A Complete Guide to Best Travel Credit Cards.
When it comes to travel, having the right credit card can make all the difference. Not only can a travel credit card help you earn rewards and points for your next trip, but it can also provide valuable travel benefits and protections.
With so many options on the market, finding the best travel credit card can be overwhelming. That’s why we’ve done the research for you.
In this blog post, we will discuss the top travel credit cards available today, their features and benefits, and how you can choose the best one for your travel needs.
So if you’re a frequent traveler looking to maximize your rewards and make your trips more enjoyable, keep reading to find the best travel credit card for you.
What are the Best Travel Credit Cards?
Here are our top selection for the best Travel Credit Cards you should consider using this year, we are calling 2023:
- Chase Sapphire Preferred Card.
- Capital One Venture Rewards Travel Card.
- Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.
- Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit Card.
- American Express® Gold Card.
Each of these accordingly ranked Travel Credit Cards based on our real experience with them has its own pros and cons, so be sure to read through each review carefully before making all the way to your final decision.
1. Chase Sapphire Preferred Card.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is one of the best travel credit cards on the market. It offers a welcome bonus of 60,000 points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
These points can be redeemed for travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® program, which has a variety of transfer partners, including airlines and hotels.
Features
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card offers a wide range of features, including:
- No foreign transaction fees
- 2x points on travel and dining
- 60,000 point welcome bonus after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
- 1x points on all other purchases
- Annual fee of $95
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Great welcome bonus
- Easy to redeem points
- Strong travel benefits, including trip cancellation/interruption insurance and baggage insurance
- No foreign transaction fees
- Flexible rewards
Cons:
- Annual fee of $95
- High interest rate (26.24% APR)
- Not as many travel benefits as some other premium travel credit cards
Fee
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card has an annual fee of $95. There is no annual fee for the first year.
Overall, if you are looking for a travel credit card that offers a great welcome bonus, flexible rewards, and no foreign transaction fees, then the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a great option.
However, if you are looking for a card with more travel benefits, you may want to consider a premium travel credit card with a higher annual fee.
2. Capital One Venture Rewards Travel Card.
Capital One Venture Rewards Travel Card is a great option for travelers who want to earn flexible travel rewards.
This card offers unlimited 2x miles on all purchases, which can be redeemed for statement credits against travel expenses, travel-related gift cards, or transferred to a variety of airline and hotel partners. It also has no foreign transaction fees, making it a good choice for international travel.
Features
Capital One Venture Rewards Travel Card offers a wide range of features, including:
- No foreign transaction fees
- Unlimited 2x miles on all purchases
- Sign-up bonus of 60,000 miles after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months
- Travel benefits, such as travel insurance and purchase protection
- $95 annual fee
Pros and cons
Pros
- Flexible travel rewards
- No foreign transaction fees
- Sign-up bonus
- Travel benefits
Cons
- Annual fee
- High credit score requirement
- Miles expire after 24 months of inactivity
Fee
The Capital One Venture Rewards Travel Card has an annual fee of $95. There is no introductory APR offer.
Overall, if you are looking for a travel credit card that offers flexible travel rewards and no foreign transaction fees, the Capital One Venture Rewards Travel Card is a good option to consider.
However, it is important to note that the card has an annual fee and a high credit score requirement.
3. Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is a premium travel rewards card that offers a variety of benefits.
Features
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offers a wide range of features, including:
- Unlimited 2x miles on all purchases: You’ll earn 2 miles per dollar on all purchases, with no limit on the number of miles you can earn.
- $300 annual travel credit: You’ll get a $300 annual travel credit that can be used for airfare, hotels, car rentals, and more.
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit: You’ll get a statement credit of up to $100 every four years to help cover the application fee for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
- No foreign transaction fees: You won’t be charged any foreign transaction fees when you use your card overseas.
- Up to 10x miles on hotels and car rentals through Capital One Travel: You can earn up to 10 miles per dollar on hotels and car rentals when you book through Capital One Travel.
- Annual fee: $395
Pros and cons
Pros:
- $300 annual travel credit
- Unlimited 2x miles on all purchases
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit
- No foreign transaction fees
- Up to 10x miles on hotels and car rentals through Capital One Travel
- Strong customer service
Cons:
- Annual fee of $395
- High interest rate (26.99% APR)
- Welcome bonus requires spending $7,500 in the first 3 months
Fee
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has an annual fee of $395. There is no annual fee for authorized users. The interest rate is 26.99% APR.
Overall, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is a great option for travelers who want to earn unlimited miles on all purchases.
It also offers a variety of other benefits, such as a $300 annual travel credit and no foreign transaction fees. However, the card does have a high annual fee, so it is important to consider your spending habits before applying.
4. Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit Card.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve is one of the best travel credit cards on the market. It offers a variety of features and benefits that can save you money on your travels.
Features
Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit Card offers a wide range of features, including:
- A welcome bonus of 60,000 points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. These points can be redeemed for travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® program, which has a variety of transfer partners, including airlines and hotels.
- Travel benefits, such as a $300 annual travel credit, a $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit, and Priority Pass Select membership. The travel credit can be used for any travel-related expenses, such as airfare, hotels, and car rentals. The Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit can help you save time and hassle at the airport. Priority Pass Select membership gives you access to airport lounges around the world.
- A points earning rate of 3 points per dollar on travel and dining, and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. This makes it a great card for earning points on your everyday spending.
- No foreign transaction fees. This means you won’t be charged extra when you use your card to make purchases in foreign currencies.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Great travel benefits
- Excellent welcome bonus
- High points earning rate
- No foreign transaction fees
- Strong customer service
Cons:
- High interest rate
- Annual fee of $550
- Some travel benefits require additional spending
Fee
The annual fee for the Chase Sapphire Reserve is $550. There is no annual fee for the first year. The interest rate is variable, currently 16.74% APR.
Overall, if you are looking for a travel credit card that offers a variety of features and benefits, the Chase Sapphire Reserve is a great option. However, it is important to consider the annual fee and interest rate before applying for the card.
5. American Express® Gold Card.
The American Express® Gold Card is one of the most popular travel credit cards on the market. It offers a variety of features and benefits that make it a great choice for frequent travelers.
Features
American Express® Gold Card offers a wide range of features, including:
- 4x points on dining and supermarkets: You’ll earn 4 Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on dining and supermarkets, which can be redeemed for travel, merchandise, or cash back.
- 4x points on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel: You’ll also earn 4 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel. This is a great way to earn points for your next vacation.
- Annual $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit: The Gold Card comes with an annual $100 credit that can be used to offset the cost of applying for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, which can save you time and hassle at airport security.
- Up to $200 annual Uber Cash credit: You’ll also get up to $200 in Uber Cash each year, which can be used to pay for Uber rides.
- No foreign transaction fees: The Gold Card does not charge foreign transaction fees, which can save you money when you travel internationally.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Excellent rewards program: The Gold Card offers a variety of ways to earn points, making it a great choice for frequent travelers.
- Ample travel benefits: The Gold Card comes with a number of travel benefits, including Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit, Uber Cash credit, and no foreign transaction fees.
- Premium cardholder experience: American Express Gold Cardholders get access to airport lounges, event tickets, and other exclusive benefits.
Cons:
- Annual fee: The Gold Card has an annual fee of $250, which can be a deterrent for some people.
- High interest rate: The Gold Card has a variable APR of 16.49% – 26.49%, which is higher than some other travel credit cards.
- Minimum credit score requirement: The Gold Card requires a good to excellent credit score of 700 or higher.
Fee
The American Express® Gold Card has an annual fee of $250. There is no foreign transaction fee.
Overall, the American Express® Gold Card is a great option for frequent travelers who are looking for a card with a variety of rewards and benefits. However, it is important to consider the annual fee and interest rate before applying for the card.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Are travel cards a good idea?
Travel cards can be a good idea if you travel frequently and want to earn rewards or cash back on your spending. They often offer benefits such as no foreign transaction fees, travel insurance, and airport lounge access. However, it’s important to compare different cards to find one that offers the best rewards for your spending and travel habits.
Is it hard to get a travel credit card?
The difficulty of getting a travel credit card depends on your credit score and history. Generally, you’ll need a good credit score to qualify for a travel credit card with the best rewards and benefits. However, there are also travel credit cards available for people with bad or limited credit.
Which credit card gives 3% cash back on travel?
There are a few credit cards that offer 3% cash back on travel. Some of the best options include:
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Discover it® Cash Back
- Wells Fargo Propel American Express® Card
- Bank of America® Cash Rewards® Credit Card
Which card is best for international travel?
The best card for international travel depends on your spending habits and travel goals. Some of the factors to consider include:
- Does the card have no foreign transaction fees?
- Does the card offer travel insurance?
- Does the card have airport lounge access?
- What are the rewards redemption options?
Some of the best cards for international travel include:
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- The Platinum Card® from American Express
- Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Credit Card
What is the best travel credit card on the market?
The best travel credit card on the market depends on your individual needs and spending habits. However, some of the top-rated travel credit cards include:
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- The Platinum Card® from American Express
- United Club℠ Infinite Card
What is the difference between a travel card and a credit card?
A travel card is a type of credit card that offers rewards or cash back on travel-related purchases. This can include things like airfare, hotels, car rentals, and dining. A credit card is a more general type of card that can be used for any type of purchase.
Which is better for travel: credit card or debit card?
Both credit cards and debit cards can be used for travel. However, there are some advantages and disadvantages to each.
Credit cards offer more rewards and benefits, such as no foreign transaction fees and travel insurance. However, they also come with the risk of debt if you don’t use them responsibly.
Debit cards don’t offer as many rewards or benefits, but they also don’t come with the risk of debt. However, they can also be more expensive to use, as you may be charged foreign transaction fees.
Ultimately, the best way to decide which type of card is right for you is to consider your individual needs and spending habits.
Which is better: forex card or travel card?
A forex card is a type of credit card that is designed for use overseas. It typically has no foreign transaction fees, which can save you money on your travel expenses. A travel card is also a type of credit card that offers rewards or cash back on travel-related purchases.
The best option for you will depend on your individual needs and spending habits. If you travel frequently and want to save money on foreign transaction fees, then a forex card is a good option. If you want to earn rewards or cash back on your travel spending, then a travel card is a better choice.
What kind of credit card can I get for traveling?
There are many different types of credit cards that can be used for traveling. Some of the most popular options include:
- Travel rewards cards: These cards offer points or miles that can be redeemed for travel expenses, such as airfare, hotels, and car rentals.
- Cash back cards: These cards offer a percentage of your spending back in cash.
- No foreign transaction fee cards: These cards don’t charge foreign transaction fees, which can save you money when you use them overseas.
- Travel insurance cards: These cards offer travel insurance benefits, such as trip cancellation and interruption insurance, and baggage insurance.
The best credit card for you will depend on your individual needs and spending habits. If you travel frequently, then a travel rewards card or a no foreign transaction fee card may be a good option for you.
Which card is best for traveling to the USA?
The best card for traveling to the USA depends on your spending habits and travel goals. Some of the factors to consider include:
- Does the card have no foreign transaction fees?
- Does the card offer travel insurance?
- Does the card have airport lounge access?
- What are the rewards redemption options?
Some of the best cards for traveling to the USA include:
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- The Platinum Card® from American Express
- Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Credit Card
Summary on 5 Best Travel Credit Cards of 2023
In conclusion, choosing the best travel credit card in 2023 and beyond is an important decision for frequent travelers.
The benefits and rewards offered by these cards can greatly enhance your travel experience and help you save money.
This article has provided a comprehensive list of the top travel credit cards available, highlighting their features and benefits.
By carefully considering your travel habits and goals, you can select the card that best suits your needs and start earning rewards towards your next adventure.
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