A Guide To The Best Credit Cards For Travel
Table Of Contents
- Why You Need A Travel Credit Card Abroad
- The Three Tiers Of Travel Credit Cards
- The Best Travel Credit Cards In Each Tier
Every nomadic adventurer, tech-savvy remote worker, and every silver-tongued business traveler should remember...
It's not about the journey - it's about how you finance the journey.
Why You Need A Travel Credit Card Abroad
Trip Interruption Insurance
You're on the bullet train from Tokyo to Osaka, and life is just peachy. Then some typhoon decides it’s high time to flood those 300/mph tracks and leave you stranded in a tiny town just outside Mt. Fuji (yep - this happened).
Sure, there are plenty of good debit cards to take abroad, but putting this purchase on a top-tier travel credit card (some mid-tier cards as well) will step in to cover those unexpected hotel stays and associated costs.
Credit Card Points/Cash Back
Look - you’re already buying hotels and flights. Why not earn a small percentage back on each purchase? And depending on your card, that small percentage can be pretty big, particularly when you’re buying flights and hotel rooms.
Points Transfer Partners
A good travel credit card will have partnerships with some of the best airlines and hotels in the business. Which means more points translates to many more miles.
Best Possible Exchange Rate
Forget carrying wads of local bills or getting ripped off at sketchy currency exchanges. A robust travel card is going to give you the best possible exchange rate on every transaction, leaving more in your pocket for the next adventure.
No Foreign Transaction Fees
A basic tenant of a travel credit card is zero foreign transaction fees, because if there are fees to use your card abroad…it’s not really meant to be used abroad.
Theft Protection
You lost your card after one too many sangrias in Barcelona last night and lo and behold…someone bought a ticket to Mykonos in…*checks notes* first class!
A good travel credit card will help you cancel fraudulent charges in an instant.
The Three Tiers Of Travel Credit Cards
Premium Travel Credit Cards
About Premium Travel Credit Cards
Premium travel credit cards come loaded with perks and protections, and they have the most point multipliers of credit cards out there. The value in these cards is really most prominent for frequent travelers.
Who Premium Travel Cards Are For
Top-tier travel cards are for remote workers and business travelers who are always on the move, or for frequent business travelers who can use their personal cards for expenses.
If you find yourself on a flight more than once a month, it may be time to look into a premium card.
However, if you’re getting on a flight less than once a month, you may have a hard time justifying the price tag these cards carry. There just may not be enough juice in that squeeze for you.
Premium Travel Credit Card Perks
24/7 concierge services, airline lounge access, more points multipliers, more transfer partners, complimentary upgrades, and more, TSA Pre-Check/Global Entry credit, annual flight credits and more.
Travel Credit Card Protection
Advanced theft protection, trip cancellation, emergency medical coverage—the kind of stuff that restores a smidge of faith in corporate America.
The Cost Of Premium Travel Credit Cards
With great luxury comes a hefty annual fee, usually $400+. Remember, this cost is usually offset by perks like annual flight credits, but you need to travel enough to justify those perks.
Mid-Tier Travel Credit Cards
About Mid-Tier Travel Credit Cards
If you’re looking for a sweet middleground between basic and luxury - this is the card for you. Mid-tier cards are the everyman's key to travel perks. They're robust, reliable, and come with a handful of perks that don’t burn a hole in your pocket.
Who Mid-Tier Travel Credit Cards Are For
Mid-tier travel credit cards are for people who travel several times per year, but they’re probably not getting on a flight more than once per month. But - they’re willing to shell out a ~$100-$200 annual fee for a mix of points and perks.
The Perks Of Mid-Tier Travel Credit Cards
Anniversary points bonuses, airline/hotel transfer partners, discounts on rentals, occasional lounge access. Think of these as the premium economy in the credit card world.
The Protection Of Mid-Tier Travel Credit Cards
Enough to keep you reassured during your adventures, including lost luggage coverage and emergency medical benefits.
The Cost Of Mid-Tier Travel Credit Cards
Reasonable annual fees, from $100-$150, often waived for the first year. A middle ground between top-tier and entry-level.
Entry Level Travel Credit Cards
About Entry Level Travel Credit Cards
Entry level travel credit cards are your jumping off point to the world of travel rewards. Entry level cards have little to no annual fees and still offer you a chance to earn points with no foreign transaction fees.
Who Are Entry Level Travel Cards For
These cards are for the budding or occasional traveler. Those just stretching their wings, exploring the world without the heavy costs.
The Perks Of Entry Level Travel Credit Cards
Basic, yet valuable: no foreign transaction fees, signup bonuses, and some even throw in a yearly travel credit.
The Protection Of Entry Level Cards
Minimal, but still offer something of a safety net for those inevitable travel hiccups.
The Costs
Minimal to no annual fees.
The Best Travel Credit Cards: From Premium To Entry Level
Top 3 Premium Travel Credit Cards
1. Capital One Venture X
Capital One Venture X Annual Fee:
- $395/year
Capital One Venture X Perks:
- No foreign transaction fees
- No blackout dates for rewards
- Access to Plaza Premium & Priority Pass lounges (+2 guests and +1 guest, respectively)
- $300 annual flight credit
- 10,000 bonus points every anniversary
- $100 credit towards Global Entry or TSA Precheck
- Cell phone protection: $800 cell phone coverage (toward value of phone or claim) toward claims, with 2 claims per year (when you pay your monthly bill with your card).
- Hertz Gold Plus Rewards President's Circle® status
- Flight price drop protection on flights booked through Capital One’s travel portal
- $100 experience credit toward Premium Collection hotels booked through Capital One’s travel portal
Capital One Venture X Travel Protection:
- $500 trip interruption insurance for trip delayed 6+ hours(covers things like food, personal hygiene and clothing you hadn’t packed)
- Up to $3,000 for lost luggage
- $2,000 trip cancellation coverage
- $75,000 primary rental insurance coverage on rental vehicles around the world
Capital One Venture X Points Earned:
- Unlimited 2x miles per dollar
- 10x points on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One’s travel portal
- 5x points on flights booked through Capital One’s travel portal
Capital One Points Transfer Partners:
- Aeromexico Club Premier: 1:1 Capital One points transfer ratio
- Air Canada Aeroplan: 1:1 Capital One points transfer ratio
- Air France-KLM Flying Blue: 1:1 Capital One points transfer ratio
- Accor Live Limitless: 2:1 Capital One points transfer ratio
- Avianca LifeMiles: 1:1 Capital One points transfer ratio
- British Airways Executive Club: 1:1 Capital One points transfer ratio
- Cathay Pacific Asia Miles: 1:1 Capital One points transfer ratio
- Choice Privileges: 1:1 Capital One points transfer ratio
- Emirates Skywards: 1:1 Capital One points transfer ratio
- Etihad Guest: 1:1 Capital One points transfer ratio
- EVA Air Infinity MileageLands: 2:1.5 Capital One points transfer ratio
- Finnair Plus: 1:1 Capital One points transfer ratio
- Qantas Frequent Flyer: 1:1 Capital One points transfer ratio
- Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer: 1:1 Capital One points transfer ratio
- TAP Miles&Go: 1:1 Capital One points transfer ratio
- Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles: 1:1 Capital One points transfer ratio
- Virgin Red: 1:1 Capital One points transfer ratio
- Wyndham Rewards: 1:1 Capital One points transfer ratio
Capital One Venture X Signup Bonus:
- 75,000 Capital One Rewards points after you spend $4,000 in your first 3 months.
2. Chase Sapphire Reserve
Chase Sapphire Reserve Annual Fee:
- $550/year
Chase Sapphire Reserve Perks:
- $300 annual travel credit
- $100 credit towards Global Entry or TSA Precheck every 4 years
- No foreign transaction fees
- 3 months Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status
- Priority Pass lounge pass (+2 guests)
- Free DoorDash DashPass subscription w/ free $5/month credit
- Free Instacart+ membership w/ free $15/month credit
- Free Avis Preferred enrollment
- Free National Emerald Club Executive status + 25% off all National rentals
- 50% off travel redemptions when using points to book through Chase’s Ultimate Rewards Portal
- VIP benefits at Relais & Chateaux properties, plus special perks at LHR Collection hotels
Chase Sapphire Reserve Travel Protection:
- $10,000/person ($20,000/trip) trip cancellation/interruption insurance
- $75,000 primary insurance included on rental cars around the world
- Up to $500 for baggage delays
- Up to $500 for trip interruptions
Chase Sapphire Reserve Points Earned:
- 3x points on all travel and dining expenses (doesn’t need to be booked through Chase’s Ultimate Rewards)
- 10x points on hotels and rental cars booked through Chase’s Ultimate Rewards
- 10x points on Chase Dining purchases when booked through Chase’s Ultimate Rewards portal
- 10x points on Peloton equipment & accessory purchases over $150
- 5x on flights purchased through Chase’s Ultimate Rewards portal
- 10x points on rides with Lyft
- 3x points on streaming services like;
- Apple Music
- Disney+
- Max
- Hulu
- Netflix
- Spotify
- Youtube Premium
- And more
Chase Ultimate Rewards Points Transfer Partners:
- Air France-KLM Flying Blue 1:1 Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer ratio
- Aer Lingus AerClub 1:1 Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer ratio
- Air Canada Aeroplan 1:1 Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer ratio
- British Airways Executive Club 1:1 Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer ratio
- Emirates Skywards 1:1 Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer ratio
- Iberia Plus 1:1 Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer ratio
- IHG One Rewards 1:1 Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer ratio
- JetBlue TrueBlue 1:1 Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer ratio
- Marriott Bonvoy 1:1 Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer ratio
- Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer 1:1 Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer ratio
- Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards 1:1 Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer ratio
- United MileagePlus 1:1 Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer ratio
- Virgin Atlantic Flying Club 1:1 Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer ratio
- World Of Hyatt 1:1 Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer ratio
Chase Sapphire Reserve Signup Bonus:
- 60,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months
3. American Express Platinum
American Express Platinum Annual Fee:
- $695/year
American Express Platinum Perks:
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to American Express Global Lounge Collection which includes;
- Centurion Lounges
- Delta SkyClub lounges
- Priority Pass Select lounges
- Escape Lounges
- Plaza Premium lounges
- Lufthansa lounges
- Additional Global Lounge Collection Partner Lounges
- $20 statement credits each month for qualifying entertainment purchases
- $200 annual credit toward select hotel stays
- $200 annual credit toward airline fees (checked bag fees, inflight purchases, etc)
- Free Walmart+ monthly membership
- $15/month towards Uber or Uber Eats ($35 in December)
- $300 annual Equinox credits
- $100 annual credit towards Saks Fifth Avenue
- $100 experience credit toward a hotel in The Hotel Collection when booked through American Express Travel.
- Hilton Honors Gold Status
- Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status
- $189 annual CLEAR Plus credit
- $100 towards Global Entry or TSA Precheck every 4 years
- Free Centurion Lounge access (when annual card spend is over $75,000)
- Cell phone protection: $800 cell phone coverage (toward value of phone or claim) toward claims, with 2 claims per year (when you pay your monthly bill with your card)
American Express Platinum Travel Protection:
- Up to $10,000 ($20,000 total per eligible card) trip cancellation insurance
- $1,200 lost baggage protection
- Trip interruption protection that includes;
- $1,000 to purchase essential clothing
- $250/person for food & transportation to hotel
- Emergency medical insurance that includes;
- $100,000 medical transportation
- $250,000 emergency medical services
- $1,000 emergency dental services
- $1,000 prescription expenses
- Primary rental car insurance of up to $75,000
American Express Platinum Points Earned:
- 5x Membership Rewards points on flights booked through American Express Travel or booked directly with airlines.
- 5x Membership Rewards points on hotels booked through American Express Travel
- 1x points on everything else
American Express Member Rewards Points Transfer Partners
- Aer Lingus 1:1 Amex Membership Rewards transfer ratio
- AeroMexico 1:1.6 Amex Membership Rewards transfer ratio
- Aeroplan 1:1 Amex Membership Rewards transfer ratio
- Air France KLM 1:1 Amex Membership Rewards transfer ratio
- ANA Mileage Club 1:1 Amex Membership Rewards transfer ratio
- Avianca LifeMiles 1:1 Amex Membership Rewards transfer ratio
- British Airways Executive Club 1:1 Amex Membership Rewards transfer ratio
- Cathay Pacific 1:1 Amex Membership Rewards transfer ratio
- Choice Privileges 1:1 Amex Membership Rewards transfer ratio
- Delta Air Lines 1:1 Amex Membership Rewards transfer ratio
- Emirates Skywards 1:1 Amex Membership Rewards transfer ratio
- Etihad Guest 1:1 Amex Membership Rewards transfer ratio
- HawaiianMiles 1:1 Amex Membership Rewards transfer ratio
- Hilton Honors 1:2 Amex Membership Rewards transfer ratio
- Iberia Plus 1:1 Amex Membership Rewards transfer ratio
- JetBlue TrueBlue 1.2:1 Amex Membership Rewards transfer ratio
- Marriott Bonvoy 1:1 Amex Membership Rewards transfer ratio
- Qantas Frequent Flyer 1:1 Amex Membership Rewards transfer ratio
- Qatar Airways Privilege Club 1:1 Amex Membership Rewards transfer ratio
- Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer 1:1 Amex Membership Rewards transfer ratio
- Virgin Atlantic Flying Club 1:1 Amex Membership Rewards transfer ratio
Amex Platinum Signup Bonus:
- 80,000 Amex Membership Rewards signup bonus after you spend $8,000 in the first 6 months
Top 3 Mid-Tier Travel Credit Cards
1. Capital One Venture Rewards
Capital One Venture Rewards Annual Fee:
- $95
Capital One Venture Rewards Perks:
- No foreign transaction fees
- $100 credit to Global Entry/TSA Precheck
- 2 complimentary visits to a Plaza Premium lounge per year
- Instant Hertz Five Star status
Capital One Venture Rewards Travel Protection:
- Primary vehicle insurance for any vehicle rentals made outside the US (and secondary insurance for rentals within the US)
- $250,000 insurance in case of serious or life-threatening injury
- Capital One Venture One Rewards Points Earned:
- 5x on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One’s travel portal
- 2x points on all other purchases
Capital One Venture Points Transfer Partners:
Signup Bonus:
- 75,000 Venture Rewards points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months
2. Chase Sapphire Preferred
Chase Sapphire Preferred Annual Fee:
- $95/year
Chase Sapphire Preferred Perks:
- No foreign transaction fees
- $50 annual credit toward hotels booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal
- Every year, you’ll earn bonus points equal to 10% of your total previous year’s spend
Chase Sapphire Preferred Travel Protection:
- $10,000/person ($20,000/trip) trip cancellation/interruption insurance
- Up to $500 trip interruption coverage
- Lost luggage reimbursement of up to $3000
- Up to $500 for baggage delays
- Primary car rental insurance when you purchase with your card
Chase Sapphire Points Earned:
- 5x points on all flights, hotels and rental cars booked through Chase’s Ultimate Rewards travel portal
- 5x points with Lyft
- 3x points on all dining purchases
- 3x points on streaming services like;
- Apple Music
- Disney+
- Max
- Hulu
- Netflix
- Spotify
- Youtube Premium
- And more
- 3x points for online grocery purchases (some major stores, like Target, are excluded)
- 2x points on all flights booked directly with airline
- 1x points on all other purchases
Chase Points Transfer Partners:
Chase Sapphire Preferred Signup Bonus:
- 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.
3. AMEX Green
American Express Green Annual Fee:
- $150/year
American Express Green Perks:
- No foreign transaction fees
- $100 per year LoungeBuddy credits
- $189 CLEAR Plus annual credit
American Express Green Travel Protection:
- Up to $300 trip interruption coverage
- $500/checked baggage & $1250/carry-on baggage damage coverage
- Secondary rental car insurance coverage (not primary)
American Express Green Points Earned:
- 3x points on travel that includes;
- Airfare
- Hotels
- Cruises
- Tours
- car rentals
- Campgrounds
- Rentals (including AirBnb & VRBO)
- All travel purchased through AMEX’s travel portal
- 3x points on transit like;
- Trains
- Taxis (including rideshare like Uber & Lyft)
- Ferries
- Parking
- Busses
- Subways
- 3x points on dining and takeout worldwide
- 1x points on all other purchases
American Express Points Transfer Partners:
American Express Green Signup Bonus:
- 60,000 Membership Rewards points bonus after $3,000 spend in the first 6 months and 20% back on travel and transit purchases made in the first 6 months (up to $200)
Top 3 Entry Level Travel Credit Cards
1. Bilt Rewards Card
Bilt Rewards Card Annual Fee:
- $0/year
Bilt Rewards Card Perks:
- No foreign transaction fees
- No annual fee
- $5 per month toward Lyft if you take more than 3 rides that month
- $5 DoorDash credit each month
- 3 months free DoorDash membership
- $800 protection against cell phone damage (as long as you pay your cell bill with Bilt)
Bilt Rewards Card Travel Protection:
- $5000 airfare trip interruption coverage
- Get reimbursed for food & lodging for trip delays that last longer than 6 hours
- Primary rental vehicle insurance
Bilt Rewards Card Points Earned:
- 5x points on Lyft
- 3x points on dining (6x points on 1st of the month)
- 2x points on travel (4x points on the 1st of the month)
- 1x point for rent (max $100,000/year)
- 1x point on all other purchases (2x points on the 1st of the month)
Bilt Rewards Card Points Transfer Partners:
- Virgin Airlines: 1:1 points transfer ratio
- American Airlines: 1:1 points transfer ratio
- Air France KLM: 1:1 points transfer ratio
- British Airways: 1:1 points transfer ratio
- Cathay Pacific: 1:1 points transfer ratio
- World Of Hyatt: 1:1 points transfer ratio
- Hawaiian Airlines: 1:1 points transfer ratio
- Turkish Airlines: 1:1 points transfer ratio
- IHG Hotels: 1:1 points transfer ratio
- Aer Lingus: 1:1 points transfer ratio
- Iberia: 1:1 points transfer ratio
- Air Canada: 1:1 points transfer ratio
- Emirates: 1:1 points transfer ratio
- United Airlines: 1:1 points transfer ratio
Bilt Rewards Card Signup Bonus:
- none
2. Capital One VentureOne Rewards
Capital One VentureOne Annual Fee:
- $0/year
Capital One VentureOne Perks:
- No foreign transaction fees
- No annual fee
- Can use reward points for purchases on Amazon
- Can redeem points through Capital One's travel portal for flights, hotels, rental cars, etc
Capital One VentureOne Travel Protection:
- (only applies if you receive the Visa Signature version of the card, not Visa Platinum):
- $3000 lost luggage protection
- Provides collision damage waiver insurance (not primary insurance)
Capital One VentureOne Points Earned:
- 1.25x points per purchase
- 5x points on hotels & rental cards booked through Capital One’s rewards portal
Capital One Points Transfer Partners:
Capital One VentureOne Signup Bonus:
- 20,000 bonus points after spending $500 in the first 3 months
3. Wells Fargo Autograph
Wells Fargo Autograph Annual Fee:
- $0/year
Wells Fargo Autograph Perks:
- No foreign transaction fees
- No annual fee
- $600 in cell phone protection (when you pay your bill with your card)
Wells Fargo Autograph Travel Protection:
- Provides collision damage waiver insurance (not primary insurance)
- Up to $3000 lost baggage coverage
- Up to $2000 trip cancellation/interruption protection
Wells Fargo Autograph Points Earned:
- 3x points on travel;
- Airfare
- Hotels
- Rental cars
- Cruises
- Gas stations
- Electric charging stations
- 3x points on restaurants, including take-out
- 3x points on transit including;
- Subways
- Taxis (including rideshares like Uber)
- Parking
- Road tolls
- 3x points on streaming services
- 3x points on phone plans
- 1x points for all other purchases
Wells Fargo Autograph Points Transfer Partners:
- none
Wells Fargo Autograph Signup Bonus:
- 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in the first 3 months.
Bonus: Airline Cobranded Credit Cards
Who Are Airline Specific Cards Good For?
Airline-specific cards are great for travelers who understand the “points transfer” game well, and who are strictly in it for the airline miles.
You’re going to want to stick to either the United, American Airlines or Delta-branded credit cards, as these all have their own transfer partners within their respective airline alliances.
More on that below.
Airline Hub Near Your Hometown
Are you near a major hub for United, American Airlines or Delta? It probably makes sense to get the branded card that you’re closest to, as this is the airline you’re most likely going to be flying often.
Airline Transfer Partners
Being tied to one airline doesn't mean limiting your horizons. If you’re traveling internationally, you can use your points from your chosen domestic airline (United, American Airlines or United) and use these points to purchase tickets on airlines that share the same alliance (Star Alliance, OneWorld, SkyTeam).
Want to learn more about working remote? Check out our guide on how to become a remote worker. Travel well!
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