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If you're the jetsetting sort, carrying the right travel credit card could save you money — even if it has a high annual fee. Plus, some of the best credit cards for seniors offer benefits like travel assistance, access to comfy airport lounges, or reimbursement if your trip is interrupted by health issues.
If you're a no-frills traveler, go for a card that offers flexibility, simplicity, and value. If you're seeking a more luxurious experience, you'll need to splurge for a premium card to get access to the nicest airport lounges. Premium travel cards come with higher annual fees but often offer a greater degree of protection while you travel, along with other benefits like travel-related statement credits.
How we rate products
To choose the best travel credit cards for seniors, we evaluated dozens of credit cards that offer travel-specific rewards or redemption opportunities. We narrowed the list to general travel credit cards that have no foreign transaction fees, though we did include a no-annual-fee alternative with foreign transaction fees for seniors who want to stay in the U.S.
We compared the remaining travel credit cards based on their annual fee relative to benefits. We considered the maximum earnings rate, the breadth of earnings categories, the welcome offer, APR(s), and available travel perks. We gave extra weight to benefits that would appeal to seniors, such as travel medical coverage and access to comfortable airport lounges.
Best travel credit cards for seniors
| Credit Card | Welcome Bonus | Rewards Rate | Foreign Transaction Fee | Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Apply Now
Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card 4.4
|
25,000
Points
|
1.5X - 3X
Points
|
0% |
$0
|
2025 award winner
Best Travel Card for Everyday Spending
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Apply Now
Citi Strata Premier® Card 4.9
|
60,000
Points
|
1X - 10X
Points
|
None |
$95
|
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Apply Now
Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card 5.0
|
60,000
Bonus Points
|
1X - 5X
Points
|
None |
$95
|
|
2025 award winner
Best for Lounge Access
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Apply Now
Chase Sapphire Reserve® 5.0
|
125,000 bonus points
|
1X - 8X
Points
|
None |
$795
|
|
2025 award winner
Best for Luxury Travel
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Learn How to Apply
American Express Platinum Card® 4.9
|
175,000
Points
|
1X - 5X
points
|
None |
$895
|
Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
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- 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 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.
- Earn 3 points per $1 spent on travel purchases booked through the Bank of America Travel Center.
- 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 17.74% - 27.74% 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%. Balance transfers may not be used to pay any account provided by Bank of America.
- 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. You could earn 3.75-5.25 points for every $1 you spend on travel purchases made through the Bank of America Travel Center.
- 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.
If visiting the nation's best museums is on your bucket list and you're looking to avoid an annual fee, the Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card is a great option. Bank of America's Museums on Us program offers free general admission on the first weekend of each month to hundreds of the most popular museums across the country.
The card doesn't offer outstanding earn rates, but its real value comes into play if you bank with Bank of America or invest with Merrill. Bank of America Preferred Rewards members get boosted points with the Travel Rewards card. For example, if you maintain an average daily balance of between $50,000 and $100,000 across your Bank of America accounts and Merrill investments, you'll get a 50% rewards bonus — that's 2.25X points on every general purchase and 4.5X points on travel purchases.
Higher balances allow you to earn even more, making this card a great option for earning travel rewards from banking. You can easily redeem your rewards for a statement credit on travel and dining purchases.
- 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 billing cycles and on qualifying balance transfers for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days (then 17.74% - 27.74% Variable APR)
- Free admission at hundreds of museums on the first weekend of the month
- Boosted rewards for Bank of America preferred rewards members
- Doesn't offer a boosted rewards rate for dining
- For non-Preferred Rewards members, earnings rate lags behind other no-annual-fee cards
- No option to transfer points to travel loyalty programs
Visit Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card | Learn more in our Bank of America Travel Rewards review
Citi Strata Premier® Card
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- Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com.
- Earn 10 Points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on CitiTravel.com.
- Earn 3 Points per $1 on Air Travel and Other Hotel Purchases, at Restaurants, Supermarkets, Gas and EV Charging Stations.
- Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases
- $100 Annual Hotel Benefit: Once per calendar year, enjoy $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) when booked through CitiTravel.com. Benefit applied instantly at time of booking.
- No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card
- No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases
For older adults who spend their retirement funds in a variety of ways — whether it's hosting holiday meals, taking road trips, traveling to Europe, or dining at restaurants — the Citi Strata Premier Card offers boosted rewards rates on all of them and more.
Enjoy $100 off a hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) annually when you book through Citi Travel, and you can redeem your rewards points through a points transfer to JetBlue, Virgin Atlantic, Choice Hotels, and other loyalty programs. The Citi Strata Premier card also features premium travel insurance coverage and entertainment benefits.
Note that Citi also offers a no-annual-fee version of this card, the Citi Strata℠ Card, but it comes with foreign transaction fees.
- Earns boosted points on travel, groceries, gas, dining, and more
- Flexible redemption options, including cash back, travel bookings, and points transfers
- $100 off a $500 or more hotel stay each year
- No dining or entertainment credits
- Doesn't offer airport lounge access
- Doesn't offer a low intro APR
Visit Citi Strata Premier® Card(Rates and fees) |Learn more in our Citi Strata Premier Card review
Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card
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- Apply Now to take advantage of this offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
- Earn 60,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 in purchases in the first 3 months – that’s $600 toward your next trip.
- Earn unlimited 5X points on hotels, 4X points on airlines, 3X points on other travel and restaurants, and 1X points on other purchases.
- $95 annual fee.
- Book your travel with the Autograph Journey Card and enjoy Travel Accident Insurance, Lost Baggage Reimbursement, Trip Cancellation and Interruption Protection and Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver.
- Earn a $50 annual statement credit with $50 minimum airline purchase.
- Up to $1,000 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
- Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
Credit card travel portals offer some great benefits, but some people would prefer not to mess with them. That's totally fair. Hotels sometimes offer discounts when you book directly, and calling a hotel allows you to ask questions or make special requests at the time of booking. And booking directly with an airline means you can take advantage of their loyalty program, whether or not that airline is one of your credit card issuer's transfer partners.
A key example is the budget carrier Frontier — you can't book the airline at all through the Chase or American Express travel portals, and Capital One Travel gives you fewer booking options for Frontier than you'd get booking direct. Enter the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey card, which offers 4X points on airlines booked directly — a higher rewards rate than the pricey premium travel cards on our list — plus 3X points on other travel and restaurants and 1X on other purchases (including cruise lines, campgrounds, and discount travel sites). You'll also get a $50 annual statement credit when you purchase airfare, several types of travel insurance, and premium benefits at Visa Signature Luxury Hotels.
- High earnings rates for direct bookings with hotels and airlines
- Transfer points to a growing list of partners, including Choice Privileges and Avianca Lifemiles
- Flexible redemption options
- No hotel or dining credits
- No airport lounge access
- High APR and no introductory APR
Visit Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card(Rates and fees) | Learn more in our Wells Fargo Autograph Journey review
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
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- Earn 125,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Get more than $2,700 in annual value with Sapphire Reserve.
- Earn 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠, including The Edit℠ and 4x points on flights and hotels booked direct. Plus, earn 3x points on dining worldwide & 1x points on all other purchases
- $300 annual travel credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
- Access over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide with a complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership, plus every Chase Sapphire Lounge® by The Club with two guests. Plus, up to $120 towards Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck® every 4 years
- Get up to $150 in statement credits every six months for a maximum of $300 annually for dining at restaurants that are part of Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance, no foreign transaction fees, and more.
- Get complimentary Apple TV+, the exclusive streaming home of Apple Originals. Plus Apple Music — all the music you love, across all your devices. Subscriptions run through 6/22/27 — a value of $250 annually
- Member FDIC
While many travel credit cards provide travel insurance coverage, the Chase Sapphire Reserve goes above and beyond, including $2,500 in emergency medical and dental coverage with a $50 deductible while you're traveling. The card also offers trip cancellation and interruption insurance, travel accident insurance, emergency evacuation, and travel emergency and roadside assistance. That makes the card our top choice for seniors concerned about health issues that might throw a wrench in their travel plans.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve is also packed with other benefits that may appeal to older adults, including custom itineraries valued at $300 per trip, a flexible annual $300 statement credit for travel purchases, $300 in statement credits for dining with Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables, and access to more than 1,300 airport lounges worldwide.
- Travel medical coverage plus coverage for trip cancellations due to sickness
- Over $2,700 in annual value across statement credits and free memberships
- Transfer points to 14 travel partner loyalty programs, including Southwest and United, for more value
- Very high annual fee
- Hotel and dining credits restricted to specific hotels and restaurants
- Budget airlines not available through Chase Travel
Visit Chase Sapphire Reserve®(Rates and fees) | Learn more in our Chase Sapphire Reserve review
American Express Platinum Card®
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- Enjoy hundreds of dollars in annual credits (enrollment required for select benefits)
- Gain access to exclusive airport lounges worldwide (enrollment required)
- Elevate your hotel stays with elite status perks (enrollment required)
- Earn valuable Membership Rewards points on flights and hotels
- Protect your trips with top-notch travel insurance
For older adults, finding a comfortable seat and getting a good meal before a flight can help mitigate the toll traveling takes on the body. For that reason, airport lounge access may be an important benefit for some seniors. While many premium travel cards offer airport lounge access, most offer few options outside of the Priority Pass network, and Priority Pass lounges are notoriously overcrowded.
The Platinum Card® offers access to the Centurion Lounge network, which is widely considered to have some of the nicest lounges. The card also offers access to a few other networks, including Plaza Premium lounges.
The Platinum Card® offers a ton of value, including up to $600 in statement credits for Fine Hotels & Resorts and The Hotel Collection (two-night minimum) stays booked through Amex Travel, up to a $209 statement credit for a CLEAR Plus membership, and up to $15 in Uber cash each month.
The Platinum Card® also made our list of the best credit cards for seniors. But it's not the best option for seniors who prefer booking vacation rentals to hotels.
- Access to an expansive collection of airport lounges
- 5X on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel® (on up to $500,000 per calendar year, after that 1X) and prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel®
- Significant value in travel, entertainment, and dining credits
- Relatively lackluster welcome offer
- Up to $200 airline credit only applies to incidental fees at one airline
- Limited points earning on rental cars and vacation rentals
Learn how to apply for the American Express Platinum Card® | Learn more in our American Express Platinum Card® review
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One Venture X credit card is a great choice for seniors who want flexible options for earning and redeeming rewards. It offers a $300 annual travel credit you can use to book a trip through Capital One Travel plus 10,000 bonus miles every year. Those two perks alone cover the annual fee.
The Capital One travel portal offers free price drop protection, and you can transfer miles to Capital One's travel partners to potentially get more value.
It's also one of the best credit cards for booking vacation rentals, which some seniors may prefer over hotels. You can earn 5 miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel. Due to differences in platform fee structures, you might also save — I recently saved around $200 by booking a vacation rental through Capital One rather than through Airbnb (and earned 5 miles per dollar to boot).
While not all vacation rentals are listed on Capital One Travel, the card allows you to use your rewards miles to cover past travel purchases, including Airbnb bookings. And thanks to Capital One Offers, you can earn extra miles for booking trips through platforms like Vrbo and Expedia.
The Capital One Venture X also offers other benefits like airport lounge access and premium benefits at certain hotels.
- Many ways to earn and redeem rewards at a 1:1 ratio
- Earn 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Earn 10,000 bonus miles automatically every year
- Fewer dining benefits and lower dining rewards rate than other travel cards
- Fewer U.S. airline travel partners for 1:1 points transfers than Chase
- Only 2 miles per dollar points for direct travel bookings outside of Capital One Travel
Learn more in our Capital One Venture X review.
Types of travel credit cards
In this guide, we chose to only include general travel credit cards, which offer boosted earnings on many or all of your travel purchases as well as multiple ways to redeem your earnings for use with multiple airlines and hotels.
But if you're loyal to a particular hotel chain or airline, you might prefer a hotel- or airline-branded credit card. The best airline credit cards offer perks you won't get from a general credit card, like free baggage and priority boarding. You might also get lounge passes or elevated status in the airline's loyalty program. Plus, you won't have to worry about points transfers.
Likewise, the best hotel credit cards offer benefits like free nights or statement credits, high rewards rates on stays, and elevated status in the hotel loyalty program, which can provide benefits like room upgrades.
How to choose a travel credit card
With so many options to choose from, it can be tough to pick a travel credit card that meets your needs. When choosing a travel credit card, consider:
- Your spending behavior: Review your past spending to identify the categories where you put most of your income. For example, if you eat at restaurants often, picking a credit card with rewards or credits for dining should be a priority. You can even use last year's spending data to calculate the rewards value of different credit cards for comparison. A money app might help make that process easier.
- How you book travel: Think about how you typically plan and book a trip. Do you call a hotel based on a recommendation from a friend? If so, choose a card with high rewards for direct bookings. Do you like to view your options side-by-side? If so, compare credit card travel portals.
- How you want to use your rewards: Would you prefer to earn cash back, use your points to book free stays on your credit card's travel portal, or transfer your points to a loyalty program for more value? If transferring points is your goal, also consider the credit card's airline and hotel transfer partners to make sure they align with your travel goals.
- Whether you'll stay in the U.S. or travel internationally: If you're going abroad, choose a card with no foreign transaction fees. You'll also want to consider the payment network. Retailers abroad may be less likely to accept American Express, especially outside of major cities. You can still use an Amex travel card to earn points, but make sure you have a backup Visa or Mastercard with no foreign transaction fees to use across the pond.
- What you want out of your travel experience: Premium travel credit cards offer perks that range from airport lounge access to statement credits for TSA PreCheck. For seniors who want travel to be as comfy as possible, a premium travel credit card is the way to go.
FAQs
What is the best credit card for senior citizens?
Credit cards aren't typically designed to serve a particular age group but rather a particular type of spender. The best credit card for you will depend on how you spend your money, how you plan to use your rewards, and which benefits or perks you hope to get from your credit card. Check our list of the best credit cards for seniors for some options.
Which credit card has the most travel benefits?
The travel credit cards with the most travel benefits are typically premium credit cards with high annual fees. There's no standout winner — rather, the best travel credit card for you depends on the benefits you use most. Some of the credit cards with the most travel perks include the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the American Express Platinum Card®.
Does AARP have a credit card?
There are two AARP-branded credit cards currently available: The AARP Essential Rewards Mastercard from Barclays and the AARP Travel Rewards Mastercard from Barclays.
Bottom line
Older adults should look for a travel credit card that aligns with their spending habits and travel goals.
We love the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card card for seniors who like booking directly with hotels and airlines, and we think the Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers the best insurance coverage while traveling. But, it's important to consider your individual needs before applying for a new credit card.
Check out our list of the best travel credit cards for more ideas.
Benefits
Card Details
- $0 annual fee
- Simple, flat-rate rewards
- Flexible redemption options
- Up to 75% Bank of America Preferred Rewards® bonus potential
- Apply Now
- 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 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.
- Earn 3 points per $1 spent on travel purchases booked through the Bank of America Travel Center.
- 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 17.74% - 27.74% 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%. Balance transfers may not be used to pay any account provided by Bank of America.
- 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. You could earn 3.75-5.25 points for every $1 you spend on travel purchases made through the Bank of America Travel Center.
- 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.
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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