Best Travel Credit Cards for Beginners to Start Your Journey

Traveling can be an incredible experience, but it can also be expensive. One way to make your trips more affordable is by using a travel credit card.

The best travel credit cards for beginners offer rewards programs that can help you earn points or miles that can be redeemed for flights, hotel stays, or other travel-related expenses.

For example, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card offers 2X points on travel and dining purchases, which can add up quickly.

Having a travel credit card can also provide you with travel insurance, purchase protection, and other benefits that can help you in case of unexpected events.

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If you're new to travel rewards credit cards, don't worry, there are plenty of great options out there for beginners. The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is a top pick for its well-rounded travel rewards and premium perks, all for a relatively low $95 annual fee.

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The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is another great option, offering a massive welcome bonus of 75,000 bonus miles, worth at least $1,275 in travel. This card also has a lower fee than the Chase Sapphire Preferred.

If you're looking for a no-annual-fee option, consider the Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card, which is a great introductory card for beginners.

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If you're just starting out with travel credit cards, there's an ideal one for you. The Capital One Venture X is a great option for those who want a lower fee than the Chase Sapphire, but still get the same rewards.

One of the standout features of the Capital One Venture X is its large sign-on bonus. The Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card, on the other hand, is a great choice for those who don't want to pay an annual fee at all.

Here are a few more options to consider:

The Hilton American Express card is a great choice for those who love to stay in hotels, with automatic status and worldwide stays.

Travel credit cards are a type of credit card that rewards users with points, miles, or cash back for their travel-related purchases, such as flights, hotels, and car rentals.

These cards often come with a annual fee, which can range from $50 to $550, depending on the card's benefits and features.

Some travel credit cards offer a sign-up bonus, which can be worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars in travel rewards.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, for example, offers a 60,000-point sign-up bonus after spending $4,000 in the first three months.

Travel credit cards also often come with travel-related benefits, such as airport lounge access, travel insurance, and concierge services.

The Citi Premier Card, for instance, offers 3x points per dollar spent on travel, including gas stations, and has a $95 annual fee.

Travel credit cards can be a great way to earn rewards on your everyday purchases, but it's essential to choose a card that aligns with your travel habits and spending patterns.

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, for example, offers 2x miles per dollar spent on all purchases, with no foreign transaction fees.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred is a fantastic travel credit card for beginners. It has a low annual fee of $95 and offers a generous welcome bonus of 60,000 points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

You'll earn 5 points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 2 points on all other travel purchases, and 3 points on dining, online grocery purchases, and select streaming services. This card also offers a 10% anniversary points bonus and up to $50 in annual statement credits for hotel purchases made through the Chase Travel Portal.

The rewards rate on this card is quite impressive, especially considering the low annual fee. You'll earn 5 points per dollar on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 2 points on all other travel purchases, and 3 points on dining, online grocery purchases, and select streaming services.

Here's a breakdown of the benefits you can expect from the Chase Sapphire Preferred:

The Chase Sapphire Preferred is a great card for those who want to dip their toes into the world of travel rewards without committing to a high annual fee.

If you're new to the world of credit cards, you'll want to start with a card that's easy to understand and use. The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card is a great option, with no annual fee and a 0% introductory APR offer on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months.

New cardholders can earn 20,000 miles after spending $500 on purchases within three months from account opening, worth at least $340 in travel. This is a great way to get started with earning rewards and redeeming them for travel.

The card also offers access to Capital One's airline and hotel partners, which is a big perk for travelers. With this card, you'll get the same benefits as more expensive cards, but without the annual fee.

The Capital One Venture is a great option for beginners. It's a straightforward card with no complicated bonus categories to track.

You'll earn a flat 2 miles per dollar spent on everything, making it easy to keep track of your rewards. This earning rate jumps to 5 miles per dollar for hotels and car rentals booked through Capital One Travel.

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The annual fee is $95, but you'll get a welcome bonus of 75,000 miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. This bonus is equal to $750 in travel.

You can also use your miles to cover recent travel purchases from your card statement at a rate of 1 cent per mile. This makes it easy to redeem your rewards and get the most out of your card.

One of the best features of the Capital One Venture is its flexibility. You can use your miles to book flights, hotels, or other travel expenses through Capital One Travel.

Here are some of the key benefits of the Capital One Venture at a glance:

Overall, the Capital One Venture is a great option for beginners who want a simple and flexible rewards program.

The Disney Premier Visa Card is a great option for beginners who want to earn rewards on their everyday purchases. It offers a cash back benefit of 1% - 5%.

The annual fee for this card is $49, which is relatively low compared to other rewards cards. You'll also get a $300 statement credit after spending $1,000 on purchases within the first three months of opening your account.

To earn rewards, you'll get 5% in Disney Rewards Dollars on purchases made directly at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com, or ESPNPlus.com. You'll also earn 2% on purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants, and most Disney U.S. locations. All other purchases will earn 1% in Disney Rewards Dollars, with no limits to the number of rewards you can earn.

Here's a quick breakdown of the rewards structure:

We chose the top credit cards for beginners based on several key factors. Our evaluation process considered dozens of travel credit cards currently available to new applicants.

We looked at the welcome bonus offer to see if new cardholders get a valuable incentive to sign up and meet a minimum spending requirement. This is a crucial factor, as a good welcome bonus can make a big difference in your initial rewards earnings.

The ongoing rewards program is also important, as it determines how many points or miles you earn on your purchases. We considered cards that offer competitive rewards rates to help you maximize your earnings.

Benefits beyond rewards, such as statement credits for travel, primary car rental insurance, and airport lounge access, were also taken into account. These perks can add significant value to your card and make it more worthwhile.

We also considered the annual fee, weighing whether it's affordable or easy to offset with card perks. A low or no-annual-fee card is a great option for beginners.

Ultimately, we chose cards that offer a great overall value, justifying their annual fee with useful benefits and valuable rewards. This ensures that you get the most out of your card and make the most of your credit.

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For Co-Branded Cards, consider earning points specifically with a particular travel company or brand. This can be a great option if you always stay at a particular hotel chain or fly on a specific airline.

You can earn status much easier with a co-branded card, which can be a major benefit. In fact, you can earn up to 6x the points with some cards, depending on the specific card.

Co-branded cards often come with perks like free nights, automatic elite status, and priority boarding. For example, the Hilton Amex card offers a free night each year you carry the card.

Be sure to check the card carefully, as some co-branded cards may have lower point earnings for other categories like groceries or restaurants.

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Choosing the right credit card can be overwhelming, but it's essential to consider your spending habits and travel goals. Start by taking inventory of the categories you spend the most on each month.

Consider your budget, too. If you don't think you'll get more than $325 in value from a card each year, it might not be worth the annual fee. For instance, the Amex Gold has a $325 annual fee, but the Strata Premier has a lower $95 annual fee.

Ultimately, it's about finding a card that will give you the most value through earned rewards, perks, or a mix of both.

If you're a student, you're likely looking for a credit card that offers rewards and benefits that align with your needs. The Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students is a great option, offering 25,000 online bonus points after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days from account opening.

This card has a 0% intro APR for your first 18 billing cycles for purchases, making it a good choice if you have big purchases to make, like textbooks or supplies. You can also earn 1.5x points per dollar on every purchase.

One of the best things about this card is that it doesn't charge foreign transaction fees, so you can use it while traveling internationally without worrying about extra charges. The card's earning structure is also simple, with no bonus categories to keep track of.

However, if you're looking for extra perks or shopping benefits, this card might not be the best choice.

Choosing the right starter credit card can be overwhelming, especially with so many great options out there. To start, take inventory of the categories you spend the most on each month.

Consider your spending habits and travel goals, as this will help you choose a card that fits your needs. For example, if you're a foodie, the Amex Gold Card might be a great choice, but if you're on a tight budget, the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card with its lower annual fee might be a better option.

Start by evaluating the welcome bonus offer, ongoing rewards, and benefits of each card. For instance, the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card offers 60,000 Ultimate Rewards points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months, while the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months.

Here are some of the best starter travel rewards cards to consider:

Ultimately, the best card for you will depend on your individual needs and financial situation. Be sure to consider your budget and whether the rewards and benefits offered by each card will outweigh the annual fee.

You'll want a credit score over 650 to get approved for most travel credit cards, with a score of over 700 being ideal for the best chance of getting approved.

Having established credit and a good score will give you a better shot at getting one of these cards, but it's not impossible to get approved with a lower score.

If your credit score is less than stellar, take the necessary steps to improve it before applying, such as building credit with a beginner or secured card or becoming an authorized user on someone else's card.

It's a good idea to have a solid credit history and a good score before applying for a travel rewards credit card, as this will give you the best chance of getting approved.

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To earn points, consider a card with rewards in your most frequent spending categories, such as gas, ridesharing, or restaurants.

Read up on the card's rules and rewards structure to ensure it aligns with your spending habits. Some cards offer bonus points for specific expenses, so choose a card that matches your needs.

Aim for a card that offers between 1.5%-2% rewards for your spending and a high welcome bonus. This will give you a solid foundation for earning points.

Focus on the 80/20 rule: 80% of the time, 20% of the effort will get you 80% of the results. Identify your top three benefits and make sure you can use the card consistently.

Paying attention to the card's portal and emails can help you maximize earning points. Look out for rotating or ongoing bonus offers that can boost your rewards.

To maximize earning points, pay attention to the card's spending categories and bonus offers. This will help you earn points efficiently and effectively.

You can start collecting points from day one of having your travel credit card. Just be aware of the spending thresholds for each card's welcome bonus.

The value of points depends on how you spend them. Travel often yields a higher point value, and transferring points to travel partners can increase their value even further.

Using a travel credit card can provide you with a safety net in case something goes wrong during your trip. Many of the best travel credit cards offer trip delay or cancellation insurance, which can reimburse you for unexpected expenses.

If you need to book a hotel at the airport due to a flight delay, you can likely get reimbursed through the card's insurance. Some cards also offer primary rental car insurance, so you won't need to purchase additional insurance when renting a car.

These benefits can give you peace of mind and help you budget for unexpected expenses.

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Shopping in dedicated portals is a great way to earn points and miles on top of what you already earn from your credit card. You can find these portals listed on CashbackMonitor.

Clicking through a portal before making an online purchase can reward you with airline miles, hotel points, or credit card points. For example, you could earn 6 British Airways Avios per dollar spent on a Nike purchase.

These portal points are in addition to the points you earn from using your credit card, so you can earn even more rewards. By clicking through the British Airways shopping portal, you can earn 600 BA Avios on a $100 Nike purchase.

Using a credit card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred for a purchase can also earn you 100 Ultimate Rewards points. This means you can earn a total of 700 points on a single transaction.

Booking travel with your credit card can be a great way to earn rewards, but it's essential to take an extra step to maximize your points. Use your travel card to book flights and hotel stays, and you'll likely earn points on the purchase.

If you have an airline or hotel specific card, you'll earn several times the points on the purchase. Registering for the airline or hotel chain's loyalty program and inputting your loyalty number into the reservation can earn you bonus points.

Many airlines and hotels offer bonus points when creating an account for the first time, so be sure to take advantage of this perk. You can also get additional perks like free water or a priority line for hotel check-in.

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Many credit cards offer insurance benefits that can be a lifesaver in case of unexpected events.

These cards often include trip delay or cancellation insurance, which can reimburse you for expenses incurred if your trip is disrupted.

You can use these benefits to get reimbursed for a hotel stay at an airport if your flight is delayed.

Primary rental car insurance is also commonly included, so you can file a claim if something goes wrong with your rental car.

Cell phone insurance is another benefit that can protect you from costly repairs or replacements if your phone is damaged or stolen.

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The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offers a premium benefit that can more than offset its $395 annual fee - airport lounge access. This benefit is especially valuable because it's significantly cheaper than other premium travel cards that offer the same perk.

Cardholders receive Priority Pass, Plaza Premium, and Capital One airport lounge access, even for authorized users, for free. This means you can enjoy airport lounges without incurring additional costs.

The annual fee of $395 is lower than many other premium travel cards, making the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card a more affordable option.

Our team of experts at Business Insider has reviewed the best travel rewards credit cards, considering valuable rewards, easy-to-use benefits, and helpful features like travel coverage.

Business Insider's team of credit card experts has chosen the best options available on the market, making it easier for beginners to find the right card for their needs.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve review is a great place to start, as it offers valuable rewards and easy-to-use benefits.

The United Quest card is a great option for those who frequently fly with United. It offers 1x - 3x Miles per dollar, depending on the purchase.

The card's annual fee is $250, which is a significant investment. However, it can pay for itself with the right rewards and benefits.

One of the most attractive features of the United Quest card is its limited-time offer: earn 70,000 bonus miles and 500 PQP. This is a great way to boost your mileage earnings and get closer to your next flight.

Here are the details of the limited-time offer:

You can also earn 3x miles on United purchases, which is a great way to rack up miles quickly.

Our team of credit card experts at Business Insider chose the best travel rewards credit cards available on the market right now.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve is one of the top options, offering valuable rewards and easy-to-use benefits.

Business Insider's review of the Chase Sapphire Reserve highlights its travel coverage as a helpful feature.

Each of the best travel rewards credit cards has been thoroughly reviewed to ensure they meet the high standards of our team.

The reviews cover valuable rewards, easy-to-use benefits, and helpful features like travel coverage.

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