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There are card options for travel credit card beginners that don’t have steep annual fees, require near-perfect credit, or involve a ton of complicated restrictions. Those free flights and hotel stays you've heard about are within your reach, too — if you choose one of the travel credit cards that aligns with your spending habits. Here’s what you need to know.
The 6 starter travel credit cards for beginners:
- Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card(Rates and fees)
- Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
- Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- American Express® Green Card
- Key takeaways
- 6 best travel credit cards for beginners
- What to look for in your first travel credit card
- What credit score is needed for a starter travel credit card?
- How to choose the best travel credit card for beginners
- FAQs about travel credit card for beginners
- Advice from our experts
- Bottom line on the best travel credit cards for beginners
- Methodology
Key takeaways
- We recommend the Wells Fargo Autograph Card as one of the best travel credit cards for beginners because it has a $0 annual fee, no foreign transaction fees, and an elevated rewards rate.
- If you want to take advantage of more travel benefits, the Chase Sapphire Preferred is easily one of our top choices. It has a $95 annual fee, but you can earn some of our favorite rewards (Chase Ultimate Rewards points) and take advantage of multiple travel benefits and protections.
6 best travel credit cards for beginners
| Card | Annual fee | Welcome bonus | Key travel perks |
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Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card(Rates and fees) 4.7
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$0 | Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months (that’s a $200 cash redemption value) |
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Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card 4.1
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$0 | Earn 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases |
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Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card(Rates and fees) 4.0
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$0 | Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening |
|
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Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card 4.9
|
$95 | Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening |
|
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Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card(Rates and fees)
4.7
|
$95 | Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening |
|
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American Express® Green Card
4.6
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$150 | Earn 40,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 6 months |
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All information about American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by FinanceBuzz.
Awesome Rewards Rates + Intro APR
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Current Offer
Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
Earn unlimited 3X points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans; plus earn 1X points on other purchases
Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card
| Pros | Cons |
|
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Why we like it: The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card is a solid card for earning elevated rewards rates on specific everyday purchases and it also comes with some unexpected perks for a $0-annual-fee card.
This card offers a 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases (then 19.49%, 24.49%, or 29.49% Variable). So you could earn rewards for future travel and be able to make big purchases without spending a lot on interest charges as long as you pay them off during the intro period.
Other benefits that can be helpful for a traveler include:
- Cell phone protection (subject to a $25 deductible)
- Travel and emergency services assistance, such as lost luggage locator service, emergency message service, and medical referral assistance
- Up to $50,000 in car rental coverage toward a covered accident or theft on eligible car rentals
What we don’t like: If you want to take advantage of different intro APR offers with the Wells Fargo Autograph, note that it doesn’t have an intro APR offer on balance transfers.
Check out our full Wells Fargo Autograph Card review.
Easy-to-Earn Unlimited Rewards
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Annual Fee
$0
Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
| Pros | Cons |
|
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Why we like it: The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card can be a great addition to your wallet if you're looking for excellent everyday earning potential with rewards that you can put toward travel. In addition, you can boost that earning rate by 25% to 75% if you’re also a Bank of America Preferred Rewards member.
For the traveler, this card offers some potentially valuable benefits:
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Travel and emergency assistance
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Trip delay reimbursement
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Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
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Lost luggage reimbursement
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Visa Signature Concierge
If you're looking for perks beyond travel or have some big purchases planned, this card could also be a great fit for you. This card provides:
- 0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days (then 18.74% - 28.74% Variable)
- 0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles on purchases (then 18.74% - 28.74% Variable)
What we don’t like: The Bank of America Travel Rewards doesn’t provide a way to earn bonus rewards in specific categories, such as travel or dining.
Check out our full Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card review.
0% Intro APR for 15 months
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Current Offer
Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
1.25 miles per dollar on every purchase, every day and 5 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
| Pros | Cons |
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Why we like it: The VentureOne Rewards shares many of the same features with its Venture Rewards cousin, such as redeeming rewards for statement credits as well as auto rental insurance. But there are two important differences that make this credit card a better choice for some applicants.
The VentureOne Rewards Credit Card doesn’t have an annual fee, which is a nice perk in the rewards card space.
New VentureOne Rewards cardholders get 0% intro APR on purchases during the first 15 months (then 19.74% - 29.74% (Variable) APR).
With such amazing perks, why would anyone choose the Venture Rewards? The answer is simple: the Venture Rewards gives you 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, every day, 5 miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5 miles per dollar on Capital One Entertainment purchases through 12/31/25. With VentureOne Rewards, you’ll earn 1.25 miles per dollar on every purchase, every day and 5 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
So, for everyday purchases, the Venture Rewards comes out on top. But if you want a $0-annual-fee and have a big upcoming purchase that you want to pay off interest-free over time, the VentureOne Rewards Card might be right for you.
What we don’t like: You can find higher rewards rates on other cards.
Check out our full VentureOne Rewards Credit Card card review.
Great for Flexible Travel Rewards
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Current Offer
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Annual Fee
$95
Rewards Rate
5X points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠; 3X points on dining, select streaming services, and online groceries; 2X points on all other travel purchases, and 1X points on all other purchases
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
| Pros | Cons |
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Why we like it: Chase built the Sapphire Preferred travel credit card for a beginner audience, and it’s easy to see why consumers like it. Plus, the “travel” category can include things like Uber and tolls.
The Sapphire Preferred also offers robust travel-specific benefits: Think a $50 annual hotel credit for stays booked through the Chase portal, purchase and extended warranty protection, and travel-related insurances not offered by other issuers at this level.
Best of all, Chase Sapphire Preferred cardholders also get access to the Chase Travel℠ program. Chase Travel℠ is your gateway to trading your points for loyalty program rewards. You can also find deals on retailer gift cards or redeem your points for cash.
What we don’t like: Cardholders have to pay a $95 annual fee.
Check out our full Chase Sapphire Preferred card review.
Incredibly Flexible Rewards
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Current Offer
Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
Annual Fee
$95
Rewards Rate
2 miles per dollar on every purchase, every day, 5 miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5 miles per dollar on Capital One Entertainment purchases through 12/31/25
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
| Pros | Cons |
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Why we like it: The Capital One Venture Rewards takes a lot of the hassle out of rewards cards with one simple feature: redeeming rewards for statement credits. Book travel with the card and, at your request, Capital One will redeem your miles and apply a statement credit. Easy!
Plus, unlike other credit card rewards programs, there’s no redemption minimum. That means if you really want to trade miles to pay for your $5 airline headphone purchase, you can do it.
You’ll also get a TSA PreCheck or Global Entry registration reimbursement — valued at up to $120. Already have it? Apply it toward a family member or friend’s fee instead.
What we don’t like: You have to pay a $95 annual fee as a cardmember.
Check out our full Capital One Venture Rewards card review.
Powerful Benefits with a Low Annual Fee
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American Express® Green Card
Current Offer
Earn 40,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 6 months
Annual Fee
$150
Rewards Rate
3X points on eligible travel and transit purchases, and at eligible restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S.; and 1X points on all other eligible purchases
American Express® Green Card
| Pros | Cons |
|
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Why we like it: The Amex Green has a generous welcome offer and a reasonable annual fee. Its rewards rate is a great fit for travelers, allowing you to earn 3X for eligible travel and transit purchases, and at eligible restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S..
It also has a statement credit of up to $199 for CLEAR Plus, which can speed up your trips through airport security. Other benefits that could be helpful include the LoungeBuddy credit of up to $100 and car rental and baggage insurance.
What we don’t like: Cardmembers have to pay a $150 annual fee.
Check out our full American Express® Green Card review.
What to look for in your first travel credit card
At a basic level, all travel rewards credit cards work the same way. Every time you use the credit card, you earn points or miles that you can redeem for travel, merchandise, or cash.
Some cards reward points or miles based on spending in certain categories, such as booking flights or eating out. Others offer the same reward structure no matter what you spend your money on.
What often sets credit card offers apart are their perks and benefits, such as:
- Airline transfer partners
- Hotel partners
- Airport lounge access
- Travel insurance options
Here are a few other steps to take when getting your first travel card:
- Travel credit cards aren’t always easy to qualify for. If your credit history is thin or you occasionally pay your statement balance late, getting approved could prove difficult. But more on that later.
- Take the time to review each credit card’s rewards and travel partners because they don’t all offer the same perks. In other words, if you’re a loyal Marriott Bonvoy member but the card you’re eyeing partners with Hilton or Hyatt, you might want to reconsider. Or if you fly Southwest or Delta, be sure to get a card that partners with one of those airlines.
- Consider your payment history. If you typically pay your statement balance in full, that’s helpful because interest charges won’t offset the value of your rewards. If you occasionally carry a balance and have good credit, you’ll want a lower APR (annual percentage rate) — just in case.
In short, you’ll need good credit, a card with the right perks, and the lowest possible interest rate in case you have to roll your balance from month to month.
Points vs. miles
In very general terms, points are rewards in a credit card loyalty program, while miles are earned in an airline’s loyalty program or with a co-branded airline credit card and can be used toward purchasing flights.
You typically get the most redemption value out of using miles toward flights and upgrades with the associated airline or with partner airlines. You may be able to make other types of redemptions, such as getting gift cards, but those have a much lower redemption value, so you don’t get as much out of your miles.
Points tend to be more flexible, and you can use them for a variety of travel types, including hotel stays and car rentals, as well as for other types of redemptions, such as gift cards. As with miles, you tend to get less value out of redemptions for gift cards or statement credits.
Some programs use the terms “miles” and “points” interchangeably, however. For example, the Capital One Venture Rewards card allows you to earn miles, but they can be used toward various types of travel through Capital One’s travel portal.
Travel cards vs. airline cards
Travel cards are geared toward travel in general and are associated with a card issuers rewards program, like American Express Membership Rewards. You earn points that you can use for a variety of travel options.
For example, I have points with the Chase Travel℠ Program through my Chase Sapphire Preferred card. We did have plans to travel to New Orleans for a week and used our points to cover our hotel stay.
When a music festival came up that my wife couldn't resist during the week of our planned trip, we were easily able to get our points refunded and use them for flight tickets to Maryland instead by transferring them over to the Southwest Rapid Rewards program.
Airline cards earn points for an airline loyalty program, and the ways you can earn points may also be more limited. For example, with the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card, you earn 2X miles on eligible purchases made directly with Delta and at restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and 1X miles on all other eligible purchases. While this isn’t a bad earnings rate by any means, there are other cards that allow you to earn more rewards. If you’re a Delta loyalist, though, this card might make sense for you.
The right travel card for you is the one that matches your interests and spending habits, allowing you to earn valuable rewards and travel the way you like — for less. Learn more about these top cards and choose what's best for you.
»Compare Travel Credit CardsWhat credit score is needed for a starter travel credit card?
Remember the credit score caveat I mentioned earlier? It’s important because the best travel credit cards usually require at least a “good” credit score of 680.
If your credit score is below 680, you’ll want to improve your credit score before you apply. The best way to raise your score is to always pay your bills on time. Pay in full whenever possible. Avoid maxing out your credit cards — in fact, keep your balances below 30% of your total available credit. Lastly, don’t open too many cards at once, and keep your old accounts open, even if you don’t use them.
How to choose the best travel credit card for beginners
Annual fee
Premium travel credit cards with lots of benefits tend to have annual fees of $250 or more. The many benefits and annual costs could be overwhelming, which is why we recommend different cards to travel credit card beginners.
You can easily find cards with annual fees that run less than $100, including cards with no annual fees at all. You might not get luxury benefits, but your experience with managing your card will be less stressful.
Foreign transaction fees
Nearly every travel credit card doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees on applicable purchases. But just in case, make sure you check for this fee as you compare credit cards. Paying around 3% on any foreign purchase might not seem like a lot, but it can add up if you make a lot of credit card purchases on an international trip.
Type of rewards
Most rewards cards earn cash back, points, or miles. If you want to use your rewards on travel-related redemptions, such as flights or hotel stays, you typically want a card that earns points or miles. These are cards designed with the traveler in mind.
Spending categories
To help maximize earning travel rewards on your everyday purchases, consider cards with bonus categories that align with your spending habits. For example, if you dine out a lot, find a card that earns bonus points in the dining category.
Perks and benefits
Travel credit cards for beginners don’t tend to have a lot of benefits. However, you can still find cards with a few perks here and there that don’t have high annual fees.
For instance, the Chase Sapphire Preferred has a $95 annual fee, provides multiple travel insurance benefits, and offers up to $50 in statement credits each anniversary year for hotel stays purchased through Chase Travel℠.
FAQs about travel credit card for beginners
What's the easiest travel card to get?
To get approved for a travel rewards credit card, you'll likely need good to excellent credit. If you're in the market for a new card, check out our picks for the best credit cards for fair credit. Consider those options to build your credit history and credit score, and then apply for a travel rewards card down the line once your credit score falls within the good to excellent range.
Which card offers the best travel rewards?
Several travel rewards cards offer attractive benefits and perks for cardholders, but the best one for you depends on how often you travel, your travel preferences, and the types of benefits and perks you're looking for. Those who are new to travel rewards may appreciate the perks and features of the Chase Sapphire Preferred or the Capital One Venture.
Seasoned award travelers may appreciate high-end perks that come with a higher-annual-fee card, like Priority Pass access, Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credits, airline fee credits, or free checked bags. If you prefer luxury perks, The Platinum Card® from American Express or the Chase Sapphire Reserve® might be worth considering.
Is a travel credit card worth it?
Whether a travel card is worth it for you or not depends on a few different factors, including how often you travel, your typical spending habits, and the card's annual fee. If you're a frequent traveler that can take advantage of all the benefits that a travel rewards card has to offer, chances are it will help offset the cost of your travel expenses and help you keep some cash in your pocket. Just make sure you do your research to find the best travel card for your wallet.
Advice from our experts
Getting your first travel card is exciting, but comes with a lot of responsibilities. That’s why the FinanceBuzz team brought in a panel of experts to weigh in on the application process, tips for beginners, and the benefits to look out for.
Are there any red flags to look out for when browsing for starter travel cards to apply for?
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Can beginners ever “skip” entry travel cards and immediately apply for higher tier cards with more benefits?
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Are frequent travelers the only ones who benefit from having a travel credit card?
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Bottom line on the best travel credit cards for beginners
With responsible money management habits and the right rewards credit card, you can get access to incredible discounts on travel — and potentially free hotel stays or flights — or redeem for merchandise or cash. And next time your friend brags about their next vacation, you can share a tale or two of your own, too.
Methodology
To choose the best starter travel credit cards, we identified credit cards with travel benefits and compared features like welcome offers, annual fees, and rewards rates. We did not include all possible options.
Benefits
Card Details
- $0 annual fee
- Simple, flat-rate rewards
- Flexible redemption options
- Up to 75% preferred Rewards bonus potential
- Apply Now
- Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
- 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
- Use your card to book your trip how and where you want - you're not limited to specific websites with blackout dates or restrictions.
- Redeem points for a statement credit to pay for travel or dining purchases, such as flights, hotel stays, car and vacation rentals, baggage fees, and also at restaurants including takeout.
- 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 18.74% - 28.74% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%.
- If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means instead of earning an unlimited 1.5 points for every $1, you could earn 1.87-2.62 points for every $1 you spend on purchases.
- Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
- This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
Intro Offer
Earn 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases
Annual Fee
$0
Why we like it