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Visa Travel Money Review 2024: Providers, Fees & Limits

If you’re looking for a secure and easy way to spend and make cash withdrawals when you’re away from home, a Visa travel card could be a good solution.

You can get prepaid Visa cards from banks and non-bank alternative providers, which you load with funds before you head overseas, for simple spending. Some cards – like those from Wise and Revolut – come with options to hold and convert your dollars to a selection of foreign currencies, too. Let’s dive right into our full guide to the Visa prepaid travel card options available for US customers.

Quick summary: Visa travel cards

• Visa is a large and globally accepted payment network – which means your Visa prepaid travel card will work more or less anywhere in the world
• Travel cards are secure for overseas use, and offer extra reassurance as they’re not linked to your checking account
• Some providers, like Wise and Revolut , let you hold and exchange foreign currencies for spending with your Visa travel card
• Lots of different Visa travel card options are available, through banks and non-bank digital providers

Go to Wise Go to Revolut

What is a Visa travel money card?

A Visa travel money card is a prepaid debit card which you can load with USD from your bank, with a card, or in some cases with cash. You can then securely spend and make withdrawals with the card around the world. Different Visa travel money cards have their own features and fees, so it’s handy to compare a few options to find the right one for you.

Where can I get a prepaid Visa card for international use?

There are quite a few different prepaid Visa cards on the US market, through banks and non-bank alternative providers. However, the features and fees of different cards can vary greatly. Here we’ll look at several examples, including non-bank options for international use from Wise and Revolut :

Wise – hold and exchange 40+ currencies in your account and spend globally with your linked debit card. 9 USD order fee, no foreign transaction fee and ongoing charges

Revolut – supports 25+ currencies, with account plan options including some with no ongoing fees, and other with monthly charges of up to 16.99 USD. No foreign transaction fee, and all account plans offer some weekday no fee currency conversion

Republic Bank and Trust Company – get the Everyday Select Rewards Visa Prepaid Card for home and international use, and earn up to 2% cash back. 2.5% foreign transaction fee applies to overseas use

Netspend – choose from a large range of Netspend prepaid Visa cards, issued through a selection of banks and non-bank providers. Fees do vary depending on the card you pick, and can include a foreign transaction charge of up to 2.5%

Which banks offer Visa travel money cards?

You can get a Visa prepaid card through a bank or non-bank alternative. There are lots out there so we’ve picked a few examples to kickstart your research:

*Details correct at time of writing, 8th April 2024

Wise travel card

Wise accounts can hold 40+ currencies and don’t have any foreign transaction fee, making them a great pick for international use. You can add money online or in the Wise app and then either convert to the currency you need, or just let the card convert for you when you pay.

• One time card order fee, no minimum balance, no ongoing charges
• Currency exchange uses the mid-market rate with fees from 0.43%
• Spend in 150+ countries, wherever the card network is accepted

Revolut travel card

Revolut has 3 different account plans in the US, including the Basic plan which has no monthly fees. All accounts support 25 currencies for holding and exchange, and offer some weekday no fee currency conversion before fair usage fees begin.

• Choose the account plan that suits your spending needs
• No fee for currency conversion to your plan limit – 0.5% fair usage fee after that
• Hold and exchange 25 currencies for convenient international use

Go to Revolut

Republic Bank and Trust Company travel card

Check out the Everyday Select Rewards Visa Prepaid Card which allows you to earn up to 2% cash back. Hold a balance in USD, which you can top up online or in person using cash.

• Choose a pay as you go model, or pay a monthly fee of up to 9.95 USD
• 2.5% foreign transaction fee applies to overseas use
• 3.95 USD international ATM fee

Netspend travel card

Netspend has a broad selection of different prepaid Visa travel cards, which can be issued through banks and non-bank alternative providers. Generally cards can be offered on a pay as you go basis, with higher transaction fees – or with a monthly charge which includes some transaction costs.

• Broad selection of different cards which can use used to hold USD
• Visa exchange rate with a fee of up to 3.5% for international use, depending on specific card selected
• Varying international ATM fees based on the card you choose

How does the Visa travel money card work?

Prepaid travel money cards can be helpful as they are not linked to your checking account. Instead you can top up your card conveniently – often online, and sometimes by loading cash in a physical location – before you spend or make cash withdrawals. Cards can be used to save or budget for a specific event like a vacation, and because they’re not linked to your normal checking account they’re secure to use at home and abroad.

How to top up prepaid travel money cards

Providers like Wise and Revolut allow you to top up digitally, online or in the provider’s app. Prepaid Visa cards issued through some banks and other providers may offer these top up methods as well as the option to load cash in a store, or to upload a mobile check. To add money digitally you’ll usually just need to take the following steps:

• Log into the provider’s app
• Select the Add money option
• Enter the amount and currency you want to add
• Pick the way you want to pay
• Confirm, pay, and your money will be added to your balance

How to check your balance on your card

Visa payment cards usually come with linked digital accounts which let you check your balance online or in an app. You can also insert your card into an ATM to get balance advice – but some providers do charge for this service.

International ATM cash withdrawal

Use your Visa prepaid card to make ATM withdrawals internationally, in exactly the same way as you would at home. Just look out for an ATM which displays the Visa logo, and you’re good to go.

Is Visa travel money safe to use?

Travel money cards are considered to be safe to use, particularly as they’re not linked to a checking account. However, you’ll still need to make sure that the specific card you select is issued through a reputable bank or non-bank provider, which is properly licensed and regulated.

Visa Travel money fees & limits

It’s important to check the relevant fees which apply to the specific card you select, particularly if you’re planning on using your card for overseas spending. Some providers have fairly high foreign transaction fees so picking carefully is crucial. Here’s a quick summary of key fees for the cards we’ve selected – other charges may also apply:

Visa Travel exchange rates

Different cards will use their own approach to foreign currency exchange when you spend overseas. Here’s a quick roundup:

Wise – mid-market exchange rate with low fees from 0.43%

Revolut – mid-market exchange rate to plan limit, 0.5% fair usage fee may apply after that

Republic Bank and Trust Company – Visa rate with foreign transaction fee of 2.5%

Netspend – Visa rate with foreign transaction fee of up to 3.5%, depending on specific card selected

How to get a Visa card for travel

Most Visa prepaid cards can be ordered online, for home delivery. You might need to wait a few days for your card to arrive – in the US a Wise card can take 14 to 21 days, for example. Other providers may offer ways to expedite delivery of your card, but this will come with higher costs.

To register an account with a provider and order a Visa prepaid travel card you’ll usually have to:

• Select the option to sign up, on the provider’s website or app
• Enter your personal and contact information
• Add images of your ID and address documents for verification
• Add some money to your account
• Tap to order your card – it will be delivered to your registered residential address

How to activate your travel money card

It’s common to find you have to activate your new Visa travel card before you can use it. Different providers have their own system for card activation. With Wise , as an example, you’ll need to log into your account online or in the app, and enter the 6 digit code that’s sent to you with your card. Other providers may allow you to activate a card by calling a service center or visiting a bank branch.

How to use a Visa Travel money card overseas

You could use your Visa travel money card overseas just as easily as you do at home. Look for the Visa network symbol which is displayed on ATMs, online and at the payment terminal in stores. Most Visa travel money cards are contactless, allowing you to tap and pay easily.

Supported currencies

Visa travel cards can be used more or less globally. Some, like the cards from Wise and Revolut , allow you to hold a foreign currency balance which can be a convenient option as it allows you to view your budget in advance. Once you have the currency you need you can spend with no additional fees to pay.

Other card options may convert your foreign currency spending back to USD with the Visa exchange rate and a foreign transaction fee, before deducting the final amount from your account.

Conclusion: is a Visa Travel card worth it?

Visa travel cards are globally accepted and available from many different banks and providers in the US. If you’re thinking of using a Visa card specifically for overseas use it’s useful to get a card from a provider which supports holding a foreign currency balance, as this can keep down your foreign transaction costs. It’s also a convenient way to see your travel budget in advance, and allows you to lock in a good exchange rate when you see it. Use this guide to compare a few options, like Wise and Revolut , and see which might suit your specific needs.

Visa Travel money FAQs

What is the best prepaid visa for international travel.

There’s no single best Visa prepaid card, so the one which works best for you might just come down to your spending habits and personal preferences. If you’re looking for a card to use overseas, check out the options from Wise and Revolut as they both let you hold a foreign currency balance which is a good way to keep costs down when you travel.

Is a Visa travel card a credit card or debit card?

The Visa travel cards we’ve covered in this guide are prepaid debit cards. You’ll also find some banks issue credit cards on the Visa network, so do look carefully at the terms and conditions of the card you’re signing up for so you know how to use your card most effectively.

Is Visa travel money a multi currency card?

If you get a Visa card from a provider like Wise and Revolut you can hold a foreign currency balance for overseas spending. Some other providers issue Visa prepaid cards which can only be used to hold a balance in USD – but you can still spend internationally more or less anywhere in the world.

How much does a Visa travel card cost?

Different Visa card issuers have their own fees which may include card order charges, or monthly costs. Compare a few options to make sure you’re getting the one which has the best balance of features and fees based on your specific preferences.

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Travel charge card

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• Per Diem Lookup

What is the travel charge card? The GSA SmartPay® 3 program provides charge cards to U.S. government agencies, as well as tribal governments, through master contracts that are negotiated with major banks. 

There are currently more than 560 Federal agencies, organizations and Native American tribal governments participating in the program, spending $30 Billion annually, through 100 million transactions on more than three million cards.

There are three types of travel accounts:

• Individually billed accounts are issued to employees to pay for official travel and travel-related expenses. The government reimburses employees for authorized expenses. The employee is responsible for making payment to the bank.
• Centrally billed accounts are established by some agencies to pay for official travel expenses. Centrally billed accounts are paid directly by the government to the bank.
• GSA SmartPay Tax Advantage Travel accounts  are new product offerings that combine an Individually Billed Account (IBA) and Centrally Billed Account (CBA), providing a means to obtain tax exemption automatically at the point of sale for rental cars and lodging charges. The combined features of CBAs and IBAs are a key characteristic of this product. When using the Tax Advantage Travel Account, charges for rental cars and lodging will be automatically billed to a CBA for payment. Charges for other travel-related purchases, such as meals and incidentals, are billed to the IBA portion of the account.

What is the benefit for federal agencies? Each agency or organization using the travel charge card receives a rebate based on sales volume. The sale refund is remitted to the organization. In addition, a separate refund is provided to agencies and organizations based on improving speed of payment.

How can travel managers make it happen? In 1988, Congress mandated that federal employees use the government travel charge card for all payments of expenses related to official government travel, with some exceptions. 

Travel managers should ensure that all of their travelers use their government-issued travel charge card for all purchases of travel-related services or products such as rental cars, hotel rooms, and telephone or Internet service.

Looking for more information on SmartPay?

The GSA SmartPay program provides charge cards to U.S. government agencies/departments, as well as tribal governments, through master contracts that are negotiated with major national banks. Additionally, to contact Travel Program call 888-472-5585 or email [email protected]

• Download the complete Federal Travel Regulation
• Joint Travel Regulations
• Foreign Affairs Manual

PER DIEM LOOK-UP

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Error, The Per Diem API is not responding. Please try again later.

No results could be found for the location you've entered.

Rates for Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. Territories and Possessions are set by the Department of Defense .

Rates for foreign countries are set by the State Department .

2 Choose a date

Rates are available between 10/1/2021 and 09/30/2024.

The End Date of your trip can not occur before the Start Date.

Traveler reimbursement is based on the location of the work activities and not the accommodations, unless lodging is not available at the work activity, then the agency may authorize the rate where lodging is obtained.

Unless otherwise specified, the per diem locality is defined as "all locations within, or entirely surrounded by, the corporate limits of the key city, including independent entities located within those boundaries."

Per diem localities with county definitions shall include "all locations within, or entirely surrounded by, the corporate limits of the key city as well as the boundaries of the listed counties, including independent entities located within the boundaries of the key city and the listed counties (unless otherwise listed separately)."

When a military installation or Government - related facility(whether or not specifically named) is located partially within more than one city or county boundary, the applicable per diem rate for the entire installation or facility is the higher of the rates which apply to the cities and / or counties, even though part(s) of such activities may be located outside the defined per diem locality.

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15 Best Travel Credit Cards of May 2024

ALSO CONSIDER: Best credit cards of 2024 || Best rewards credit cards || Best airline credit cards || Best hotel credit cards

The best travel credit card is one that brings your next trip a little closer every time you use it. Purchases earn points or miles you can use to pay for travel. If you're loyal to a specific airline or hotel chain, consider one of that company's branded travel credit cards. Otherwise, check out our picks for general-purpose travel cards that give you flexible travel rewards without the restrictions and blackout dates of branded cards.

250+ credit cards reviewed and rated by our team of experts

80+ years of combined experience covering credit cards and personal finance

100+ categories of best credit card selections ( See our top picks )

Objective comprehensive ratings rubrics ( Methodology )

NerdWallet's credit cards content, including ratings and recommendations, is overseen by a team of writers and editors who specialize in credit cards. Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, USA Today, The New York Times, MarketWatch, MSN, NBC's "Today," ABC's "Good Morning America" and many other national, regional and local media outlets. Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity .

Show summary

NerdWallet's Best Travel Credit Cards of May 2024

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card : Best for Max flexibility + big bonus

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card : Best for Flat-rate rewards

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card : Best for Travel portal benefits

Chase Freedom Unlimited® : Best for Cash back for travel bookings

American Express® Gold Card : Best for Big rewards on everyday spending

Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card : Best for Bonus rewards + no annual fee

The Platinum Card® from American Express : Best for Luxury travel perks

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card : Best for Business travelers

Citi Premier® Card : Best for Triple points on multiple categories

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card : Best for Flat-rate rewards + no annual fee

Chase Sapphire Reserve® : Best for Bonus rewards + high-end perks

World of Hyatt Credit Card : Best for Best hotel card

Bilt World Elite Mastercard® Credit Card : Best for Travel rewards for rent payments

United℠ Explorer Card : Best for Best airline card

PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards Visa Signature® Card : Best for Credit union benefits

Best Travel Credit Cards

Find the right credit card for you..

Whether you want to pay less interest or earn more rewards, the right card's out there. Just answer a few questions and we'll narrow the search for you.

Max flexibility + big bonus

Flat-rate rewards, travel portal benefits, cash back for travel bookings, big rewards on everyday spending, bonus rewards + no annual fee, luxury travel perks, business travelers, triple points on multiple categories, flat-rate rewards + no annual fee, bonus rewards + high-end perks, best hotel card, travel rewards for rent payments, best airline card, credit union benefits, full list of editorial picks: best travel credit cards.

Before applying, confirm details on the issuer’s website.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Our pick for: Flat-rate rewards

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is probably the best-known general-purpose travel credit card, thanks to its ubiquitous advertising. You earn 5 miles per dollar on hotels and car rentals booked through Capital One Travel and 2 miles per dollar on all other purchases. Miles can be redeemed at a value of 1 cent apiece for any travel purchase, without the blackout dates and other restrictions of branded hotel and airline cards. The card offers a great sign-up bonus and other worthwhile perks ( see rates and fees ). Read our review.

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Our pick for: Flat-rate rewards + no annual fee

One of the best no-annual-fee travel cards available, the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card gives you a solid rewards rate on every purchase, with points that can be redeemed for any travel purchase, without the restrictions of branded airline and hotel cards. Bank of America® has an expansive definition of "travel," too, giving you additional flexibility in how you use your rewards. Read our review.

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Our pick for: Bonus rewards + high-end perks

The high annual fee on the Chase Sapphire Reserve® gives many potential applicants pause, but frequent travelers should be able to wring enough value out of this card to more than make up for the cost. Cardholders get bonus rewards (up to 10X) on dining and travel, a fat bonus offer, annual travel credits, airport lounge access, and a 50% boost in point value when redeeming points for travel booked through Chase. Points can also be transferred to about a dozen airline and hotel partners. Read our review. 

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Our pick for: Max flexibility + big bonus

For a reasonable annual fee, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card earns bonus rewards (up to 5X) on travel, dining, select streaming services, and select online grocery purchases. Points are worth 25% more when you redeem them for travel booked through Chase, or you can transfer them to about a dozen airline and hotel partners. The sign-up bonus is stellar, too. Read our review. 

Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

Our pick for: Bonus rewards + no annual fee

The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card offers so much value, it's hard to believe there's no annual fee. Start with a great bonus offer, then earn extra rewards in a host of common spending categories — restaurants, gas stations, transit, travel, streaming and more. Read our review.

U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card

Our pick for: Road trips

The U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card is one of the most generous cards on the market if you're taking to the skies or the road, thanks to the quadruple points it earns on travel and purchases at gas stations and EV charging stations. It's also a solid card for everyday expenses like groceries, dining and streaming, and it comes with ongoing credits that can offset its annual fee:  $0 intro for the first year, then $95 .  Read our review .

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Our pick for: Travel portal benefits

Capital One's premium travel credit card can deliver terrific benefits — provided you're willing to do your travel spending through the issuer's online booking portal. That's where you'll earn the highest rewards rates plus credits that can make back the bulk of your annual fee ( see rates and fees ). Read our review.

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Our pick for: Cash back for travel bookings

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® was already a fine card when it offered 1.5% cash back on all purchases. Now it's even better, with bonus rewards on travel booked through Chase, as well as at restaurants and drugstores. On top of all that, new cardholders get a 0% introductory APR period and the opportunity to earn a sweet bonus. Read our review.

The Platinum Card® from American Express

Our pick for: Luxury travel perks

The Platinum Card® from American Express comes with a hefty annual fee, but travelers who like to go in style (and aren't afraid to pay for comfort) can more than get their money's worth. Enjoy extensive airport lounge access, hundreds of dollars a year in travel and shopping credits, hotel benefits and more. That's not even getting into the high rewards rate on eligible travel purchases and the rich welcome offer for new cardholders. Read our review.

American Express® Gold Card

Our pick for: Big rewards on everyday spending

The American Express® Gold Card can earn you a pile of points from everyday spending, with generous rewards at U.S. supermarkets, at restaurants and on certain flights booked through amextravel.com. Other benefits include hundreds of dollars a year in available dining and travel credits and a solid welcome offer for new cardholders. There's an annual fee, though, and a pretty substantial one, so it's not for smaller spenders. Read our review.

Bilt World Elite Mastercard® Credit Card

Our pick for: Travel rewards on rent payments

The Bilt World Elite Mastercard® Credit Card stands out by offering credit card rewards on rent payments without incurring an additional transaction fee. The ability to earn rewards on what for many people is their single biggest monthly expense makes this card worth a look for any renter. You also get bonus points on dining and travel when you make at least five transactions on the card each statement period, and redemption options include point transfers to partner hotel and loyalty programs. Read our review.

PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards Visa Signature® Card

Our pick for: Credit union rewards

With premium perks for a $95 annual fee (which can be waived in some cases), jet-setters will get a lot of value from the PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards Visa Signature® Card . It also offers a generous rewards rate on travel purchases and a decent flat rate on everything else. Plus, you’ll get travel credits and a Priority Pass membership that offers airport lounge access for $32 per visit. Read our review.

United℠ Explorer Card

Our pick for: B est airline card

The United℠ Explorer Card earns bonus rewards not only on spending with United Airlines but also at restaurants and on eligible hotel stays. And the perks are outstanding for a basic airline card — a free checked bag, priority boarding, lounge passes and more. Read our review.

» Not a United frequent flyer? See our best airline cards for other options

World of Hyatt Credit Card

Our pick for: Best hotel card

Hyatt isn't as big as its competitors, but World of Hyatt Credit Card is worth a look for anyone who spends a lot of time on the road. You can earn a lot of points even on non-Hyatt spending, and those points have a high value compared with rival programs. There's a great sign-up bonus, free nights, automatic elite status and more. Read our review.

» Not a Hyatt customer? See our best hotel cards for other options.

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

Our pick for: Business travelers

The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card starts you off with one of the biggest sign-up bonuses of any credit card anywhere: Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,000 cash back or $1,250 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠. You also get bonus rewards on travel expenses and common business spending categories, like advertising, shipping and internet, cable and phone service. Points are worth 25% more when redeemed for travel booked through Chase, or you can transfer them to about a dozen airline and hotel partners. Learn more and apply .

Are you in Canada?

See NerdWallet's best travel cards for Canada.

OTHER RESOURCES

How travel rewards work.

Modern-day adventurers and once-a-year vacationers alike love the idea of earning rewards toward their next big trip. According to a NerdWallet study , 68% of American adults say they have a credit card that earns travel rewards.

With a travel rewards credit card, you earn points or miles every time you use the card, but you can often earn more points per dollar in select categories. Some top travel credit cards, such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve® , offer bonus points on any travel spending, while the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card grants bonus points when you use the card at Marriott hotels, grocery stores, restaurants or gas stations.

Not all points and miles earned on travel rewards credit cards are the same:

General-purpose travel credit cards — including the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card , the American Express® Gold Card and the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card — give you rewards that can be used like cash to pay for travel or that can be exchanged for points in airline or hotel loyalty programs. With their flexible rewards, general-purpose options are usually the best travel credit cards for those who don't stick to a single airline or hotel chain.

Airline- and hotel-specific cards — such as the United℠ Explorer Card and the Hilton Honors American Express Card — give points and miles that can be used only with the brand on the card. (Although it's possible in some cases to transfer hotel points to airlines, we recommend against it because you get a poor value.) These so-called co-branded cards are usually the best travel credit cards for those who always fly one particular airline or stay with one hotel group.

How do we value points and miles? With the rewards earned on general travel cards, it's simple: They have a fixed value, usually between 1 and 1.5 cents per point, and you can spend them like cash. With airline miles and hotel points, finding the true value is more difficult. How much value you get depends on how you redeem them.

To better understand what miles are worth, NerdWallet researched the cash prices and reward-redemption values for hundreds of flights. Our results:

Keep in mind that the airline values are based on main cabin economy tickets and exclude premium cabin redemptions. See our valuations page for business class valuations and details about our methodology.

Our valuations are different from many others you may find. That’s because we looked at the average value of a point based on reasonable price searches that anyone can perform, not a maximized value that only travel rewards experts can expect to reach.

You should therefore use these values as a baseline for your own redemptions. If you can redeem your points for the values listed on our valuations page, you are doing well. Of course, if you are able to get higher value out of your miles, that’s even better.

HOW TO CHOOSE A TRAVEL CREDIT CARD

There are scores of travel rewards cards to choose from. The best travel credit card for you has as much to do with you as with the card. How often you travel, how much flexibility you want, how much you value airline or hotel perks — these are all things to take into account when deciding on a travel card. Our article on how to choose a travel credit card recommends that you prioritize:

Rewards you will actually use (points and miles are only as good as your ability to redeem them for travel).

A high earning rate (how much value you get in rewards for every dollar spent on the card).

A sign-up bonus (a windfall of points for meeting a spending requirement in your first few months).

Even with these goals in mind, there are all kinds of considerations that will influence your decision on a travel rewards credit card.

Travel cards are for travelers

Travel cards vs. cash-back cards.

The very first question to ask yourself when choosing a travel credit card is: Should I get a travel card at all? Travel credit cards are best for frequent travelers, who are more likely to get enough value from rewards and perks to make up for the annual fees that the best travel credit cards charge. (Some travel cards charge no annual fee, but they tend to offer lesser rewards than full-fee cards.) A NerdWallet study found that those who travel only occasionally — say, once a year — will probably get greater overall rewards from cash-back credit cards , most of which charge no annual fee, than from a travel card.

Flexibility and perks: A trade-off

Co-branded cards vs. general travel cards.

Travel credit cards fall into two basic categories: co-branded cards and general travel cards.

Co-branded cards carry the name of an airline or hotel group, such as the United℠ Explorer Card or the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card . The rewards you earn are redeemable only with that particular brand, which can limit your flexibility, sometimes sharply. For example, if your credit card's co-branded airline partner doesn't have any award seats available on the flight you want on the day you want, you're out of luck. On the other hand, co-branded cards commonly offer airline- or hotel-specific perks that general travel cards can't match.

General travel cards aren't tied to a specific airline or hotel, so they offer much greater flexibility. Well-known general travel cards include the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card . Rewards on general travel cards come as points (sometimes called "miles" but they're really points) that you can redeem for any travel expense. You're not locked into using a single airline or hotel, but you also won't enjoy the perks of a co-branded card.

Evaluating general travel credit cards

What you get with a general travel card.

The credit cards featured at the top of this page are general travel cards. They're issued by a bank (such as Chase or Capital One), carry only that bank's name, and aren't tied to any single airline or hotel group. With these cards, you earn points on every purchase — usually 1 to 2 points per dollar spent, sometimes with additional points in certain categories.

Issuers of general travel cards typically entice new applicants with big sign-up bonuses (also known as "welcome offers") — tens of thousands of miles that you can earn by spending a certain amount of money on the card in your first few months.

» MORE: NerdWallet's best credit card sign-up offers

What do you do with those points? Depending on the card, you may have several ways to redeem them:

Booking travel. With this option, your points pay for travel booked through the issuer's website, using a utility similar to Orbitz or Expedia. For example, if points were worth 1 cent apiece when redeemed this way, you could book a $400 flight on the issuer's portal and pay for it with 40,000 points

Statement credit. This lets you essentially erase travel purchases by using your points for credit on your statement. You make travel arrangements however you want (directly with an airline or hotel, through a travel agency, etc.) and charge it to your card. Once the charge shows up on your account, you apply the necessary points and eliminate the cost.

Transferring to partners. The card issuer may allow you to transfer your points to loyalty programs for airlines or hotel chains, turning your general card into something like a co-branded card (although you don't get the perks of a co-brand).

Cash back, gift cards or merchandise. If you don't plan to travel, you can burn off your rewards with these options, although you'll often get a lower value per point.

Airline and hotel cards sharply limit your choice, but they make up for it with perks that only they can offer, like free checked bags or room upgrades. General travel cards, on the other hand, offer maximum flexibility but can't provide the same kinds of perks, because the banks that issue them don't operate the airlines or hotels. Still, there are some noteworthy perks on general travel cards, including:

Travel credit. This is automatic reimbursement for travel-related spending. Some top travel credit cards offer hundreds of dollars a year in travel credit.

Trusted traveler reimbursement. More and more travel credit cards are covering the application fee for TSA Precheck and Global Entry, programs that allow you to move through airport security and customs more quickly.

Airport lounge access. Hundreds of lounges worldwide operate separately from airlines under such networks as Priority Pass and Airspace, and several general travel cards offer access to these lounges.

Points programs

Every major card issuer has at least one travel card with a points program. American Express calls its program Membership Rewards, while Chase has Ultimate Rewards® and Citi pays in ThankYou points. Wells Fargo has Wells Fargo Rewards, and U.S. Bank has FlexPerks. Bank of America® travel cards offer points without a fancy name. Travel cards from Capital One, Barclays and Discover all call their points "miles."

These programs differ in how much their points are worth and how you can use them. Some offer the full range of redemption options, including transfers to loyalty programs. Others let you use them only to book travel or get statement credit.

» MORE: Travel loyalty program reviews

Evaluating airline credit cards

What you get with an airline credit card.

Airline credit cards earn "miles" with each purchase. You typically get 1 mile per dollar spent, with a higher rate (2 or more miles per dollar) on purchases with the airline itself. (Some airline cards have also begun offering extra miles for purchases in additional categories, such as restaurants or car rental agencies.) These miles go into the same frequent-flyer account as the ones you earn by flying the airline, and you can redeem them for free flights with the airline or its alliance partners.

Co-branded airline cards typically offer sign-up bonuses (or welcome offers). But what really sets them apart are the perks they give you. With some cards, for example, the checked-bag benefit alone can make up for the annual fee after a single roundtrip by a couple. Common perks of airline cards include:

Free checked bags. This commonly applies to the first checked bag for you and at least one companion on your reservation. Some cards extend this perk to more people, and higher-end cards (with higher annual fees) may even let you check two bags apiece for free.

Priority boarding. Holders of co-branded airline credit cards often get to board the plane early — after the airline's elite-status frequent flyers but before the general population. This gives you time to settle in and gives you a leg up on claiming that coveted overhead bin space.

In-flight discounts or freebies. You might get, say, 25% off the cost of food and beverages during the flight, or free Wi-Fi.

Airport lounge access. High-end cards often include a membership to the airline's airport lounges, where you can get away from the frenzy in the terminal and enjoy a complimentary snack. Some less-expensive airline cards give you only limited or discounted lounge access; others give you none at all.

Companion fares. This perk lets you bring someone with you for a lower cost when you buy a ticket at full price.

A boost toward elite status. Miles earned with a credit card, as opposed to those earned from actually flying on the airline, usually do not count toward earning elite status in an airline's frequent-flyer program. However, carrying an airline's high-end card might automatically qualify you for a higher tier within the program.

The biggest U.S. airlines — American, United and Delta — offer an array of credit cards. Each airline has a no-annual-fee card that earns miles on purchases but provides little in the way of perks (no free bags or priority boarding). Each has a high-end card with an annual fee in the neighborhood of $450 that offers lounge access and sumptuous perks. And each has a "middle-class" card with a fee of around $100 and solid ongoing perks. Southwest offers three credit cards with varying fees; smaller carriers may just have a single card.

» MORE: NerdWallet's best airline credit cards

Choosing an airline

Which airline card you get depends in large part on what airline you fly, and that's heavily influenced by where you live. Alaska Airlines, for example, has an outstanding credit card, but the airline's routes are concentrated primarily on the West Coast. So it's not a great option for those who live in, say, Buffalo, New York, or Montgomery, Alabama.

If your local airport is dominated by a single airline, then you're probably flying that carrier most (or all) of the time by default. Delta, for example, is the 800-pound gorilla at Minneapolis-St. Paul and Salt Lake City. United has the bulk of the traffic at Newark and Washington Dulles. American calls the shots at Charlotte and Dallas-Fort Worth. That airline's credit card may be your only realistic option. If you're in a large or midsize market with frequent service from multiple airlines, you have more choice.

» MORE: How to choose an airline credit card

Evaluating hotel credit cards

What you get with a hotel card.

Hotel credit cards earn points with each purchase. As with airline cards, you typically get more points per dollar for purchases from the co-brand partner, and some cards also give bonus points in additional categories. (Hotel cards tend to give you a greater number of points overall than airline cards, but each individual point is generally worth less than a typical airline mile.) Similar to the airline model, the points you earn with the card go into the same loyalty account as the points you earn from actually staying at a hotel. You redeem your points for free stays.

Hotel cards usually offer a sign-up bonus, but like airline cards, they really make their bones with the ongoing perks. Common perks on hotel cards include:

Free nights. Several cards offer this perk, which can make up for the card's annual fee. You may get a free night automatically every year, or you may unlock it by spending a certain amount within a year. In the latter case, it comes on top of the points you earn for your spending.

Upgrades and freebies. Cardholders may qualify for automatic room upgrades when available, or free or discounted amenities such as meals or spa packages.

Early check-in/late check-out. No one likes having to cool their heels in the hotel lobby waiting for 3 o'clock to check in. And no one likes have to vacate their room by 11 a.m. when their flight doesn't leave till evening.

Accelerated elite status. Some hotel cards automatically bump you up a level in their loyalty program just for being a cardholder.

» MORE: NerdWallet's best hotel credit cards

Choosing a hotel group

If you decide to go the hotel-card route, you'll need to decide which hotel group gets your business. Hotels aren't as market-concentrated as airlines, so if your travels take you mostly to metropolitan areas, you'll have a decent amount of choice. Keep in mind that even though there are dozens of nationally recognizable hotel brands, ranging from budget inns to luxury resorts, many of them are just units in a larger hotel company, and that company's card can unlock benefits across the group.

Marriott, for example, includes not only its namesake properties but nearly 30 other brands, including Courtyard, Fairfield, Renaissance, Residence Inn, Ritz-Carlton, Sheraton and Westin. The Hilton family includes DoubleTree, Embassy Suites, Hampton Inn and Waldorf-Astoria. InterContinental includes Holiday Inn, Candlewood, Staybridge and Crowne Plaza. Wyndham and Choice have more than 15 mid-tier and budget-oriented brands between them.

HOW TO COMPARE TRAVEL CREDIT CARDS

No travel rewards credit card is going to have everything you want. You're going to be disappointed if you expect to find a high rewards rate, a generous sign-up bonus, top-notch perks and no annual fee. Each card delivers value through a different combination of features; it's up to you to compare cards based on the following features and choose the best travel credit card for your needs and preferences.

Most of the best travel cards charge an annual fee. Fees in the range of $90 to $100 are standard for travel cards. Premium cards with extensive perks will have fees of $450 or more. Weigh the value of the rewards and perks you'll get to make sure they'll make up for the fee.

Can you find good cards without an annual fee? Absolutely! There are no-fee options on our list of the best travel credit cards, and we've rounded up more here . Just be aware that if you go with a no-fee travel card, you'll earn rewards at a lower rate, your sign-up bonus will be smaller, and you won't get as many (if any) perks.

Rewards rate

Rewards can be thought of in terms of "earn rate" and "burn rate".

The earn rate is how many points or miles you receive per dollar spent. Some general travel cards offer flat-rate rewards, meaning you get the same rate on all purchases, all the time — 2 miles per dollar, for example, or 1.5 points per dollar. Others, including most co-branded cards, offer a base rate of maybe 1 point per dollar and then pay a higher rate in certain categories, such as airline tickets, hotel stays, general travel expenses or restaurant meals.

The burn rate is the value you get for those points or miles when you redeem them. The industry average is about 1 cent per point or mile. Some cards, particularly hotel cards, have lower value per point on the "burn" side but give you more points per dollar on the earning side.

When comparing rewards rates, don't just look at the numbers. Look at the categories to which those numbers apply, and find a card that matches your spending patterns. Getting 5 points per dollar seems great — but if those 5X points come only on purchases at, say, office supply stores, and you don't spend money on office supplies, then you're getting lousy value.

Sign-up bonus

Travel cards tend to have the biggest sign-up bonuses — tens of thousands of points that you earn by hitting a certain amount of spending. But there's more to consider when comparing sign-up bonuses than just how many points or miles you earn. You must also take into account how much you have to spend to earn the bonus. While cash-back credit cards often require just $500 to $1,000 in spending over three months to unlock a bonus, travel cards commonly have thresholds of $3,000 to $5,000.

Never spend money you don't have just to earn a sign-up bonus. Carrying $3,000 in debt for a year in order to earn a $500 bonus doesn't make economic sense — the interest you'll pay could easily wipe out the value of the bonus.

Finally, keep in mind that the biggest bonuses will come on cards with annual fees.

Foreign transaction fees

A good travel card will not charge a foreign transaction fee. These fees are surcharges on purchases made outside the U.S. The industry standard is about 3%, which is enough to wipe out most if not all of the rewards you earn on a purchase. If you never leave the U.S., then this isn't much of a concern, but anyone who travels abroad should bring a no-foreign-transaction-fee card with them.

Some issuers don't charge foreign transaction fees on any of their cards. Others charge them on some cards but not all.

International acceptance

Not all travel credit cards are great companions for international travel. While Visa and Mastercard are good pretty much worldwide, you may encounter limited acceptance for American Express and, especially, Discover, depending on the destination. This doesn't mean world travelers should dismiss AmEx and Discover. Just know that if you take one of these cards with you overseas, you'd be smart to bring along a backup in case you run into acceptance problems. (Having a backup card is good advice within the U.S., too, really.)

Travel protections

Consider which travel protections — car rental insurance , trip cancellation coverage , lost baggage protection — are important to you.

"Rewards" are what you get for using a credit card — the points earned with each transaction and the bonuses you unlock with your spending. "Perks" are goodies that you get just for carrying the card. There's a very close correlation between the annual fee on a card and the perks you get for carrying it. Cards with no annual fee are all about rewards and go very light on perks. Premium cards with annual fees of $450 or more are laden with perks (although sometimes their rewards aren't too special). Midtier cards (in the $100 range) tend to have solid rewards and a handful of high-value perks.

Assuming you take advantage of them, the perks often make up for the annual fee on a card quite easily. This is especially true with co-branded cards. Free checked bags can pay for an airline card several times over, and a free night is usually worth more than the fee on a hotel card. When comparing the perks of various cards, be realistic about which ones you will and won't use. Sure, that card may entitle you to a free spa package the next time you're at a five-star hotel, but how often do you stay at five-star hotels?

SHOULD YOU GET A TRAVEL CARD? PROS AND CONS

Pros: why it's worth getting a travel card.

The sign-up bonus gives you a big head-start on travel. Bonuses on the best travel credit cards typically run $500 or more — enough for a roundtrip ticket in many instances.

Perks make travel less expensive and more relaxing. You won't have to worry about cramming a week's worth of clothes into a carry-on if your travel credit card gives you a free checked bag (or automatically reimburses you for the bag fee). Hate the crush of travelers in the terminal? Escape to the airport lounge. Renting a car? Use a travel card that provides primary rental car insurance.

Rewards get you closer to your next trip with every purchase. Spending money on the mundane activities of daily life has a silver lining when you know that every $1,000 you spend will knock $10 or $20 off the cost of that future beach vacation or trip home to see Mom and Dad.

No foreign transaction fee can mean big savings. Take just any old credit card with you on vacation outside the U.S., and $1,000 worth of purchases can cost you $30 off the top due to the foreign transaction surcharge. Good travel cards don't charge this fee.

"Double dipping" gives you more points on travel purchases. Buy a plane ticket or book a hotel room, and you'll earn loyalty points or miles regardless of how you pay. Use the right credit card, though, and you'll earn even more points and miles on top of those.

Strategic redemption can multiply your value. With cash-back credit cards, 1 cent is worth 1 cent, and that's just how it goes. The points and miles on many travel credit cards have variable value based on how you redeem them — booking travel with them vs. transferring them to a partner, booking domestic vs. international flights and economy vs. business class, staying at budget hotels vs. high-end resorts, and so on.

Cons: Why a travel card might not be for you

The best cards charge annual fees. In many cases, the value you get from a credit card more than makes up for the annual fee. But some people are dead set against paying a fee under any circumstances. If that's you, your options in travel cards will be sharply limited, and you won't get the perks that provide a big portion of the value on many cards.

Sign-up bonus spending requirements can be steep. A bonus worth $500, $600 or $700 is attractive, but only if you can afford to earn it with spending you were going to do anyway. If you have to amass thousands of dollars in debt and then pay interest on it, it's not worth it.

Travel cards aren't ideal for infrequent travelers. In the first year with a travel card, you're probably going to come out ahead: You can earn a big sign-up bonus, and several popular cards waive the first year's annual fee, too. In subsequent years, though, you'll break even on that fee only if you use the card enough to make up for it (with the rewards you earn and redeem and the perks you use). Infrequent travelers are more likely to get more total rewards from a cash-back card with no annual fee.

Cash back is simpler and more flexible. Some travel cards allow you to redeem your rewards only for travel. Others give you poor value unless you redeem for travel. Still others have complicated redemption options, making it hard to get the most out of your rewards. With cash-back credit cards, you can use your rewards on anything, you know exactly how much your rewards are worth, and redemption is usually simple.

Rewards cards tend to charge higher interest rates. If you regularly carry a balance from month to month, a travel credit card — or any rewards credit card — probably isn't your best choice. The interest you pay is eating up the value of your rewards. You're better off with a low-interest card that reduces the cost of carrying debt.

MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR TRAVEL CARD

Maximize your rewards with the following tips:

Plan your credit card application around a big purchase to earn the sign-up bonus.

Seize every opportunity to pick up the tab, especially if your travel credit card pays bonus rewards on dining; your friends can pay you back while you collect rewards.

Redeem rewards for travel instead of gift cards, merchandise or (in most cases) cash back to get the best value.

Join the loyalty program associated with a co-branded card — a frequent-flyer or frequent-guest program.

Shop for essentials in your card’s online bonus mall or through its exclusive offers, if available, to get extra rewards.

OTHER CARDS TO CONSIDER

It’s worth considering whether a travel credit card is even right for you in the first place. A NerdWallet study found that cash-back credit cards often earn more money — even for many travelers.

If you carry a balance from month to month, the higher interest rates typically charged by rewards cards can cancel out any rewards earned. If you have a good credit score, you're better off with a low-interest credit card that can save you money on interest.

A good travel credit card shouldn't charge foreign transaction fees, but there are good non-travel cards that also don't charge them. See our best cards with no foreign transaction fee .

If you value transparency and flexibility in your rewards, you can't go wrong with a cash-back card — and you can still use the rewards for travel, if you want.

Finally, if you're still not sure what's right for you, take a look at our best rewards credit cards for options beyond travel and cash back.

NerdWallet's Sam Kemmis contributed to this article.

To view rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card , see this page . To view rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express , see this page .

Last updated on May 8 , 2024

Methodology

NerdWallet's Credit Cards team selects the best travel rewards credit cards based on overall consumer value, as evidenced by star ratings, as well as their suitability for specific kinds of travelers. Factors in our evaluation include each card's annual fee, foreign transaction fees, rewards earnings rates, ease of use, redemption options, domestic and international acceptance, promotional APR period, bonus offers, and cardholder perks such as automatic statement credits and airport lounge access. Learn how NerdWallet rates credit cards.

Frequently asked questions

Travel credit cards earn points (sometimes called miles) each time you buy something. The standard earning rate is 1 to 2 points per dollar spent, and many cards give you extra points for certain purchases, particularly travel expenses. The value of a point depends on the card that earned it and how you redeem it, but a good rule of thumb is to assume each point is worth an average of about 1 cent.

Your points accumulate in a rewards account, where you can use them to pay for travel. Most cards let you book travel directly using a portal similar to those at online travel agencies or on airline and hotel websites, but instead of paying cash, you pay with your points. Depending on the card, you may also have the option of booking travel any way you want, paying for it with the card and then cashing in your points for a credit against those expenses.

Points and miles are just different names for the same thing: the currency used in a travel rewards program. Some travel credit cards call them points, some call them miles.

Airline frequent flyer programs have long used the term “miles” to refer to the rewards you earn for flying. That’s because at one time, you really did earn rewards according to how many miles you flew — the longer the flight, the more miles you earned. Nowadays, most domestic airlines give out “miles” based on how much you spend, not how far you fly, so they’re really just points. (There are a few exceptions, though, notably Alaska Airlines.)

Especially when it comes to redeeming your rewards, there’s no difference between points and miles. The number of points or miles you need is based mostly on the cost of what you’re redeeming them for. It takes more than 500 miles (value about: $5) to get a free 500-mile flight!

The value of a point or mile depends on the card you earned it with and how you redeem it. A common rule of thumb is to assume that each point or mile is worth an average of 1 cent, although you can certainly get a much higher (or lower) redemption value. See our travel loyalty roundup page for NerdWallet’s current valuations for airline miles and hotel points.

Travel credit cards fall into two main categories: co-branded and general-purpose.

• Co-branded travel cards carry the name of an airline or hotel chain. The rewards you earn on the card can typically be redeemed only with that brand (or maybe its partners). Co-branded cards limit your flexibility, but because they are issued in partnership with an airline or hotel, they can give you special perks, like free checked bags or room upgrades.

• General-purpose travel cards are issued by a credit card company and are not directly tied to any particular airline or hotel. They earn points in the issuer's own program, such as American Express Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards® or Citi ThankYou. These points are a lot more flexible, as you can use them to pay for a range of travel expenses, including flights on any airline or stays at any hotel. However, they don’t offer the airline- or hotel-specific perks of co-branded cards.

Travel cards — like rewards cards in general — typically require good to excellent credit for approval. Good credit is generally defined as a credit score of 690 or better. However, credit scores alone do not guarantee approval. Every issuer has its own criteria for evaluating applications.

Business travel can earn credit card rewards just like leisure travel. Credit cards that earn rewards for travel purchases don't distinguish between one or the other — meaning, if a card pays 3X points on airfare, for example, it's going to pay it no matter why you're buying the ticket. There are also travel credit cards specifically designed for business operators, with benefits and perks better aligned with their needs.

Where things get complicated is when you're not arranging the travel yourself. With credit card points, the rewards go to the cardholder. So if you arrange travel through your employer and the cost goes on the "company card," then the company card gets the points. Put it on your own card and get reimbursed later, and you get the points. (And if you have a company card with your name on it? That may come down to company policy.)

When redeeming travel rewards, you want to get as much value as possible. If you can get more value by using your rewards than by using cash, then it's smart to do so. (And of course, the reverse also applies.) NerdWallet has calculated the baseline values of most major credit card points, airline miles and hotel points. When you get a value that exceeds these baselines, go ahead and use your rewards. If not, consider using cash.

For example, say you could book a trip by paying $400 cash for a ticket or by redeeming 50,000 points or miles. In that case, your points would be getting you a value of 0.8 cents apiece (50,000 x 0.8 cents = $400). If the baseline value of each point is 1 cent, then you're better off paying cash and saving the points for when you can redeem them for 1 cent or better.

That said, you don't want to be overthinking it and hoarding points indefinitely in search of the deal to end all deals. Like any other currency, travel rewards lose value over time. That flight that costs 50,000 points today might cost 55,000 next year. Do you have enough points to get you where you want to go, when you want to go, in the way you want to get there? If so, don't let fractions of a penny stop you from booking your trip. It's your money, and you get to decide how to spend it.

A number of travel credit cards come with "travel credits," which reimburse you for specific expenses. The Chase Sapphire Reserve® , for example, has a $300 annual travel credit; several cards offer credits toward things like airline fees or hotel bookings; and a bunch of cards have a credit for the application fee for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry .

The less restrictive a credit is, the easier it is to redeem. The easiest travel credit to redeem is one that:

Applies to a broad range of expenses. Some credits are very fickle. You may get $200 a year in "airline credit," but it applies only to incidental fees (not airfare) on a single airline that you have to choose ahead of time. A card may offer hundreds of dollars in credit toward travel, but you have to go through the issuer's booking portal, where rates may be more expensive and options more limited. Other credits, however, are broad and open-ended: $300 on any travel expense, $100 toward any airline booking, and so on.

Shows up automatically on your statement. Your issuer's system should be able to recognize qualifying expenses and then apply the credit to them without you having to do anything. If the only way to receive the credit is by calling a phone number or submitting receipts or other documentation, that makes it harder to redeem, which in turn makes it less likely that you'll redeem (and that may be the point).

About the author

Sara Rathner

Department of Defense Travel Card Benefits

Progress informed from the past, and inspired by the future, cardholder guide.

Official travel for the Department of Defense just became easier with the Citi Department of Defense Travel Card. When you are preparing to use your new card, please read What To Do When I First Receive My New Card . For more information regarding your new card, please read the Department of Defense Cardholder Guide .

Department of Defense Travel Insurance

As a cardholder, you will receive global travel accident and lost luggage insurance so you feel safe and secure wherever you travel with a Citi ® Commercial Card.

• Travel Accident Insurance Guide
• Lost Luggage Insurance Guide

MasterCard Guide to Benefits

Visa Guide to Benefits

In addition to the card benefits provided by Citi, Visa provides card benefits such as Car Rental Insurance and Travel and Emergency Assistance. For full details, please read the Visa Guide to Benefits .

Travel Tips

For more information on your Citi Department of Defense Travel Card, please read What to do Before, During and After travel .

Online Tools

Citi's global online tool, CitiManager ® , enables you to manage business expenses from anywhere around the globe from your computer or mobile device; you can view statements online, confirm account balances, sign up for email and SMS alerts, and much more. If you have not already signed up for the CitiManager ® tool, please log on to www.citimanager.com/login and click on the 'Self registration for Cardholders' link. From there, follow the prompts to establish your account.

For more information on the CitiManager ® tool, view our CitiManager ® Cardholder Quick Reference Guide .

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Advertiser Disclosure

What to know about prepaid travel credit cards

Prepaid travel cards are one more way to access cash while traveling the globe

Published: December 15, 2022

Author: Allie Johnson

Author: Dan Rafter

Editor: Brady Porche

Reviewer: Kaitlyn Tang

How we Choose

Prepaid travel cards can make it easy to access cash while you’re traveling abroad, but remember that convenience comes with limitations.

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

Finally ready to take your next international trip? Whether it’s a business meeting in Brussels or a foodie’s tour of Florence, you might consider packing a prepaid travel card for your trip.

Prepaid travel cards let you access cash in your destination’s local currency without the risk of using your debit card. They also let you avoid the high fees of credit card cash advances or the hassles of scrounging up traveler’s checks before you depart.

But, be careful — despite the convenience of prepaid travel cards, they come with their own set of fees and limitations (most notably ATM withdrawal and purchase amount caps that could put a damper on your vacation).

“A prepaid travel card is one tool in a diverse travel wallet,” said Julie Hall, internal communications manager for Hilton Grand Vacations and former public relations manager for AAA, in a previous interview. “It’s one of the most convenient ways to get money while traveling.”

Let’s take a look at everything you need to know about prepaid travel cards — from how they work to the pros and cons of using them for your travels.

• How do prepaid travel cards work?

Prepaid travel cards work much like general-purpose prepaid cards, except that they typically offer special features and perks designed for travel — which can vary based on the issuing bank.

In general, to use a prepaid travel card, you purchase the card and simultaneously load it with the funds you want to spend on your trip, up to the maximum amount allowed on the card. (For example, the PayPal Prepaid Mastercard® , a general prepaid card, allows a maximum balance of $15,000.)

Once you’ve arrived at your destination, you can use your prepaid card to make purchases directly (much like you would with a debit card). You can also use it at an ATM to get cash in that destination’s currency.

Depending on the card issuer, you’ll be able to log in to a mobile app or your online account to check the balance, review your purchases and see any any account charges.

• What are the benefits of a prepaid travel card?

Why not just take cash, your credit cards and your debit card the next time you travel to an international destination? Why would you also take a prepaid credit card?

If you lose your card, thieves only have access to the loaded cash

If a thief gains access to your prepaid card abroad, they’ll only have access to whatever funds are loaded onto the card (unlike debit cards, which can provide thieves access to your bank account, or credit cards, which a thief can charge up to a certain limit).

Further, the network through which a prepaid card is offered may provide a zero liability policy , though, overall, prepaid cards don’t offer the same breadth of protections as debit and credit cards (think chargebacks and fraud alerts).

More convenient than traveler’s checks

Prepaid travel cards also provide more convenience than, say, traveler’s checks (which, yes, still exist). Getting traveler’s checks before you go can be a hassle, and you might also be surprised at how many retailers across the globe no longer accept them. As a result, prepaid cards are often a better option than these paper checks.

• What are the drawbacks of a prepaid travel card?

Like most financial products, prepaid travel cards come with pros and cons. Here are some of the drawbacks of using one:

Foreign transaction fees, among others

Travelers should be wary of the fees connected to prepaid cards, as they can add up to a lot of money during an international trip. Many prepaid cards carry foreign transaction fees. Today, it’s far easier to find credit cards with no foreign transaction fees than to find prepaid cards without them.

Further, prepaid travel cards may also charge a card purchase fee, ATM withdrawal fee, higher foreign ATM withdrawal fee, inactivity fee and a fee to get any remaining balance back by check.

No help for your credit score

If you charge restaurant meals, souvenirs and tickets to a traditional credit card and pay your bill on time, your three-digit credit score will receive a boost. This doesn’t happen with purchases you make with prepaid travel cards, because your prepaid card activity isn’t reported to the national credit bureaus .

If you don’t keep track, you could run out of funds

If you’re used to swiping a credit card without much thought, there’s a chance a prepaid card could leave you high and dry when you go to make a purchase. Just be sure to keep tabs on the amount of money you’ve loaded — and spent — on your card.

Prepaid travel card tips

Prepaid travel cards do come with some potential hurdles. Here are some tips for avoiding the most common downsides of these cards:

• Check the fees associated with your card (or potential card): Prepaid cards can charge fees that existing debit and credit card holders aren’t used to, so it’s important to read the fine print before swiping. For example, the Netspend® Visa® Prepaid Card charges a $5.95 inactivity fee per month after the card has been idle for 90 days.
• Verify the card will work at your destination: Double-check with your issuer that your prepaid card will be accepted where you’re traveling. Even a card that’s designed for international travel might not work in specific locations due to restrictions from U.S. trade sanctions.
• Know the limits: Prepaid travel cards typically have limits that could throw a wrench into your trip if you don’t understand them ahead of time. For example, some cards can have a daily reload limit as low as $500 (or as high as $7,500, in the case of the Netspend Visa card). Again: Be sure to read through your card’s fine print before embarking.
• Avoid holds at all costs: In a sense, prepaid travel cards work like debit cards. Be sure to avoid using a prepaid travel card to reserve a hotel room or a rental car, which can trigger a hold that could tie up hundreds of dollars of your cash for a week or longer. Instead, use a credit card to reserve these items, then use your prepaid card to pay the final charges.

Should you use a travel credit card instead?

If the drawbacks of a prepaid travel card outweigh the benefits, you might be better off signing up for a travel credit card  or using one you already have as your primary payment method while traveling.

Travel credit cards almost always have zero fraud liability, which can set your mind at ease in the event your card is lost or stolen . They also let you earn rewards for your spending, and many offer purchase and trip protection and have no foreign transaction fees. Some even offer perks such as access to airport lounges where you can get complimentary food and drink. And, depending on your credit limit, you may have more spending power with a credit card than a prepaid card.

That said, they can also have pitfalls. Not all travel credit cards are accepted in all countries. For example, Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted, while American Express and Discover have a smaller international presence. And, depending on your location, some merchants may require chip-and-pin cards or may not accept payment cards at all.

It’s advisable to carry a few different payment methods with you (credit, debit and prepaid) when traveling, along with some local cash. Also, notify your credit card company about your travel plans, lest they flag your card as stolen and cancel it.

Bottom line

A prepaid travel card doesn’t come without downsides, but if you want an easy way to access cash in your destination’s currency — and want a quick way to pay merchants once you arrive at your international destination — the ease of using them might make your trip a less stressful one.

Editorial Disclaimer

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

Allie Johnson is an award-winning freelance writer covering personal finance, business and lifestyle. She loves tracking down tips, tricks and cautionary tales about credit cards and money.

Dan Rafter has covered personal finance for more than 15 years for publications ranging from The Washington Post and Chicago Tribune to Wise Bread, HSH.com and MoneyRates.com. His work has also appeared online at the Motley Fool, Fox Business, Huffington Post, Christian Science Monitor and Time.

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Everything you need to know about Visa Signature card benefits

Update : Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here .

As a Visa credit cardholder, you're entitled to everyday card perks and benefits. Visa buckets these benefits into three tiers, depending on what specific card you have and who the card issuer is . The benefits fall into one of the following categories: Visa Traditional, Visa Signature, or Visa Infinite – each with more perks than the last.

Let's dive into exactly what Visa Signature is and how those benefits can impact you.

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How do I know if I have a Visa Signature card?

Visa Signature is in the middle of the benefits lineup and includes many common cards in the Visa network.

There are several ways to determine if you have a Visa Signature card. First, many cards simply have it in their name (i.e. Alaska Airlines Visa® credit card or the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature ). Another way to find out if you have a Visa Signature is by simply looking at it. Most cards have the "Visa Signature" label located somewhere on the physical card. This includes one of the most common Visa Signature cards, the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (it's on the back, in case you were wondering).

The information for the Amazon Prime Rewards and Chase Freedom cards has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Also, all Visa Signature cards will have a minimum credit limit of $5,000. Keep in mind that with this stipulation, it could mean the same exact card can be both a lower-tier Visa Traditional card and a more benefit-generous Visa Signature card.

For instance, If you're approved for a card like such as the Chase Freedom (no longer open to new applicants) with a credit limit below $5,000, you'll be given Traditional card benefits. However, if your limit is above this threshold, then you'll receive Signature benefits.

Overview of Visa Signature benefits

The Visa Signature benefits span a wide range, from extra travel and purchase protections to deals and concierge access. Please note that select cards may have different benefits than what is listed here, so please check with your issuer to find exactly what perks they are offering under Visa Signature.

Below is the minimum that Visa Signature-branded cards offer:

Visa Traditional benefits

• Cardholder inquiry service
• Lost or stolen card reporting
• Emergency card replacement and emergency cash disbursement
• Auto rental collision damage waiver
• Zero liability policy
• Roadside dispatch

New Visa Signature benefits

In response to the changing nature of consumer habits during the pandemic, Visa added some additional benefits for cardholders:

• Shipt : Get groceries, household essentials, and more delivered in as soon as one hour – enrolled Visa consumer credit cardholders get a free membership, which includes free same-day delivery on orders $35+.
• Sofar Sounds : This is a unique opportunity to explore music in a more personal, intimate way – and Visa consumer credit cardholders enjoy exclusive access to select Sofar events and eligibility for a free ticket per show with purchase.
• Skillshare : Enjoy unlimited access to thousands of classes and discounts on membership – and explore how it feels to bring your ideas to life with inspiring online classes.
• NortonLifeLock : ID Navigator Powered by NortonLifeLock helps provide you with tools so you can act quickly should the unexpected -- your identity is stolen -- happens.

Existing Visa Signature perks

These cards also offer a number of existing perks to cardholders — though you'll want to check with the bank that issues your specific card to make sure you know the full extent of your benefits.

Travel and emergency assistance services: These include an array of benefits should you need help regarding a trip or emergency situation. These include things such as pre-trip assistance with visas and immunization, emergency transportation assistance, prescription assistance, emergency translation service, legal aid and much more. This perk just covers finding the resource — any actual service rendered would incur a fee. Within the U.S., you can call 1-800-992-6029 to get started. If you're outside the United States, call collect at 1-804-673-1675.

Roadside dispatch : This perk is a pay-per-use roadside assistance program that you can access 24/7 for a set price per service call.

Emergency card replacement : If your card is lost or stolen, Visa will work with your issuing bank to expedite the shipment of a replacement card (generally within 24-72 hours).

Visa Offers and perks : There are many retail partners and benefits that are available to Visa Signature cardholders. These include:

• Benefits and exclusive access to Visa Signature and Visa Infinite cardholders at more than 50 select Sonoma County Visa Signature wineries.
• Discover premium benefits at more than 95 golf courses across the United States and the world with the Visa Signature Troon Golf Benefit.
• Complimentary concierge services to assist with current and future travel needs, sending that special gift and helping make your life a bit easier.
• Rental car discounts with Silvercar .
• Enjoy world-class celebrity chef and winemaker experiences.

Visa Signature cards with added perks

Although Visa Signature cards come with a number of standard benefits (as listed above), some cards may come with even more. This depends on the issuer of the card in question. For instance, the Chase Sapphire Preferred also comes with the following perks:

• Luxury Hotel Collection : With select Visa Signature cards, if you book online and pay with a qualifying card, you'll get such hotel perks like free breakfast for two, a $25 food or beverage credit, complimentary Wi-Fi and more.

• Baggage delay and lost luggage reimbursement : Some cards will give you funds to purchase necessities when your bags are delayed (by six hours or more on the Sapphire Preferred), and some also offer reimbursement if an airline or other common carrier permanently misplaces your bags.
• Trip delay reimbursement : This covers necessary expenses, such as food and lodging, when your trip is delayed. On the Sapphire Preferred, this kicks in after a 12-hour delay (or unexpected overnight) and covers up to $500 per ticket.
• Trip cancellation or interruption reimbursement : This perk can refund the prepaid, nonrefundable costs of a trip that had to be canceled (or interrupted) due to covered emergencies.
• Purchase protection : A qualifying Visa Signature card covers your new purchases, On the Chase Sapphire Preferred, this is for 120 days against damage or theft up to $500 per claim and $50,000 per account.
• Visa Signature concierge: Get a concierge to help you with reservations, entertainment, sporting events, and more. To access this service, you have to call 1-800-953-7392.

Other Visa Signature cards can offer even more benefits and perks, so again, it's critical to check with your issuing bank for a full breakdown.

Visa Infinite benefits

Visa Infinite includes all the benefits you'll get from Visa Signature and Visa Traditional — and then some. Visa Infinite cards are at the top of Visa's lineup with higher annual fees and more lucrative extras. One of the most popular Visa Infinite cards is the Chase Sapphire Reserve.

You'll be guaranteed to receive the following (at a minimum) for Visa Infinite cards:

• Purchase and return protection
• Travel accident insurance
• Trip cancellation or interruption reimbursement
• Trip delay reimbursement
• Lost luggage reimbursement
• Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection
• Global Entry application fee credit

You might notice that the Chase Sapphire Preferred and other Visa Signature cards already have many of these Infinite benefits. This is because the card issuer (e.g. Chase or Bank of America) may even more generous than Visa when it comes to perks.

An important note about card issuers vs. card network

While it's good to know what the baseline Visa Signature benefits are, it's worth noting that there are many cards that have unique perks that are not part of one of the Visa tiers. That's because it is entirely up to the card issuer (such as Chase cards , Capital One cards , etc.) to determine which benefits you'll actually receive.

Visa is a card network, not an issuer , meaning it only functions to determine swipe fees and to build out a payment infrastructure so merchants can accept their cards. Having these benefits helps to create some consistency across a card portfolio, but it's really up to the bank to decide what those benefits will be. That's why you should always check your card's fine print in addition to this list here.

Bottom line

It pays to know what benefits are out there for the specific card you have in hand — or a card that you're considering applying for. However, because Visa benefits vary between cards based on the issuer's preferences, do a little more digging to find out what other perks are available. Pick a card that offers your preferred combination of fees and rewards.

Of course, TPG can help you with that endeavor. Here are several categories of the best cards that you may be interested in:

• Best travel credit cards
• Best rewards credit cards
• Best airline credit cards
• Best hotel credit cards
• Best cash-back credit cards
• Best credit cards with no foreign transaction fees

Additional reporting by Benét J. Wilson.

Updated 1/18/23

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A Republic Bank Visa TravelMoney Card is not just for travel!

IMPORTANT NOTICE Effective October 1, 2023 the Republic Bank Visa TravelMoney® (VTM) card limits will be adjusted as follows: • Maximum VTM card balance reduced from US$5,000 to US$3,000 • VTM loads via Republic Online , Republic Mobile App and Republic Mobile SMS Banking reduced from US$1,000 to US$500 The sale and renewal of the Visa TravelMoney® card remains suspended.

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The Visa Card that is NOT a Credit Card

Republic Bank Visa TravelMoney is a pre-paid card that's reloadable and ready to use at home and abroad. Your Republic Bank Visa TravelMoney Card works like a credit card but without the fees and credit checks.

The Republic Bank Visa TravelMoney® Card is a pre-paid card. This means that once you purchase it, you can simply load money to your card and access your funds.*

It is reloadable. This means that you can load funds to your card at any time. Funds can be loaded at any of our branches or via Republic Online or Republic Mobile.

Payments for Republic Bank Visa TravelMoney® Cards can be made via withdrawals from a Republic Bank account or via cash payments.

You can use your Republic Bank Visa TravelMoney® in many different ways - for business travel, shopping online, or to send money to family or friends abroad; you can even use it right here in Trinidad and Tobago.

The Global Customer Service Assistance Centre is available to take your calls for free anywhere in the world, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please call: Visa Assistance Centre at 1-303-967-1098 or call Republic Bank Customer Service Centre at 1-868-627-3348.

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Your go-to credit card

Aaa travel advantage visa signature ® credit card.

Meet your go-to credit card for everywhere you go. Using your  AAA Travel Advantage Visa Signature ®  Credit Card , you can take advantage of cash back on a wide range of purchases and experiences.

With purchases, earn $100 statement credit when you spend $1,000 within the first 90 days of opening. 3

 Use the AAA Travel Advantage card to start earning:

• 5% cash back  on gas purchases and electric vehicle-charging stations 1
• 3% cash back  on travel, restaurants, grocery store, and purchases at AAA 1
• 1% cash back  on all other purchases 2
• No annual fee and no foreign transaction fees 4

With the AAA Travel Advantage Visa Signature ® Credit Card you can earn 5% cash back on the first $7,000 spent on gas & electric vehicle-charging purchases in a calendar year, then 1% thereafter. 

Credit card offers are subject to credit approval. 

AAA Travel Advantage Visa Signature ® Credit Card Accounts are issued by Comenity Capital Bank pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. Visa is a registered trademark of Visa International Service Association and used under license.

1 Offer is exclusive to AAA Travel Advantage Visa Signature ® Credit Card holders enrolled in the AAA Travel Advantage program. For offers associated with a specific category, earnings will only be awarded if the merchant code for the purchase matches a category eligible for the offer. Each merchant is assigned a code by a third party that indicates the merchant’s area of business. Comenity Capital Bank does not have the ability to control assignment of merchant codes. Maximum of $350 USD in cash back in a calendar year on the 5% category, and earn 1% cash back on all net eligible purchases thereafter. Excludes third-party insurance and offers, automobile extended warranties, and trip insurance. Cash back can be redeemed as statement credits, direct deposit, rewards and qualifying purchases at participating AAA locations. This rewards program is provided by Comenity Capital Bank and its terms may change at any time. For full Rewards Terms and Conditions, please see AAA.com/AdvantageTravelTerms.

2 Offer is exclusive to AAA Travel Advantage Visa Signature ® Credit Card holders enrolled in the AAA Travel Advantage program. Cash Back can be redeemed as Statement Credits, Direct Deposit, Rewards and qualifying purchases at participating AAA locations.

3 Valid one time only. Offer is exclusive to AAA Travel Advantage Visa Signature ®  Credit Card holders enrolled in the AAA Travel Advantage program. Maximum of $100 statement credit per account.

4 For new accounts, as of January 2024: Variable Purchase APR of 19.24% to 33.24% based on your credit worthiness at the time of account opening and the Prime Rate. Balance Transfer APR of 26.99%. Variable Cash Advance APR of 34.24%, based on Prime Rate. Minimum Interest Charge is $2. Balance Transfer Fee of the greater of $10 or 5% of the transfer. Cash Advance Fee of the greater of $10 or 5% of the advance.

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Top 11 Visa Infinite Benefits & Best Visa Infinite Cards [2024]

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Visa Benefit Levels

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When you select a credit card that carries the Visa logo, you know the card will have wide acceptance throughout the world. And while acceptance is important, you’ll also enjoy access to a Visa benefits package that comes with being a cardholder.

Today, we’re going to look closely at those benefits, specifically focusing on the highest tier level of Visa benefits, Visa Infinite .

We’ll also share some excellent examples of Visa Infinite cards, break down the benefits you can expect to receive, and suggest some alternative options for cards that shine at striking a balance between the annual fee and benefits offered.

Before we talk about Visa Infinite, let’s look at how the levels of Visa benefits work, and where you might find the associated benefits.

While our primary focus today is on Visa Infinite benefits, there are actually several levels of Visa benefits. The foundation of Visa network benefits is the Traditional Visa benefit level. Visa Signature benefits are next and are a step above Traditional Visa benefits. The highest level, which we’ll cover shortly, is Visa Infinite .

Traditional Visa benefits include basic features such as emergency card replacement, emergency cash, zero liability, lost or stolen card reporting, ID navigator, card inquiry services, and roadside dispatch.

Both Visa Signature and Visa Infinite levels include these benefits plus much more. Let’s look at what Visa Signature entails and which cards may include these benefits.

Bottom Line: There are 3 levels of Visa benefits — Traditional Visa, Visa Signature, and Visa Infinite. While some benefits are duplicated in more than 1 level, you may find enhancements or broader coverage with a higher benefit level. For example, you may receive car rental insurance on a Traditional Visa card that is secondary while on a Visa Infinite card, this coverage may be primary. 

In addition to Traditional Visa benefits, Visa Signature, and Visa Infinite benefits, a card issuer will choose to add its own level of benefits. An example of this is the Visa Infinite Global Entry statement credit. A card issuer may add the choice of receiving reimbursement for the TSA PreCheck fee, too.

The collection of Visa benefits is simply a menu from which the card issuer can select what it wishes to include on any given card. You could receive a combination of any level of Visa benefits plus any additional card issuer benefits.

This combining of benefits allows a card issuer to build a unique benefits package for each card in order to fit its target market.

The Top 11 Visa Infinite Benefits

We’ll cover some examples of the best Visa Infinite cards shortly and dive deeper into the benefit details. However, first, let’s look at some of the top Visa Infinite benefits you can expect to find on Visa Infinite cards, not necessarily in the order of value (which can vary depending on the cardholder).

• 3 free years of Shipt (enroll by December 31, 2024)
• Airline incidentals statement credit
• Extended warranty, purchase security, and return protection
• Global Entry statement credit
• Lost luggage reimbursement
• Minimum $10,000 credit limit
• Primary car rental insurance
• Roadside dispatch
• Trip cancellation, interruption, and trip delay
• Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection benefits
• Worldwide lounge access

Enjoy these additional premium benefits that are included on Visa Infinite cards:

• Visa Infinite Concierge Services — Receive 24/7 personalized service for making travel, entertainment, and dining arrangements and for referrals.
• Car Rental Privileges — Enjoy discounts, upgrades, and other privileges with Avis ,  Hertz , National , and Audi on demand .
• Fine Wine and Food — Receive exclusive access, discounts, and benefits at 50 Sonoma wineries.
• Golf Rewards — The Visa Infinite Troon Golf Benefit provides premium benefits at 115 golf courses.
• Travel and Emergency Assistance Services — Receive assistance 24/7 when traveling to obtain medical/legal referrals, translation services, help to arrange emergency transportation, and more. Cardholders are responsible for the actual services received.

Bottom Line: Not every Visa Infinite card will have all of the available Visa Infinite benefits. Most cards will have a combination of Traditional Visa benefits, Visa Signature benefits, and Visa Infinite benefits. The card issuer will select which Visa benefits it wants to include on a specific card and then add its own card-issuer benefits. 

The 4 Best Visa Infinite Cards

There are not many choices when it comes to Visa Infinite cards, but we have some fine examples. Here are just a few that are representative of what you can expect from a Visa Infinite card:

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve ®  is one of the best options out there.

The card combines elite travel benefits and perks like airport lounge access , with excellent point earning and redemption options.  Plus it offers top-notch travel insurance protections to keep you covered whether you’re at home or on the road.

Don’t forget the $300 annual travel credit which really helps to reduce the annual fee!

• 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase TravelSM immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually
• 10x points on Lyft purchases March 31, 2025
• $550 annual fee
• Does not offer any sort of hotel elite status
• Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $1,125 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel SM .
• $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
• Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel SM  immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel SM . For example, 75,000 points are worth $1125 toward travel.
• 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
• Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass TM  Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck ®
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
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Chase Ultimate Rewards

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card is one of the best examples of a Visa Infinite card as it checks nearly every box when it comes to Visa Infinite benefits . You’ll start with a credit limit of $10,000 or higher and then you’ll enjoy a long list of benefits and protections.

We like that the card earns well on travel purchases via the Chase travel portal but also offers 3x earnings on dining and travel purchases outside the portal. At redemption time, you’ll be able to redeem your Ultimate Rewards points for 1.5 cents each towards travel via the portal or transfer to Chase airline and hotel partners for even greater potential value.

Here’s a sampling of some of the best benefits offered by the card :

Primary Car Rental Insurance

Reserve and pay for your rental car with your card, decline the rental agency’s collision or loss damage waiver (CDW or LDW) coverage, and receive coverage for theft, damage, and loss of use. You receive primary coverage which means that you do not have to file a claim with any other applicable insurance first.

Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection

Book your hotel room directly via Visa Infinite Hotels and receive a long list of exclusive cardholder on-property benefits:

• $25 food or beverage credit per stay
• An additional room, spa, food/beverage, or golf credit (up to $100); varies by property
• Complimentary continental breakfast for you and 1 guest
• Complimentary in-room Wi-Fi
• Late checkout when requested, if available
• Upgraded room on arrival when available
• VIP Guest services and amenities that differ by property

Hot Tip: You can also use your Chase Sapphire Reserve card to book through a similarly named program called The Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection to receive extra benefits at over 1,000 hotels, resorts, lodges, and spas worldwide.

Worldwide Lounge Access via Priority Pass Select Membership

With over 1,400 locations, Priority Pass offers cardholders access to airport lounges, restaurant experiences, and Minute Suites throughout the world.

Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS Statement Credit

Charge your Global Entry application or renewal fee to your card and receive a statement credit . You could alternatively choose to receive reimbursement for a TSA PreCheck or NEXUS fee. The maximum reimbursement is up to $100 every 4 years.

$300 Travel Statement Credit

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card goes a step beyond the more restrictive Visa Infinite benefit for an airline incidentals statement credit and offers the statement credit for travel purchases. Chase also has a broad definition of what constitutes a travel purchase, so the credit is easy to utilize.

Trip Cancellation, Interruption, and Trip Delay

Receive up to $10,000 per trip per person, $20,000 per incident, up to a maximum of $40,000 per 12-month period for covered events. If your trip is delayed more than 6 hours, or overnight, you could receive up to $100 per day, up to a maximum of 5 days ($500).

Learn more about the travel insurance benefits on the Chase Sapphire Reserve card.

Baggage Insurance

Once again, the Chase Sapphire Reserve card offers coverage beyond the Visa Infinite lost baggage benefit. Baggage insurance on the card offers up to $3,000 per person, per trip , for lost or stolen luggage, and up to $500 for baggage that is delayed 6 hours or more.

Roadside Dispatch

The Visa Infinite roadside dispatch benefit offers roadside assistance for 1 low pre-determined flat fee. The Chase Sapphire Reserve card does not charge a fee for roadside assistance for up to 4 service calls each year. There is a maximum $50 benefit per service call.

Shopping Protections

Eligible items purchased with the Chase Sapphire Reserve card receive the following protection coverages:

• Extended Warranty — Manufacturer’s warranties of 3 years or less are extended 1 additional year. There is a maximum of $10,000 per claim, $50,000 per account.
• Purchase Protection — Theft, damage, and accidental parting are covered on eligible items for 120 days from the purchase date, up to $10,000 per item, $50,000 per account.
• Return Protection — If the merchant will not accept a return within 90 days of the purchase date, you could receive up to $500 per item, up to $1,000 per year.

Bottom Line: The Chase Sapphire Reserve card is one of the best examples of a Visa Infinite card as it offers all of the top Visa Infinite benefits plus several additional benefits and protections. 

The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the premium Capital One travel rewards card on the block.

Points and miles fans will be surprised to see that the Capital One Venture X card packs quite the punch when it comes to bookings made through Capital One, all while offering the lowest annual fee among premium credit cards.

Depending on your travel goals and preferences, the Capital One Venture X card could very well end up being your go-to card in your wallet.

• 10x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel
• 5x miles per $1 on flights purchased through Capital One Travel
• $395 annual fee ( rates & fees )
• Does not offer bonus categories for flights or hotel purchases made directly with the airline or hotel group, the preferred booking method for those looking to earn elite status
• Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
• Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
• Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
• Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
• Elevate every hotel stay from the Premier or Lifestyle Collections with a suite of cardholder benefits, like an experience credit, room upgrades, and more
• Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck ®
• APR: 19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Capital One Miles

Another premium travel rewards card market is the Capital One Venture X card , also a Visa Infinite card. In addition to a generous welcome bonus, you’ll enjoy elevated earnings on Capital One Travel purchases, travel statement credits, premium travel benefits, and more.

You’ll be earning well on select Capital One Travel purchases and the card earns a flat 2x miles on every other purchase you make . You also have the option to use your miles to purchase travel via Capital One Travel or transfer miles to airline and hotel partners where it is possible to receive even greater value.

Here are some of the best additional features and benefits of the Capital One Venture X card:

Travel Benefits and Protections

• $300 annual travel credit for Capital One Travel purchases
• Airport lounge access , including a Priority Pass Select membership for cardholder and authorized users and access to Capital One Lounges and Plaza Premium Lounges
• Elite-style benefits at Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee reimbursement
• Gravity Haus benefits
• Hertz President’s Circle elite status
• Travel insurance protections , including trip cancellation, trip interruption, trip delay coverage, and lost luggage reimbursement

Shopping Benefits and Protections

• Cell phone protection
• Purchase security, extended warranty, and return protection

Hot Tip: To learn more about how these 2 Visa Infinite cards compare, you’ll find our article on the Capital One Venture X card vs. the Chase Sapphire Reserve card  informative.

The UBS Visa Infinite card is designed for high-net-worth individuals and is available via a UBS financial advisor.

We would need to write an entire article to begin to cover all of the benefits you’d find on the UBS Visa Infinite card as the Guide to Benefits alone is 120 pages in length. We won’t overwhelm you with details, but we will offer this summary of the long list of benefits you’ll find on the card:

• 12 single-use passes for inflight Wi-Fi
• $250 airline fee statement credit
• $500 dining and airport club credit
• Access, discounts, benefits, and incentives with private aviation charter services
• Access to ground transport, meet and greet, and luggage delivery services
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee reimbursement up to $100
• Lost and delayed baggage insurance
• Worldwide lounge access via Priority Pass Select membership

Hotel and Car Rental

• Benefits at 7 additional luxury hotel collections
• Discounts and benefits at 6 major car rental programs

Travel Insurance and Protections

• Emergency evacuation, transportation, and repatriation of remains
• Roadside dispatch (up to 4 $50 service calls each year)
• Travel accident insurance
• Trip cancellation, interruption, and delay coverage
• Event ticket protection
• Price protection
• Purchase security
• Return protection
• Warranty manager service

The UBS Visa Infinite card has a $495 annual fee but comes with other tangible benefits such as a flexible rewards program, unlimited ATM fee waivers of up to $10 each, and no foreign transaction fees.

The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve card is available to U.S. Bank customers. The card comes with a $400 annual fee but offers a considerable collection of benefits.

Here is a summary of the benefits you’ll find on the card:

• 12 single-use in-flight Wi-Fi passes
• Emergency evacuation, repatriation of remains
• Hotel benefits at Relais & Chateaux and Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection properties
• Purchase protection, return protection, and extended warranty
• Audi on demand benefits and discounts
• Up to $325 in statement credits for travel and dining purchases
• Visa Infinite Concierge

The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve card offers a generous welcome bonus worth up to $750 in travel , 5x earnings on qualifying prepaid travel via the U.S. Bank travel center, and 3x points on mobile wallet purchases.

We’ve listed a summary of key benefits, but you can access a complete list with terms and conditions in the card’s Guide to Benefits .

4 Great Alternatives to a Visa Infinite Card

While a Visa Infinite card may be packed with premium benefits, you’ll generally pay a higher annual fee to receive those benefits. If you’ll use most of those benefits, the fee is normally offset and then some. However, there are Visa Signature cards that may offer a lower annual fee with enough benefits to justify strong consideration over Visa Infinite cards.

Let’s look at a few cards that offer a nice balance of benefits with a lower annual fee.

A fantastic travel card with a huge welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred ® card is one of the best travel rewards cards on the market. Its bonus categories include travel, dining, online grocery purchases, and streaming services, which gives you the opportunity to earn lots of bonus points on these purchases.

Additionally, it offers flexible point redemption options, no foreign transaction fees, and excellent travel insurance coverage including primary car rental insurance . With benefits like these, it’s easy to see why this card is an excellent choice for any traveler.

• 5x points on all travel booked via the Chase Travel portal
• 5x points on select Peloton purchases over $150 (through March 31, 2025)
• $95 annual fee
• No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status
• 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 SM .
• Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel SM , 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
• Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel SM . For example, 75,000 points are worth $937.50 toward travel.
• Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
• APR: 21.49%-28.49% Variable

One of our favorite cards, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card offers a jumpstart to your earnings with an excellent welcome bonus. The card earns flexible, and therefore valuable, Ultimate Rewards points that are worth 25% more when redeemed for travel via the Chase travel portal or potentially even greater value when transferred to airline/hotel partners. In addition, the card comes with 10% annual bonus points and a $50 annual credit on hotel stays booked through the Chase travel portal.

We also like that the card charges just a $95 annual fee yet comes with travel insurance benefits such as primary car rental insurance, trip cancellation, trip interruption, and trip delay coverage. You’ll also find shopping protections such as purchase protection and extended warranty. Cardmembers will also get access to perks such as complimentary breakfast, activities and spa credits, room upgrades, and late check-in/checkout when booking through Chase’s The Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection.

The Ink Business Preferred card is hard to beat, with a huge welcome bonus offer and 3x points per $1 on the first $150,000 in so many business categories.

The Ink Business Preferred ® Credit Card is a powerhouse for earning lots of points from your business purchases , especially for business owners that spend regularly on ads.

Plus the card offers flexible redemption options, including access to Chase airline and hotel transfer partners where you can achieve outsized value.

Business owners will also love the protections the card provides like excellent cell phone insurance , rental car insurance, purchase protection, and more.

• 3x Ultimate Rewards points per $1 on up to $150,000 in combined purchases on internet, cable and phone services, shipping expenses, travel, and ads purchased with search engines or social media sites
• No elite travel benefits like airport lounge access
• Earn 100k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,000 cash back or $1,250 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠
• Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
• Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
• With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
• Redeem points for cash back, gift cards, travel and more - your points don't expire as long as your account is open
• Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase Travel℠
• Purchase Protection covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
• APR: 21.24%-26.24% Variable
• Best Business Credit Cards

One of our favorite business rewards cards , the Ink Business Preferred card is an earning powerhouse. A generous welcome bonus , bonus category earnings on select business purchases, and the opportunity to redeem points for 25% greater value or transfer to travel partners for even greater potential value make this card a winner for businesses of any size.

This card offers great rewards and no annual fee. Any new business owner that needs to get going will enjoy this card.

The Ink Business Cash ® Credit Card has a lot going for it that makes it a compelling choice for small business owners. The card features a very lucrative 5% back on up to $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on cellular phone, landline, internet, and cable TV services each account anniversary year.

When you factor in that the card has no annual fee , and 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 18.49% - 24.49% thereafter, you could be adding big value back into your business for no cost out of pocket.

• Earn 5% back on up to $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on cellular phone, landline, internet, and cable TV services each account anniversary year
• Earn 2% back on up to $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% back on all other purchases
• Spending caps in bonus categories
• Low points earning outside of bonus categories
• Earn $350 when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months after account opening
• Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year
• Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases
• 10% Business Relationship Bonus If you have the Ink Business Cash card plus a Chase Business Checking account on your first card anniversary
• No Annual Fee
• Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards ® .
• 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
• APR: 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; 18.49% - 24.49% variable thereafter.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars
• No Annual Fee Cards

With no annual fee, a generous welcome bonus, and up to 5% cash-back on common business purchases , the Ink Business Cash card could be a fit for any business. And since you’re not paying an annual fee, benefits such as primary car rental insurance (for business use in your country of residence), travel insurance, and purchase protection can be useful additions.

Hot Tip: Read our comparison between these 2 popular Ink Business cards for more information!

While Visa Infinite benefits are great, they have no value unless you can use them. The best Visa level card for you will have a benefits package that provides bottom-line value to you personally.

Plus, benefits aren’t the only factor to consider when determining the best card for your situation. You’ll want to be sure your particular spending mix is earning the highest rewards possible and the card has a redemption option that fits your objectives. Finally, you’ll want to be comfortable with the annual fee you’ll be paying compared to the level of benefits you’ll use.

If you’ll use enough of the Visa Infinite benefits, you can certainly justify the higher annual fee you may have to pay. However, Visa Signature cards may be more widely available and still offer a competitive benefits package, rewards-earning potential, and likely a lower annual fee.

The information regarding the UBS Visa Infinite Credit Card and U.S. Bank Altitude™ Reserve Visa Infinite ® Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

The information regarding the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a visa infinite card worth it.

Yes. Visa Infinite benefits are some of the best available. If you will use these benefits such as lounge access, statement credits, access to luxury hotel programs, and roadside assistance, you could receive value far beyond any annual fee you’ll pay.

Which is the best Visa Infinite card?

Visa Infinite cards all have similar benefits, so the best card for you will be the one that offers the most useful benefits for your situation. It may be more important, however, that the rewards structure matches your spending mix, that you can redeem rewards for things for which you find value, and that the annual fee is one you’re willing to pay.

Having said that, the Chase Sapphire Reserve card and Capital One Venture X card are some of the best examples of Visa Infinite cards, though there are others to consider.

What is the Visa Infinite credit limit?

While there is no stated maximum limit, Visa Infinite cards are issued with a credit limit of at least $10,000.

What credit score do I need for a Visa Infinite card?

You will generally need an excellent credit score to be approved for a Visa Infinite card. According to the credit rating agency Equifax, an excellent credit score is one that is 800 or above.

In addition to an excellent credit score, some financial institutions that issue Visa Infinite cards may require you to be a customer.

Which is better, Visa Signature or Visa Infinite?

Visa Infinite cards include benefits that may not be offered on Visa Signature cards. These additional benefits can include worldwide lounge access via Priority Pass Select membership, airline incidental fee reimbursement, and a higher credit limit.

Visa Infinite cards may also come with some of the same benefits that are offered on Visa Signature cards but have higher coverage limits or broader coverage definitions than the Visa Signature card.

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About Christine Krzyszton

Christine ran her own business developing and managing insurance and financial services. This stoked a passion for points and miles and she now has over 2 dozen credit cards and creates in-depth, detailed content for UP.

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Travel Rewards Credit Cards

Our Bank of America® travel rewards credit cards can get you closer to your next vacation.

From flexible travel points to cruise rewards to vacation packages or air miles, we've got a travel or cruise line credit card that's right for you. Start planning your next trip by applying for a Bank of America® travel rewards credit card online today.

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Bank of America ® Customized Cash Rewards

$200 online cash rewards bonus offer and 3% cash back in the category of your choice.

No annual fee †

Show More Show Less Bank of America ® Customized Cash Rewards credit card

• 3% cash back in the category of your choice, automatic 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (on the first $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club purchases each quarter) and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases Calculate rewards
• Choose which category you want to earn 3% cash back in: gas and EV charging stations ; online shopping, including cable, internet, phone plans and streaming ; dining; travel; drug stores and pharmacies; or home improvement and furnishings. To change your choice category for future purchases, you must go to Online Banking, or use the Mobile Banking app. You can change it once each calendar month, or make no change and it stays the same .
• 0% † Intro APR for your first 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made within the first 60 days of opening your account. After the intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that's currently 19.24% to 29.24% will apply. 3% † Intro balance transfer fee for the first 60 days your account is open. After the intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for all future balance transfers is 4% .
• Bank of America Preferred Rewards ® members earn 25%-75% more cash back on every purchase. That means the 3% choice category could earn 3.75% - 5.25% and the 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs could earn 2.50% - 3.50% , for the first $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club purchases each quarter, and the 1% for all other purchases could earn 1.25% - 1.75% . Not enrolled? Learn more about Preferred Rewards Cash Rewards .
• This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page, if you visit a Bank of America financial center or call the bank. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.

† Terms & Conditions  for Bank of America ® Customized Cash Rewards credit card

Bank of America ® Unlimited Cash Rewards

$200 online cash rewards bonus offer, show more show less bank of america ® unlimited cash rewards credit card.

• Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases Calculate rewards
• No limit to the amount of cash back you can earn and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open
• 0% † Intro APR for your first 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made within the first 60 days of opening your account. After that, a Variable APR that's currently 19.24% to 29.24% will apply. 3% † Intro balance transfer fee for the first 60 days your account is open. After the intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for all future balance transfers is 4% .
• Bank of America Preferred Rewards ® members earn 25%-75% more cash back on every purchase. That means you could earn 1.87% - 2.62% cash back on every purchase. Learn More About Preferred Rewards .

† Terms & Conditions  for Bank of America ® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card

BankAmericard ®

Save on interest, show more show less bankamericard ® credit card.

• 0% Intro APR † for 18 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days of opening your account. After the intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that's currently 16.24% - 26.24% will apply. 3% † Intro balance transfer fee for the first 60 days your account is open. After the intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for all future balance transfers is 4% .
• No Penalty APR. Paying late won't automatically raise your interest rate (APR). Other account pricing and terms apply † .
• Access your FICO ® Score for free within Online Banking or your Mobile Banking app.

† Terms & Conditions  for BankAmericard ® credit card

Bank of America ® Travel Rewards

25,000 online bonus points offer (a $250 value) and no annual fee †.

No annual fee †  and no foreign transaction fees †

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• Earn unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 you spend on all purchases everywhere, every time and no expiration on points as long as your account remains open Calculate rewards
• Use your card to book your trip how and where you want with no blackout dates and pay yourself back with a statement credit towards travel and dining purchases
• Bank of America Preferred Rewards ® members earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means you could earn 1.87 to 2.62 points for every $1 you spend, everywhere, every time. Not enrolled? Learn more about Preferred Rewards Travel Rewards

† Terms & Conditions  for Bank of America ® Travel Rewards credit card

Bank of America ® Premium Rewards ®

60,000 online bonus points offer — a $600 value.

Low $95 annual fee † and no foreign transaction fees †

Show More Show Less Bank of America ® Premium Rewards ® credit card

• Earn unlimited points , that don't expire as long as the account remains open – 2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases and 1.5 points per $1 on all other purchases . Calculate Rewards Premium Rewards
• Get up to $200 in combined Airline Incidental and TSA PreCheck ® /Global Entry Statement Credits. Plus, access to world class travel benefits: travel and purchase protections, luxury hotel collection and concierge service.
• Redeem for cash back as a deposit into Bank of America ® checking or savings accounts, for credit to eligible Merrill ® accounts including 529 accounts, as a statement credit to your credit card, or for gift cards and purchases at the Bank of America Travel Center
• Bank of America Preferred Rewards ® members earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means you could earn 2.5 to 3.5 points on travel and dining purchases and 1.87 to 2.62 points on all other purchases, for every $1 you spend. Not enrolled? Learn more about Preferred Rewards Premium Rewards

† Terms & Conditions  for Bank of America ® Premium Rewards ® credit card

Bank of America ® Premium Rewards ® Elite

75,000 online bonus points offer — a $750 value.

$550 annual fee † and no foreign transaction fees †

Show More Show Less Bank of America ® Premium Rewards ® Elite credit card

• Earn unlimited 2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases , and unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all other purchases . No limit to the points you can earn and points don't expire as long as the account remains open. Calculate Rewards Premium Elite Rewards
• Bank of America Preferred Rewards ® members earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means you could earn 2.5 to 3.5 points on travel and dining purchases and 1.87 to 2.62 points on all other purchases, for every $1 you spend.
• Get up to $550 in combined Airline Incidental, TSA PreCheck ® /Global Entry, and Lifestyle Statement Credits . Plus, a suite of luxury benefits to fit your lifestyle: full-service concierge, airport lounge and experience access, premier hotel amenities, travel and purchase protections.
• You choose how you want to be rewarded . Redeem points for travel, cash back, a statement credit, distinctive experiences or gift cards. Plus, save 20% on airfare when you pay with points through the Bank of America Travel Center.
• This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page, if you visit a Bank of America financial center or call the bank . You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.

† Terms & Conditions  for Bank of America ® Premium Rewards ® Elite credit card

Bank of America ® Customized Cash Rewards for Students

3% cash back in the category of your choice, show more show less bank of america ® customized cash rewards credit card for students.

• 3% cash back in the category of your choice, automatic 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (on the first $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club purchases each quarter) and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. Choose which category you want to earn 3% cash back in: gas and EV charging stations ; online shopping, including cable, internet, phone plans and streaming ; dining; travel; drug stores and pharmacies; or home improvement and furnishings To change your choice category for future purchases, you must go to Online Banking, or use the Mobile Banking app. You can change it once each calendar month, or make no change and it stays the same .
• Online $200 cash rewards bonus after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening
• When handled responsibly, a credit card can help you build your credit history, which could be helpful when looking for an apartment, a car loan, and even a job. Access your FICO ® Score for free within Online Banking or your Mobile Banking app.

† Terms & Conditions  for Bank of America ® Customized Cash Rewards credit card for Students

Bank of America ® Unlimited Cash Rewards for Students

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• Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases with no limit to the amount of cash back you can earn and cash rewards don't expire as long as your account remains open

† Terms & Conditions  for Bank of America ® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card for Students

BankAmericard ® for Students

Save on interest, a great choice when you’re just starting out, show more show less bankamericard ® credit card for students.

• Your card comes with our $0 Liability Guarantee and chip technology for additional security when used at chip-enabled terminals

† Terms & Conditions  for BankAmericard ® Credit Card for Students

Bank of America ® Travel Rewards for Students

Start building your financial future.

No annual fee † and no foreign transaction fees †

Show More Show Less Bank of America ® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students

• Earn unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 you spend on all purchases everywhere, every time and no expiration on points as long as your account remains open. Use your card to book your trip how and where you want with no blackout dates and pay yourself back with a statement credit towards travel and dining purchases.
• 25,000 online bonus points after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening

† Terms & Conditions  for Bank of America ® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students

Bank of America ® Customized Cash Rewards Secured

Help build your credit while earning 3% cash back in the category of your choice, show more show less bank of america ® customized cash rewards secured credit card.

• 3% cash back in the category of your choice, automatic 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (on the first $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club purchases each quarter) and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. Choose which category you want to earn 3% cash back in: gas and EV charging stations ; online shopping, including cable, internet, phone plans and streaming ; dining; travel; drug stores and pharmacies; or home improvement and furnishings. To change your choice category for future purchases, you must go to Online Banking, or use the Mobile Banking app. You can change it once each calendar month, or make no change and it stays the same.
• Open your account with a security deposit ($200-$5,000) . Upon credit approval your required deposit is used, in combination with your income and your ability to pay, to help establish your credit line. We'll periodically review your account and, based on your overall credit history (including your account and overall relationship with us, and other credit cards and loans), you may qualify to have your security deposit returned. Not all customers will qualify.
• Build up your credit history – use this card responsibly and over time it could help you improve your credit score.
• Your financial health. Our Priority. Bank of America – Outstanding Customer Satisfaction with Financial Health Support – Banking & Payments, 2 years in a row
• Secured card products are not eligible for a new account bonus offer, like a cash rewards bonus offer, and introductory APRs are not available.

† Terms & Conditions  for Bank of America ® Customized Cash Rewards secured credit card

Bank of America ® Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured

Help strengthen or build your credit and earn unlimited cash back, show more show less bank of america ® unlimited cash rewards secured credit card.

• Build up your credit history — use this card responsibly and over time it could help you improve your credit score

† Terms & Conditions  for Bank of America ® Unlimited Cash Rewards secured credit card

BankAmericard ® Secured

Help establish, strengthen - or even rebuild your credit with a card that's simple and convenient, show more show less bankamericard ® secured credit card.

• Open your account with a security deposit ($200-$5,000). Upon credit approval your required deposit is used, in combination with your income and your ability to pay, to help establish your credit line.
• We'll periodically review your account and, based on your overall credit history (including your account and overall relationship with us, and other credit cards and loans), you may qualify to have your security deposit returned. Not all customers will qualify.
• Secured card products are not eligible for a new account bonus offer, like a statement credit, and introductory APRs are not available.

† Terms & Conditions  for BankAmericard ® secured credit card

Bank of America ® Travel Rewards Secured

Help strengthen or build your credit and earn unlimited points, show more show less bank of america ® travel rewards visa ® secured credit card.

• Earn unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 you spend on all purchases everywhere, every time and no expiration on points as long as your account remains open. Use your card to book your trip how and where you want with no black out dates and pay yourself back with a statement credit towards travel and dining purchases.
• Open your account with a security deposit ($200-$5,000). Upon credit approval your required deposit is used, in combination with your income and your ability to pay, to help establish your credit line. We'll periodically review your account and, based on your overall credit history (including your account and overall relationship with us, and other credit cards and loans), you may qualify to have your security deposit returned. Not all customers will qualify.
• Build up your credit history — use this card responsibly and over time it could help you improve your credit score.
• Secured card products are not eligible for a new account bonus offer, like a bonus points offer, and introductory APRs are not available.

† Terms & Conditions  for Bank of America ® Travel Rewards Visa ® secured credit card

Alaska Airlines Visa Signature ®

Limited time online offer: 60,000 bonus miles plus alaska's famous companion fare™, show more show less alaska airlines visa signature ® credit card.

• 60,000 bonus miles plus Alaska's Famous Companion Fare™ ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) after you make $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of your account opening. Get an additional 2,500 bonus miles when you add a cardholder as an authorized user in the first 90 days of account opening. Plus, celebrate your account anniversary with Alaska's Famous Companion Fare™ every year that you spend at least $6,000 on purchases with your card.
• Free checked bag for any cardholder who purchases airfare with their card, and up to 6 additional guests traveling on the same reservation. Plus you'll enjoy priority boarding when you pay for your flight with your card , so you can get to your seat quicker.
• Earn unlimited 3 miles for every $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases. Earn unlimited 2 miles for every $1 spent on eligible gas, EV charging station, cable, streaming services and local transit purchases including rideshare. Earn unlimited 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases. Plus, earn a 10% rewards bonus on all miles earned on card purchases if you have an eligible Bank of America ® account.
• Flexibility with no blackout dates on Alaska Airlines flights when booking with miles or a companion fare.
• This online only offer may not be available elsewhere if you leave this page. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.

† Terms & Conditions  for Alaska Airlines Visa Signature ® Credit Card

Susan G. Komen ® Customized Cash Rewards credit card

Help fight breast cancer and get a $200 online cash rewards bonus offer, show more show less susan g. komen ® customized cash rewards credit card.

• 3% cash back in the category of your choice, 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (on the first $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club purchases each quarter) and 1% cash back on all other purchases Calculate rewards Cash Rewards
• Bank of America Preferred Rewards ® members earn 25%-75% more cash back on every purchase. That means the 3% choice category could earn 3.75% - 5.25% and the 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs could earn 2.50% - 3.50% , for the first $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club purchases each quarter, and the 1% for all other purchases could earn 1.25% - 1.75% . Not enrolled? Learn more about Preferred Rewards

† Terms & Conditions  for Susan G. Komen ® Customized Cash Rewards credit card

Free Spirit ® Travel More World Elite Mastercard ®

Online offer: 50,000 bonus points + a $100 companion flight voucher.

$0 introductory annual fee for the first year. After that it's just $79 †

Show More Show Less Free Spirit ® Travel More World Elite Mastercard ®

• Earn 3 points per $1 spent on eligible Spirit purchases, 2 points per $1 spent on eligible dining and grocery store purchases and 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Earn 50,000 bonus points plus a $100 Companion Flight Voucher after making at least $1,000 in purchases within the first 90 days of account opening
• Receive a $100 Companion Flight Voucher each anniversary after making at least $5,000 in purchases within the prior anniversary year
• No limit to the points you can earn, no points expiration as long as your card account is open, and no redemption fees as a primary cardholder

† Terms & Conditions  for Free Spirit ® Travel More World Elite Mastercard ®

Allways Rewards Visa ®

Online offer: 25,000 bonus points.

Low $59 annual fee † and no foreign transaction fees †

Show More Show Less Allways Rewards Visa ® card

• Winner: Best Airline Credit Card , USA Today's 10Best Readers Choice Awards!
• Online Offer: Earn 25,000 Bonus Points – equal to $250 off a future Allegiant trip when you redeem points, after you make $1,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of account opening
• 3 points per $1 on Allegiant purchases, 2 points per $1 on qualifying dining purchases and 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
• No blackout dates, no destination restrictions and no minimum points redemption

† Terms & Conditions  for Allways Rewards Visa ® card

Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard ®

Online offer: 50,000 bonus miles after qualifying purchases.

Low $89 annual fee † and no foreign transaction fees †

Show More Show Less Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard ®

• Online Offer: 50,000 Bonus Miles after you make $2,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of your account opening
• 3 Miles per $1 spent directly on Air France, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and SkyTeam member airlines purchases
• 1.5 Miles per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Get 60 XP upon approval to help advance to the next status for more generous perks

† Terms & Conditions  for Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard ®

Royal Caribbean Visa Signature ®

Online offer: 25,000 bonus points, show more show less royal caribbean visa signature ® credit card.

• Get 25,000 MyCruise ® bonus points after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening, worth $250 in onboard credit
• Earn 2 MyCruise points for every $1 spent on qualifying purchases with Royal Caribbean® and our sister brands, Celebrity Cruises ® and Silversea ®
• Earn 1 MyCruise point for every $1 spent on all other purchases
• Redeem your points for onboard credit, stateroom upgrades and cruise vacations on Royal Caribbean ® and our sister brand, Celebrity Cruises ®

† Terms & Conditions  for Royal Caribbean Visa Signature ® Credit Card

Norwegian Cruise Line ® World Mastercard ®

Online offer: 20,000 bonus points, show more show less norwegian cruise line ® world mastercard ®.

• Online Offer: 20,000 bonus points after you make $1,000 or more in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening. That's enough for a $200 onboard credit or $200 off your next Norwegian cruise .
• Earn 3 WorldPoints ® points per $1 spent on Norwegian purchases, 2 WorldPoints points per $1 spent on eligible air and hotel purchases and 1 WorldPoints point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Redeem points for hundreds of rewards like cash, gift cards, hotels stays, car rentals or Norwegian redemptions
• Bank of America Preferred Rewards ® members earn a 25% - 75% points bonus on every purchase, applied to the base earn of 1 point per $1. Not enrolled? Learn more about Preferred Rewards Travel Rewards

† Terms & Conditions  for Norwegian Cruise Line ® World Mastercard ®

Celebrity Cruises Visa Signature ®

Show more show less celebrity cruises visa signature ® credit card.

• Earn 2 MyCruise ® points for every $1 spent on qualifying purchases with Celebrity Cruises ® and our sister brands, Royal Caribbean ® and Silversea ®
• Redeem your points for onboard credit, stateroom upgrades and cruise vacations on Celebrity Cruises ® , and our sister brands, Royal Caribbean ® and Silversea ®

† Terms & Conditions  for Celebrity Cruises Visa Signature ® Credit Card

Preferred Rewards makes your credit card even better

When you enroll in the Preferred Rewards program, you can get a 25% — 75% rewards bonus on all eligible Bank of America ® credit cards.

Plus, as a Preferred Rewards member, you enjoy real benefits and rewards on your everyday Bank of America ® banking and Merrill investment accounts. And as your qualifying balances grow, so do your benefits.

Learn more about Preferred Rewards

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Home  /  Canadian Credit Cards  /  TD Travel Credit Cards in Canada  / TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite* Card

TD Travel Credit Cards in Canada

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TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite* Card

• Annual Fee $139
• Interest: Purchases 20.99%
• Interest: Cash Advances 22.99%
• Additional Cardholder 2 $50

$50  for the first Additional Cardholder; $0  for subsequent Additional Cardholders.

• $60,000 personal or $100,000 household annual income.
• You are a Canadian resident and are of the age of majority in your province/territory of residence

Limited Time Offer

Earn up to  $800  in value 18  including up to 100,000 TD Rewards Points, no Annual Fee for the first year 1  and additional travel benefits. Conditions Apply. Account must be approved by June 3, 2024.

• Earn a welcome Bonus of 20,000 TD Rewards Points when you make your first Purchase with your Card 1 .
• Earn 80,000 TD Rewards Points when you spend $5,000 within 180 days of Account opening 1 .
• Earn a Birthday Bonus of up to 10,000 TD Rewards Points 22 .
• Get an annual TD Travel Credit 23  of $100 when you book at Expedia ®  For TD.
• Get an Annual Fee Rebate for the first year 1 .  

To receive the first-year annual fee rebate for the Primary Cardholder, you must activate your Card and make your first Purchase on the Account within the first 3 months after Account opening. To receive the first Additional Cardholder first-year annual fee rebate, you must add your first Additional Cardholder by June 4, 2024.

At a glance

Earn TD Reward Points on all the things you normally do, whether you use your Card for groceries, dining, paying bills or booking travel. The rewards will add up quickly so you can enhance your travel experience or enjoy a wide variety of rewards.

Your Card also allows you to enjoy:

• An annual TD Travel Credit  23  of $100 when you book at Expedia ®  For TD.
• TD Rewards Birthday bonus 22  that helps you celebrate in style.
• An extensive suite of travel insurance coverages which helps you travel prepared.
• No travel blackouts 5 , no seat restrictions 5  and no expiry 25  for your TD Rewards Points as long as your account is open and in good standing.

Every Purchase Counts

Earn 8 TD Rewards Points 19

for every $1 you spend when you book travel through Expedia® For TD 6

Earn 6 TD Rewards Points

for every $1 you spend on Groceries and Restaurants 20

Earn 4 TD Rewards Points

for every $1 you spend on regularly recurring bill payments set up on your Account 20

Earn 2 TD Rewards Points

for every $1 you spend on other Purchases made using your Card 21  plus earn an annual  Birthday Bonus 22  of up to 10,000 TD Rewards Points

Recurring Bill Payments, Groceries and Restaurants (Yearly spend cap of $25,000 each)

† This chart is for illustrative purposes only. Welcome Bonus applies only in the first year.

†† Total TD Rewards Points and corresponding dollar value equivalent assumes no redemption of TD Rewards Points towards any travel purchases made during the year. Maximum dollar value of TD Rewards Points shown, only applies to TD Rewards Points redeemed for travel purchases charged to your Card and booked through Expedia For TD.

Credit Card Reward Perks

Use TD Rewards Points at Expedia For TD

Redeem your TD Rewards Points for your next trip at ExpediaForTD.com and get access to exclusive deals. Conditions apply.

Earn more at Starbucks

Link your eligible Card to earn 50% more TD Rewards Points and Stars. Redeem points for even more Stars. Conditions apply.

Use TD Rewards Points at Amazon.ca

Redeem your TD Rewards Points towards purchases at Amazon.ca with Amazon Shop with Points. Conditions apply.

Redeem your TD Rewards Points how you want, for what you want 

Every purchase you make with your TD Rewards Credit Card earns you TD Rewards Points. With the flexibility to choose how to redeem your TD Rewards Points for the rewards you want, you can use your points on everyday perks, eGift cards, education credits, cash credits or travel. Learn more .

More Card Benefits and Features

Td rewards program benefits.

TD First Class Travel Credit Card helps you earn big while you do all the things you normally do. And since you never slow down, the rewards can add up quickly. This lets you redeem for how and what you want with the flexibility to treat yourself with a wide variety of rewards options.

• Go Places on Points Your Points are worth more when you redeem through Expedia® For TD:  Search over a million flights, hotels, packages and more! When you’re ready to book, you can redeem 3  your TD Rewards Points towards your travel purchase right away. Or Book Any Way 3 :  You can also choose to book your trip through any other travel agency or website. This gives you the flexibility to use your TD Rewards Points towards all kinds of travel expenses – including excursions and taxes – within 90 days of your purchase.
• Shop online through TDRewards.com Redeem your TD Rewards Points for great deals on a wide selection of merchandise and gift cards.
• Financial Rewards Pay With Rewards:  Redeem TD Rewards Points to help pay down your credit card balance.

Travel Benefits

Explore the travel benefits and insurance coverages included with your Card:

• $100 TD Travel Credit 23 Each year, you will receive one  $100.00  TD Travel Credit on your first Eligible Travel Credit Purchase of $500.00 or more made with Expedia For TD and posted to the Account in a calendar year.
• Travel Medical Insurance 7 Up to $2 million of coverage for the first 21 days. If you or your spouse is aged 65 or older, you are covered for the first 4 days of your trip. Additional top-up coverage is available.
• Flight/Trip Delay Insurance 8 Up to $500 in coverage per insured person if your flight/trip is delayed for over 4 hours.
• Trip Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance 9 For Trip Cancellation, up to $1,500 of coverage per insured person, with a maximum of $5,000 for all insured persons, and for Trip Interruption, up to $5,000 of coverage per insured person, with a maximum of $25,000 for all insured persons on the same covered trip.
• Common Carrier Travel Accident Insurance 10 Up to $500,000 of coverage for covered losses while travelling on a common carrier (for example, a bus, ferry, plane, train, or auto rental)
• Emergency Travel Assistance Services 11 Help is just a call away. Toll-free access to help in the event of a personal emergency while travelling.
• Delayed and Lost Baggage Insurance 8 Up to $1,000 overall coverage per insured person toward the purchase of essentials such as clothes and toiletries if your baggage is delayed more than 6 hours or lost.
• Auto Rental Collision/Loss Damage Insurance 12 Coverage up to 48 consecutive days
• Check your TD credit card travel insurance benefits Learn about what travel insurance benefits are available on your TD credit card with our  Credit Card Travel Insurance Verification Tool .
• Hotel/Motel Burglary Insurance 24 Up to $2,500 of coverage per occurrence for eligible personal items stolen from your hotel or motel room that belong to each Cardholder on the Account and eligible family members travelling with the Cardholder.

Review the  Benefit Coverages Guide  for more details.

Additional Benefits & Features

• TD Payment Plans Easily turn purchases of $100 or more into manageable 6, 12 or 18 month Payment Plans. Conditions apply.  Learn more .
• Save with Avis Rent A Car and Budget Rent A Car Use your Canadian TD Credit Card to save a minimum of 10% off the lowest available base rates 13 , 14  in Canada and the U.S., and a minimum of 5% off the lowest available base rates 13 , 14  internationally, on qualifying car rentals at participating Avis and Budget locations.
• Use Apple Pay , Google Pay or Samsung Pay wherever contactless payments are accepted -  These Digital Wallets are accepted in a growing number of shops, restaurants, and other retailers, making it convenient and easy to use for everyday business payments with just a tap of your device.

Visa Infinite Benefits

• Complimentary Visa Infinite Concierge 26 : On-call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the Visa Infinite Concierge can help with any Cardholder request — big or small, to help you get the most out of life whenever you travel, shop and use your Card. Call toll-free from Canada and the U.S.: 1-888-853-4458 From outside Canada and the U.S.: 1-630-350-4545
• Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection 27 : Receive seven exclusive benefits when you book your stay through the Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection featuring over 900 of the world’s most intriguing properties.
• Visa Infinite Dining Series 27 : As a Visa Infinite Cardholder, you have access to exclusive gourmet events that cater to your astute tastes. The Visa Infinite Dining Series serves up culinary explorations with prized chefs and acclaimed wines.
• Visa Infinite Wine Country Program 27 : Show your Visa Infinite card onsite and you can experience exclusive benefits at over 95 participating wineries in British Columbia, Ontario and Sonoma Valley including discounts on wine purchases, complimentary tastings, private vineyard tours and much more.
• Visa Infinite Entertainment Access 27 : Get exclusive access to tickets to curated events across Canada throughout the year. Visa Infinite Cardholders can also enjoy exclusive benefits, access and offers for the Toronto International Film Festival ®
• Visa Infinite Troon Golf 27 : Receive elevated Troon Rewards ®  Silver Status at over 95 courses and 10% off on green fees, merchandise and lessons at participating Troon Rewards golf courses.
• Mobile Device Insurance 24 Up to $1,000 of coverage in the event of loss, theft, accidental damage, or mechanical breakdown for eligible mobile devices.
• Chip & PIN technology: TD  Visa *  Cards with Chip and PIN technology provide an added level of security through the use of a Personal Identification Number (PIN). A required PIN makes it much more difficult for unauthorized users to copy or access the information on your TD Credit Card.
• Purchase Security and Extended Warranty Protection 15 : You automatically have access to Purchase Security and Extended Warranty Protection, covering most eligible new items you’ve purchased with your Canadian Credit Card, should they be stolen or damaged within 90 days of purchase. If the item comes with a manufacturer's warranty valid in Canada, you may be entitled to double the warranty period for up to 12 additional months.
• Visa Secure* Visa Secure provides you with increased security and convenience when you shop online.
• Instant Alerts. Added convenience, with TD Fraud Alerts: You can now automatically receive TD Fraud Alerts to your mobile phone any time we suspect suspicious activity on your TD First Class Travel ® Visa  Infinite * Card, or on any Additional Cardholder's card on your Account. Simply ensure that we have your current mobile phone number listed in your TD Customer Profile.  Learn more .
• Manage your credit card in the TD app Set transaction limits, block international purchases or lock your credit card.  Learn more .

Optional Benefits

• Optional TD Credit Card Payment Protection Plan 17 : Optional TD Credit Card Payment Protection Plan is designed to help you deal with your TD Credit Card payment obligations in the event of a covered Job Loss, Total Disability or loss of Life. To learn more about optional TD Credit Card Payment Protection Plan products, call  1-866-315-9069  or visit  tdcanadatrust.com/BP .
• Option to purchase TD Auto Club Membership 16  and be covered 24 hours a day for emergency roadside assistance services in case something goes wrong when you are out on the road.

Frequently asked questions

Why should you get a travel rewards credit card.

Do you love to travel? Then a travel rewards card may be perfect for you. These credit cards offer cardholders great value with travel Reward Points earned on eligible purchases that can later be redeemed to pay for flights and other travel related expenses. But, that’s just the start. The TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite* Card also lets you redeem TD Rewards Points on Amazon.ca with Shop with Points.

How do you earn TD Rewards Points?

Earn Points on your TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card with travel bookings, a meal at a restaurant, shopping and on everyday purchases. You can get started with welcome bonus TD Rewards Points if approved for this Card. In addition to earning 2 TD Rewards Points on every purchase, you can use this travel rewards card to make travel purchases through Expedia ®  for TD to earn 8 TD Rewards Points for each dollar spent. You can also earn 6 TD Rewards Points each for every dollar spent on grocery and restaurant purchases and earn 4 TD Rewards Points for every dollar spent in recurring bill payments. Your TD Rewards Points don’t expire as long as you are a TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite *  Cardholder.

How do you redeem TD Rewards Points?

Redeem your TD Rewards Points to book your next trip, for shopping and more. You can redeem your TD Rewards Points when you book travel online through Expedia for TD. This can help to make your travel more affordable. You can also use your TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card to book travel with any other travel provider. For shopping, you can redeem your TD Rewards Points for eligible products on Amazon.ca with Amazon Shop with Points or choose merchandise on TDRewards.com. You can also redeem TD Rewards Points to pay your credit card’s account balance on the TD app or EasyWeb.

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Annual interest rates, fees and features are current as of March 5, 2024 unless otherwise indicated and subject to change.

• $189: Annual Fee Rebate for the Primary ($139) and first Additional Cardholder ($50) for the first year;
• $100: TD Travel Credit on your first Eligible Travel Credit Purchase of $500 or more made through Expedia For TD;
• $50: TD Rewards Birthday Bonus equal to 10% of the number of TD Rewards Points earned while using the TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite* card over the 12 months preceding the Primary Cardholder’s birthday, up to a maximum of 10,000 TD Rewards Points (travel value at Expedia For TD of up to $50). Previously earned points on other Rewards Cards, Acquisition Bonus Points, or other Promotional Rewards Points earned do not count towards your Birthday Bonus;
• Welcome Bonus of 20,000 TD Rewards Points earned when you make your first Purchase with your Card (travel value at Expedia For TD of $100);
• Additional Bonus of 80,000 TD Rewards Points earned when you spend $5,000 within 180 days of Account opening (travel value at Expedia For TD of $400);

2  Primary Cardholder remains liable for all charges to the Account, including those made by any Additional Cardholder.

3  TD Rewards Points must be redeemed in minimum 200-point increments for travel Purchases charged to your Card that are booked online or by phone through Expedia For TD. For travel Purchases charged to your Card that are not booked through Expedia For TD, TD Rewards Points must be redeemed in minimum increments of 200 or 250 TD Rewards Points as fully explained in the TD Travel Rewards Program Terms and Conditions ("Travel Terms") contained in the TD Travel Credit Cardholder Agreement for your Card. The Travel Terms are available on tdcanadatrust.com/agreements. We can decrease the required minimum TD Point redemption increment at any time. To redeem TD Rewards Points for travel Purchases charged to your Card that are not booked through Expedia For TD, Cardholder must contact the TD Travel Rewards Program or visit www.tdrewards.com after the travel Purchase has been posted to the Account and within 90 days from the transaction date of the travel Purchase. The required TD Rewards Points will be redeemed from the TD Rewards Points balance available at the time the TD Rewards Points are redeemed for the travel Purchase, not the transaction date of the travel Purchase. The amount that will be credited toward the travel Purchase will be equal to the value of the TD Rewards Points redeemed. If there are insufficient TD Rewards Points available to cover the entire amount of the travel Purchase, the Account will only be credited by the value of the TD Rewards Points redeemed. Any amount of the travel Purchase not covered by the TD Rewards Points redeemed will remain on the Account for payment.

4  The Toronto-Dominion Bank and its affiliates are not liable or responsible for the products, goods or services offered or made available by third party retailers through tdrewards.com.

5  Subject to carrier/space availability.

6  Expedia For TD is operated by Expedia, Inc. at  ExpediaForTD.com and 1-877-222-6492 . The Toronto-Dominion Bank and its affiliates are not responsible for any of the services and products offered/provided by Expedia, Inc.

7  Underwritten by TD Life Insurance Company. Medical and claims assistance, claims payment and administrative services are provided by our Administrator. Benefits, features and coverages are subject to conditions, limitations and exclusions, including a pre-existing condition exclusion, that are fully described in the Certificate of Insurance included with your TD Credit Cardholder Agreement. The day of departure from and the day of return to your province or territory of residence each count as one full day. 21-day coverage if you're under 65 and 4-day coverage if you're 65 or older. Note that this insurance offers different benefits, with different terms and conditions, than the optional Travel Medical Insurance that may be medically underwritten and is available to all TD customers, which you may be eligible to top-up with.

8  Underwritten by TD Home and Auto Insurance Company. To be eligible for this coverage, at least 75% of your trip cost must be paid for using your TD Credit Card and/or associated TD Reward Points. Benefits, features and coverages are subject to conditions, limitations and exclusions that are fully described in the Certificate of Insurance included with your TD Credit Cardholder Agreement.

9  Underwritten by TD Life Insurance Company (for medical covered causes) and TD Home and Auto Insurance Company (for non-medical covered causes). To be eligible for this insurance, your trip must be paid for in full using your TD Credit Card and/or TD Rewards Points. Benefits, features and coverages are subject to conditions, limitations and exclusions, including a pre-existing condition exclusion, that are fully described in the Certificate of Insurance included with your TD Credit Cardholder Agreement. Note that this insurance offers different benefits, with different terms and conditions, than the optional Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption Insurance that is available to all TD customers.

10  Underwritten by TD Life Insurance Company. To be eligible for this coverage, your trip must be paid for in full using your TD Credit Card and/or TD Rewards Points. Benefits, features and coverages are subject to conditions, limitations and exclusions that are fully described in the Certificate of Insurance included with your TD Credit Cardholder Agreement.

11  Provided by our Administrator under a service agreement with TD Life Insurance Company. This is not an insurance benefit but assistance services only.

12  Underwritten by TD Home and Auto Insurance Company. Car rentals must be charged in full to the Card and/or associated TD Rewards Points, cannot exceed 48 consecutive days and the rental agency's Collision Damage Waiver coverage must be declined by the Cardholder. Refer to Auto Rental Collision/Loss Damage Insurance section of your TD Credit Cardholder Agreement for rental exclusions and further details.

13  Provided by Avis Rent A Car System ULC. Minimum discount offer subject to discount code and to terms and conditions which may change without notice. Blackout dates may apply. Base rate refers to time and kilometer/mile charges only. Taxes, fees and surcharges are extra. The Toronto-Dominion Bank is not responsible for any vehicles, services, discounts or other offers made available by Avis Rent A Car System ULC.

14  Provided by Budget Rent A Car System, Inc. Minimum discount offer subject to discount code and to terms and conditions which may change without notice. Blackout dates may apply. Base rate refers to time and kilometer/mile charges only. Taxes, fees and surcharges are extra. The Toronto-Dominion Bank is not responsible for any vehicles, services, discounts or other offers made available by Budget Rent A Car System, Inc.

15  Underwritten by TD Home and Auto Insurance Company. To be eligible for this coverage, the item must be paid for in full using your TD Credit Card. Benefits, features and coverages are subject to conditions, limitations and exclusions that are fully described in the Certificate of Insurance included with your TD Credit Cardholder Agreement.

16  TD Auto Club is provided by an independent third party service provider. The Toronto-Dominion Bank and its affiliates accept no responsibility or liability in respect of these services. Further details about the third party service provider can be found in your Membership Handbook at td.com/autoclub .

17  Life coverage is underwritten by American Bankers Life Assurance Company of Florida and Job Loss and Total Disability coverages are underwritten by American Bankers Insurance Company of Florida. The Toronto-Dominion Bank receives a fee from each insurer with respect to premium collection. Complete terms of coverage are in the Certificate of Insurance you will receive upon enrollment. Eligibility requirements, limitations and exclusions apply, and vary by benefit.

19  Earn 8 TD Rewards Points for every $1 in Purchases of travel made online through Expedia For TD or travel made by phone through Expedia For TD (“Phone Travel Purchases”) (“Online Travel Purchases”) and charged to your TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite* Card Account (“Account”). Any returned items, refunds, rebates or other similar credits will reduce or cancel the TD Rewards Points earned on the original Online Travel Purchase. Fees, Cash Advances (including Balance Transfers, Cash-Like Transactions and TD Visa Cheques), interest charges, optional service, refunds, rebates or other similar credits do not earn TD Rewards Points. Other Conditions: Offer may be changed, withdrawn or extended at any time and cannot be combined with any other offer.

20  Earn 6 TD Rewards Points ( “Grocery Rebate" & "Restaurant Rebate” ) for every $1 in Purchases of groceries or grocery items (“ Grocery Purchases” ) and for every $1 in Purchases at restaurants including fast food restaurants (“ Restaurant Purchases ”). Earn 4 TD Rewards Points (“ PAP Rebate ”) on each $1 in payments made on a monthly or other regularly recurring basis for merchant bills, including insurance premiums, magazine/newspaper/online streaming subscriptions, membership fees and telecommunication fees, that are set up by the merchant with your consent to be automatically charged to your TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite* Card (“ Account ”) and that are classified through the Visa network as “recurring payments” (“ Pre-Authorized Payments ”). Rebates are only available to a $25,000 maximum net annual spend (“ $25,000 Cap ”).  $25,000 Cap : Once the $25,000 Cap has been reached for either Grocery Purchases, Restaurant Purchases, or Pre-Authorized Payments then any further Grocery Purchases, Restaurant Purchases, or Pre-Authorized Payments made on the Account will earn TD Rewards Points at the standard rebate rate of 2 TD Rewards Point that applies to all other Purchases on the Account as set out in your TD Rewards Program Terms & Conditions (“ Standard Rebate ”).  Applicability of Grocery Rebate and Restaurant Rebate : Each of the Grocery Rebate and the Restaurant Rebate is in place of, and not in addition to, the Standard Rebate.  Merchant Category Codes : To earn the Grocery Rebate and/or the Restaurant Rebate, the Grocery Purchases and/or Restaurant Purchases must be made at merchants classified through the Visa network with a Merchant Category Code (“ MCC ”) that identifies them in the “grocery”, “restaurant” or “fast food” category. If you have questions about the MCC that applies to a Purchase, contact TD at 1-800-983-8472.  Other Conditions : Offer may be changed, withdrawn or extended at any time and cannot be combined with any other offer.

21  Earn 2 TD Rewards Point (“Standard Rebate”) on every $1 on all other Purchases (“Other Purchases”) charged to your TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite* Card Account (“Account”). Any returned items, refunds, rebates or other similar credits will reduce or cancel the TD Rewards Points earned on the original Purchase. Fees, Cash Advances (including Balance Transfers, Cash-Like Transactions and TD Visa Cheques), interest charges, optional service, refunds, rebates or other similar credits do not earn TD Rewards Points. Other Conditions: Offer may be changed, withdrawn or extended at any time and cannot be combined with any other offer.

22  The TD Rewards Birthday Bonus applies only to the Primary Cardholder of a TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite*Card. Each year, you will receive a TD Rewards Birthday Bonus (“Birthday Bonus”) on your TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite* Account, equal to 10% of the total number of TD Rewards Points earned over the 12 months preceding the Primary Cardholder’s birthday, to a maximum Birthday Bonus of 10,000 TD Rewards Points. The TD Birthday Bonus is only calculated on points earned while using your current First Class Travel Account. This means that previously earned points on other Rewards Cards, Acquisition Bonus Points, or other Promotional Rewards Points earned do no count towards your Birthday Bonus. The account must be open & in good standing on the date points are awarded to qualify.

23  In order to receive the TD Travel Credit, the Account must be open, active and in Good Standing. An Eligible Travel Credit Purchase means:

• A Hotel, Motel, Lodging, or Vacation Rental Purchase of $500.00 CAD or more made with Expedia For TD; or • A Vacation Package Purchase of $500.00 CAD or more made with Expedia For TD, that includes a Hotel, Motel, Lodging or Vacation Rental booking packaged with a transportation booking. See your TD Rewards Program Terms and Conditions for more details.

24  Insurance coverages are underwritten by American Bankers Insurance Company of Florida (ABIC) under Group Policy TD102022. Benefits, features and coverages are subject to conditions, limitations and exclusions that are fully described in the Certificates of Insurance included with your TD Credit Cardholder Agreement. ABIC, its subsidiaries, and affiliates carry on business in Canada under the trade name of Assurant®.

®Assurant is a registered trademark of Assurant, Inc.

25  TD Reward Points do not expire as long as you are a Cardholder.

26  The goods and services Cardholders request or otherwise choose to obtain through the Visa Infinite Concierge Service are provided by various third-party service providers unrelated to Visa. Visa does not endorse, review or qualify these service providers. Visa makes no representations or warranties (either express or implied) about and assumes no responsibility or liability for these service providers or the goods and services that may be obtained through the Visa Infinite Concierge. Neither Visa nor TD are responsible for any claims or damages arising from the use of any benefits or services provided by a third party. Visa cannot guarantee the successful fulfillment of Cardholders’ requests in all instances. There is no fee for the Concierge’s services; however, Cardholders are responsible for the cost of any goods or services (including any related fees or costs) authorized by the Cardholder and purchased by the Visa Infinite Concierge on the Cardholder’s behalf. All costs will be charged directly to the Cardholder’s Visa Infinite card.

27  You must be an eligible Visa Infinite Cardholder with a valid Canada-issued Visa Infinite Card to take advantage of the Visa Infinite benefits and services. Certain benefits and services require enrollment. Offers and benefits are non-transferable, and discounts cannot be combined with any other offer or discount. Neither Visa nor the Issuer of the Card are responsible for any claims or damages arising from the use of any benefits or services provided by a third party. Visa reserves the right to modify or cancel offers or benefits at any time and without notice. All offers, benefits and services made available through Visa are subject to  complete terms and conditions , including third-party suppliers’ terms and conditions. The  Visa Infinite privacy policy  applies to all benefits and services that require enrollment through, or are otherwise provided by, the Visa Infinite Concierge or the Visa Infinite website. The collection use and disclosure of Cardholders’ personal information by third-party suppliers of services and benefits to Visa Infinite Cardholders are subject to such third parties’ own privacy policies.

® The TD logo and other trademarks are the property of The Toronto-Dominion Bank or its subsidiaries.

* Trademark of Visa International Service Association; Used under license.

© 2023 Expedia, Inc., an Expedia Group company. All rights reserved. Expedia and the Airplane Logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Expedia, Inc.

Starbucks, the Starbucks logo, and other Starbucks trademarks, service marks, graphics, and logos used in connection with the Offer are trade names, trademarks or registered trademarks of Starbucks Corporation (collectively  “Starbucks Marks” ).

If you exceed your annual spend cap, you'll continue to earn TD Rewards Points at the standard base earn rate on all additional purchases made in that category.

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.

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