The 6 Starter Travel Credit Cards for Beginners

Points. Miles. Rewards. If you’re in the market for a new travel credit card, then chances are you’ve seen these terms before. But what do they mean, how do you earn them, and why do they help you save money?

And if you talk to anyone who uses a rewards credit card regularly, chances are you’ve heard some not-so-subtle bragging about bonus points, free airfare, or discounted hotel stays. But maybe you think you don’t have the money or the credit to get started in this hobby?

Think again, because 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 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
• 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

6 best travel credit cards for beginners

Card	Annual fee	Welcome bonus	Key travel perks
Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card	$0	Earn 30,000 bonus points when you spend $1,500 in purchases in the first 3 months (that’s a $300 cash redemption value; limited time offer)	Earn unlimited 3X points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans; plus earn 1X points on other purchases Auto rental insurance (secondary coverage) Roadside dispatch Travel and emergency assistance services No foreign transaction fees
Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card	$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	1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases Travel and emergency assistance services Trip cancellation and interruption insurance Trip delay reimbursement Lost luggage reimbursement No foreign transaction fees
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card(Rates and fees)	$0	Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening	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 No foreign transaction fees Travel accident insurance Auto rental insurance (secondary coverage)
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card	$95	Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening	5X points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®; 3X points on dining, select streaming services, and eligible online grocery purchases; 2X points on all other travel purchases, and 1X points per $1 on all other eligible purchases $50 annual hotel credit for stays booked through the Chase portal 1:1 transfer for travel partners Trip cancellation insurance Auto rental insurance (primary coverage) Baggage delay insurance Trip delay reimbursement Emergency assistance No foreign transaction fees
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card(Rates and fees)	$95	Earn a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening	2 miles per dollar on every purchase, every day and 5 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel No foreign transaction fees Credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry Transfer for travel partners Travel accident insurance Auto rental insurance (secondary coverage)
American Express® Green Card	$150 (Terms apply)	Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 6 months (plus, earn 20% back on eligible travel and transit purchases during the first 6 months, up to $200 back in the form of a statement credit)	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 Foreign transaction fee: None Credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry Auto rental insurance

Awesome Rewards Rates + Intro APR

Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

4.7

FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.

Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

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Rates and fees

Current Offer

Limited Time Offer: Earn 30,000 bonus points when you spend $1,500 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $300 cash redemption value. You must select "Apply Now" to take advantage of this specific offer

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

Benefits and Drawbacks

Benefits

• Limited Time Offer: Earn 30,000 bonus points when you spend $1,500 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $300 cash redemption value. You must select "Apply Now" to take advantage of this specific offer
• Earn unlimited 3X points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans; plus earn 1X points on other purchases
• Intro APR on purchases
• $0 annual fee

Drawbacks

• No intro APR on balance transfers

Card Details

• Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
• Limited time offer: Earn 30,000 bonus points when you spend $1,500 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $300 cash redemption value.
• Earn unlimited 3X points on the things that really add up - like restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans. Plus, earn 1X points on other purchases.
• $0 annual fee.
• 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases. 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable APR thereafter.
• Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
• Redeem your rewards points for travel, gift cards, or statement credits. Or shop at millions of online stores and redeem your rewards when you check out with PayPal.
• Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.

Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

Welcome bonus: Earn 30,000 bonus points when you spend $1,500 in purchases in the first 3 months (that’s a $300 cash redemption value; limited time offer)

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

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 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% 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
• 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

Check out our full Wells Fargo Autograph Card review.

Easy-to-Earn Unlimited Rewards

Bank of America^® Travel Rewards credit card

4.1

FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.

Bank of America^® Travel Rewards credit card

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Annual Fee

$0

Benefits and Drawbacks

Benefits

• 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
• Earn 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases
• Longer intro APR on qualifying purchases and balance transfers
• No foreign transaction fees

Drawbacks

• Best for Bank of America customers

Card Details

• 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.
• 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% Introductory APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the intro APR offer ends, 18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR will apply. A 3% fee applies to all balance transfers.
• If you're a 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.

Bank of America^® Travel Rewards credit card

Welcome bonus: 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

Rewards rate: 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases

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:

• Travel and emergency assistance

• Trip delay reimbursement

• Trip cancellation and interruption insurance

• Lost luggage reimbursement

• 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 qualifying balance transfers made in the first 60 days (then 18.24% - 28.24% Variable)
• 0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles on purchases (then 18.24% - 28.24% Variable)

Check out our full Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card review.

Long 0% Intro APR Offer

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

4.0

FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

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Rates and fees

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

Benefits and Drawbacks

Benefits

• Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
• 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then 19.99% - 29.99% (variable) APR; 3% fee on the amounts transferred within the first 15 months (or at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer you at any other time; No fee for amounts transferred at the Transfer APR)
• 1.25 miles per dollar on every purchase, every day
• No foreign transaction fees
• No annual fee

Drawbacks

• Other cards may offer higher rewards rate

Card Details

• $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
• Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel
• Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase, every day
• Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
• Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
• Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
• Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.99% - 29.99% variable APR after that; 3% fee on the amounts transferred within the first 15 months

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

Early spend bonus: 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

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 travel and auto insurance protection. 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 19.99% - 29.99% (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 and 5 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. 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.

Check out our full VentureOne Rewards Credit Card card review.

Great for Flexible Travel Rewards

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

4.9

FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

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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 Ultimate Rewards®; 3X points on dining, select streaming services, and eligible online grocery purchases; 2X points on all other travel purchases, and 1X points per $1 on all other eligible purchases

Benefits and Drawbacks

Benefits

• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
• 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
• 25% more value when redeeming rewards for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards
• 10% anniversary point bonus each year
• $50 annual credit on hotel stays booked through Ultimate Rewards
• Premium travel protection benefits

Drawbacks

• Has annual fee

Card Details

• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
• Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining, and 2x on all other travel purchases, and $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, plus more.
• Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• 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.
• Member FDIC

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

Welcome bonus: 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 Ultimate Rewards®; 3X points on dining, select streaming services, and eligible online grocery purchases; 2X points on all other travel purchases, and 1X points per $1 on all other eligible purchases

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 Chase’s popular Ultimate Rewards points program. Chase Ultimate Rewards 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.

Check out our full Chase Sapphire Preferred card review.

Incredibly Flexible Rewards

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

4.7

FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Apply Now

Rates and fees

Current Offer

Earn a one-time bonus of 75,000 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 and 5 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel

Benefits and Drawbacks

Benefits

• Earn a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
• 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, every day
• Up to $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® credit
• No foreign transaction fees
• 19.99% - 29.99% (variable) purchase APR

Drawbacks

• Has annual fee

Card Details

• Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
• Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
• Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
• Enjoy two complimentary visits per year to Capital One Lounges or to 100+ Plaza Premium Lounges through the Partner Lounge Network
• Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
• Enrich every hotel stay from the Lifestyle Collection with a suite of cardholder benefits, like a $50 experience credit, room upgrades, and more
• Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Early spend bonus: Earn a one-time bonus of 75,000 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 and 5 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel

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 $78 or $100, respectively. Already have it? Apply it toward a family member or friend’s fee instead.

Check out our full Capital One Venture Rewards card review.

Powerful Benefits with a Low Annual Fee

American Express^® Green Card

4.6

FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.

American Express^® Green Card

Compare Credit Cards

See rates and fees | Terms Apply

Current Offer

Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 6 months (plus, earn 20% back on eligible travel and transit purchases during the first 6 months, up to $200 back in the form of a statement credit)

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

Benefits and Drawbacks

Benefits

• Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 6 months (plus, earn 20% back on eligible travel and transit purchases during the first 6 months, up to $200 back in the form of a statement credit)
• 3X points at eligible travel and transit purchases, and at eligible restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S.
• Up to $189 annually as a statement credit for CLEAR Plus
• Up to $100 LoungeBuddy credit per year
• $150 annual fee

Drawbacks

• Limited lounge access
• No balance transfers

Card Details

• Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 6 months (plus, earn 20% back on eligible travel and transit purchases during the first 6 months, up to $200 back in the form of a statement credit)
• 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
• Intro purchase 0% APR offer: N/A for N/A then 21.24% to 29.24% (variable)
• Intro balance transfer 0% APR offer: N/A for N/A then N/A
• Terms apply

American Express^® Green Card

Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 6 months (plus, earn 20% back on eligible travel and transit purchases during the first 6 months, up to $200 back in the form of a statement credit)

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

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 $189 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.

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:

1. 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. 
2. 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.
3. 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 Chase’s Ultimate Rewards 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 (terms apply). 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.

What 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.

FAQs about travel credit card for beginners

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.

Easy-to-Earn Unlimited Rewards

Bank of America^® Travel Rewards credit card

Benefits

Card Details

• 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
• Earn 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases
• Longer intro APR on qualifying purchases and balance transfers
• No foreign transaction fees
• 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.
• 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% Introductory APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the intro APR offer ends, 18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR will apply. A 3% fee applies to all balance transfers.
• If you're a 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.

4.1

FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.

Apply Now

on Bank of America’s secure website

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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

• The Bank of America^® Travel Rewards credit card is great for individuals who enjoy earning rewards and traveling.

• Cardholders will enjoy the flexibility to redeem points with no blackout dates and receive a statement credit to pay for travel and dining purchases.

• Earn 1.5X points on all purchases everywhere, every time.

• Apply Now

Author Details

Lisa Bigelow Lisa Bigelow is an award-winning freelance content creator who helps people learn smarter credit, borrowing, saving and information security habits. In addition to FinanceBuzz, Lisa has contributed to Life and Money, MagnifyMoney, Well + Good, Smarter With Gartner, Popular Science and Cadre Insights. She lives with her family in Connecticut.

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