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The best credit cards for expats in the Netherlands

From rewards, miles, and more ✨

Choosing the best Dutch credit card often involves wading through pages of information on interest rates , annual fees, and handy benefits. 

In this guide, we’ve sourced the most popular credit cards in the Netherlands — for personal use, travel, and all your business-related financial needs — and put them into one place.

READ MORE | Banking in the Netherlands: the complete guide

Here’s how to get the most bang for your buck! 💳✨

TIP: In a hurry? These are our all-round top picks for credit cards in the Netherlands. 👇

💳 Best personal credit card: bunq Credit Mastercard 🏢 Best business credit card: American Express Business Green Card 👩🏻‍💻 Best credit card for freelancers: N26 Business Mastercard 🛫 Best travel credit card: American Express Platinum Card

This post might have affiliate links that help us write the articles you love, at no extra cost to you. Read our statement .

Best Dutch credit cards for personal use

If you’re looking for a personal credit card that’ll offer you some powerful rewards, you can’t go wrong with the below options. 👇

ABN AMRO Credit Card: Best for expats on a budget

At just €1.70 per month, this ABN AMRO credit card is super easy on your wallet.

Don’t let the price fool you, though, because this baby will also earn you a nifty 8% discount on rental cars and a 4% cashback on hotels for that much-needed trip back home.

bunq Credit Mastercard: Best for cashback offers

Though technically a debit card, the bunq Credit Mastercard can be used as a credit card — with no debt.

Even better, it can get you 1% cashback on bars and restaurants and 2% cashback on public transport (depending on your subscription). 

ING Credit Card: Best for everyday use

The ING Credit Card is a solid option for a daily card that’ll cover your groceries, shopping trips, and anything else, at the low price of just €19.80 per year.

The only downside? You’ll need to have an ING Payment account and an income of more than €1000 per month to be eligible for this card.

Openbank eCommerce Card: Best for online shopping

Although this is technically a virtual prepaid bank card, Openbank’s eCommerce Card is a stellar option if you want the benefits of a credit card without the costs.

With zero commissions on purchases with foreign currency and full control over how much money you load on this card, it’s the perfect choice for online shopping enthusiasts.

Rabocard: Best starter credit card

Costing a maximum of €2 per month on the Rabo DirectPackage, the Rabocard is one of the cheapest credit cards available in the Netherlands.

However, cheap doesn’t mean stingy, as the card’s standard lending limit of €1000 per month can be raised to a generous €10,000, depending on income.

Best Dutch credit cards for travel

Frequent flyers, on the other hand, often have different requirements for their credit cards. While most of these cards aren’t widely accepted for day-to-day purchases in the Netherlands, they’re great for buying flights!

Their benefits can range from flight benefits to a smoother travel experience, and their credit card of choice will need to do some heavy lifting to open those doors for them. 💪💳

Our top picks are:

American Express Platinum card: Best for luxury travel

With open access to Schiphol’s exclusive Privium Plus benefits — such as faster security and border checks, priority parking, and the luxuries of the Privium Lounges — the American Express Platinum card ensures that your journey is as relaxing and stress-free as possible.

Of course, good things don’t come cheap, and neither does the AMEX Platinum card! Costing €65 per month, you’ll also need a gross yearly income of €30,000 to apply for this card.

Flying Blue Platinum American Express card: Best for KLM frequent flyers

At €55 per month, the Flying Blue Platinum AMEX unlocks the door to KLM’s handy Flying Blue loyalty programme, with the ability to earn Miles whenever you book a flight.

You can spend your Miles on countless exclusive rewards, such as baggage allowance, seat upgrades — or even a reward ticket!

Mastercard Black: Best for earning Air Miles

A cheaper alternative to the AMEX Platinum and Flying Blue Platinum cards, the ICS Mastercard Black offers great benefits for the price, including continuous travel insurance and access to over 1000 lounges in 75 different countries.

Costing €204 per year, this credit card also provides you seamless opportunities to earn Air Miles for most airlines — which can then be redeemed in the form of seat upgrades, discounts, and exclusive shopping deals.

Best Dutch credit cards for business

Perhaps you’re a businessperson or freelancer ? Then these handy cards might be far more your speed.

N26 Business Mastercard: Best for freelancers

With nifty cashback features, in-depth spending insights, and deposit protection, the N26 Business Mastercard is a fabulous asset in any freelancer’s arsenal.

Even better — depending on your N26 plan, you may even be eligible for travel insurance to cover delays, emergencies, and cancellations.

American Express Business Green Card: Best affordable AMEX business card

The AMEX Business Green Card comes with comprehensive financial security — combining flexible spending limits, deferred payment plans, and a thorough overview of your business expenses.

Costing €85 per year, it also provides you with membership reward points for every euro spent.

Visa World Card Business: Best for small businesses

At €42 per year, the Visa World Card Business is an excellent choice for new start-ups and small businesses.

Jam-packed with handy features such as flight delay insurance and SafeGuard Support in the event of emergencies, it also offers ICS’ 24/7 Fraud Protection system — so you can rest assured that your capital is as safe as can be.

How to get the most out of your Dutch credit card

Hoera , you’ve got yourself a Dutch credit card… but how can you make the most of the new asset in your wallet?

Here are some handy tips and tricks that’ll serve you well during your time in the Netherlands:

Get a discount on your trip back home

Stunning though the Netherlands is, a trip back to your family and home country can really be the best mood-booster known to man. Travel, unfortunately, can be a rather expensive hobby.

Well, with your fancy new credit card, you’re in luck! It can help you score discounts on flight tickets, handy upgrades, and even travel insurance.

Choose a prepaid credit card for the best of both worlds

Prepaid credit cards function very similarly to debit cards, where you load a certain amount of money on your card in advance and can only spend up to that value. This often makes them a safer option than traditional credit cards.

However, where prepaid credit cards differ from debit cards is that your card needn’t be affiliated with a bank or banking account to operate. In addition to this, they offer many of the vast benefits that credit cards do — from cashback offers to travel insurance and more.

3 things to know about credit cards in the Netherlands

It’s only natural to have a few questions about what it’s like to own a Dutch credit card.

Let’s run through some important things you need to know. 👇

1. A credit check is generally mandatory

In order to apply for a credit card in the Netherlands, applicants will need to complete a BKR assessment.

Also known as the Bureau Krediet Registratie (Credit Registration Office), this assessment determines how much money you have borrowed — and whether you’ve paid those bills on time.

READ MORE | The best banks in the Netherlands for internationals in 2024

Many credit card companies will refuse your application if you have a negative BKR.

2. Many credit cards have an income requirement

Depending on your desired credit card, you will very likely have to meet a certain monthly or yearly income requirement in order to be eligible.

Some banks (such as ING) may still offer you a credit card even if you don’t meet all their income criteria — but your spending limit may be drastically reduced.

3. It’s easy to avoid paying interest on your credit card

One important thing to know about credit cards is that you’ll be billed for all expenses charged on your card at the end of every month.

As long as you pay any outstanding balances within your card’s grace period, you won’t need to pay any interest on this money.

You might also be interested in:

• The best banks in the Netherlands for internationals in 2024
• Dutch savings accounts: Best interest rates in the Netherlands in February 2024
• Money transfers in the Netherlands: the easy (and cheap!) guide
• How to open a bank account in the Netherlands: the ultimate guide
• Mobile phones and SIM cards in the Netherlands: ultimate 2024 guide
• Utilities in the Netherlands: the ultimate guide to gas, electricity, and water

Have you used any of the credit cards on our list? Tell us all about your experiences in the comments below!

Credit cards in the Netherlands: Frequently Asked Questions

Are credit cards common in the netherlands.

Although the Dutch prefer debit cards, the use of credit cards is becoming more common in the Netherlands. Most chain shops are beginning to accept credit cards more often, although smaller retailers are lagging behind.

What credit cards are accepted in the Netherlands?

Credit cards are not yet widely accepted in the Netherlands. However, you will have better luck with Mastercard and Visa compared to cards like American Express or Diner’s Club.

Can I pay with a credit card in the Netherlands?

While debit cards are still king in the Netherlands, credit cards are beginning to be accepted more often, particularly at international or national chain stores, hotels, and tourist destinations.

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The usual card is the American Express Green Card (€5.50 per month or €66 per year; the first year is free), which does not currently offer a welcome bonus. 1 MR point is accumulated for every €1 spent. You need an annual gross income of €20,000.

Online application

The American Express Gold Card (€16.50 per month or €198 per year, with the first six months free) does not offer a welcome bonus at this time. In addition, it includes two lounge access cards redeemable at 500 airport lounges globally and basic travel insurance. You gain 1.2 MR points for every euro spent. You need a gross income of €20,000 per year.

The American Express Platinum Metal Card (€58.50 per month or €702 per year; first year half-price) is a premium card with numerous travel perks. There is no welcome bonus currently available. In addition, it includes all-inclusive travel insurance, Privium Plus membership (Schiphol border control), access to airport lounges worldwide, and a €150 travel credit certificate. Each euro spent yields 1.5 MR points. Gross annual income of €30,000 is required.

American Express – BlueThe American Express Blue Card (€35 yearly, free first year and continues to be free if annual card spend exceeds €3,000) is the base card product and delivers 1 MR point per €2 spent. You need a gross income of €20,000 per year.

2. KLM Flying Blue American Express Cards

These could be beneficial for frequent KLM/Air France fliers and Flying Blue members. The cards offer Flying Blue Award Mile benefits on the first €500 spent within three months.

The Flying Blue Silver Card comes with a basic welcome bonus of 2,500 20,000* Flying Blue miles and 15 25* XP points for elite rank. The earning rates for this card are 0.8 miles per €1 spent and 1 mile per €1 spent at KLM/Air France. You need a gross income of €20,000 per year. Here you can apply for the Flying Blue Silver card.

The Flying Blue Gold Card (€170, €85 annual fee) provides 7,500 25,000* bonus miles and 30 50* XP points for elite status. The card’s earning rates are 1 mile for every €1 spent and 1.5 miles (award and level) for every €1 spent with KLM/Air France. You need a gross income of €20,000 per year. Here is the application for the Flying Blue Gold Card

The premium Flying Blue Platinum Card (€600, €300 for the first year) comes with 15,000 40,000* extra miles, full travel insurance, and 60 90* XP points for elite status. The card’s earning rates are 1.5 miles per €1 spent and 2 miles (award and level) for €1 spent on KLM/Air France purchases. Gross annual income of €30,000 is required. Here you can apply for the Flying Blue Platinum card.

The Flying Blue Entry Card (€35 annually) comes with a welcome bonus of 2,500 miles and an earning rate of 0.5 miles every €1 spent. You need a gross income of €20,000 per year.

Card applications for American Express may take up to ten business days to process. See American Express Cards in the Netherlands – A Comprehensive Guide for More Information.

3. American Express Business Cards – If you operate your own business and require a card for business purposes only, American Express offers two different cards. These purchases earn Membership Rewards points, and because business expenses can be substantial, they might be a means to amass a substantial point balance. The first year of each card is free.

You must present a number from the Dutch Chamber of Commerce (KvK) and have been in company for at least one year. The AMEX business card website is available in both Dutch and English.

American Express Green Card for Business

The American Express Business Green Card (€85, first year free) is presently offering a 12,000 MR points bonus on the first €500 spent within the first three months. Spending one euro yields one MR point. The card provides coverage for business travel-related accidents and inconveniences. You need a gross income of €23,000 per year. Apply for a Green card for business here.

business gold from American Express

The American Express Business Gold Card (annual fee of €225; first year free) is presently offering 25,000 MR points on the first €2,500 spent within three months. Spending one euro yields one MR point. The card provides accident, disruption, and cancellation coverage for business trips. Purchase and refund protections are also available. You need a gross income of €36,000 per year. Here you may apply for the Business Gold Card.

Cards issued by Dutch Banks In order to function financially while residing in Holland, it is essential to create a bank account. Credit card applications are typically available at the majority of banks. To apply for one of the following cards, you must generally be a client of the bank.

4. ABN Amro Credit Cards

ABN AMRO provides excellent banking services for expats residing in the Netherlands, with a great deal of information available in English. If you decide to bank with ABN AMRO, its branded Mastercard credit card products (issued by ICS, International Card Services) are likely to be a convenient option.

The ABN AMRO Credit Card has a credit limit of up to €5,000 and a monthly charge of €1.70 (€20.40 per year). To qualify for the basic card, you must earn a minimum of €1,150 net per month (about €15,000 gross annually).

The ABN AMRO Gold Card has an annual fee of €46.80 and a maximum credit limit of €5,000. It offers some rental car insurance coverage. In addition, a minimum net monthly income of €1,150 is required.

For holders of the ABN AMRO student package, the ABN AMRO Student Credit Card costs €1.16 per month (€13.92 per year). The credit limit is up to €500 (for monthly wages less than €500) and €1,000 (for monthly incomes greater than €500). Please note that only Dutch passport holders are eligible for the student card.

ABN AMRO delivers monthly paper credit card statements in addition to online and mobile access to account activity. At every ABN AMRO ATM in the Netherlands, PIN codes can be modified. Two percent are imposed as foreign exchange fees for non-euro payments.

Using the ABN AMRO app, it is possible to open an ABN AMRO bank account online in approximately ten minutes without visiting a branch. Credit card details for ABN AMRO can be found here.

5. ING Credit Cards

The prominent retail bank ING also offers its own brand of Mastercards. Creditcard, PlatinumCard, and Student Creditcard are the three possible cards with ING banking packages.

The annual fee for the ING Creditcard is €19.80, and the credit limit ranges from €1,000 to €5,000.

The ING PlatinumCard has a credit limit between €1,000 and €20,000 and costs €52.20 per year. Either card requires a minimum of €650 per month to be deposited into an ING account.

The ING Student CreditCard carries an annual fee of €13.80 and a $1,000 credit limit.

Non-Euro payments incur a 2% foreign exchange fee from ING. The cards can be controlled using the ‘Mijn ING’ web portal or the mobile banking app.

6. Rabobank Credit Cards

The major Dutch retail bank Rabobank offers its own branded “RaboCard” Mastercards and Visa cards, which are included in a number of banking packages. Depending on the package, the cards are either free or come with a nominal fee.

The minimum credit limit on a regular RaboCard is €1,000. The minimum credit limit for the Rabo GoldCard is €2,500; however, larger amounts are available to users with premium packages. Foreign transaction fees for non-euro payments made with a Rabo card are 2%. A net monthly income of at least €1,000 is required.

7. ASN Credit Card

Moral bank ASN (part of the Volksbank group) provides a Visa credit card issued by ICS for €22.50 annually. Depending on your salary, a maximum credit limit of €2,500 is available. ASN will make a small contribution to a sustainable initiative every time the card is used. Forex costs for non-euro payments are 2 percent . Only ASN account holders are eligible for the card.

8. SNS Bank Credit Card

SNS Bank (also part of the Volksbank group) provides a branded Visa issued by ICS for €18.50 per year or €14 per year for student account holders. Depending on income, a loan limit between €500 and €5,000 is offered. Likewise, the foreign exchange cost for non-euro payments is 2%. Only SNS account holders are eligible for the card.

9. Knab Credit Cards

The online bank Knab (part of the Aegon Group) gives account package users the choice between a Knab Credit Card (MasterCard) and an American Express Green Card. Here you may register for Knab.

The Knab Mastercard is complimentary with the €5 per month Knab Plus regular banking package. Credit limits range between 1,000 and 5,000 euros. The currency fee for non-euro payments is 2 percent.

The Amex Green Card is free for the first year and then costs €66 per year; however, the annual fee is waived if you spend a minimum of €1,500 per year. Non-euro payment fee is 2.5 percent .

MasterCard and Visa (Generic Cards) ICS (International Card Services) provides generic Visa and Mastercards. For the majority of cards, you will need a net monthly income of €1,150; for the Mastercard Black card, you will need €1,250. Generally, non-euro currency exchange fees are 2%. (except the Mastercard Gold card which is 1.5 percent ). The maximum credit limit for each card is €5,000.

The card may be administered via the ICS online portal or mobile app.

There are two types of Visa World Cards: the normal Visa World Card (€36.50, free for the first year) and the Visa World Card Gold (€55, €36.50 for the first year).

There are three types of Mastercards: the Mastercard Classic Card (€26 per year), the Mastercard Gold Card (€37.50), and the Mastercard Black Card (€204). Priority Pass airport lounge access and travel insurance are included with the Black card.

Credit Cards of Other Issuers 12. ANWB Credit Cards – ANWB (Royal Dutch Touring Club) is the largest motoring club in the Netherlands (like AA, RAC in the UK or AAA in the US).

It offers three card options to its members: a basic ANWB Visa Card for €16, an ANWB Silver Visa Card for €26.50 (half-price the first year), and an ANWB Gold Visa Card for €38.50 (first year free). Credit limits may not exceed €5,000. The Silver and Gold cards provide additional rental car insurance coverage.

Cards are issued by ICS, with a minimum net monthly salary of €1,150 for the regular card, €1,200 for the Silver card, and €1,250 for the Gold card. Non-euro foreign transaction fees are 2% for regular and silver cards, and 1.5% for Gold.

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Credit Cards in the Netherlands: Everything You Need To Know

February 22, 2024

Sofia Van Dirk

No Comments

Understanding the process of acquiring a credit card in the Netherlands can seem daunting for newcomers and residents alike. This guide aims to simplify the journey, breaking down the essential steps and requirements.

Whether you’re looking to manage daily expenses, build credit, or facilitate international transactions, understanding how to get a credit card in the Netherlands is key.

Key Takeaways :

• Acquiring a credit card in the Netherlands is systematic, requiring legal residency and income proof.
• Using credit responsibly, in line with local ethos, can lead to a stress-free financial journey.
• The Netherlands offers diverse payment alternatives, from pinpassen to mobile apps.
• Continuous learning and consultation with financial professionals ensures up-to-date financial decisions.

Understanding Credit Cards in The Netherlands

Venturing into the world of Dutch credit cards might initially seem like deciphering a complex puzzle. However, once you’re equipped with the right knowledge, it quickly transforms into a user-friendly tool tailored for convenience. Here, we demystify the credit card terrain in the Netherlands, ensuring you’re well-prepared to engage with it confidently.

Popularity of Credit Cards vs. Debit Cards

In the Netherlands, while credit cards are widely accepted, they aren’t the primary mode of payment for everyday transactions. The Dutch predominantly use debit cards, such as the pinpas , for their day-to-day expenses, from buying groceries to settling cafe bills. This is partly due to the local preference for direct payment methods and the country’s efficient electronic payment infrastructure. However, for international online purchases, hotel bookings, and car rentals, credit cards are often preferred, if not necessary.

Key Features of Dutch Credit Cards

Dutch credit cards, at their core, share many similarities with those from other countries. However, there are nuances to be aware of:

Safety Measures: Cards usually come embedded with EMV chips, making transactions secure. Additionally, many providers require a PIN for both online and offline transactions, adding an extra layer of safety.

Rewards and Benefits: While reward programs might not be as expansive as in some countries, many Dutch credit cards still offer loyalty points, travel insurance, or cashback opportunities.

Interest Rates and Fees: It’s essential to be mindful of the associated costs. Dutch credit cards can have higher annual fees and interest rates compared to their debit counterparts. Always read the fine print to understand the full cost of borrowing.

Why Understanding the Credit Card System is Essential for Expats

For an expat, a credit card can be more than just a payment tool. It can be instrumental in building a credit history in the Netherlands. Especially if you plan to reside long-term or consider financial moves like buying property, a healthy credit standing is invaluable. Furthermore, for international transactions or emergencies, having a credit card ensures you’re never caught off guard.

Acquiring a Credit Card as an Expat

Navigating the pathways of obtaining a credit card in a new country can often seem like a daunting journey. But with a touch of guidance and a sprinkle of clarity, this path becomes not only manageable but also empowering. Here’s your roadmap to acquiring a credit card in the Netherlands, tailored to meet the nuances of an expat’s life.

Eligibility Criteria

The door to Dutch credit cards isn’t a mysterious one. Here’s what you generally need to unlock it:

Residency Status

Whether you’re a student, working professional, or a long-term tourist, you typically need to have a legal residence status in the Netherlands. This often means having a valid residence permit or documentation showcasing your stay’s legality.

Income Thresholds

Banks and credit institutions want to ensure that you can pay back any borrowed amount. Hence, there might be minimum income requirements, which can vary between institutions. For students or those without a steady income, there might be specific cards with lower limits or special provisions.

Credit History

While having a Dutch credit history can be advantageous, it’s not always mandatory. Some banks might consider your credit history from your home country, especially if you’re using international banking services. However, remember that starting with a clean slate also offers an opportunity to build a strong credit history in the Netherlands.

The Application Process

Embarking on your credit card acquisition journey? Here’s what to expect:

Necessary Documentation

Typically, you’ll need to provide identification (like your passport), proof of residency (a rental contract or utility bill), a recent payslip, or proof of income. For non-EU nationals, a residence permit might also be necessary.

Steps to Apply

Many Dutch banks offer an online application process, making it convenient for you. Once you’ve selected your desired card and gathered the necessary documents, the application usually involves filling out an online form, uploading documents, and awaiting approval. Some banks might also offer face-to-face consultations, especially for specialized expat services.

Special Credit Cards Tailored for Expats and International Students

Recognizing the unique financial needs of expats and international students, several Dutch banks offer specialized credit cards. These might come with benefits like multi-currency features, global emergency services, or travel perks. It’s worth exploring these tailored options, ensuring your credit card aligns seamlessly with your international lifestyle.

Popular Credit Cards in the Netherlands

In the Netherlands, several credit cards stand out for their widespread acceptance and array of benefits. These include cards from major international providers like Visa, Mastercard, and American Express, as well as offerings from local banks.

Visa and Mastercard are globally recognized, ensuring ease of use both domestically and abroad. They are accepted in a vast number of establishments, from supermarkets to upscale restaurants. Additionally, these cards often come with travel insurance and purchase protection benefits, enhancing their appeal to a wide range of users.

American Express, though slightly less widespread in acceptance, compensates with a generous rewards program. Users can accumulate points for flights, hotel stays, and more, making it a favorite among frequent travelers.

Local banks also offer credit cards tailored to the needs of Dutch residents. These cards are designed with local spending habits in mind, offering cashback on groceries, fuel, and other daily expenses. Some also include unique features like sustainable spending rewards or discounts on cultural events.

Choosing the right card depends on your lifestyle, spending habits, and financial goals. It’s essential to compare the fees, benefits, and rewards programs to find the best fit for your needs.

Using Your Credit Card Wisely

In the Netherlands, the ethos surrounding credit has always been one of prudence and mindfulness. As an expat, merging this local wisdom with your own financial habits can lead to a harmonious and stress-free financial journey. Let’s delve into the art of using your credit card judiciously in the Dutch landscape.

The Dutch Approach to Credit and Debt

The Netherlands, historically and culturally, has a conservative stance towards borrowing. It’s seen less as a lifestyle enabler and more as a tool for specific purposes. Gezellig , a Dutch term that encompasses the heart of their culture – coziness, togetherness, and contentment – can be a guidepost. It reminds one to live within their means, finding joy in simplicity. Embracing this perspective can help you align with the local financial ethos and ensure you stay clear of unwanted debt.

Common Credit Card Pitfalls to Avoid

Even with the best intentions, one might occasionally stumble. Here are some areas to be cautious about:

• Overborrowing: Just because there’s available credit doesn’t mean it’s free money. Regularly maxing out your card can lead to hefty interest payments and affect your credit score.
• Late payments: Consistently paying your credit card bills on time is not just good for your pocket (avoiding late fees) but also vital for maintaining a healthy credit history in the Netherlands.
• Understanding interest rates: Dutch credit cards can sometimes have higher interest rates compared to some other countries. Always be aware of the rate you’re being charged, especially if you’re not paying off the full balance every month.

Tips for Maintaining a Healthy Credit Score in the Netherlands

Your credit score is like a financial passport, opening doors to various opportunities. Here’s how to keep it in tip-top shape:

• Regularly monitor: Check your credit statement regularly for any discrepancies or unknown transactions.
• Limit frequent credit requests: Each time you apply for credit, it can leave a mark on your credit report. Multiple applications in a short span can signal financial distress to lenders.
• Stay below your credit limit: Regularly maxing out can be a red flag. It’s advisable to use a portion of your available credit and pay it off promptly.

Related : Dutch Currency: Understanding Money in the Netherlands

Alternatives to Credit Cards

The financial tapestry of the Netherlands, while inclusive of credit cards, is woven with a variety of other payment options. This rich mosaic ensures that whether it’s personal preference, a desire to manage finances differently, or the need for a simpler solution, there’s something for everyone. Here, we shine a light on the viable alternatives to credit cards, empowering you with choices that resonate with your financial journey in the Netherlands.

Debit Cards ( pinpassen )

Perhaps the most ubiquitous financial tool in the Dutch realm, debit cards, or pinpassen as they’re locally known, allow direct access to your bank funds. They’re widely accepted, from quaint local bakeries to bustling shopping centers.

Direct payments: One of their hallmarks is that they facilitate immediate transactions, deducting the amount from your bank account.

Contactless Payments: Many modern debit cards in the Netherlands are equipped with contactless payment technology, making small purchases swift and hassle-free.

A beloved and trusted payment system in the Netherlands, iDEAL seamlessly integrates with online banking. It’s particularly popular for online shopping, bill payments, and even charitable donations.

Safety: Transactions via iDEAL are conducted within the security protocols of your bank’s online platform.

Integration with e-commerce: Most Dutch e-commerce platforms offer iDEAL as a preferred payment method due to its speed and reliability.

Mobile Payment Apps

The digital wave has ushered in an era of convenient mobile payment apps, and the Netherlands is no stranger to this trend. Apps like Tikkie, a peer-to-peer payment request system, have become integral to social outings and group expenses.

Prepaid Cards

For those who prefer the convenience of a card but wish to bypass the trappings of credit, prepaid cards offer a middle ground. These cards can be loaded with a specific amount and then used similarly to credit or debit cards. They’re particularly useful for managing budgets or for those without a local bank account.

Bank Transfers

With advanced digital banking infrastructure, bank-to-bank transfers in the Netherlands are efficient and often instantaneous. They’re commonly used for rent payments, salary credits, and more.

Essential Takeaways for Expats

As the sun sets on our deep dive into the world of credit cards and their alternatives in the Netherlands, let’s pause to reflect on the essential pearls of wisdom we’ve gathered. These nuggets, specifically tailored for the expat community, will not only aid in making informed decisions but also offer a reassuring touchstone as you navigate the Dutch financial waters.

Melding with the Local Financial Ethos: The Netherlands has its unique approach to finances – one that merges practicality with a touch of conservatism. It’s worthwhile for expats to acquaint themselves with and respect this local approach, finding a balance between their personal financial style and Dutch sensibilities.

Credit as a Tool, Not a Crutch: While credit cards are available and can be incredibly useful, especially for international needs, it’s essential to view them as tools. They offer convenience and flexibility, but their judicious use is crucial to avoid potential pitfalls.

Explore Tailored Expat Solutions: Several Dutch financial institutions recognize the unique needs of the expat community and offer solutions catering specifically to them. Whether it’s a specialized credit card or banking service, these tailored offerings can make the transition smoother and more intuitive.

Embrace Alternatives: The Dutch financial landscape is abundant with alternatives to credit cards, from the ubiquitous pinpas to the trusted iDEAL system. Being open to these options can often lead to simpler, more efficient financial management.

Continuous Learning is Key: The financial world is dynamic, with ever-evolving products, services, and trends. Staying updated, asking questions, and seeking advice when needed will ensure you’re always on the front foot.

Building and Maintaining a Good Credit History: If you decide to go down the credit route, remember that maintaining a healthy credit history in the Netherlands is invaluable, especially if you have long-term plans in the country. Timely repayments and responsible borrowing are foundational.

Related : Cost of Living in the Netherlands: A Complete 2024 Guide

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Home » Credit Cards » The Best Credit Cards for Using Points and Miles to Find Cheap Flights to the Netherlands

• Credit Cards , netherlands , points and miles

The Best Credit Cards for Using Points and Miles to Find Cheap Flights to the Netherlands

• Author | Steven Cruse
• April 2, 2024

The Daily Navigator strives to help you make the best decisions in travel. While we produce content according with strict editorial integrity this post may contain references to partner products. Here’s a full explanation for how our team makes money .

• The best way to find cheap flights to the Netherlands using points and miles
• Airline option #1: KLM and Air France Flying Blue
• Airline option #2: United MileagePlus
• Airline option #3: Delta SkyMiles

What are travel credit cards, and how do they work?

Travel credit cards are financial products that offer various rewards and benefits geared towards frequent travelers. They typically earn you points or miles for every dollar spent on eligible purchases. These rewards can be redeemed for flights, hotel stays, car rentals, and other travel-related expenses. Travel credit cards may also include perks like travel insurance, airport lounge access, and no foreign transaction fees.

How do I choose the best travel credit card for my needs?

Choosing the best travel credit card depends on your travel habits, spending patterns, and preferences. Consider factors like the type of rewards offered (points, miles, or cash back), the card’s annual fee, sign-up bonuses, earning rates, redemption options, and additional travel perks. Analyzing these features will help you find a card that aligns with your lifestyle and offers the most value.

What are the benefits of using a travel credit card over other types of credit cards?

Travel credit cards provide unique advantages for travelers, such as earning rewards specifically tailored to travel expenses. Additionally, many travel credit cards offer travel-related perks like free checked bags, priority boarding, and travel insurance. Some cards also waive foreign transaction fees, making them ideal for international travelers.

What is a sign-up bonus, and how can I qualify for it?

A sign-up bonus is a promotional offer provided by the credit card issuer to entice new cardholders. To qualify for a sign-up bonus, you usually need to meet specific spending requirements within a certain timeframe after opening the account. The bonus can be in the form of points, miles, or cash back, and it’s a great way to jump-start your rewards earning.

Do travel credit cards charge foreign transaction fees?

Not all travel credit cards charge foreign transaction fees. Many of the top-tier travel cards waive these fees, making them ideal for international travel. However, it’s essential to read the card’s terms and conditions to confirm this before using it abroad.

How can I maximize the rewards earned with my travel credit card?

To maximize rewards, use your travel credit card for everyday expenses and large purchases. Take advantage of bonus categories and special promotions to earn more points or miles. Consider combining your travel credit card with loyalty programs to stack rewards and get even more value out of your purchases.

The canals of Amsterdam , tulips as far as the eye can see, and cheese wheels the size of a small child—what more could you ask for? The Netherlands is amazing.

But while those Dutch wonders are more than worth paying for, some ludicrously inexpensive flights to the Netherlands would sweeten the deal a bit—Amsterdam is expensive after all. 

Read also: How to Use Points and Miles to Get Flights to Australia

Luckily, using points and miles for this transatlantic jaunt is a breeze. We’re going to show you some of the best ways to use your points and miles to grab flights to the Netherlands for as little as $6.

Let’s dive in.

Finding the best airlines for points and miles flights to the Netherlands

The natural place to start on any search for points and miles flights to the Netherlands is the country’s flagship carrier—KLM. It shares its Flying Blue loyalty program with Air France, and between the two airlines, you’ll find a ton of direct flights from major US hubs to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport.

But don’t leave your search there. Amsterdam is one of the most popular destinations in Europe, so plenty of airlines are sharing the wealth. A broad search could reap major dividends here.

Using KLM/ Air France Flying Blue for flights to the Netherlands

As mentioned above, KLM/Air France Flying Blue is the best place to start your search. With most routes heading directly to the Netherlands from the US, you’ll be spoilt for choice. The program often boasts unbelievable roundtrip rates as low as 30,000 points with just $80 in fees.

As Delta is a partner of KLM/Air France, you’ll often find flights with the American carrier for far less than on its own portal. If you’re a Delta loyalist, always check in with these airlines.

Also make regular check-ins with the program’s deals page—you’ll sometimes find some incredible rates even lower than this.

How to earn enough Flying Blue miles

Flying Blue is an incredibly easy program to earn points with. Almost every major credit card issuer transfers points to the program, including American Express, Capital One, Citi, Chase, and Bilt.

Read also : How to Earn $1,600 in Travel With the Amex Platinum Card

With this logic in mind, literally any card with an intro bonus of 30,000 points or more could grab you flights to the Netherlands for almost nothing. That’s a major win and one of the reasons we love Flying Blue so much.

The American Express® Gold Card

One of our favorite cards at the moment, the Gold boasts an excellent 60,000-point intro bonus, earned after spending $6,000 within six months of opening the card. In theory, you’d have enough points to whisk you and a companion to the Netherlands and back. 

American Express® Gold Card

60,000 Membership Rewards® Points

after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new card within the first 6 months of card membership

The American Express® Gold Card gives your munch more punch with an outstanding 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1x). For some context, if you spent $8,400 a year on eating out and groceries, which is roughly what the average American spends, you’d have enough points for a roundtrip flight to Hawaii. That’s not even factoring in the huge 60,000-point bonus worth over $1,000.

• Huge returns on popular spending categories like dining at restaurants, takeout and delivery in the U.S .and U.S. supermarkets
• Solid earnings on travel purchased via Amex or directly with an airline
• Solid intro bonus of 60,000 points worth over $1,000
• Up to $120 in Uber Cash for rides and food delivery, and up to $120 in statement credits for selected dining outlets including the GrubHub food delivery app, Shake Shack, Wine.com, and more
• Nice, but pointless in the grand scheme of things, customizable card designs
• $250 annual fee
• No major travel perks like its bigger sibling, the Amex Platinum

Annual Fee: $250   |  Terms Apply  |   Rates & Fees

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card’s 75,000-mile intro bonus lets you do the same thing with some room to spare. You’ll only need to spend $4,000 within three months of opening the card to earn the points, and they’ll throw in lounge access and some other brilliant perks for good measure.

Read also: The Best Airline Credit Cards of 2024

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

75,000 Bonus Miles

after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of account opening

The Capital One Venture X is a direct competitor to the Chase Sapphire Reserve, and for many seeking a simpler earning scheme with premium perks, it could be the better option. But the Venture X truly shines with one benefit in particular: four free authorized users. Not only can they all use the card and earn miles, they all receive a Priority Pass membership which allows themselves and two guests access to airport lounges. In a highly improbable situation, that means you could technically bring 15 people into a lounge with you.

• Its solid intro bonus of 75,000 miles is worth well over $1,000 when transferred to partner airlines and hotels, or a flat rate $750 when redeemed on the Capital One Travel Portal.
• Cardholders get a bonus of 10,000 miles each year after their first account anniversary, which is nothing to shrug off, especially when a little bit short of that business class flight. It’s worth almost $200 depending on how you use it. 
• The $300 annual credit for purchases made on the Capital One Travel Portal, combined with the yearly free miles, more than annul the $395 annual fee.
• Four authorized users can be added for free.
• The cardholder is entitled to a Priority Pass membership and entry to Capital One Lounges, even the authorized users.
• A generous offering of travel insurance, protections and reimbursements round out an excellent array of benefits.
• The $300 credit is a bit less flexible than the Chase Sapphire Reserve’s comparable benefit.
• Miles earning is the same as the Sapphire Reserve on portal-based purchases, but less on general travel spending.
• Capital one transfer partners are solid, but still don’t include any US-based airlines or hotels.

Annual Fee: $395   |  Terms Apply  |   Rates & Fees

Using United MileagePlus for flights to the Netherlands

Next up is United Airlines . While the airline switched to a dynamic system a while ago, it remains a more stable option than some of its competitors (looking at you, Delta). It’s always worth a look on any search, and in this case, flights to the Netherlands come out to around 30,000 miles each way.

While it’s nowhere near as good as the Flying Blue offering, United’s fees are more forgiving, so you’ll only pay around $25 in cash. 

How to earn enough United MileagePlus miles

United MileagePlus miles can only be transferred from a Chase account, so you’ll need one of the issuer’s cards in your arsenal to work this one out. Otherwise, you’ll need to grab a United cobranded card or earn miles by flying with the airline and its partners.

Here’s one of the best options for earning those miles:

Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

If you’re in the market for a business card, the Ink Business Preferred could be the one to take you to new heights—at least when it comes to travel. Its huge 100,000-point intro bonus leaves you plenty of room to grab those flights to the Netherlands. You’ll need to spend $8,000 within three months of opening the card but know you can reap over $2,000 in travel back from that spend.

100,000 bonus points

after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening

Learn More  –> 

The Ink Business Preferred Business Card pulls attention with its big intro bonus, currently sitting at 100,000 points.That’s worth in $1,000 cash back, $1,250 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠, or even more when transferring to Chase’s travel partners like Hyatt, United Airlines, British Airways and more. But the card shows its real value with its high-earning bonus-spending categories. Freelancers and business owners alike will earn 3 points per dollar on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year.

  PROS

• Simply put, for small business owners and freelancers it’s one of the best cards for turning business spending into valuable travel. The bonus alone is worth $1,000 cash back, $1,250 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠, or potentially more when transferring to Chase’s travel partners like Marriott or Air Canada. 
• It also offers some stellar protections including a comprehensive reimbursement on damaged or stolen cellphones and primary rental car coverage 
• It has a reasonable $95 annual fee.
• If you have another Chase card like the Sapphire Preferred or Reserve, or even a cash-back earning Chase card, you can pool your points and make them more valuable.

  CONS

• It does lack some of the juicier benefits attached to other business credit cards likes the The Business Platinum Card® from American Express. But with the low fee, it’s hard to argue with its value proposition
• It’s subject to Chase’s 5/24 rule. So if you’ve opened five cards in the last two years, you’re most likely not going to be accepted. 

Annual Fee: $95   |  Terms Apply  |   Rates & Fees

Using Delta SkyMiles for flights to the Netherlands

The last option for your flights to the Netherlands is Delta. While the SkyMiles program is notoriously temperamental, it’s still possible to find incredible value. In our searches, we found multiple dates with similar points rates to United with even lower fees‚—like $6 each way.

Be patient with the program, and check the Sky Deals page regularly to look for seriously outsized value, but as a rule, make sure you look at Flying Blue for any Delta flight you fancy.

How to earn Delta SkyMiles

You’re limited to two options when it comes to SkyMiles–Delta cobranded cards and American Express products . If you’re a regular Delta passenger, owning one of its co-branded cards can be a big leg up on your way to elite status, but because it can be awkward to use the points, American Express represents a more valuable option.

Regardless, here’s one of the best choices:

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card is the mid-tier option in Delta’s co-branded card line. Its intro bonus is only 40,000 points at the minute after spending $2,000 within six months of opening the card. While it’s not huge, the easy spending goal could make it a great pairing card with another product to grab a ton of points.

40,000 Bonus Miles

after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new card in your first 6 months

The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card isn’t a showstopper, but it’s an excellent example of an airline card that’s easy to keep in your wallet. Its annual fee is $0 for the first year and then $150 the years after, but if you and a partner fly one roundtrip a year with Delta, its free checked bag benefit already makes up for that fee. Throw in a solid 40,000-point intro bonus and simple rewards-earning categories, and it’s almost a no-brainer for anyone with even a little domestic US travel on the horizon.

• The substantial 40,000-mile intro bonus is earned by spending an extremely achievable $2,000 in six months—well within a realistic budget for many. 
• The free first-checked bag for everyone on the booking more than validates the $150 annual fee. 
• A simple 2X miles on dining at restaurants (including U.S. takeout and delivery), and U.S. supermarket transactions make earning points simple. 
• $200 Delta flight credit after spending $10,000 annually is a nice reward that shouldn’t be too hard to meet
• Card members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. The discount is not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
• SkyMiles award redemption rates on Delta’s partners can be pricey
• Its 2X miles on Delta purchases is lower than what its sister cards earn

Annual Fee: $0 intro annual fee the first year, then $150  |  Terms Apply   |   Rates & Fees

Grabbing cheap flights to the Netherlands is easy with points and miles. The well-operated route gives plenty of scope, even with dynamic programs. Any of the cards mentioned above can get you there for almost nothing.

Read also: How to Fly to Hawaii Using Points and Miles

Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone. This post contains references to products from one or more of our partners and we may receive compensation when you click on links to those products.

Our Top Travel Card Picks​

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

75,000 Reward Points

after you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months

LEARN MORE –>

The Platinum Card® from American Express

80,000 Membership Rewards® Points

after you spend $8,000 in the first 6 months

after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Explore Top Travel Cards

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Using a credit card in the Netherlands

Use our guide to get the best out of your plastic, and your cash, on holiday in the netherlands..

In this guide

Cash machines in the Netherlands

Cash in the netherlands, chip and pin, potential credit card fees, is it safe to use my card in the netherlands, how to prepare before travelling to the netherlands, compare cards with fee-free currency conversion in the netherlands.

• How to use a credit card in ...

Frequently asked questions

We compare the following card issuers

Airport lounge guides

Airport lounge schemes

Using your card abroad

The Netherlands is a popular destination for many Brits due to its close proximity to the British Isles. Travellers are drawn to the country’s tulips, canals, pancakes and art galleries.

The Netherlands is, overall, a very modern and highly westernised destination. Card payments are the norm and as a major global leader in banking, financial services are widely available. In Amsterdam, expect to find many shops, restaurants and cafes that will not accept cash at all. Cash machines are everywhere, and most payments are made with chip and PIN, or contactless technology.

Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted, while American Express is less popular.

“Geldautomaats”, which translates as “money machines”, are everywhere in Amsterdam and throughout the Netherlands; at post offices, supermarkets, train stations, hotels and on the street. They have an option for an English language menu and accept any card with chip and PIN technology.

You’ll find cash machines are linked to the Plus or Cirrus systems so using your Visa or Mastercard card will be easy. Bank-affiliated ATMs don’t usually impose additional fees to those your bank may levy.

You’ll need to pay for most small purchases of around €10 to €20 in cash. Keep around €100 to €150 in cash to pay newspaper vendors, cafes, restaurants, bars and small souvenir shops. Don’t be surprised if you are looked at strangely when you ask to pay by card at a local bar when your bill is under €20. You may also come across shopkeepers who aren’t particularly comfortable using the card machines they have.

Find a great deal on your travel money for the Netherlands

Paying via debit or credit card with a PIN is very popular in the Netherlands with many shops, businesses and restaurants offering this as the main form of payment. Contactless technology is also growing so you can use it to pay for transactions of €25 or under.

The Netherlands has moved from magnetic-stripe to chip cards, and all banks in the Netherlands now issue the latter. You’ll still be able to use your magnetic-stripe card in the Netherlands, although you can expect some confusion. In the switching of technology, some retailers falsely believe that they can no longer accept magnetic-stripe cards while some others will not let you use them, to do their bit in reducing credit card fraud. All they basically need you to do is swipe your card instead of inserting it into the machine, and then get you to sign for the purchase.

If you use a chip-and-signature card, you can use it in the Netherlands just about everywhere you find a manned credit card machine. However, some businesses are hesitant in accepting them because they are not sure if it’s allowed and some others don’t accept them to cut down on credit card fraud. If you’re getting tickets from a machine, you’ll need to enter a PIN, in which case your chip-and-signature card won’t work.

Credit card fees can leave a noticeable dent in your pocket when you’re travelling overseas, so know what you’re up against well in advance and choose a card with no or low fees.

Foreign transaction fees

British credit card issuers typically charge a fee equivalent to 1% to 3% of your transaction, so carefully review your card’s fine print to avoid statement surprises. Some cards designed for travel come with no foreign transaction fees, so this could be a good time to switch.

Learn more about cards designed for overseas spending

Currency conversion fees

If a retailer offers to bill your credit card in sterling, dynamic currency conversion comes into play. While this might sound like a good deal, you’ll actually end up getting a worse exchange rate, and you might also end up paying currency conversion fees. Whenever you’re presented with an option, choose to pay in the local currency.

Cash advance fees

Using your credit card to withdraw money from an ATM may not make sense unless it’s a bona fide emergency. Each time you withdraw funds from an ATM, you’re likely to pay a cash advance fee. Your APR for cash advances is normally higher than your purchase APR. Typically, you get no grace period and you will start paying interest immediately. Again, some cards designed for overseas spending will waive this fee.

The table below serves as an example of how much extra you may pay to use your credit card in the Netherlands.

Additionally you can get an idea of costs by using these online currency conversion tools from Mastercard and Visa .

What is a cash advance fee?

By exercising some caution when using your credit card in the Netherlands, you will have a relatively trouble-free experience.

• Keep your PIN safe. Use one hand to enter the PIN and the other to shield it from prying eyes and hidden cameras.
• Select ATMs with care. Try and stick to ATMs in banks and avoid using ones in the street.
• Watch out for “skimmers”. When installed in an ATM, a card skimmer works by stealing information from credit and debit cards. If you feel the card slot is not as smooth as it should be or if there is a problem with the keypad, cancel your transaction and look for another ATM.

Keeping your credit card (physically) safe

Remain alert to street crime, especially where two or more people work in distracting victims before decamping with their valuables. Instances of theft at airports are not uncommon, so stay vigilant while arriving and departing. There have been numerous instances of thefts from hired cars so don’t leave your wallet or purse in a parked car. In some cases, thieves pose as police and ask to see wallets for identification purposes. In such a scenario, make sure you’re speaking with genuine police officers. It is very unlikely that a real officer will want to sift through your wallet.

• Go with Visa or Mastercard. Carry at least two cards on your trip to the Netherlands, preferably connected with Visa or Mastercard. If you just take an American Express card, you may find not everywhere accepts it.
• Think no foreign transaction fees. When there are cards that come with no foreign transaction fees , using ones that charge 2% or 3% of each overseas transaction does not make sense. Some of these cards don’t charge an annual fee, either.
• Keep your bank informed. Banks, in their efforts to thwart fraudulent transactions, block credit cards if they detect suspicious activity such as unexpected overseas transactions. To make sure this does not happen to your card, let your bank know about your travel plans before you leave the UK.
• Keep the emergency number handy. Know which numbers you will need to call if you end up losing your card or if you need an emergency replacement.
• Know where you’ll get cash from. Consider using your debit card to withdraw cash from ATMs. If you need to exchange money, stick to banks or official money-exchange offices because possessing counterfeit money in the Netherlands is a serious crime. Try to avoid exchanging money at airports and popular tourist destinations because of typically poor exchange rates.

Ask yourself these simple questions before you leave so your spending in the Netherlands does not hit any roadblocks.

• Which cards will I take? Visa and Mastercard are the favourites. If you’re planning a trip, check out cards which give you complimentary airport lounge access . If you’re planning well in advance, consider earning air miles for your trip with a frequent flyer credit card .
• Have I let my bank know? If you don’t inform your bank about your travel plans, you may end up with a temporarily suspended card.
• What fees do I need to pay? If your existing cards come with foreign transaction fees, look for one that does not. Paying in sterling outside of the UK might come with currency conversion fees.
• How will I get cash? Using your debit card at an ATM is the simplest way to access your own money. You can carry cash and traveller’s cheques with you. Exchanging sterling to euros is easy and you’ll get several options.

When you’re in the Netherlands, you don’t have to worry about where and when you can use your credit card. Just keep some cash handy to pay for small purchases.

How to use a credit card in …

• Czech Republic
• Dominican Republic
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Philippines
• South Africa
• Switzerland
• United States

What is the sterling to euro exchange rate?

How do i send money to the netherlands.

We use banks to take care of all our other financial needs, so surely we should use them when sending an international money transfer, right? Not necessarily. While major UK banks offer money transfer services, they typically present less competitive exchange rates coupled with high transfer fees. Learn how to send money to the Netherlands the smart way .

What is the most commonly used credit card network in the Netherlands?

Visa and Mastercard are almost on a par. American Express follows at a distant third.

Are there any currency restrictions for entry into the Netherlands?

There are no currency restrictions, although you’ll need to declare if you’re bringing in more than €10,000 or its equivalent in another currency.

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Chris Lilly

Chris Lilly is Head of publishing at finder.com. He's a specialist in personal finance, from day-to-day banking to investing to borrowing, and is passionate about helping UK consumers make informed decisions about their money. In his spare time Chris likes forcing his kids to exercise more. See full profile

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Paying for public transport in the Netherlands

Most destinations in the Netherlands can be reached by public transport, For your convenience, use Ovpay or an OV-chipkaart to check in and out. It’s quick and easy to use, so let’s get started.

• Easy to purchase at service points in larger stations, NS vending machines or various newsagents.
• Use your debit card, credit card, smartphone or wearable to check in and out.
• Use for travel by bus, train, metro, OV-fiets and ferry.

OVpay: use your smartphone, debit card, or wearable to pay for public transport

For visitors to the Netherlands, OVpay is the best way to check in and out when travelling by public transport. You only need your debit or credit card to easily travel throughout the country by train, tram, bus or metro. Please note that when travelling by train, this is only valid for second class, and that any existing season tickets cannot be used.

OVpay provides a direct connection between your ride and your payment account. It works just like cashless payments in the supermarket, with the important difference being that you also have to check out to calculate the proper fare. With the OVpay app you can monitor whether you have checked in during the trip and you can look at your travel history.

If you're on holiday, this is the cheapest and most practical solution because you do not need a separate card and are not tied to an unnecessary the cost of an OV-chipkaart.

Remove the card you want to pay with from your wallet so that you are sure that you are checking in and out with the correct card. If you want to pay with a debit card, this is currently only possible with a Dutch card, so international visitors are advised to use a credit card.

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The OV-chipkaart

To use public transport in the Netherlands you need an OV-chipkaart: a small card that looks like a credit card that can be used to travel by bus, train, metro, OV-fiets (public transport bike) and even ferry. The chipkaart is therefore an efficient solution to traveling with numerous paper tickets – a traveler only needs one card to get around instead of dozens of tickets from various different transport companies.

The card can be fully personalized, but it’s not a requirement. Since there is no separate OV-chipkaart for tourists, a visitor to our country may use a disposable chip card or an 'anonymous OV-chipkaart'.

Single-use chip card

The single-use chip card can be used for a short period of time with a limited period of validity for travel by bus, tram or metro in a city and is mainly intended for single journeys. For example, you buy a separate single-use chip card for the train that is only valid for one specific journey.

If you then go elsewhere, you will need a new single-use chip card. Which isn't very practical and certainly not sustainable. A train journey in the Netherlands with a single-use chip card is also always one euro more expensive than when you use an anonymous OV-chipkaart.

Anonymous OV-chipkaart

An anonymous OV-chipkaart costs a few euros and will not initially have any credit loaded on it. You have to top-up the card at a service counter or a vending machine at one of the many stations. The payment options differ per machine, but you can usually pay with your debit card, credit card or telephone. Some machines still support cash, but not many. Once loaded, you can use the OV-chipkaart immediately.

Important tip: if you want to travel by train, there must be at least €20 on the chipkaart.

Check in and check out: how the chip card works

So how exactly does checking in work? When boarding the bus, tram, metro or train , hold the OV-chipkaart (or your debit card, smartphone, or wearable if using OVPay) in front of the screen of a post or gate. It will indicate with a green light and a beep that the anonymous OV-chipkaart has been read. You check out in the same way when exiting. On the display you can immediately see how much credit the trip has cost and how much you have left.

At smaller stations, the gate is on the platform and larger stations often have separate gates (which open when you check in). Important: you cannot check in once you are on the train. So don't forget!

An anonymous OV-chipkaart is valid for a maximum of five years. The end date is usually printed on the outside of the card. The credit remains valid, so if you want to use your OV-chipkaart again at a later stage, you can. You can also request a refund for the remaining balance.

Finally: you cannot block an anonymous chipkaart in the event of loss or theft. Therefore, never put too much money on it. Once it’s gone, it’s gone!

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Credit Cards in the Netherlands

Frugal living is a survival tactic for coping with life in the Netherlands. Dutch culture is debt-averse. Furthermore, they believe in doing things practically and modestly especially; when it comes to handling funds. In addition to that, the Dutch believe in spending what they have. However, even in with that, there are some instances where people need credit cards in the Netherlands.

Notably, many schools in the Netherlands implement financial literacy programs to teach kids to spend responsibly from a young age. Credit cards are acceptable in the Netherlands at hotels and tourist destinations. However, supermarkets rarely accept cards. Unlike many European countries like the United Kingdom , using credit cards in the Netherlands is unpopular.

In the Dutch retail space, MasterCard and visa are the most conventional. Although American Express is accepted, its use is limited to major retailers with an international client base. It is advisable to have a credit card, especially for Dutch who frequently travel, because it pays for flight tickets and gives more consumer protection than other payment methods.

Basic Requirements for Application of Credit Cards in the Netherlands

To begin with, you must be above 18 years old with an identification card as proof. Similarly, you should be living in the Netherlands and working. If you are not working, it will be difficult to convince the providers that you will repay back the money used. However, for foreigners, an additional document of a permanent residence address is essential for approval.

It would be best if you took note of the National Credit Register (BKR). The reason is that for you to get a credit card from any provider in the Netherlands, you should be creditworthy. Importantly, all the credit card providers in the Netherlands are keen to check on the capability of the borrower to repay. Having the requirements in place, you can get started on the application process.

Popular Credit Cards Providers in the Netherlands

There are different companies providing credit cards to the Dutch. The requirements needed before approval also vary from one firm to the other. The following are some of the popular providers:

ABN AMRO Gold Card

ABN AMRO Gold Card is necessary for cardholders who are frequent travelers. It offers insurance on purchases made within 365 days against theft and damage. However, such losses cost 50 Euros, deductible from the card.

Moreover, the insurance only works for residents of the Netherlands. Similarly, it offers a delivery guarantee for all purchases made online or through financial institutions. In case of a failed delivery, the insurance refunds the money within 30 days. Even though this card insures you against delayed flights and theft on your purchases, it will not be accountable for  trip cancellation  and stolen luggage.

Another card by the same provider (ABN AMRO) is the ABN AMRO Student credit card which works almost like a gold card. ABN AMRO Student cards credit cards give insurance for purchases made within 180 days. Furthermore, using this card, you can rent a car. It is wise to know that you have to pay for the loss in case of an accident or damage within the renting period. For instance, the cost of damage is deductible from your card. Similarly, the card pays for festival tickets.

Revolut MasterCard

A card and digital banking app help you spend and manage money at minimal costs. Revolut MasterCard is an excellent option for cardholders who like traveling because there is nothing like a currency exchange fee. Moreover, the card offers a grace period of 62 days without interest charges on your purchases. The grace period applies to cardholders who repay their balances in time before the next month.

The good news is that you can control your card and account successfully through the Revolut app. The Revolut app helps in locking and unlocking the card. Additionally, the card feature aids in setting preferable monthly spending limits . The spending limits help control expenditure and improve saving habits.

Furthermore, through Revolut’s Vault feature, you can save towards short-term goals by building up funds regularly. Many parents are running for Revolut MasterCard because of Revolut junior feature. Revolut junior is a platform for parents or guardians willing to manage their child’s spending. Furthermore, Revolut junior is a sub-account within the app aimed at children between 7 to 17 years old. 

ICS Go Card

The ICS Go card offers secure card payment at hotels and car rentals globally. Besides, insurance against theft and damage on purchases made within 180 days is another benefit. In cases of failed deliveries on online purchases, the card ensures a delivery guarantee, which is refundable after 30 days of sending the request to the merchants involved. Knowing that you must deposit money to get started before using the ICS GO card is essential.

The Benefits of Having a Credit Card in the Netherlands

First, credit cards are beneficial because of the rewards. Some of the rewards offered include shopper loyalty points anytime you shop or air miles. Also, as a credit card user, you may sometimes get cashback on the purchases that you have made.

Secondly, a credit card enhances satisfaction. As a credit card owner, you do not have to worry about the amount of cash you have. For instance, you may go for a trip and not worry about paying for anything when the cash you had run out because you can use a credit card as an alternative.

Furthermore, in a way, it can improve your credit score. As a responsible user of credit cards, lenders may notice you and this will help you improve your credit score. In the future, lenders may even give you a high amount of money because they know you always pay back.

Lastly, in the Netherlands, most credit card providers provide a 0% interest period. All you must do is ensure that you make a minimum monthly repayment as set by the provider. In short, it means that one can borrow free of charge.

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Easily apply for a Dutch prepaid credit card without BKR review.

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N26 Mastercard

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Purchase insurance:

• Free of charge + English application
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Revolut Mastercard

• € 10 cashback
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• Suitable for car rentals
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Openbank R42 Mastercard

Openbank eCommerce Card

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• One-time fee of € 69,90

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Apply for a prepaid credit card

A prepaid credit card is easy: you deposit a set amount of money on the card in advance, after which you can make payments and purchases worldwide.

Is it right for you?

The advantage of a prepaid card is that you can never spend more than you have deposited on the card. This makes the prepaid card ideal for people who somehow cannot get a normal credit card, for example because of a limited income or negative BKR listing.

Prepaid or Debit card

With a prepaid card, often called debit card, it is intended that the user first transfers money to the credit card before he can pay with it.

This means that making purchases without a positive balance is not possible. Therefore, a BKR-review is not necessary, because no credit or loan is provided.

So prepaid card work similar to that of regular bank cards, because one can only make expenses as far the balance allows it.

However, the advantage of a prepaid card is that you have the same payment convenience as with a regular credit card.

Disadvantages

Please note the terms of the debit card. For some cards, you cannot guarantee car rentals or pay at unmanned petrol pumps and toll roads. Your card provider can inform you about this

Costs of prepaid cards

Prepaid cards are relatively inexpensive or even completely for free. However, users do usually pay a small fee for each time you charge the card or when they pay in a foreign currency.

The fee normally varies between a fixed amount (e.g., 1 euro) or a fixed percentage of the amount you want to transfer/pay.

In addition, there may be a negative balance on the card, for example when the annual contribution is retained and there is insufficient balance on the card. If the user does not pay in time, a fine may be charged.

Comparisons and requests

At Creditcard.nl, you can easily compare different prepaid credit cards based on different features, such as spending limit, annual contribution, upgrade costs, and terms.

You can apply for the the prepaid credit card in the provider’s secure environment.

OV-chipkaart: Public Transport Smart Card in the Netherlands

The OV-chipkaart (OV-chip card) is the public transport contactless ticket system in the Netherlands which replaced most of the old paper-style tickets.

The OV-chip card is in use on all forms of public transport including trains, trams, buses and metros.

Note, ‘OVpay’ – travel using contactless debit/credit cards/mobile – was introduced in 2023 onto public transport providers in the Netherlands. This has given visitors another payment option.

The current OV-chip card will be phased out by 2025. In 2024 the ‘OV-pas’ will be introduced – a public transport pass which will be available digitally via a phone or on a physical card.

The OV-chip card system is rather complex and we will do our best below to explain how the system works.

OV-chipkaart Summary

• There are 3 types of OV-chipkaart (OV-chip card).
• [1] Disposable OV-chip card , one-time use cards like singles or day tickets.
• [2] Anonymous OV-chip card , an unregistered card option for visitors who will travel around a lot.
• [3] Personal OV-chip card , a registered card for Dutch/Belgian/German residents only.
• Anonymous and personal cards (empty) cost a non-refundable €7.50 , last up to 5 years.
• Load and top-up credit on the card’s e-purse (max €150) for travel.
• Passengers must check-in and check-out of every journey using card readers.
• Minimum card balance of €4 (public transport) and €20 (train) – taken off as a deposit on check-in.
• Correct fare deducted on check-out, deposit is refunded.
• Every traveller aged 4 or higher must have their own ticket.

“OV” stands for Openbaar Vervoer which means “public transport” in Dutch. Like London’s Oyster and Hong Kong’s Octopus, the OV-chip smart card system works using an embedded RFID chip inside the card.

Passengers need to “check-in” and “check-out” respectively, at the start and end of their journey. This is done by placing the OV-chip card onto the special free-standing card readers – these are found either at station platforms/halls, gate barriers or near the doors on board trams and buses.

There are 3 types of OV-chipkaart available:

1. Disposable OV-chipcard (Eenmalige OV-chipkaart)

This is a card which is bought as a single travel product only. Examples for GVB (public transport in Amsterdam) include the standard 1 hour ticket and multi day tickets (1 day to 7 days). For train travel there is the NS Dutch Railways disposable ticket which carries a €1 surcharge over the standard fare.

Disposable OV-chip cards are made from paper card and can be discarded after use.

If you are on a short visit to Amsterdam it’s probably best to stick with disposable tickets. There are various ticket options aimed at tourists/visitors which can be purchased online in advance and can offer really good value if used well:

Which tickets do I need in Amsterdam? For a full analysis see public transport ticket types in Amsterdam

If you plan a longer stay in the Netherlands or come here on multiple visits then you may wish to purchase an anonymous OV-chipkaart.

2. Anonymous OV-chipcard (Anonieme OV-chipkaart)

This is a plastic card which has a printed expiry date valid for 4-5 years. It costs €7.50 (non-refundable) to purchase an ’empty’ card with no credit – to this you can load travel credit onto the e-purse up to a maximum of €150.

The anonymous OV-chipcard can be used on any public transport in the country as long as you have sufficient e-purse credit – though some cards may need to be pre-activated for rail travel (see below).

Travel using the e-purse on metro/trams/buses is generally cheaper than buying single 1 hour tickets, especially for shorter trips. Travel on trains with the anonymous card saves paying the €1 disposable ticket surcharge.

It’s also possible to load one-off travel products (such as 24 hour tickets, night bus tickets) onto the card which are then automatically used instead of the e-purse balance.

An anonymous card can be shared between different people but not at the same time – everyone travelling together on a journey must have their own ticket.

An anonymous OV-chip card can be purchased by anyone, with no registration required. The card could be useful for (1) frequent visitors to Amsterdam or the Netherlands and (2) anyone planning to travel a lot on Dutch public transport. One advantage is that you don’t have to worry about buying a new ticket every time you travel so long as you have sufficient credit.

Where to buy an anonymous OV-chip card? Cards can be purchased at any of the following locations:

• NS (Dutch Railways) stations – OV Service & Tickets shops/ticket desks or ticket machines • GVB (Amsterdam public transport) – Tickets & Info offices or ticket machines • Other transport providers – such as RET (Rotterdam), HTM (Den Haag), U-OV (Utrecht) • Newsagents – such as AKO, Bruna, Primera • Supermarket service desks – such as Albert Heijn, Dirk, Jumbo

Some outlets may sell cards already pre-loaded with credit.

At Amsterdam Schiphol airport you can purchase at the Tickets & Service desk, one of the yellow and blue ticket machines or at the AKO Newsagent.

At Amsterdam Central station you can purchase at the main service ticket desk, OV Service & Tickets office, ticket machines or the “GVB Tram Bus Metro” tickets & info office.

You will also find GVB Tickets & Info desks at Amsterdam Bijlmer-ArenA, Station Noord and Amsterdam Zuid stations. GVB has automatic ticket machines at all metro stations.

The anonymous card may be branded with the travel provider you purchased it from – however the card is valid as normal on all public transport companies.

How to load credit onto an anonymous OV-chip card? We recommend visitors immediately load some credit when buying their anonymous card at the NS or GVB ticket desk. To top-up the card either return to the desk, use a NS ticket machine (cards and coins only, no banknotes) or GVB ticket machine (cards, coins and banknotes).

Some sales outlets have small yellow machines which can be used to top-up credit – they only accept debit cards.

Once purchased and loaded with credit the anonymous card can be immediately used. Note, the anonymous card is not insured against any loss or theft.

You can view up the travel history of anonymous cards online at the ov-chipkaart.nl portal . Alternatively, you can see the last 10 transactions at ticket machines. You can do this by holding your card against the reader on the ticket machine.

For more on rail travel with the OV-chip card see How To Buy a Dutch Train Ticket

Refunding credit from an anonymous OV-chip card – Credit under €30 can be refunded with a €1 service fee at a transport company service desk. The procedure is a bit bureaucratic and you will have to fill in a form and show ID (so much for the name “anonymous” OV-chip card). Bear in mind that the initial €7.50 fee cannot be returned.

A credit refund can be requested online here – one requires a Dutch bank account to process such a refund.

3. Personal OV-chipcard (Persoonlijke OV-chipkaart)

This is a personalised OV-chip card available to anyone resident in the Netherlands who registers their details with the OV-chip card operating company (Trans Link Systems bv). Each personal card contains the holder’s name and a digital photograph. For security reasons, the holder’s date of birth is no longer printed on the card.

It costs €7.50 and lasts for 5 years.

Dutch residents can buy online at ov-chipkaart.nl and pay by iDeal, the domestic internet banking payment network. Expect the card to arrive within 6 working days.

As with the anonymous card, the e-purse of a personal card can be loaded with a maximum of €150 travel credit – standard transportation fares are exactly the same.

The so-called benefit of the personal card is that it can be linked to a Dutch bank account for automatic top-ups when the e-purse balance falls below a certain level, say €5.

Some travel companies (such as NS and GVB) have introduced various Flex products which allow travel using an OV-chip card without balance. You are invoiced monthly for your travel costs.

Personal card holders can register for the online “My OV-chipkaart” portal which shows all card use – this can be useful for employees claiming back travel expenses. Lastly, if you lose a personal card it can be blocked – you can then apply for a replacement card.

Only holders of personal OV-chip cards are entitled to travel with discount (if eligible) or travel on a monthly pass or season ticket. For example, resident children aged 4-11 and OAPs 65+ get a 34% reduction off the standard fare when using their personal cards. Students in further education can get a mixture of free or discounted travel.

This means most non-resident visitors are NOT entitled to discounted travel on Dutch public transport. Non-resident visitors 65+ need to pay standard fares on GVB public transport in Amsterdam.

Non-resident children aged 4-11 can travel on a GVB children’s day ticket (€4.50) in Amsterdam as long as they are accompanied by an adult with a valid ticket; they can also travel on the Dutch rail network all day with a RailRunner ticket (€2.50).

Can a non-resident purchase a personal OV-chip card? Yes, but only those who live or have an address in Belgium, Germany or Luxembourg. Initial payment for the card can be made by Paypal – however, automatic top-up is only possible via a Dutch bank account.

It should be noted that residents who do not wish to register their details should opt for the anonymous card or just use disposable tickets.

Using the OV-chip card on Public Transport (excluding Rail Travel)

To check-in hold the card once against the card reader. If check-in is successful a green light flashes accompanied by a single beeping sound.

A ticket inspector will require that you have a valid ticket – in this case a checked-in OV-chip card – so be careful not to miss checking-in and don’t check-out by accident!

If there is an error on check-in the card reader will beep 3 times.

When you check-in on public transport (buses, metro or trams) a deposit of €4 is taken off the e-purse balance – so you must always have at least €4 credit on the e-purse to check-in successfully. Some regional buses may take higher amounts (€8 or €12) if the journey is longer.

At the end of your journey hold the card against the reader again to check-out . If successful the card reader beeps twice and will show either the journey cost and the remaining e-purse balance or will display a check-out message if using a travel product. The cost of the journey will have been deducted but you get the €4 deposit back.

Note, if you fail or forget to check-out you will lose the €4 deposit which will likely be more expensive than the journey cost! You can rectify a failed check-out online here

If you have 12 failed check-outs in a 2 week period the card is disabled – it can only be restored by visiting a customer service desk.

The cost of a trip (using the card balance) has 2 components – a fixed boarding fee and a variable distance fee . The current boarding fee in the Netherlands for 2024 is €1.08. On top of this each transport company sets its own distance fare.

GVB in Amsterdam charges €0.196 per km travelled which during a journey is calculated every 50m. So this means e-purse journeys of 3km and 10km will cost about €1.67 and €3.04, respectively. Compare this with the GVB 1 hour disposable ticket which costs €3.40.

If you need to make a transfer you should generally check-out and then re-check-in. If this is done within 35 minutes, you will not be charged the €1.08 base fare again.

On the Amsterdam metro you can meet or say goodbye to someone on a station platform for free – as long as you check-in and check-out at that station in less than 20 minutes.

At all metro stations in Amsterdam there are additional blue card readers which only display the balance of your card. These are labelled “ Saldolezer ” (balance reader). They cannot be used to check-in and check-out – this must be done using the yellow card readers.

Once your card validity date expires you can no longer travel on it – you must invest in a new one. Also be wary about having other contactless cards close to each other in your purse or wallet.

Using the OV-chip card on NS Dutch Railway Network

The OV-chip card is in use for train travel with NS. To use a personal or anonymous OV-chipkaart for NS train journeys the card must be activated for reizen op saldo zonder NS-abonnement (pre-paid travel without NS subscription) unless it was initially purchased from the NS. This activation procedure can be done at NS service desks or ticket machines.

Train travel requires a minimum check-in deposit of €20 (for standard personal and anonymous cards) or €10 (with one of the NS discount cards which are effectively personal OV-chip cards, again only available to residents). At check-out the standard single train fare for your trip is charged and the deposit is returned.

During the initial card activation, the default class of rail travel for the OV-chip card is set to 2nd class. At a ticket machine you can change the default to 1st class if you wish (this can be done permanently or temporarily for a single day’s travel). Remember that 1st class fares will be about 70% higher.

You can check-in up to 30 minutes before the scheduled departure of your train. You must complete check-out on the rail network within a maximum of 6 hours after check-in. Officially you are not allowed to backtrack, you must be travelling away from your check-in station unless it is an allowable route.

Check-in and -out at the same NS station – There may be occasions where after checking-in at a station you decide not to travel. In that case if you check-out within 1 hour you will not be charged. As a security measure you cannot check-out again within 100 seconds of checking-in. If you leave it longer than the hour you will lose the €20 deposit (unless you check-out at another station within the 6 hours).

Intercity Direct trains (Amsterdam-Schiphol-Rotterdam-Breda) require a small supplement for travel between Schiphol and Rotterdam. This costs €2.90 and can be paid by anonymous or personal OV-chip card e-purse balance by holding the card once against the special red supplement card readers. There is a discounted rate for using an OV-chip card during the off-peak hours (0900-1600 and 1830-0630).

Disposable OV-chip card tickets (singles and day returns) were introduced in 2014 replacing the old style paper tickets. Passengers are required to check-in and check-out of their journey to validate the ticket. These tickets carry a €1 surcharge in addition to the standard fare.

There are other smaller rail companies in the Netherlands which operate train services. These have their own card readers so you must always check-in and check-out of one company first before using another.

Most of the larger Dutch train stations have gate barriers installed. Smaller stations tend to have the self-standing card readers.

OV-chip card criticisms

The OV-chipkaart system has attracted a significant amount of criticism and privacy concerns over the years.

The obvious attraction to the transport companies and the authorities is the ability to log and analyse all public transport journeys down to the individual level. Even the holder of a so-called “anonymous” card could likely be tracked and identified by cross-referencing various data sources.

The OV-chip card was also brought in for revenue protection purposes. The transport companies wanted to reduce the ability of people to ride for free, something which was endemic on the Amsterdam metro. Some passengers still try to get round the system by checking out early (before their stop) or by using children’s day tickets.

However if you are caught without a valid ticket you face a standard fine of €50.

At €7.50, the OV-chip card has always been too expensive, particularly for short-term visitors. The whole transport ticket system has become overly complex with over 27 different ticket options in Amsterdam .

Another criticism of the system is that large groups travelling together (such as a teacher with students) must each buy separate cards and all check-in and check-out individually. Only since 2021 have some transport companies been offering a single group ticket for school children and teachers!

Additionally, by requiring all travellers to have sufficient pre-paid credit the transport companies are effectively getting an interest-free loan on any unused credit. There has been tens of millions of euros in unused credit going unclaimed by travellers with expiring cards.

Finally, people can easily make mistakes by not checking-in or out properly, thus losing the deposit or risking a fine.

OV-chip Card: The Future

The Dutch government is expected to phase out the OV-chip card by 2025.

In 2024 the replacement to the OV-chip card will be rolled out – the OV-pas (OV pass) which will have a digital version through a smartphone as well as a physical card version.

This article was originally published in 2010 and has been regularly updated. Last update 11 December 2023 .

Links on AmsterdamTips.com may pay us an affiliate commission.

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Travelers are back in the skies and on the roads, airplanes are taking off full, and there is likely a good chance you’re planning to travel this year or thinking about it. Whether you’re heading off on a much-deserved vacation or just getting away for a weekend, you may be looking to earn rewards on your travel spending.

But most travel credit cards come with an annual fee. That might make sense for road-warrior business travelers who are on a first-name basis with the airport check-in agent, but what if you don’t travel as often? If you’re an occasional traveler, paying an annual fee might not make sense .

In this article, we’ll cover the best travel credit cards with no annual fee.

Best No Annual Fee Travel Credit Cards: Summary

Best for thankyou points: citi rewards+® card, best for cash back on travel: card_name, best for hilton stays: card_name, best for united miles: card_name.

• Best for American miles: American Airlines AAdvantage® Mile Up® Mastercard®

Best for Delta miles: card_name

Our recommendations.

Citi Rewards+® Card

(Rates & Fees)

The Citi Rewards+® Card wouldn’t normally make a list of great travel cards, but it currently offers bonus points on some travel. Cardmembers can earn a total of five ThankYou Points on hotel, car rentals, and attractions booked through the Citi Travel portal through December 31, 2025.

If you’re invested in the Citi ThankYou Points ecosystem, the card is a must-have, not for its travel benefits, but for its point bonus on redemptions. The card offers a 10% rebate on point redemptions when you redeem your ThankYou Points. If you hold multiple ThankYou Point-earning cards and combine your ThankYou Points accounts, you get this rebate on any redemption, up to 100,000 points redeemed per year.

Here are the details of the Citi Rewards+® Card :

• Earn 20,000 bonus points after you spend $1,500 in purchases with your card within 3 months of account opening; redeemable for $200 in gift cards at thankyou.com
• Special offer: Earn 5 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on CitiTravel.com through December 31, 2025 (airfare is not included).
• 2 ThankYou Points per dollar on the first $6,000 spent per year at supermarkets and gas stations for first $6,000 per year and then 1X Points thereafter.
• 1 ThankYou Point per dollar on all other purchases.
• ‌ foreign_transaction_fee foreign transaction fee.
• ‌ $0 (Rates & Fees) annual fee.

Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi

If you want a no-annual-fee card that offers cash back on travel and are a Costco member, the card_name simply can’t be beat. The Costco Anywhere Visa offers 3% cash back on travel categories including airfare, hotels, car rentals, travel agencies, cruise lines and Costco Travel. You must be a Costco member to get this card, but if you’re looking for cash back on travel, few other cards offer as much cash back on as many travel categories as the Costco Anywhere Visa.

The one quirk of the rewards earned by the Costco Anywhere Visa Credit Card is that you earn your rewards as Costco Cash. Costco Cash rewards get distributed once your February billing statement closes in the form of a credit card reward certificate. This certificate must be redeemed at Costco for merchandise or cash.

Here are the details of the Costco Anywhere Visa Card:

• 4% cash back on the first $7,000 spent each year on eligible gas and EV charging purchases worldwide and then 1% thereafter.
• 3% cash back at restaurants worldwide.
• 3% cash back on eligible travel purchases.
• 2% cash back on all other purchases at Costco and at Costco.com.
• 1% cash back on all other purchases.
• ‌ annual_fees annual fee.

Hilton Honors Card from American Express

If your travel plans have you staying within Hilton’s family of hotel brands, consider picking up the card_name . The card earns seven Hilton Honors Bonus Points per dollar spent at hotel properties within the Hilton portfolio. And you’ll get Hilton points for your everyday purchases like gas and groceries. The card earns five Hilton Honors bonus points per dollar spent at U.S. restaurants and U.S. gas stations as well. The card is also a great choice if you’re planning to travel abroad as it does not charge foreign transaction fees.

Here are the details of the Hilton Honors American Express Card:

• 7 Hilton Honors bonus points per dollar spent at any participating hotel within the Hilton portfolio.
• 5 Hilton Honors bonus points per dollar spent at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations.
• 3 Hilton Honors bonus points per dollar on all other eligible purchases.
• foreign_transaction_fee foreign transaction fee ( Rates & Fees ).
• annual_fees annual fee ( Rates & Fees ).

United Gateway℠ Card

Why we like it:.

United MileagePlus aficionados wanting to pad their mileage balances without paying an annual fee should take a look at the card_name . The card earns two United miles per dollar spent on United Airlines purchases, at gas stations, and on local transit and commuting.

The benefits of the card_name don’t stop with earning miles. The card also offers 25% back on United inflight and United Club premium drink purchases. And the card offers essential travel insurance coverage such as auto rental collision damage waiver, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, and purchase protection.

Here are the details of the United Gateway Card:

• 2 United miles per dollar spent on United purchases.
• 2 United miles per dollar spent at gas stations.
• 2 United miles per dollar spent on local transit and commuting.
• 1 United mile per dollar spent on all other purchases.
• foreign_transaction_fee foreign transaction fees.
• annual_fees annual fee.
• Member FDIC.

Best for American miles: card_name

Citibusiness® / aadvantage® platinum select® mastercard®.

If you want to earn American Airlines miles on your purchases with the airline, there may be no better card than the American Airlines AAdvantage® Mile Up® Mastercard® . The card earns two miles per dollar spent with American Airlines—an earning rate that matches even the airline’s most premium card_name , which carries a annual_fees annual fee. In addition to miles on American Airlines purchases, the card earns two miles per dollar spent at grocery stores.

The card_name has a unique feature among airline cards with no annual fee: The card can help you earn elite status with American Airlines. You earn one loyalty point for every one dollar you spend on purchases. Earning just 15,000 loyalty points in a year gets you Group 5 boarding privileges and a handful of preferred seat coupons. Once you earn 40,000 loyalty points in a year, you get AAdvantage Gold status, giving you access to complimentary upgrades.

Here are the details of the card_name :

• 2 AAdvantage miles per dollar spent on eligible American Airlines purchases.
• 2 AAdvantage miles per dollar spent at grocery stores, including grocery delivery services.
• 1 AAdvantage mile per dollar spent everywhere else.
• Earn 1 loyalty point for every AAdvantage mile earned from purchases.

Delta SkyMilesR Blue American Express Card

Delta Air Lines flyers can earn SkyMiles without paying an annual fee if they hold the card_name . The card_name offers two SkyMiles per dollar spent on Delta purchases and at restaurants, plus a 20% rebate on in-flight purchases. The card does not levy a foreign transaction fee ( Rates & Fees ), making it a solid option for international travelers who prefer SkyTeam.

Here are the details of the Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card:

• 2 Delta SkyMiles per dollar spent on Delta purchases.
• 2 Delta SkyMiles per dollar spent at restaurants.
• 1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases.

Best No Annual Fee Travel Credit Cards Comparison Chart

Our methodology.

To find the best travel credit cards with no annual fee, we looked at the offerings from banks, U.S.-based airlines, and the major hotel chains. To be included in our list, cash back cards had to earn greater than 2% cash rewards on travel. Co-branded hotel and airline cards needed to earn at least two points per dollar on purchases with the brand. In most cases, we found that holding the no-annual-fee card that aligns with your travel brand preferences will earn you the most miles and points.

TIME Stamp: Brand loyalty can be rewarding

If you are a Costco member, the card_name offers the best travel rewards across a variety of travel purchases. If you’re not a Costco member and want a travel credit card that offers the best rewards with no annual fee, go with the entry-level card of your most used travel brand.

The information presented here is created independently from the TIME editorial staff. To learn more, see our About page.

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 .

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Find the best credit card for you

Best family travel credit cards of 2024, unlock award flights, hotel stays and airport lounge access with the top family travel credit cards..

Family travel is a rewarding but complicated endeavor, and every family member you add to the trip increases the cost. However, planning ahead and using the right travel credit card can save you money and make your trips more comfortable.

The best family travel credit cards earn valuable points, miles or cash-back and offer benefits like airport lounge access that the whole family can enjoy. Here are CNBC Select's top picks for families looking to upgrade their next vacation. (See our methodology for more information on how we choose the best travel credit cards for families.)

Best family travel credit cards

• Best for no annual fee: Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card
• Best for domestic flights: Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card
• Best for lodging:   Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
• Best for airport lounge access: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (see rates and fees )
• Best for fair credit: Citi Double Cash® Card

Best for no annual fee

Wells fargo autograph℠ card.

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

Welcome bonus

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

$0 annual fee

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

Regular APR

20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable APR

Balance transfer fee

Up to 5%, min: $5 

Foreign transaction fee

Credit needed.

Excellent/Good

See rates and fees , terms apply.

• No annual fee
• Solid rewards on broad spending categories
• 0% intro APR offer
• Get up to $600 cell phone protection (subject to a $25 deductible)
• Valuable welcome offer
• Access to My Wells Fargo Deals to earn cash back in the form of an account credit when shopping, dining
• No balance transfer offer

Who's this for?  The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card stands out for those seeking a no-annual-fee travel credit card as it has a long list of 3X bonus categories and earns transferrable points.

Standout benefits: The points earned with this card can be transferred to a growing list of airline and hotel partner programs, including British Airways Executive Club, Avianca LifeMiles and Air France/KLM Flying Blue. Having these various redemption options increases the value of your points as it allows you to take advantage of sweet spots with different programs.

[ Jump to more details ]

Best for domestic flights

Southwest rapid rewards® priority credit card.

Earn 3X points on Southwest® purchases, 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare; 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming. 1X points on all other purchases

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

21.49% - 28.49% variable

5%, minimum $5

Foreign transaction fees

Terms apply.

• Southwest upgraded boarding on up to 4 tickets per year
• 7,500 bonus points on each account anniversary
• $75 Southwest annual travel credit
• 4 upgraded boardings per year when available
• $149 annual fee
• No special financing offers

Who's this for?  With free checked bags for all passengers and a family-friendly seating policy, Southwest is great for families, and the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card can help you save on your trips.

Standout benefits: This card can help families earn the Southwest Companion Pass more easily as the points from its welcome bonus count toward the 135,000-point threshold. Cardholders also receive a 10,000-qualifying-point boost every calendar year. The Southwest Companion Pass is valuable for families as it allows you to bring along a guest on any Southwest flight for the cost of taxes and fees.

Best for lodging

Chase sapphire preferred® card.

Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, and $50 annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.

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℠.

21.49% - 28.49% variable on purchases and balance transfers

Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater

Read our Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card review .

• Points are worth 25% more when redeemed for travel via Chase Travel℠
• Transfer points to leading frequent travel programs at a 1:1 rate, including: IHG® Rewards Club, Marriott Bonvoy™ and World of Hyatt®
• Travel protections include: auto rental collision damage waiver, baggage delay insurance and trip delay reimbursement
• No fee charged on purchases made outside the U.S.
• $95 annual fee
• No introductory 0% APR

Who's this for?  The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is an amazing all-around travel card, but can be especially valuable for booking your hotel stays and other lodgings.

Standout benefits: The points earned with this card can help you book everything from an Airbnb to a suite in a luxury hotel. At a minimum, Chase Ultimate® Rewards points are worth one cent for statement credits and gift cards. However, your points are automatically worth 25% more when redeemed through the Chase Travel SM portal and potentially more when transferred to one of Chase's airline or hotel partners.

Best for airport lounge access

Capital one venture x rewards credit card.

Unlimited 2X miles on all eligible purchases, and 5 Miles per dollar on flights and 10 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars when booked via Capital One Travel portal

Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening

19.99% - 29.99% variable APR

$0 at the Transfer APR, 4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you

Read our Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card review.

• Large welcome bonus
• No foreign transaction fees
• Up to $100 statement credits for either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
• Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
• High annual fee
• No introductory 0% APR period

Who's this for? The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is great if you're looking for a premium credit card with easy-to-use benefits.

Standout benefits:  This card offers generous airport lounge access, including unlimited access to Capital One Lounges , Priority Pass Lounges and Plaza Premium lounges. You can bring up to two guests to Capital One and Plaza Premium lounges and unlimited guests to Priority Pass Lounges. Better yet, airport lounge access benefits extend to authorized u sers on your card, and you can add up to four for no additional fee.

Best for fair credit

Citi double cash® card.

Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, for a limited time, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/24

Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.

0% for the first 18 months on balance transfers; N/A for purchases

19.24% - 29.24% variable

For balance transfers completed within 4 months of account opening, an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer ($5 minimum) applies; after that, a balance transfer fee of 5% of each transfer ($5 minimum) applies

Fair/Good/Excellent

Read our Citi Double Cash® Card review.

• 2% cash back on all eligible purchases
• Simple cash-back program that doesn't require activation or spending caps
• One of the longest intro periods for balance transfers at 18 months
• 3% fee charged on purchases made outside the U.S.
• Estimated rewards earned after 1 year:  $443
• Estimated rewards earned after 5 years: $2,213

Who's this for? The Citi Double Cash® Card is perfect for families with less-than-perfect credit who don't want to bother with a complicated rewards program.

Standout benefits: Most cash-back credit cards and rewards credit cards earn 1% back or 1X points on purchases that fall outside of special bonus categories. With the Citi Double Cash , you get double the return: 1% cash back when you buy and 1% cash back when you pay. Over time this adds up and there is no limit to how much cash back you can earn.

More on our top credit cards for family travel

The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card is a rare no-annual-fee card that earns transferrable travel rewards.

• 3X points at restaurants
• 3X points on travel
• 3X points on gas
• 3X points on transit
• 3X points on popular streaming services
• 3X points on phone plans
• 1X points on all other purchases

Earn 20,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases with the card in the first three months of account opening.

Notable perks

One of the best features of this card is its ability to transfer points to travel partners. You can transfer Wells Fargo rewards to these airline and hotel programs:

• Aer Lingus AerClub
• Air France/KLM Flying Blue
• Avianca LifeMiles
• British Airways Executive Club
• Iberia Plus
• Choice Hotels

If you prefer simplicity, you can still redeem your points for one cent each for statement credits, gift cards and travel booked through the Wells Fargo rewards site.

When you pay your monthly phone bill with the card, you'll not only earn 3X points but also qualify for cell phone protection . This coverage will reimburse you for up to $600 per claim with a $25 deductible (up to two claims per 12 months). It also has no foreign transaction fee, roadside dispatch, travel and emergency assistance and rental car collision coverage (secondary in the U.S.).

New cardholders also receive an intro 0% APR on purchases for the first 12 months, then a variable 20.24%, 25.24% or 29.99% applies.

[ Return to card summary ]

The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is a family-friendly airline card with more than enough benefits to justify its annual fee.

• 3X points on Southwest purchases
• 2X points on hotel and rental cars booked through Southwest
• 2X points on local transit
• 2X points on internet, cable and phone services

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

The points you earn from this card's welcome offer and spending on the card can help you earn a Southwest Companion Pass. On top of that, you also receive a 10,000-qualifying-point boost every calendar year. Anyone pursuing Southwest elite status will appreciate the opportunity to earn 1,500 tier qualifying points (TQPs) for every $5,000 you spend annually with no cap on the number of TQPs you can earn.

Every year, you'll receive two benefits that can offset the annual fee alone: A $75 Southwest travel credit and 7,500 bonus points. Experts value Southwest points at around 1.3 cents per point , which makes the annual bonus points worth roughly $97.50 in Southwest flights.

Every Southwest ticket comes with two free checked bags , no cancellation fees and no change fees, and with this card, you'll get reimbursed for up to four upgraded boardings per year. Southwest doesn't have assigned seats, so upgraded boarding becomes more valuable, especially for families that need to sit together. If you don't want to pack snacks for the trip, you'll receive 25% back on inflight purchases when you use this card.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a popular travel rewards card with useful benefits and a lucrative welcome bonus, all for an annual fee under $100 .

• 5X points per dollar on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
• 5X points per dollar on Lyft rides through Mar. 31, 2025
• 5X points on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $150 (through March 31, 2025; max of 25,000 total points)
• 3X points per dollar on dining
• 3X points per dollar on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs).
• 3X points per dollar on select streaming services
• 2X points per dollar on all other travel purchases
• 1X points per dollar on all other purchases

Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred comes with many valuable protections, including  primary rental car insurance , trip cancellation and interruption insurance, purchase protection , extended warranty protection and baggage and trip delay insurance. On top of that, you pay no foreign transaction fee and for every card anniversary you'll receive a 10% points bonus based on how many points you earned the previous year.

You'll also have access to several statement credits, including up to $50 hotel credit for bookings you make through Chase's travel site. Cardholders can also register to receive six months of free Instacart+ membership (activate by July 31, 2024) and up to $15 back each quarter for Instacart purchases (through July 2024). You can also enroll to receive a complimentary DashPass membership for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.

Perhaps the best feature of this card is that it unlocks the ability to transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to 14 airline and hotel partners. Chase has a long list of valuable partners including United MileagePlus, Southwest Rapid Rewards, Air Canada Aeroplan, World of Hyatt Hyatt and more. You'll also receive a 25% bonus when you pay for travel you book through the Ultimate Rewards site, which means you'll get a value of 1.25 cents per point. Occasionally, Chase offers discounts on gift card redemptions and you may be able to pick up Airbnb gift cards for 1.1 cents per point.

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is a top-rated travel credit card offering premium perks for a significantly lower annual fee than luxury cards with similar benefits. 

• 10X miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked via Capital One Travel portal
• 5X miles per dollar on flights booked via the Capital One Travel portal
• 2X miles on all other eligible purchases

Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.

$395 (see rates and fees )

The Venture X's annual fee is one of the easiest premium credit card fees to justify thanks to its straightforward benefits. Every year cardholders receive up to $300 in Capital One Travel credit and 10,000 anniversary bonus miles, which are worth at least $100 in travel.

On top of that, when you apply for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® you'll receive an application fee credit of up to $100. Once through security, enjoy unlimited access to Priority Pass airport lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges and Capital One Lounges. You can add up to four authorized users for no additional fee and each authorized user receives the same airport lounge access for themselves and guests.

Eligible purchases are covered by the following travel and purchase protections:

• Rental car damage and theft insurance (primary)
• Cell phone protection
• Purchase security
• Return protection
• Extended warranty protection
• Trip delay reimbursement
• Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
• Lost luggage reimbursement
• Travel accident insurance
• Travel and emergency assistance services

You can transfer the Capital One miles you earn with this card to partners like Air Canada Aeroplan, Avianca LifeMiles, Wyndham Rewards, Emirates Skywards and many more.

Terms, conditions and exclusions apply. Refer to your Guide to Benefits for more details.

The Citi Double Cash® Card is a no annual fee cash-back credit card with a straightforward rewards structure and useful intro APR offer for balance transfers.

• 5% total cash back on hotels, rental cars and attractions you book through Citi Travel (through Dec. 31, 2024)
• 2% cash back on all other purchases (1% cash back when you buy and 1% cash back when you pay)

Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first six months of account opening. 

The Citi Double Cash is an excellent option for balance transfers because new card members receive an intro 0% APR on eligible balance transfers for the first 18 months, then a variable 19.24% - 29.24% APR applies. There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of the amount of each transfer ($5 minimum) for the first four months, after that the balance transfer fee is 5% of each transfer ($5 minimum).

While this is technically a cash-back card, it earns cash back in the form of Citi ThankYou points . You can redeem these points at a value of one cent each for statement credits, gift cards, travel and more. You also have access to a limited number of Citi's travel partners and can transfer the points you earn with this card to Wyndham Rewards, Choice Hotels or JetBlue TrueBlue.

How do I choose the best travel credit card for my family?

The best travel credit card for your family depends heavily on where you want to go and what you want to use credit card rewards and benefits for. Some cards are great for airline redemptions, while others are better for hotel stays or cash-back rewards. Knowing your travel goals can help you hone in on the right choice for your situation.

Can you add family members to a credit card?

You can add family members to your credit cards as authorized users. However, it's important to understand the fine print because there can be an additional fee for adding authorized users and authorized user card benefits may be limited.

Is it better to use Visa or Mastercard in Europe?

Visa and Mastercard are both widely accepted in Europe and beyond. Both of these payment networks tend to be more universally accepted in Europe than Discover or American Express.

Why trust CNBC Select?

At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every credit card review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of credit card products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics. See our methodology for more information on how we choose the best travel credit cards for families.

Money matters — so make the most of it. Get expert tips, strategies, news and everything else you need to maximize your money, right to your inbox.  Sign up here .

Our methodology

To determine which cards offer the best value for family travel, CNBC Select analyzed over 250 major credit cards issued through FDIC-insured banks and NCUA-insured credit unions that are widely available in the U.S.  

We compared each card on a range of features, including rewards (e.g., cash back, points and miles), annual fees, welcome bonuses, introductory and standard APR and balance transfer fees and foreign transaction fees. We also considered additional perks (e.g., ongoing travel or merchant statement credits), cardholder protections (e.g., purchase protection, $0 liability protection and travel insurance), the application process when available (e.g., is there a credit pull or required credit score) and how easy it is to redeem points (e.g., are rewards are tied to a specific brand; if transferable, to how many/which partners, can you redeem for straight cash back).    We also considered CNBC Select audience data when available, such as general demographics and engagement with our content and tools.  

For the cards that offered a rewards program, we considered consumer spending data f orecasts from location intelligence firm Esri to determine where U.S. consumers are spending the most money, like on dining and travel. We used this to help determine what bonus categories are most useful for consumers. Since the value of a point or mile varies based on what they can be redeemed for, we also considered things like transferability and the ability to redeem for cash-back. 

When choosing the best family travel credit cards, we focused on cards that offer perks or rewards that make sense for families. 

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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.

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More From Forbes

6 new credit cards and exciting travel perks in time for summer.

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The latest perks for summer are worth exploring.

Responsible credit card use can deliver a world of value in miles, points and benefits. But, different cards offer different perks as many travelers are looking for more than just bonus points.

According to the State of Loyalty Credit Card Rewards from iSeatz, there is a growing trend from credit card issuers to move away from traditional awards (flights, hotels and other points redemption) in favor of lifestyle rewards, including things like tours, activities, dining and wellness activities. There are also updated perks and bonus-earning categories when cardholders use their card for those lifestyle experiences.

These are some of the latest credit cards on the market and the extra perks they are offering in time for summer.

Barclays debuts Xbox Credit Card

A father and son are concentrating while sitting down at home playing video games together.

Video game players rejoice. This new card from Barclays Bank awards points that can be redeemed for xbox.com, Microsoft.com, or console and in-game purchases. The card does not have an annual fee, and after making your first purchase with the card, it unlocks three months of Game Pass Ultimate. Bonus points are a big part of this card: 5x points per dollar on eligible products at the digital Microsoft Store, 3x points on streaming services and dining delivery services.

New cards from Qatar Airways Privilege Club and Cardless

Qatar Airways launches new U.S. credit card.

In early May, Qatar Airways launched a waitlist for its first credit card in the U.S. Now, it is available for applications and awards cardholders Avios points that can be redeemed for free travel on Qatar and Oneworld airline partners . The Qatar Airways Privilege Club Visa Infinite Credit Card ($499 annual fee and instant Gold status) and Qatar Airways Privilege Club Visa Signature Credit Card ($99 annual fee and instant Silver status) both offer instant elite status for one year after being approved for the card. This is the first international loyalty program to offer a Visa Infinite credit card in the U.S. market. Cardholders earn 5x Avios points on Qatar Airways spend, 3x points on dining and one point on everything else. For the Visa Signature Card, the earning is 4x points for Qatar Airways flights, 2x points on dining and one point on everything else.

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Citi Strata Premier Mastercard replaces the original Citi Premier card.

Replacing the Citi Premier card, Citi Strata Premier is a new card product with some upgraded perks. Existing cardholders will receive new Strata Premier cards, which will continue at a $95 annual fee. Among the changes are the ability to earn 10x ThankYou Points on hotels, attractions and car rentals booked directly through the Citi travel site. Cardmembers also receive 3x ThankYou Points when using electric vehicle charging stations. That is in addition to the previous bonus, which will continue, offering 3x points on air travel, dining, supermarkets and gas stations. Cardmembers also receive a $100 credit when making a hotel reservation through the Citi travel site for at least $500.

Special invitations for Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders at Paris Olympics

Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders have special access to events at the Paris Olympics.

Visa is offering some extra perks for Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders attending the Paris Summer Olympics. Flash your card to enter the floating VIP lounge on the Seine where food, beverages and special athlete meet and greets will entertain. Cardholders also have special access to priority reservations at an iconic Parisian restaurant with up-close views of the Eiffel Tower. The a la carte menu is a collaboration between New York Chef Ignacio Mattos and Chef Charles Ducrocq. There is also an Olympics kick-off party for cardholders with tasty food and drinks on July 27.

AmEx launched another limited-edition Boeing 747 Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card

This is the second time American Express uses recycled aircraft to develop a credit card.

For the second time, American Express is releasing a limited-edition credit card made from a retired Jumbo Jet. It was so popular last time that AmEx is creating twice as many cards made from two separate 747 planes that were retired in 2017. The cards, which have a new white glossy finish, became available in late April although they will stop being offered June 5.

Cards increase Global Entry credits

Cards are updating their perks due to the fare increase.

On the heels of Global Entry rates going up from $100 to $120, many credit cards are boosting their credits to fully cover it. Among these are the Citi Prestige and Citi/AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercards; the AAdvantage® Aviator® Silver Mastercard; and a slew of Chase-branded credit cards. They include the Chase Sapphire Reserve, United Explorer Card, United Club Infinite Card, United Quest Card, IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card, J.P. Morgan Reserve Card, Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card, IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card and Aeroplan Credit Card.

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