domain=guest

Applying for a credit card can be hard work. If you are not fluent in Japanese, you may feel uneasy about the process. Rakuten Card, though, tends to be more accessible than other cards. There is also a contact center that provides assistance in English. If you need a card issued in Japan, you should definitely try applying.

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Travel insurance with a credit card

Post by Viralriver » Wed Aug 03, 2022 3:55 am

Re: Travel insurance with a credit card

Post by TokyoWart » Wed Aug 03, 2022 4:37 am

Post by captainspoke » Wed Aug 03, 2022 5:38 am

Viralriver wrote: ↑ Wed Aug 03, 2022 3:55 am ... she booked it using her credit card, I'm unsure of whether or not my credit card's travel insurance would cover me. ...

Post by zeroshiki » Wed Aug 03, 2022 7:22 am

Post by RetireJapan » Wed Aug 03, 2022 7:41 am

Post by adamu » Wed Aug 03, 2022 1:32 pm

Viralriver wrote: ↑ Wed Aug 03, 2022 3:55 am Rakuten premium card.

zeroshiki wrote: ↑ Wed Aug 03, 2022 7:22 am Rakuten Card is on-use

Post by goran » Wed Aug 03, 2022 11:39 pm

adamu wrote: ↑ Wed Aug 03, 2022 1:32 pm It's technically automatic, but with conditions. Note that premium has the ¥1 travel to airport option, the regular card requires you book via a travel agent . Yeah, I don't understand it either.

Post by TokyoBoglehead » Thu Aug 04, 2022 12:18 am

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You’re our first priority. Every time.

We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. And while our site doesn’t feature every company or financial product available on the market, we’re proud that the guidance we offer, the information we provide and the tools we create are objective, independent, straightforward — and free.

So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us. This may influence which products we review and write about (and where those products appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. Here is a list of our partners .

Faye Travel Insurance Review: Is It Worth the Cost?

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

Travel insurance can be a worthwhile investment, especially if you’re worried about unexpected costs during your trip. There are a ton of different travel insurance companies out there, so finding one that suits your needs can be a struggle. That’s why we’ve done the work for you.

Let’s take a look at travel insurance provider Faye to see what type of plans the company offers, the coverage levels you can expect and whether Faye travel insurance is right for you.

About Faye travel insurance

Faye is the brand name for customizable travel protection plans offered by a company called Zenner Inc. Its website notes that it specializes in quick reimbursements, which can be a big draw for travelers. Policies issued by Faye are underwritten by the United States Fire Insurance Company.

» Learn more: How to pick between travel insurance providers

Faye insurance plans

Unlike many other travel insurance companies , Faye offers only one plan.

To find out what types of coverage Faye travel insurance plans include, we generated a quote for a 44-year-old woman from Arizona who was traveling to Italy for two weeks. Her total trip cost came in at $2,000.

Here’s what Faye provides:

This plan costs 7.03% of the overall trip cost, which is typical according to NerdWallet's analysis .

The plan is comprehensive and includes coverage you don’t typically see, such as reimbursement for lost credit cards and a payment for being inconvenienced.

Faye also offers a number of customizations; there are different add-ons from which to choose, all of which vary in price. More on your options in the next section.

» Learn more: How travel insurance for domestic vacations works

Plan add-ons

If you'd like to customize your Faye travel insurance plan to meet your needs more specifically, you can add on extra coverage for more money.

» Learn more: How does travel insurance work?

What isn’t covered by Faye

Even if you purchase a very comprehensive travel insurance policy, there are still situations where you’re not covered.

These include:

Bad weather, including hurricanes, if the policy was purchased after the storm was named.

Intentionally self-inflicted injuries or suicide.

Expenses incurred while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. 

High-risk sports for which you are paid. 

Psychological disorders, unless you’re hospitalized. 

War and acts of war. 

Illegal acts. 

Piloting or learning to pilot or acting as crew of an aircraft. 

To find the full list of exclusions for your specific policy, be sure to review your plan’s benefits schedule.

» Learn more: What to know before buying travel insurance

How to choose a Faye plan online

Purchasing a Faye travel insurance plan online is simple. You’ll first want to head to the company’s website to generate a quote.

You’ll need to input information like your age, where you live, where you’re going and how long you’re going to be away. Once you’ve got that all entered in, you’ll be taken to the results page.

Here, you’ll be able to see what plan options you have available, as well as what add-ons there are to pick.

After you’ve selected the coverage you’d like, you’ll need to go through the online checkout process.

» Learn more: Is travel insurance worth it?

Which Faye plan is best for me?

Although Faye has just one base plan available for purchase, it has plenty of different add-ons from which to choose. Faye sorts its bundles and add-ons according to the trip you’re taking, so you may see your bundled offer vary from time to time.

For tentative plans . Choosing to add on a Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) policy can provide peace of mind if your travel plans aren’t solid. With the ability to get up to 75% of your money back, you’ll just want to make sure you’re canceling at least 48 hours in advance. 

For pet owners . Not many travel insurance companies include coverage for your pets , especially not when it comes to vet bills. With a low overall cost, this add-on can make a huge difference if you end up delayed on your return. 

For those wanting to customize everything . Faye’s base plan allows customers to create tons of different customizations according to their travel needs. Even though it’s costly, it makes up for it with wholly comprehensive coverage. 

Faye’s travel insurance offerings may suit your needs, but before purchasing a plan, take a look in your wallet. Many different travel credit cards offer complimentary travel insurance , which can include benefits such as trip cancellation reimbursement, rental car insurance and more.

on Chase's website

on American Express' website

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per ticket for delays more than 12 hours.

• Trip cancellation: Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $40,000 per 12-month period.

• Trip interruption: Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $40,000 per 12-month period.

• Baggage delay: Up to $100 per day for five days.

• Lost luggage: Up to $3,000 per passenger.

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per ticket for delays more than 6 hours.

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per trip for delays more than 6 hours.

• Trip cancellation: Up to $10,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $20,000 per 12-month period.

• Trip interruption: Up to $10,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $20,000 per 12-month period.

Terms apply.

Insurance Benefit: Trip Delay Insurance

Up to $500 per Covered Trip that is delayed for more than 6 hours; and 2 claims per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period.

Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.

Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.

Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

Insurance Benefit: Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance

The maximum benefit amount for Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance is $10,000 per Covered Trip and $20,000 per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

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

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

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

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

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

1x-10x 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.

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

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

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

1x-2x 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, and select streaming. Earn 1X points on all other purchases.

50,000 Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Introduction to TravelSafe Travel Insurance

• Coverage Options
• Purchasing and Managing a Policy
• Customer Service and Support

Compare TravelSafe Travel Insurance

• Why You Should Trust Us

TravelSafe Travel Insurance Review 2024

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

TravelSafe Insurance is a travel insurance company owned by the Chester Perfetto Agency, which provides a wide array of travel insurance options such as health, life, and auto insurance. TravelSafe can cover longer trips than many of its competitors, but charges high rates. It's also known for its golf-specific coverage. 

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Up to 120 days' coverage available for travelers ages 79 and under (30 days for 80+)
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Up to $2,500 per person for missed connections over three hours or more
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Trip delay coverage of up to $150 per person per day kicks in after six hours or more
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Policy can be purchased by U.S. citizens living abroad
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Medical coverage ceiling of $100,000 may be low for some travelers' needs.
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Claims reviews from customers say performance is not always the best
• A well-rounded insurance plan for travelers who are concerned about missing connections for cruise-related travel
• Classic and Basic travel insurance plans
• GolfSafe travel insurance plans provide coverage for you and your equipment
• Travel medical insurance through partner Trawick International

Among the companies included in our guide on the best CFAR travel insurance , TravelSafe offers thick insulation against the unpredictability of travel. The trips that TravelSafe can insure are on the higher end of the industry, covering trips lasting up to 150 days and costing up to $100,000. TravelSafe's Classic plan also offers coverage for people who are up to 100 years old. 

One standout feature of TravelSafe is that all of its plans offer primary coverage, so you can file immediately with TravelSafe instead of going through your health insurance provider first, even with TravelSafe's Basic plan. Many travel insurance companies only provide primary coverage with their higher-tiered plans. 

That said, TravelSafe's Basic plan costs more than many travel insurance companies' most expensive plans. This brings up the issue of cost. While its plans are technically within the bounds of the average cost of travel insurance, TravelSafe certainly stretches those limits, and it's certainly more expensive than many of the best travel insurance companies.

Ultimately, TravelSafe is best for travelers taking an expensive trip who can afford expensive insurance. 

Coverage Options from TravelSafe

TravelSafe has two main policies for those seeking travel insurance: travel insurance for stateside and international travelers and travel insurance for those who are planning golf trips. For each policy type, travelers can choose between classic and basic coverage. And golfers can choose between GolfSafe Secure and GolfSafe Secure Plus.

Here's how the three TravelSafe travel insurance plans stack up in terms of what's included and coverage limits:

TravelSafe also offers specific golf insurance plans, which is something incredibly unique among travel insurance companies. If you're an avid golfer, purchasing golfing insurance will cover things like lost holes, something regular travel insurance won't. TravelSafe's golf insurance plan benefits are as follows:

Additional coverage options from TravelSafe

TravelSafe offers several optional coverages for its travelers:

Rental car damage and theft coverage:  Available for both Basic and Classic plans, this add-on covers up to $35,000 per covered vehicle.

Business and sports equipment rental:  Also available for both TravelSafe plans, your rental equipment is covered for up to $1,000.

CFAR coverage: Only available for Classic+, you'll receive 75% of your nonrefundable trip costs. You must purchase your policy within 21 days of your initial trip deposit. 

TravelSafe Travel Insurance Cost

The premium you pay will depend on various factors, including the age of the travelers, destination, and total trip costs. The  average cost of travel insurance  is 4% to 8% of your travel costs.

After inputting some personal information, such as your age and state of residence, along with your trip details, like travel dates, destination, and trip costs, you'll get an instant quote for TravelSafe plans available for your trip. And from there, it's easy to compare each option based on your coverage needs and budget.

Now let's look at a few examples to estimate TravelSafe coverage costs.

As of 2024, a 23-year-old from Illinois taking a week-long, $3,000 budget trip to Italy would have the following travel insurance quotes:

• Basic: $112
• Classic: $147
• Classic (Plus): $274

Premiums for TravelSafe plans are between 3.7% and 9.1% of the trip's cost, within and above the average cost of travel insurance.

TravelSafe provides the following quotes for a 30-year-old traveler from California heading to Japan for two weeks on a $4,000 trip:

• Basic: $153
• Classic: $202
• Classic (Plus): $377

Once again, premiums for TravelSafe plans are between 3.8% and 6.3% of the trip's cost, within the expected range of travel insurance costs.

A Texas family consisting of two 40-year-old parents with a 10-year-old and 4-year-old on a two-week trip to Australia for $20,000:

• Basic: $512
• Classic: $676
• Classic (Plus): $1,616

TravelSafe plans cost between 2.6% and 8.1% of the trip's cost, below and within the average cost of travel insurance. 

A 65-year-old couple looking to escape New Jersey for Mexico for two weeks with a trip cost of $6,000 would have the following quotes:

• Basic: $472
• Classic: $582
• Classic (Plus): $952

Premiums for TravelSafe plans are between 7.8% and 15.9%, which is well the average cost for travel insurance. While older travelers should expect higher premiums, these prices are on the higher end of what you should be paying. 

Purchasing and Managing a TravelSafe Policy

Purchasing a TravelSafe policy is fairly simple. You'll first need to obtain a quote through TravelSafe's website. Be prepared to provide the following details:

• State of residence
• Destination(s)
• Departure/return dates
• Date of initial deposit
• Total trip cost
• Number of travelers
• Birthday of traveler(s)

Once you obtain a quote and pick your plan, you'll enter some additional information about yourself, such as your address and contact information. 

How to File a Claim with TravelSafe

If you experience a loss while insured by TravelSafe, you need to act quickly. You have 20 days after the loss to notify TravelSafe, at which point an agent will send you forms for filing proof of loss. If TravelSafe don't send a form withi 15 days, you can send your own written statement about what happened along with proof. This must be completed within 90 days of the loss. 

You have several options if you need to file a claim for TravelSafe.

If you need emergency help, you can call their toll-free numbers below.

• Toll-free (US-only): 1-877-539-6729
• Direct: 1-727-475-2808

If you're international, call the following toll-free number: 1-866-509-7713.

TravelSafe Customer Service and Support

Almost all reviews for TravelSafe are concentrated on its SquareMouth page, where it has an average rating of 4.3 stars out five across over 1,500 reviews. Though an overall positive score, it's worth mentioning that most of the positive reviews come from people who didn't have to file a claim. Some of these reviews mentioned having to alter their insurance plan, which was an overall positive experience. 

However, many of the reviews that mention the claims process are negative. Customers mentioned long wait times, uncommunicative claims representatives, and little guidance during the claims process. Additionally, while many travel insurance companies regularly engage with reviews, both positive and negative, TravelSafe rarely replies to customer reviews.

Learn more about how TravelSafe travel insurance compares against top insurers. 

TravelSafe Travel Insurance vs Faye Travel Insurance

Faye Travel Insurance is a completely digital travel insurance company. Unlike TravelSafe, Faye Travel Insurance completely covers all cruise travel. Faye doesn't cover golf trips as TravelSafe does. They have similar amounts of coverage, but Faye Travel Insurance is about $20 cheaper for its comparable international plans.

Faye Travel Insurance covers your trip, your health, and your belongings just like TravelSafe does. But with Faye Travel Insurance, you can add different things that meet your needs, like car rental, extreme sports, and pet care.

Read our Faye travel insurance review here.

TravelSafe Travel Insurance vs World Nomads Travel Insurance

TravelSafe is an excellent option if you're traveling and participating in regular activities, like trying different foods and basic activities, like taking a train to places. But if you want to do extreme sports, it might not be the right coverage for you. Instead, consider getting a travel insurance plan like World Nomads Travel Insurance . World Nomads covers over 100 different extreme sports, and you can specifically add on different sports that you want to try. It's a better coverage insurance plan for someone who's a little bit more adventurous.

That said, if you're only planning on doing a specific activity, like golfing, TravelSafe has a plan for you. They cover golfing trips specifically with more coverage than World Nomads.

Read our World Nomads travel insurance review here.

TravelSafe vs Credit Card Travel Insurance

Some credit cards, especially travel rewards cards, come with travel benefits such as primary rental car insurance for your vehicle if you decide to rent one. However, travel insurance is generally more comprehensive than credit card coverage. For example, TravelSafe offers benefits like death and dismemberment coverage; credit cards don't typically cover this benefit.

However, you can use both your credit card benefits and your travel insurance to get the fullest coverage possible.

Read our guide on the best credit cards with travel insurance here.

TravelSafe Travel Insurance FAQ

Yes, TravelSafe is known for providing reliable coverage for international travel, including medical emergencies and trip interruptions.

TravelSafe typically allows the purchase of travel insurance up until the day before departure, making it suitable for last-minute travel plans.

TravelSafe offers policies that include coverage for trip cancellations due to COVID-19, but it's important to review the specific terms and conditions of each plan.

Claims with TravelSafe are generally handled efficiently, with a straightforward process for filing and tracking claims, and timely reimbursements according to customer feedback.

Yes, TravelSafe offers the option to add adventure sports coverage to their policies, catering to travelers who engage in higher-risk activities.

Why You Should Trust Us: How We Reviewed TravelSafe

For this review, we made sure to include the most updated information and pulled real-time quotes from TravelSafe's website. We compared two different companies that had similar coverage to TravelSafe to ensure the best review possible. We only included reputable plans. And we looked at factors like what's covered, policy limits, and coverage options.

Read more about how Business Insider rates insurance products here.

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.

• Main content

Comparing the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey: How does it stack up against other premium travel cards?

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We are an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. Our goal is to help you make smarter financial decisions by providing you with interactive tools and financial calculators, publishing original and objective content, by enabling you to conduct research and compare information for free - so that you can make financial decisions with confidence.

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

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• • Credit card trends
• • Maximizing rewards

• • Credit cards
• • Rewards credit cards

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The release of the new Wells Fargo Autograph Journey card in March may seem like a good option with competitive rewards rates, but how does it stack up to some of the best travel credit cards on the market today? And does it deserve a place in your wallet?

In this article, we’ll examine the cards’ welcome offers, rewards, benefits and travel partners to assess their overall value. Let’s see how the Autograph Journey measures up to these four competitors:

• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
• Citi Premier® Card
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
• The Platinum Card® from American Express

Welcome offers

The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey SM Card has a competitive welcome offer of 60,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 in the first three months. According to Bankrate’s valuations , Wells Fargo Rewards are worth about 1.0 cents per point, giving the welcome offer a value of $600. After completing the spending requirement, you could have anywhere from 64,000 to 80,000 points, depending on which categories you utilize to meet the spending requirement. That’s a return of 16 percent on the low end to 20 percent on the high end, though you’ll likely fall somewhere in the middle.

How the Autograph Journey stacks up

The welcome offer on the Autograph Journey matches up with the regular offers from the Chase Sapphire Preferred and the Citi Premier exactly. All three give the same bonus, for an identical spending requirement and timeframe, with the same annual fee. However, both Chase Ultimate Rewards and Citi ThankYou Points are worth more, at about 2.0 cents and 1.6 cents per point, respectively, when transferred to a high-value travel partner. This gives the edge to both, with Chase being the most valuable at $1,200 and Citi at $960.

Looking around, the Capital One Venture X offers more miles for the same amount of spending requirement and timeframe. With this card, you’ll get 75,000 miles, but also pay a higher $395 annual fee. Capital One miles are also more valuable at about 1.7 cents per point, making its welcome offer worth $1,275.

The Platinum Card® from American Express offers the most points of any of these offers — at 80,000 Membership Rewards points — but it also requires the highest spending at $8,000, although you’ll get twice as long to meet that amount (six months). It also has the highest annual fee of these cards at $695. Since Membership Rewards points are valued at about 2.0 cents cents per point, this offer has a value of $1,600.

Our decision: Not as good as the competition

The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey offers the lowest overall value of any of these welcome offers, due to the lower value of the Wells Fargo Rewards it earns.

When deciding between these cards, consider:

• Whether you can meet the spending requirement
• What you want the points for
• The return on your spending

Based on these criteria, the best overall value comes from the Venture X since your return on spending will likely be a higher percentage — even though the Amex Platinum offers the most points and the highest value.

Rewards and benefits

Outside of its welcome bonus, the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey comes with excellent earning rates in numerous categories focusing on travel. Specifically, you’ll earn 5X points at hotels, 4X points on airlines and 3X points on other travel and restaurants. All other purchases earn 1X points.

You’ll also get a $50 annual statement credit with a $50 minimum airline purchase — utilizing this credit offsets more than half of the $95 annual fee. Additional benefits include:

• Trip protection coverage
• Auto rental collision coverage
• Emergency/roadside assistance
• Cell phone protection
• My Wells Fargo deals
• Visa Signature benefits

As it is, the card earns solidly enough to function as a standalone card, offering excellent protection and benefits. However, let’s compare this more closely with its competitors to assess its actual value.

Wells Fargo Autograph Journey vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred®

Both of these cards come with a $95 fee. For travel purchases, the Autograph Journey gets 5X on hotels, 4X on airfare, and 3X on other travel, while the Sapphire Preferred only earns 2X on travel (but can earn 5X if you go through the Chase Travel portal or use Lyft). Chase points also get a 25 percent boost when booking travel through Chase Travel. While both cards earn 3X on dining, the Sapphire Preferred also earns 3X for streaming and online grocery purchases.

Whereas the Autograph Journey has a $50 air credit, the Sapphire Preferred has a $50 hotel credit instead. You’ll also get a points boost on your account anniversary equal to 10 percent of your spending from the prior year. Chase has more extensive transfer partners, including four of Wells Fargo’s airline partners. There are also more Chase cards available that can combine points with the Sapphire Preferred via the Chase trifecta , giving it an even further advantage.

You might choose the Autograph Journey if your travel spending aligns better with Wells Fargo’s bonus categories. However, for most people, the Sapphire Preferred will be the more flexible option.

Wells Fargo Autograph Journey vs. Citi Premier®

These cards also have the same annual fee — and once again, the Autograph Journey earns slightly better on hotel and air purchases. While the Citi Premier has limited-time earnings of 10X on hotel and car rentals through the Citi Travel portal through June 30, 2024, it earns 3X in the following categories:

• Restaurants
• Supermarkets
• Gas stations

By covering a more comprehensive range of everyday expenses, Citi Premier gets the edge for earning rewards.

The Citi Premier also offers an annual $100 hotel credit on a stay of $500 or more when booked through the Citi Travel portal — more than double the Autograph Journey’s air credit. While Citi overlaps on a few of Wells Fargo’s transfer partners, it also offers a more extensive list than Wells Fargo. Citi also has the Citi trifecta that allows you to combine points from multiple cards.

As a result, the Citi Premier generally offers more value overall, unless your spending is primarily travel-focused.

Wells Fargo Autograph Journey vs. Capital One Venture X

The Capital One Venture X comes with a higher annual fee than the Autograph Journey, coming in at $395 instead of $95. Still, this higher fee can be easily offset with the card’s $300 annual travel credit on the Capital One travel portal and the 10,000 bonus miles you’ll earn on your account anniversary (worth $100).

The main difference between the two is that the Venture X earns a flat rate of 2X miles on all purchases. If you book through the portal, you’ll get 5X on airfare and 10X on hotels and car rentals. If you book travel directly, the Autograph Journey is likely a better choice, but the Venture X still has the potential for higher returns. Non-bonus spending will do better on the Venture X, for example, but you’ll earn more with dining purchases on the Autograph Journey.

Overall, Capital One miles have a higher value and more transfer partners while overlapping most of Wells Fargo’s partners. You’ll also get more benefits and perks like extensive airport lounge access . Even with the higher annual fee, the Venture X is a clear favorite almost across the board.

Wells Fargo Autograph Journey vs. The Platinum Card® from American Express

These two cards approach travel from opposite positions. While the Autograph Journey has a manageable annual fee and earns solid reward rates, the Amex Platinum has one of the highest annual fees out there and mediocre earning rates outside of its 5X rate on airfare and hotels purchased through Amex Travel. Beyond travel purchases, the Autograph Journey is superior for spending.

Where the Amex Platinum shines above the rest is its laundry list of perks and benefits . For as high as the $695 annual fee is, you can still come out ahead if you take advantage of all the credits offered, including:

• $200 annual airline incidental credit with your selected airline
• $200 Uber credit ($15 each month, $35 in December)
• $100 Saks Fifth Avenue credit ($50 semi-annually)
• $200 annual credit with Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts
• $240 entertainment credit ($20 monthly)
• $189 annual CLEAR membership credit
• $300 Equinox/SoulCycle annual credit
• Walmart+ reimbursement ($12.95 monthly cost)
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit once every four years
• *Enrollment required for select benefits

Maximizing these credits more than compensates for the card’s annual fee, covering everything from travel and shopping to lifestyle purchases. In addition, you’ll get extensive airport lounge access, excellent travel protections, a superior list of transfer partners and complimentary elite status with Hilton, Marriott and several car rental companies. Here, the overall value offered by the Amex Platinum’s perks and credits far exceed any other card — if you can fully utilize them.

Our decision: Perks fall short but rewards measure up

These comparisons point to a glaring weakness of the Autograph Journey — its perks and benefits. Each main competitor card offers more value in credits, benefits and point value. Even the higher annual fee cards make up for that difference with superior returns in the benefits category. If you’re looking at this card specifically to handle your travel needs, you may want to consider one of the other cards, all of which give better returns.

However, the card holds up well with its reward-earning rates, particularly in the travel and dining categories. The rates for hotels and airfare purchases are strong and don’t require you to shop through a travel portal. This distinction can be helpful, as many hotel chains and airlines will deny your elite benefits when you book through a third party like this. With plenty of bonus categories, the Autograph Journey should be able to cover much of your everyday spending.

Airline and hotel transfer partners

Each card has its own set of airline and hotel transfer partners — multiple cards can cover some programs, while others may be unique to a single card. We’ve compiled a list of all the partners to help you decide which card is best for you. All transfer ratios are 1:1 unless otherwise noted.

Our decision: The Autograph Journey doesn’t measure up

As you can see, the Autograph Journey has the smallest number of transfer partners — each of which is covered by at least two competitors. Further, considering that the Autograph Journey comes with the lowest overall point value, the card’s competitors are likely to be a better choice if you’re looking for a specific transfer partner, given their wider selection and better value.

You could certainly use the Autograph Journey’s welcome offer to supplement the point balance in one of its partners, but in most cases, you shouldn’t use it as the primary method to accrue those points unless you’re spending in its top categories.

The bottom line

While introducing a travel card with transfer partners is a big milestone for Wells Fargo, the Autograph Journey unfortunately doesn’t quite rise to the level of its competition. While the reward rates are decent, the lower value of Wells Fargo points keeps it a step behind the competition. Given that, this card is best suited for people who may already have a solid portfolio of credit cards and are looking for a new program to supplement their points balances. But if you’re looking for your first premium travel card, you’ll likely get more value from one of the other cards in this space.

Related Articles

Bank of America Travel Rewards card vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred

Wells Fargo Autograph benefits guide

New Wells Fargo Autograph Card launches, offering rewards on everyday spending for no fee

Why I love the Wells Fargo Platinum card

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Rakuten logs 15th quarter of losses on mobile woes despite record financial unit profit.

By Anton Bridge

TOKYO (Reuters) -Japan's Rakuten on Tuesday logged its fifteenth consecutive quarter in the red as losses at its mobile service network unit outweighed a record performance from its financial unit.

The internet conglomerate logged an operating loss of 33.3 billion yen ($213 million) in January-March, in line with estimates. The result was around half its loss in the same quarter a year earlier but little changed from the previous quarter.

Its financial unit which offers online banking, brokerage, credit card and insurance services, logged an operating profit of 39.3 billion yen, up 47% from a year earlier, as its customer base grew.

But the mobile business, which has struggled with huge build-out costs and lacklustre subscriber growth since its launch in 2020, recorded an operating loss of 71.9 billion yen.

While its number of mobile subscribers rose to 6.48 million at the end of March - increasing by around 1.5 million since the end of August last year - average revenue per user (ARPU) increased only fractionally.

Rakuten has offered generous joining bonuses for new customers, who gain further discounts and perks across the other services in Rakuten's ecosystem, helping generate subscriber growth but limiting the unit's profits.

The building out of the mobile network has resulted in massive debt and Rakuten has 627 billion yen ($4 billion) of outstanding bonds to be redeemed by the end of 2025, according to LSEG data.

Chief Financial Officer Kenji Hirose, however, told a briefing that he was confident in Rakuten's capacity to refinance its upcoming debt redemptions.

In January, Rakuten refinanced around $1.75 billion of its U.S. dollar-denominated debt at an interest rate of 11.25%, to be paid off in 2027. The new fundraising helped Rakuten redeem two tranches of bonds which had interest rates of 10.25% and 3.546% respectively.

($1 = 156.4600 yen)

(Reporting by Anton Bridge; Editing by Edwina Gibbs)

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14 Best Travel Credit Cards of May 2024

Best travel cards main takeaways.

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

Why Trust Us?

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

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

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

Our Top Picks for Best Travel Credit Cards

Best no-annual-fee travel credit cards.

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

Best low-fee-annual-fee travel credit cards

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

Best premium travel credit cards

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

Best business travel credit cards

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

Best airline travel credit cards

• United℠ Explorer Card: Best airline credit card

Best Travel Credit Cards Reviews

Our top picks are listed in alphabetical order.

Best No-Annual-Fee Travel Credit Cards

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Best Low-Annual-Fee Travel Credit Cards

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Best Premium Travel Credit Cards

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Terms apply. Click here for rates and fees.

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

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

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

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

Best Business Travel Credit Cards

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

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

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

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

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

Best Airline Travel Credit Cards

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

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

Other perks the card includes are:

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

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

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

Travel Credit Cards Guide

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

Here’s a rundown of how these cards work:

What is a travel credit card?

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

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

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

How do travel credit cards work?

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

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

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

How to use credit card points for travel

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

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

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

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

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

Difference between points and miles

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

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

Pros and cons of travel credit cards

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

Types of travel credit cards

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

Airline credit cards

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

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

Hotel credit cards

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

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

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

General travel credit card

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

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

How to choose a travel credit card

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

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

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

How get the most out of your travel credit card

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

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

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

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

Best Travel Credit Cards FAQs

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

* Insurance disclosures for American Express Cards on this page:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

More From Forbes

Is travel insurance refundable here’s everything you need to know.

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Sometimes, travel insurance is refundable. Here's when you can get your money back.

Peter Hoagland always checks to see if his travel insurance is refundable. That's because anything can happen between the time you book your vacation and when you leave — and because travel insurance isn't always refundable.

During the pandemic, he discovered that the hard way. He had to cancel a trip and asked for his money back from the insurance company. It refused.

"Since then, I always read the fine print on the policy," he says.

The refundability of travel insurance has always been an open question. Some countries and U.S. states regulate refundability. Travel insurance companies put refundability details in the fine print of the policy. And, as Hoagland found out, there are always exceptions.

Like the pandemic, when refund policies were all over the map. Some insurance companies adhered to their published policies. Others offered a credit that could be reused within a year, which was minimally useful because the pandemic was still happening a year later. Others quietly gave their customers a refund.

Hoagland says he fought for his money. Eventually, he contacted a manager at his travel insurance company.

"That produced a quick result," he says. "I got my money back."

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But let's face it: Getting a refund for travel insurance can be difficult. There are times when insurance is always refundable because it's required by law. There are times when it's sometimes refundable. And there are times when it's almost never refundable. But even then, there may be a way to recover some — or all — of the value of your policy.

Getting a refund for travel insurance can be a challenge

If you have a travel insurance policy and would like to get a refund, it might be easier said than done, say experts.

"While travel insurance is regulated like auto and home insurance, it’s often less standardized," says Stuart Winchester, CEO of Marble, a digital wallet for your insurance. "So first off, it’s important to check the fine print of your specific policy. Don’t assume it’s like the last one you got."

Even when you have something in writing, a refund can require some serious negotiating skills.

"Getting a refund for travel insurance can be complicated and frustrating," says Peter Hamdy, the managing director of a tour operator in Auckland, New Zealand. He's asked for a refund on policies numerous times and says that despite what travel insurance companies may tell you, there are no hard-and-fast rules when it comes to getting a refund on your policy.

"Some situations can warrant a refund," he says. "It depends on your policy."

What does a typical refundability clause look like? For example, the World Explorer Guardian from Insured Nomads notes that it's refundable only during the 10-day review period from the date of delivery or 15 days from the date of delivery if mailed, provided you have not already departed on your trip and you have not incurred any claimable losses during that time. If you depart on your trip before the expiration of the review period, the review period ends and the policy can't be refunded.

"We go a bit further with our World Explorer Travel Medical plans," notes Andrew Jernigan, CEO of Insured Nomads. "If no claims have been filed then we can refund the unused portion of the policy if you cut your trip short.”

When can you get a refund for travel insurance?

Here are the most common cases where travel insurance can be refunded:

• If you cancel during the "free look" period required by the government. Most states require what's called a "free look" period of anywhere from 10 to 14 days. "During this period, travelers can review the purchase and make sure it fits their needs," explains James Nuttall, general manager of Insubuy . "If it does not, they can cancel it for any reason and get a full refund, no questions asked, so long as you haven’t departed yet.
• If you cancel during the travel insurance company grace period. Many insurance companies also have a grace period for refunds (usually, they are the same as the "free look" although some grace periods can be longer). "If you’re outside your grace period, which typically lasts one to two weeks after signing, you’re contractually obliged to pay your premiums," says David Ciccarelli, CEO of the vacation rental site Lake . "Still, it doesn’t hurt to ask your company for a refund or alternative options if you’re outside your grace window. You might not get a yes, but it could lead to some cost savings or better solutions."
• When someone else cancels your trip. "For instance, if your cruise is canceled due to low river tide, you are not at fault and would typically receive a full refund or credit for a future sailing, thus eliminating the need for the travel insurance policy," explains Rhonda Abedsalam vice president of travel insurance for AXA Assistance US.
• If you die. Typically, the policy would be refunded to your next of kin. Generally, you can also ask for a refund if your travel companion dies before your trip.

Remember, it depends on where you buy your insurance

The refundability of your insurance can depend on where you purchased it. Commercial policies bought from a cruise or tour company are generally canceled and refunded if you cancel the trip far enough in advance of your departure date.

"The travel insurance cancellation provisions are generally tied to the cancellation provisions for the cruise or tour," explains Dan Skilken, president of TripInsurance.com . "After you have paid the last deposits on the cruise and are close enough to departure that they will not provide a refund on the cruise, they generally will also not provide a refund on the travel insurance. But if you cancel early enough to get all or most of your deposit back, you will also get your travel insurance premium refunded."

If you’ve purchased retail travel insurance from a third-party provider or comparison website, you can often get a refund if you can show receipts proving that you received a full refund of all trip deposits and have not had any cancellation penalties or taken any travel credits when you canceled your trip.

That's because retail travel insurance is sold for a specific traveler and for a specific trip. If you have proof of a complete refund and have not received travel credits, then you no longer have what's called an "insurable interest" in the trip. The insurance company must cancel and refund your premium in full, says Skilken.

Insider tip: If the insurance company refuses, just tell them you have proof that you no longer have an insurable interest in the trip. You have to have an insurable interest in a trip to own a travel insurance policy.

Your agent may be able to help you get a refund

You may also be able to lean on the agent who sold you the policy. For example, all policies on Squaremouth come with a money-back guarantee.

"The purpose of this benefit is to give travelers extra time to review their policy documentation to be sure it’s the best policy for their coverage needs," says spokeswoman Jenna Hummer. At Squaremouth, the money-back period typically lasts between 10 and 14 days, which is in line with the mandated "free look" period.

However, I have also seen agents negotiate with travel insurance companies for a more generous refund period in case of extenuating circumstances. There's no guarantee that you'll get it, but it's worth asking — and one reason to work with a third party.

Agents can also help you avoid this problem. Susan Sherren, who runs Couture Trips , a travel agency, notes that American Airlines Vacation Packages offers a predeparture protection insurance plan, which allows cancellation for any reason before the outbound departing flight time. Other restrictions apply, she adds.

"More flexibility will often cost you more," she says. "But having the flexibility is a great way to sleep well at night."

Can't get a refund? Look for other kinds of flexibility from your travel insurance company

Even if your travel insurance company says no to a refund, it doesn't necessarily mean you've lost the value of your policy.

"If a travel supplier changes or cancels your trip, you should be able to change your travel insurance policy to match the new dates of your trip or even cover a new trip, sometimes up to two years into the future," says Daniel Durazo, director of external communications at Allianz Partners USA .

Pro tip: Be sure to change the dates of your travel insurance policy before the departure date of your current itinerary. You can do that online or by calling your agent. Once the policy's effective date has passed, making any changes or initiating a refund or credit becomes much more difficult.

Don't forget to do your due diligence

Bottom line: Travel insurance is refundable under certain circumstances. But knowing when can require research.

"It's important for consumers to carefully read their policy upon receipt to understand the specific terms offered by their insurance provider," says Robert Gallagher, president of the US Travel Insurance Association.

The more you know, the likelier you are to get the refund you want when your plans change.

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