What are the Best Travel Credit Cards for Beginners?
Best Travel Credit Cards for Beginners
On my journey to travel on points, I have begun to open credit cards for specific expenses and for sign-up bonuses. I open cards based on my spending but also on what the current sign-up bonus is. Catering my travel credit cards to my lifestyle allows me to quickly accumulate points, authentically.
My goal is to not increase my credit card debt but to spend wisely so that I can travel for free!
If I were to start over, here are the best beginner travel credit cards that I would consider for my point-earning arsenal.
Beginner Travel Credit Card Recommendations:
| Travel Credit Card | Annual Fee | Benefits |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred | $95 | – 3x points on streaming services – 5x points on Lyft – 2x points on travel – No foreign transaction fee -Flexible Rewards |
| Capital One Venture | $95 | – 2x points on everything – Credit for TSA Pre-Check or Global Entry – Flexible Rewards |
| Bilt | $0 | – 1x on Rent – 2x on Travel – 3x on Dinning – 2x on Walgreens – Categories double on Rent Day – Flexible Rewards |
| American Express Gold | $325 | – 4x points on restaurants -4x points on supermarkets – 3x on Flights -$120 Uber Cash and Dining Credit – $84 Dunkin Credit – $100 Resy Credit – No foreign transaction fee – flexible rewards |
What is the best travel credit card for beginners?
If you are getting started in your journey to traveling using points and do not mind an Annual Fee I would get the Chase Sapphire Preferred. This card allows you to transfer to both Air France and British Airways which is great for international travel in addition to not having a foreign transaction fee so you can use it while you are abroad. This card also makes it so that when you get additional Chase cards such as the Chase Freedom Flex, you can transfer those points to Sapphire to use to book flights. It is a gateway card because it opens you to the world of Chase points. Finally, I love that you can transfer to Hyatt, a hotel with some of the lowest redemptions.
What are flexible rewards for travel credit cards?
Flexible rewards are for credit cards that allow you to transfer the points that you earn to airlines and hotels so that you can book your travel. Flexible rewards are a game changer because your points are not stuck with the airline or hotel you earned them with allowing you to utilize multiple hotels and airlines.
What are sign-up bonuses for travel credit cards?
Three of the cards from the best travel credit cards for beginners list have a sign-up bonus, Chase Sapphire, Captial One, and American Express Gold. I would recommend, using different browsers to try to get the highest sign-up amount as they do range. Typically with a credit card sign-up bonus, you have to spend a certain amount in a few months. Before signing up for any of these cards I would highly recommend you can meet the sign-up bonus as that is key to being able to earn a lot of points in a short amount of time. The easiest way to earn the sign-up bonus would be to put all your purchases on the card for the specific number of months.
While Bilt does not have a sign-up bonus, it is a great card to earn points by paying your rent without additional fees.
Which Travel credit card would I recommend for International Travel?
The best credit cards for international travel based on the best travel credit cards for beginners list are Capital One Venture or Chase Sapphire. I like Capital One because you get 2x the points regardless of the purchase and it provides a credit for TSA Pre-check or Global Entry.
What if I want lounge access?
If you are a beginner traveler who wants lounge access you have a few options. None of the cards on the best travel credit cards for beginners list provide lounge access unless you get the higher tier options of the card or if you purchase a business class flight.
If you want to go the credit card route, you would need to get the Chase Saphire Reserve, an annual fee of $550, or Capital One Venture X, an annual fee of $395. Another option would be the American Express Platinum which has an annual fee of $695.
You can also purchase a priority pass membership that will give you access to a variety of lounges.
Best Travel Credit Cards for Beginners Next Steps
Using these travel credit cards has helped to fund my travel over the past few years. Credit Cards can be used to make travel less stressful by enrolling in the features that provide lounge access and expedited security access like TSA Precheck or Global Entry.
Keep in mind that once you get the cards, DO NOT USE THEM IN THE AIRLINE PORTAL TO BOOK YOUR TRAVEL!!! Please transfer the points.
If you have a business, I would recommend Chase Ink Business Cash or Chase Ink Business Unlimited.
Tips: I used one of my Global Entry credits for myself and the other for my mom.
What would you recommend for the best travel credit cards for beginners?
Save for Later!
| Travel Resources | Information about Resources |
| Airalo | If you need phone service while out of the country, check out Airalo to avoid all the fees. |
| Amazon | Find the perfect items for your next vacation! |
| Booking.com | If you want to book a mix of hotels and houses check out booking.com! |
| Expedia | Need a package that includes flight + hotel or want to add a car? Expedia is the perfect site to book an entire vacation. |
| Priority Pass | If you do not have a travel credit card you can still get lounge access through, Priority Pass. Click to learn more! |
| Ticketmaster | Heading to a concert or event, make sure to check out Ticketmaster. |
| Vrbo | Find the perfect rental house for your vacation and/or staycation. |
| Viator | The perfect place to find all your excursions and things to do in the many cities you visit. |
