Fly Away With These Best Credit Cards for Travel
It can be a little confusing to find the best credit cards for yourself because of the enormous number of options you have. The good news is that you can narrow the choices down by considering your activities. Travel rewards credit cards are the best option for you if you like to travel by plane and take frequent trips. They offer a heap of benefits that you won’t be able to deny. The following is some information about some of the best credit cards for travel and how they can benefit you. Please go through the list and choose the one that seems perfect for you:
Basic Information About a Travel Rewards Card
What Is a Travel Rewards Card?
A travel rewards card is a credit card that gives you rewards that you can use to make your traveling expenses less expensive. Some credit cards award points, while other credit cards offer miles. The credit card issuers typically reward customers for taking certain actions or reaching specific milestones. For example, you might get 2,000 points just for getting approved for a rewards card. You then might receive another allotment of points once you spend $1,000. Each card issuer has a different system for its rewards. You can compare several cards to choose one that seems the most beneficial to you.
Who Needs a Travel Rewards Card?
Anyone who travels can benefit greatly from a rewards card. These cards are excellent for business people, vacationers, and people who go to various events throughout the year. Some of the best credit cards for travel also offer additional rewards along with points. You might find that a travel rewards card is the best option for you because of its many benefits and features. That’s why it’s important to write down the features that mean the most to you before you search for a card. You can match up the best card with the features you put on your list.
Who Qualifies for Travel Credit Card?
Every credit card company has certain requirements it asks its applicants to meet before applying for a rewards card. You must be at least 18 years of age to qualify for a credit card, no matter what kind of card it is. This is because you must sign a contract on a card. Secondly, you must have a credit score within the range that the card company desires. This might be a good time to check your credit score to see what it is.
That way, you’ll have an idea of whether you should apply for a certain card. Alternatively, you can do a pre-qualification check through a specific card company. The pre-qualification application will not harm your credit score the same way that a full application will. You can feel confident applying for a card if the lender says that you prequalify. However, you aren’t promised a card until you go through the application process.
How to Find the Best Credit Cards for Travel?
You can use a variety of methods to find the best credit cards for travel. One method is to use a comparison tool. A comparison tool will give you a list of cards with their most prominent features so that you can see them side-by-side or in a horizontal list. You can also talk to a financial specialist who can recommend some of the most suitable options.
We’re here to help you find the products and services you need. We are not a lender, but we can connect you to the best lenders and credit card companies so that you can meet your goals.
What Are the Best Credit Cards for Travel?
There are many great credit cards that offer travel rewards and finding the best credit cards for travel will mainly depend on what you are looking for. The best card for you will be the one that matches your requirements and needs. The following are some of the most popular options for credit cards for travelers. Choose the option that most closely matches your personal desires and needs!
1. Capital One Venture Rewards Card
Capital One is one of the most popular credit card providers because of its leniency and abundance of offerings. The company offers various cards to people who are trying to rebuild their credit. It also has options for people who have no credit and need an unsecured first card. Capital One is no slouch in the travel cards area either. Its VentureOne Rewards card is an amazing option. Here’s a little information about it:
Rewards: Cardholders earn 1.25 points for every dollar they spend. This benefit comes to the customers every day and for all purchases. Cardholders also receive a 20,000-mile bonus after they meet a spending requirement of $500 spent in the first three months.
Additional benefits: New cardholders can enjoy a 0% APR for the first 12 months of card ownership. They can also enjoy a $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees. Additionally, there are no blackout periods when cardholders want to redeem their miles. They can stay at any hotel or use any airline with their rewards.
APR: The APR varies from 15.49% – 25.49%, according to the applicant’s credit score.
Fees: No annual fee
Credit score necessary: People with good and excellent credit scores are more likely to receive card approval than other applicants. Applicants should have a credit score of 700 points or more to increase the chances of obtaining approval.
2. Discover It Miles
Discover also has a generous reward card option that you may consider as the best credit card for travel. The Discover It Miles card is an amazing option if you’re looking for a ton of additional perks.
Rewards: This card offers 1.5x miles for every dollar the consumer spends on anything. Cardholders can earn unlimited miles and use them for plane tickets, hotel reservations, and more.
Additional benefits: Discover thanks its customers for being customers by rewarding them with a bonus helping of miles. They match the miles each cardholder earns during the previous year. There are no blackout dates either. Thus, cardholders can redeem their miles at any time. Additionally, the miles can be redeemed for cash, statement credits, restaurant meals, and more. Other benefits include free credit scores, mobile app account freezing, alerts, tap to pay, and more.
APR: The APR varies from 11.99 percent to 22.99 percent, except for cash advances. They have an APR of 24.99 variable.
Fees: No annual fee or foreign transaction fee. Cash advance fees are 5% or $10, whichever is greater.
Credit score necessary: Applicants should have a credit score of 670 points or more to qualify for this card.
3. Citi Premier Card
Citi offers a fantastic card for travelers, as well. It offers some amazing benefits to travelers who make purchases in certain categories. Any traveler will love this option, as it provides a smorgasbord of gifts and benefits.
Rewards: Cardholders get 1x points for every dollar they spend on most purchases. However, they earn 3x points for each dollar spent on hotels, restaurants, grocery stores, gas stations, and air travel. New cardholders can also earn a whopping 80,000 points for signing up. The requirement is that they spend $4,000 within the first three months of opening the account. The credit card company will thank them with this hefty bonus at that time.
Additional benefits: The card also offers an annual hotel savings benefit and no foreign transaction fees.
APR: This card has an annual fee of $95.
Credit score necessary: Applicants should have a credit score of 700 points at a minimum.
4. Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card
Bank of America has a pretty generous option in the realm of travel rewards cards. You may want to consider this card if you’re a Bank of America customer. It’s a great option, even if you’re not.
Rewards: Cardholders get 1.5 points for every dollar they spend on their purchases.
Additional benefits: Newcomers can receive 25,000 online bonus points if they spend $1,000 within the first three months of card ownership. The bonus points can be used for a variety of purposes. One thing it can be used for is a $250 credit toward their credit card statements. This card offers additional benefits to customers who are considered preferred members as well. Such customers can earn up to 2.62 points for every dollar they spend. Additionally, cardholders can take advantage of contactless purchases by tapping their cards to make payments in various locations.
APR: This card has an introductory 0 percent APR for the first 12 months of card ownership. After that, the APR goes back to its regular rate of 13.99 percent to 23.99 percent. The exact APR depends on the cardholder’s credit score at the time of approval.
Fees: This card does not have an annual fee.
Credit score necessary: Applicants should have a credit score of at least 660 to qualify for this card.
5. U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card
U.S. Bank has a fantastic rewards card for people who travel. Their offerings are quite generous and are coveted by many consumers. Let’s discover this Attitude Connect Visa Signature Card.
Rewards: New cardholders get a huge 50,000-point bonus if they spend $3,000 within the first two months of holding the card. That equals about $500 in cash that they can use for merchandise, statement credits, gift cards, travel ventures, and much more. The card offers its holders 4x points for every dollar they spend on fuel at gas stations, as well. They earn 2x points for every dollar they spend on groceries, restaurant dining, and streaming services. All other purchases have a 1x point-per-dollar reward. Furthermore, cardholders get a $30 credit if they partake in streaming purchases on Netflix or Spotify.
Additional benefits: The cardholder’s points never expire. Thus, no one ever has to worry about forcing himself or herself to use them to avoid expiration. Users can take their time to decide what they want to do with their rewards.
APR: The annual APR for this card is 15.99 percent to 23.99 percent, and it depends on the cardholder’s credit score upon approval.
Fees: There is no annual fee for the first 12 months. A $95 annual fee applies after that. Late fees and over-the-limit fees of up to $40 may also apply.
Credit score necessary: It would be ideal for an applicant to have a credit score of at least 660. The closer one gets to 700, the better the chances are for approval.
6. The Platinum Card From American Express
American Express has always been a provider that tends to high-end consumers. They have a generous travel rewards card and program that may be perfect for someone with a medium to high income.
Rewards: New cardholders receive 100,000 membership reward points if they spend $6,000 within the first six months of holding the card. They can also earn 10x points on every dollar they spend in restaurants in the United States. The cap for this reward is set at $25,000. Additionally, cardholders can earn 5x membership rewards for booking flights with airlines directly. They can also earn 5x rewards by booking prepaid hotel rooms.
Additional benefits: Cardholders have quite a few additional benefits. They can get Uber VIP status and receive a number of discounts and special deals.
Fees: The annual fee for this card is $695. Consumers may be charged up to $40 for returned payments and late payments. Cash advance fees are 5 percent of the advance amount or $10, whichever is greater.
APR: The APR for this card varies from 15.99 to 22.99 percent, depending on the cardholder’s credit score. A penalty APR of 29.99 percent may be applied to any cardholder who makes a late payment.
Credit score needed: An American Express applicant will most likely need a credit score over 700 points, preferably in the high 700s.
7. Chase Freedom Flex
Chase has a mother rewards card that might be appealing to some consumers, it’s called the Chase Freedom Flex Card. Here is some important information about that card:
Rewards: Cardholders receive a $200 bonus if they spend $500 within the first three months of owning the card. Cardholders can also earn 5 percent cash back on all their grocery purchases in stores other than Walmart and Target. There’s also an introductory offer of a 0 percent APR for the first 15 months an individual has the card. After that time, the APR goes back to normal.
Additional benefits: Cardholders can earn 3 percent on their drugstore purchases and 5 percent on Chase travel. Additionally, the card company will offer bonus categories every quarter. Cell phone protection and credit score monitoring are also available on this device.
Fees: There is no annual fee for this card.
APR: The APR varies from a low APR of 14.99 percent to a high APR of 23.74 percent.
Credit Score Required: The credit score most suitable for this card is a score of 645 or more. The higher the score, the more likely it is that the individual will obtain approval for the card.
Reach Out to Us for More Information
Now you know some of the hottest cards to choose from if you’re a traveler. You can apply for your favorite cards starting today. You can also reach out to us if you have any additional questions about credit cards, credit requirements, or where to go for the best options. We advocate for people who need financial products and services. We are not lenders, but we keep in touch with a network of reputable lending institutions. We’ll be delighted to help you find the products and services you need.
If you are a student looking for the best credit card and therefore not focusing that much on travel rewards, our advice is you have a look at this blog:
Discover The Goalry Mall to Help You
Alternatively, you can take advantage of a new app we have called the Goarly Mall. Have you ever been to a shopping mall? Do you remember how easy it was for you to find a store for everything you needed? That’s how our Goalry Mall works. We designed it so that you could use it as a virtual mall. The front door is where you receive the member key that gives you access to all the stores in the mall. Then you can visit any store on any floor you so desire.
The Goalry Mall has three stores:
- The bottom floor is the social area where you connect with like-minded individuals.
- The middle floor is the educational area. You will go here if you need to search for guides, information, and data related to your topics of interest.
- The top floor is where you’ll find all the various stores for different personal finance areas.
Our Creditry store is where you would likely find credit card companies and information about improving your credit score. There’s also a Debtry store that can help you manage your debt. The Insury store is where you would go to find a good insurance policy. You get the picture. All the stores are easily accessible and easy to navigate. We want you to have a pleasant experience, and we designed it in a user-friendly way for that very reason.
Timiarah Spriggs is a personal finance writer who specializes in credit score growth and smart budgeting. She share budgeting, saving, and financial planning advice with various renowned finance shows, podcasts, and finance sites. Timiarah discovered the world of personal finance out of necessity. Her passion lies in helping consumers stay afloat in the world of finance and become masters of their profiles.