If you're a student looking to travel, you'll want to consider a travel credit card that rewards you for your purchases. With the right card, you can earn points or miles that can be redeemed for flights, hotels, and other travel expenses.
One of the best travel credit cards for students is the Discover it Miles card, which offers 1.5 miles per dollar spent on all purchases. This means that if you spend $1,000 on the card, you'll earn 1,500 miles that can be redeemed for travel.
Another option is the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, which offers 2X points per dollar spent on travel and dining purchases. This card also comes with a $95 annual fee, but it's a good option for students who want to earn points quickly.
Consider your travel goals and spending habits when choosing a travel credit card. Do you want to earn points for flights, hotels, or other travel expenses?
Fees and Charges
Some credit cards can be a real budget-buster, especially if you're planning to study abroad. They may charge annual fees, foreign transaction fees, or hidden fees.
You'll incur an additional fee of up to 5% on every purchase if you use a debit or credit card that charges foreign transaction fees.
A credit card with no foreign transaction fees can save you a lot of money. Some credit cards, like the Savor Student card, have no annual fee, foreign transaction fees, or hidden fees.
Benefits and Protections
Travel credit cards for students offer a range of benefits and protections that can make a big difference in your travel plans.
Certain credit cards for college students may offer travel benefits, such as earning rewards for using your card for travel-related purchases. For example, with the Savor Student or Quicksilver for Students card, you can earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars when booking through Capital One Travel.
Having travel protections in place can also give you peace of mind. Look for a credit card with travel protections that cover you against travel delays, cancellations, and other mishaps.
Benefits
Having a credit card specifically designed for college students can provide numerous benefits.
You can earn rewards for using your card for travel-related purchases, such as booking hotels and rental cars through Capital One Travel with your Savor Student or Quicksilver for Students card, earning unlimited 5% cash back.
Protections
Having a credit card with travel protections can be a lifesaver. Look for a credit card with travel protections that cover you when something goes wrong, like the one that mentions travel delays, cancellations, and other mishaps.
Travel protections can provide peace of mind, especially during uncertain times. You want to be protected against travel mishaps, like the one that says "Now more than ever".
Having these protections can save you from financial losses and stress.
Rewards and Earning
Earning rewards on a travel credit card can be a great way to offset the costs of studying abroad. The Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card for students offers 1.5 points per dollar spent on all purchases.
With this card, you'll also get a welcome bonus of 25,000 online bonus points after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days. This can be redeemed for a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
You can earn unlimited 1.5 points per dollar spent on all purchases, and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open. This card also has no foreign transaction fees and a $0 annual fee.
To maximize your rewards, look for a card that offers a welcome bonus and has a minimum spend requirement that you can meet. This can be a great way to earn a bonus on a new credit card.
Here are some key benefits of the Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card for students:
- 1.5 points per dollar spent on all purchases
- 25,000 online bonus points after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days
- No foreign transaction fees
- $0 annual fee
Considerations and Tips
Look for a credit card that offers no foreign transaction fees to avoid extra charges on your international purchases.
Consider the credit limit and ensure it's sufficient to cover your study abroad expenses, including flights, accommodation, and living costs.
Choose a card with a low or no annual fee to minimize your expenses and maximize your savings.
What to Consider
As you prepare for your adventure, look for credit cards with robust security features to protect against potential fraud while abroad. Consider how the card will be used, whether it's for emergency medical expenses, unexpected costs, or everyday expenses. This will help you choose a card that suits your child's needs.
If the card will be used for just a few expenses, having access to its security features or fraud protection benefits can be crucial. You can also consider learning how to order foreign currency before traveling abroad.
The type of travel credit card that's right for your child depends on how it will be used.
Destination Equipment
When traveling abroad, it's essential to have the right equipment for your destination. Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted credit card networks internationally.
You can use a Visa credit card in more than 200 countries worldwide, making it a reliable choice for many travelers. Mastercard, on the other hand, can be used in 210 countries, giving you even more flexibility.
American Express is accepted in about 160 markets around the world, which might be less convenient for travelers who plan to visit multiple countries.
Student-Specific Options
If you're a student looking for a travel credit card, there are specific options designed just for you.
To avoid fees, be mindful of how purchases are commonly made where you're headed, just like students traveling abroad should consider the payment methods used in their destination.
Students ready to step into the world of travel rewards should look at the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, which is a great starting point.
Citi Rewards+ Student
The Citi Rewards+ Student card is a great option for students who want to earn rewards on their purchases. You can earn 5,000 bonus points after spending $500 in the first 3 months of account opening.
To put that into perspective, 5,000 points can be redeemed for $50 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com. That's a nice chunk of change for a relatively small amount of spending.
One thing to keep in mind is that you won't be eligible for the bonus points if you've received a new account bonus for a Citi Rewards+ account in the past 48 months or if you've converted another Citi credit card account on which you earned a new account bonus in the last 48 months into a Citi Rewards+ account.
Best for Students
If you're a student traveling abroad, you'll want a credit card that's specifically designed for your needs. Consider your motivations for getting a credit card and how your kid will use it, and also think about the types of purchases they'll commonly make in their destination country.
To avoid fees, be mindful of how purchases are made in the countries your kid is visiting. Students who want to dive into travel rewards should look at the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card.
Payment and Security
Some travel credit cards for students offer no foreign transaction fees, which can save you up to 3% on international transactions.
If you're not careful, you can end up with a credit utilization ratio that's too high, which can negatively affect your credit score.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, for example, has a 0% foreign transaction fee, making it a great option for students studying abroad.
Foreign Transaction Fees and Exchange Rates Impact
Foreign transaction fees can be a significant expense, especially when traveling abroad. They can incur an additional fee of up to 5% on every purchase, making it more costly to use a debit or credit card that charges them.
Some credit cards, like the Savor Student card, don't have foreign transaction fees, making them a better option for those on a budget or planning to study abroad. This can save you money and reduce financial stress.
Avoiding foreign transaction fees can be as simple as choosing a credit card that doesn't have them. This can be a smart move, especially if you frequently make purchases outside the U.S.
Chip-and-PIN vs Chip-and-Signature
Chip-and-PIN cards are widely used in Europe, where merchants often require users to enter a personal identification number after swiping the card.
Credit card processing technologies today can usually recognize whether the card uses a PIN, so the terminal in a European train station is less likely to demand a PIN you don’t have.
In contrast, the U.S. is more likely to use chip-and-signature cards, which require a signature instead of a PIN.
This difference in technology can cause problems for travelers who are used to using chip-and-signature cards at home, but need to use a chip-and-PIN card abroad.
Are Worth It?
Travel credit cards for students can be a great way to earn rewards on expenses like meals, travel, or entertainment. You could earn cash back at the grocery store or earn rewards on flights and hotels.
Having a travel credit card can also help you manage your monthly spending habits, which is an important skill to develop as a student. By tracking your expenses and staying within your budget, you can avoid overspending and stay on top of your finances.
You may also benefit from using a travel credit card to help cover certain expenses, such as an unexpected trip home or even textbooks. This can be a lifesaver in an emergency situation.
Building credit isn't the only benefit of getting a travel credit card, you could also learn responsible strategies for handling your finances. By using a credit card responsibly, you can develop good financial habits that will serve you well in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
What credit card is best to use for travel?
For travel, consider the American Express Gold Card, offering rewards and benefits tailored for travelers. Its features make it a top choice for those who frequently dine out while traveling.
Sources
- https://www.creditkarma.com/credit-cards/student-cards
- https://www.capitalone.com/learn-grow/money-management/best-student-credit-cards/
- https://thepointsguy.com/credit-cards/best-credit-cards-studying-abroad/
- https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/best-credit-cards-student-travel/
- https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/travel/how-to-pick-study-abroad-credit-card
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