5 Best Beginner Travel Credit Cards of May 2025

Chances are you've heard talk of people jetsetting about at steep discounts using points and miles they've earned on a travel credit card. At first glance, though, the world of points and miles travel can look a little daunting. Some of the most popular cards out there carry high annual fees and a litany of benefits you might struggle to take advantage of.

While a card like the The Platinum Card^® from American Express can be found in many travelers' wallets, its $695 annual fee might give beginner globetrotters sticker shock.

If you're just starting out with points and miles, you'll likely want to hold off on a heavyweight like the Platinum and opt for a card with solid earn rates and easy-to-use benefits that easily cancel out annual fees. For example, we recommend the Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card and Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card as some of the best travel credit cards for beginners. Both come with mid-level annual fees, healthy welcome offers, strong earn rates on travel, and useful benefits and partnerships.

5 best travel credit cards for beginners comparison

Card	Excellent for	Key travel perks
Wells Fargo Autograph® Card(Rates and fees) 4.4 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.	Avoiding an annual fee	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 assistance Travel and emergency assistance services No foreign transaction fees
Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card 4.4 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.	Balance transfers and big spends	3 points per $1 spent on travel purchases booked through the Bank of America Travel Center and 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases No foreign transaction fees
Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card 4.3 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. *	Those with Fair credit	Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase; plus 5% unlimited cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel No foreign transaction fees
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.	Travel insurance benefits	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 Up to $50 annual credits each account anniversary year on hotel stays purchased through Chase Travel℠ 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) 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.	TSA Precheck or Global Entry	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 No foreign transaction fees Credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry Transfer for travel partners

Wells Fargo Autograph^® Card

If you're hesitant about paying any annual fee at all and want to test the waters at no cost, consider the Wells Fargo Autograph^® Card(Rates and fees), which has a welcome offer to get you started, elevated earn rates on travel spending, and no foreign transaction fees.

This card offers a 0% intro annual percentage rate (APR) for 12 months from account opening on purchases (then 19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% Variable). This allows for some strategic spending, as you can use the card for big purchases that could earn you a lot of points and pay them off over time without paying interest if you pay them off during the intro period.

Other benefits that can be helpful for a traveler include:

• Travel and emergency services assistance, such as lost luggage locator service, emergency translation services, and medical referral assistance
• Up to $50,000 in car rental coverage toward a covered accident or theft on eligible car rentals

Note that this card doesn't have an intro APR offer on balance transfers. For that, turn to the Bank of America Travel Rewards card.

Check out our full Wells Fargo Autograph Card review.

Awesome Rewards Rates + Intro APR

Wells Fargo Autograph^® Card

4.4

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

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

Benefits and Drawbacks

Benefits

• Excellent earning potential for a $0 annual fee
• Offers a welcome bonus
• No spending caps on rewards categories
• Cell phone protection (subject to a $25 deductible)

Drawbacks

• Limited options to transfer points to airlines/hotels
• Limited travel perks (secondary car rental insurance and travel and emergency assistance)
• Fewer perks than some dedicated travel cards

Card Details

• Apply Now to take advantage of this offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
• Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 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. 19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% 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.

Bank of America^® Travel Rewards credit card

People can get really serious about optimizing their travel card use. Like, spreadsheets and spending plans serious. But not every newcomer to points and miles will want to think all that much about where to use one card over another to maximize their earning potential across spending categories. For some, it's just nice to shave a little off a trip's price tag with points.

If that sounds like you, the Bank of America^® Travel Rewards credit card could be the right choice. It earns a flat but unlimited 3 points per $1 spent on travel purchases booked through the Bank of America Travel Center and 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases. What's more, if you have an eligible Bank of America checking account that meets certain balance requirements, you can boost that earning rate by 25% to 75% through the Bank of America Preferred Rewards program.

If you're looking for perks beyond earning rewards or have big purchases planned you want to pay off over time, this card could also be a good choice. But if you're likely to make a habit of rewards travel, holding a card that earns extra in categories relevant to your spending habits is smart. This card's not that, so you might be better off with the Wells Fargo Autograph.

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

Easy-to-Earn Unlimited Rewards

Bank of America^® Travel Rewards credit card

4.4

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

Apply Now

Annual Fee

$0

Benefits and Drawbacks

Benefits

• $0 annual fee
• Simple, flat-rate rewards
• Flexible redemption options
• Up to 75% Bank of America Preferred Rewards® bonus potential

Drawbacks

• Lower earnings than category-specific travel cards
• Limited travel perks

Card Details

• 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 18.24% - 28.24% 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.

Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

The QuickSilverOne Cash Rewards card offers cardholders a chance to break into the travel rewards space even if they don't have the good-to-excellent credit score required by most of the more popular travel cards.

Applicants could be approved with a Fair credit score, meaning this card may be easier to qualify for than others. Cardholders also earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase; plus 5% unlimited cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. It's that elevated earn rate for bookings made through Capital One Travel that gives this simple, accessible card a slight edge when it comes to travel spending. (As a beginner, it would be good to practice using issuer travel portals, just know that they don't always get you the best deal.)

The card's got a small annual fee of $39 with no one-and-done way to cover it through perks. You'll have to make sure you earn enough cashback to justify the fee.

Check out our full Capital One QuickSilverOne Cash Rewards card review.

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

As we break into the mid-level annual fee cards, you'll notice that the perks take a significant leap forward. With its travel-focused rewards earning structure and a suite of easy-to-use benefits that more than cover the annual fee, the Chase Sapphire Preferred is a great card for beginners who want a little more oomph than no-annual fee cards typically provide.

The card pays for itself in the first year as cardholders could earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Beyond that year, though, all you'll need to do is take advantage of a handful of valuable benefits to justify the annual fee.

For example, the card comes with a complimentary DoorDash DashPass subscription valued at $120 that's currently slated to remain valid through Dec. 31, 2027, or for a minimum of one year, depending on when you activate (plus, a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders). The card also comes with up to $50 annual credits each account anniversary year on hotel stays purchased through Chase Travel℠.

The card also comes with a range of travel insurance coverage, which is nice to have even if you hope to never use it. Some of this card's perks aren't quite as relevant to travel as, say, the TSA PreCheck/Global Entry travel credit that comes with a card like the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card.

Check out our full Chase Sapphire Preferred card review.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture Rewards takes a lot of the hassle out of rewards cards with one simple feature: The ability to redeem rewards for statement credits. Book travel with the card and, at your request, Capital One will redeem your miles and apply a statement credit.

But if you ask me, the marquee benefit on this card is its TSA PreCheck or Global Entry registration reimbursement perk, valued at up to $120. Already have it? Apply it toward a family member or friend's fee instead. The credit resets every four years — both PreCheck and Global Entry (which includes TSA PreCheck) last five years, so the timing lets you renew before your membership expires. This perk is the only standalone benefit that wholly outweighs the card's $95 annual fee, but it only comes around once every four years (though the opportunity to breeze through airport lines has an intangible value all its own).

Beyond this credit, you'll have to get enough value from the card through spending and redemptions so it continues to pay for itself. That wouldn't be an issue if the card offered travel credits for booking through the issuer's portal like the Sapphire Preferred or the American Express^® Gold Card.

Check out our full Capital One Venture Rewards card review.

Cards that didn't make our list

If you're familiar with what credit cards are out there for travelers, you probably noticed the distinct lack of co-branded airline or hotel credit cards on our list. That's intentional. Airline and hotel cards are great, no doubt. They come with perks like loyalty program elite status, free nights, and elevated earn rates on spending with their associated brand.

But to benefit from perks like that, you need to know you'll be sticking with your card's associated brand. I can't speak for everyone, but when I opened my first travel rewards card, I had no reason to feel any loyalty to Hyatt over Hilton or Southwest over United.

Points and miles beginners should prioritize flexibility as they work to understand what they want to get out of their travel cards. A co-branded card that ties you to a specific airline or hotel is likely not the way to go just yet.

When to go with an airline card

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^® Gold American Express Card, you earn 2X miles on qualifying Delta purchases, at restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S supermarkets; and 1X miles per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases. While this isn't a bad earnings rate, other cards allow you to earn more rewards, especially if you're booking travel with the aim of getting the best deal on flights, regardless of airline.

But it makes sense to have a co-branded Delta card if you know you'll be flying primarily with Delta to earn extra spending with the airline and take advantage of additional perks. The SkyMiles Gold card, for example, comes with a free checked bag and priority boarding.

When to go with a hotel card

The same advice goes for co-branded hotel cards. One of these is only really useful if you know you'll be able and, most importantly, want to stay with a specific brand on most of your trips.

The best hotel credit cards include perks like automatic elite status, free Wi-Fi, and free nights. The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless^® Credit Card, for example, comes with an annual free night and automatic Silver Elite status.

What's the difference between points and miles?

In very general terms, points are rewards in a credit card loyalty program, often but not always earned on cards geared toward travelers. Hotel loyalty programs and the cards that accompany them tend to use points terminology as well. Miles are typically earned in an airline's loyalty program or with a co-branded airline credit card and can be used toward purchasing flights.

At this point, though, many programs — whether hotel, credit card, or airline — let you redeem points or miles for a variety of things, including gift cards, rental cars, and general shopping.

To muddy the waters more, Capital One Venture cards earn miles despite not being linked to an airline rewards program. but they can be used for various types of travel, not just flights, through Capital One's travel portal. The Discover it^® Miles, another general travel card, also earns miles.

It's confusing, I know. But if you're just starting out, I wouldn't get too bogged down in the details. Just have a basic understanding of the limitations of each type of credit card rewards.

How to qualify and plan for your first travel credit card

The prospect of points and miles travel is exciting, but you can't start earning your way toward that dream vacation without getting approved for a card first.

Moreover, there's no sense in going through the application process for a card that won't net you much value. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you prepare to apply.

1. Travel credit cards aren't always easy to qualify for. Getting approved could prove difficult if your credit history is thin or you occasionally pay your statement balance late. Work on building your credit before applying.
2. Take the time to review each credit card's rewards, benefits, and travel partners. If you're not going to be able to use the rewards and benefits a card offers, or if your prospective card's rewards program doesn't partner with travel brands you have the opportunity to book with — e.g., lots of international airlines that don't service your desired destinations — then it doesn't make financial sense to go with that card.
3. Consider your payment history. If you typically pay your statement balance in full and on time, that's helpful because interest charges won't offset the value of your rewards. If you occasionally carry a balance and have good enough credit to qualify, you'll want a card with a lower APR — just in case.

FAQs

Advice from our experts

Getting your first travel card 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?

Guan Jun Wang

Professor of Finance in the McAfee School of Business | Union University

When searching for any (travel) credit card, there are certain red flags to watch out for. First, always read the fine print and carefully review the card's terms and conditions to spot any hidden fees or restrictions. Be cautious of cards with high annual fees that don't offer benefits that justify the cost, as well as those offering rewards in narrow categories that you may not frequently use, which can limit your ability to earn points or miles effectively.

If you plan to travel internationally, avoid cards that charge foreign transaction fees, as these can quickly add up and diminish the value of your rewards. Be always wary of cards with high interest rates if you anticipate carrying a balance; otherwise, the interest rates can be less of a concern if you pay off your balance in full each month.

Remember, all (travel) credit cards have their pros and cons, often involving a trade-off between benefits and costs. For example, cards that offer airport lounge access usually come with a high annual fee, making them more suitable for frequent flyers than for those who primarily travel by road. Be sure to choose a card that best aligns with your lifestyle and spending habits.

Can beginners ever "skip" entry travel cards and immediately apply for higher tier cards with more benefits?

Maggie Daniels, PhD

School of Sport, Recreation and Tourism Management and College of Education and Human Development | George Mason University

If your credit rating and income are high enough, you can apply for any credit card on the market. Having said that, most consumers considering an entry-level travel card are unlikely to meet the household income threshold mandated for approval. Luxury cards can quickly create a cycle of debt and should be avoided unless you are a frequent traveler who can meet the expenditure threshold without blinking an eye and you, without fail, pay off the balance in full every month.

Are frequent travelers the only ones who benefit from having a travel credit card?

Sean Spence, PhD

Adjunct Professor of Finance | George Mason University, Costello College of Business

No, even infrequent travelers can benefit from travel credit cards. Sign-up bonuses, travel protections, and perks like airport lounge access can enhance any trip. Plus, many cards offer rewards on everyday spending, allowing you to earn points or miles even when you're not traveling.

Bottom line

If you plan to travel, you may as well have a travel credit card in your wallet. You should always make sure you can use the card responsibly first. Have a plan for taking advantage of your chosen card's travel perks and, if applicable and comfortable, earning the welcome offer.

If you don't think you'll be able to get value equal to or greater than the annual fee from a given card, it might not be the right one for you. And unless you're deliberately using a card to carry a balance during its intro APR period, always pay off your statement in full each month to avoid accruing interest at high rates.

Easy-to-Earn Unlimited Rewards

Bank of America^® Travel Rewards credit card

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 18.24% - 28.24% 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.

4.4

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

Read Card Review

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 3 points per $1 spent on travel purchases booked through the Bank of America Travel Center and 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases.

• Apply Now