Methodology
Forbes Advisor considered several factors when evaluating the best travel credit cards for beginners, including:
- Earning rates
- Annual fees
- Welcome bonuses
- Foreign transaction fees
- Redemption flexibility
- Value of points/miles when used for travel
- Travel protections offered
- Premium travel benefits included
- Additional travel discounts
- Intro APR offers
Forbes Advisor reevaluates each credit card list at least every 12 months to determine if any cards need to be added and/or removed. However, a list could be updated sooner if significant changes are made to the mentioned cards or if a new credit card is announced that’s likely to impact the category.
To learn more about our rating and review methodology and editorial process, check out our guide on how Forbes Advisor rates credit cards.
What Is a Travel Credit Card for Beginners?
A travel credit card for beginners is any credit card that offers travel rewards and/or benefits without the high annual fees, complicated point structures or other specialty features that could be confusing to someone just getting started. No annual fee travel cards can be a low-risk place to get started because you’re not on the hook for any costs while you learn your way around a new program.
Beginner travel cards may come with multiple redemption options—including simple approaches like cash back—and avoid the higher costs associated with ultra-premium travel cards. You’ll still find a nice assortment of benefits that may include travel statement credits, high welcome offers and waived foreign transaction fees.
Find the Best Travel Credit Cards for 2025
Find the best travel credit card for your travel needs.
How To Choose a Starter Travel Credit Card
For those looking for a starter travel credit card, it might make the most sense to consider cards that offer flexible rewards points with many redemption options or cards that earn points that can easily be turned into cold, hard cash instead of limiting yourself to airline cards or hotel cards.
When evaluating general travel credit cards, consider the following:
- Annual fees. Some travel cards may be available without an annual fee while others cost $500 or more per year. Beginner cards tend to have fees of $100 or less annually.
- Foreign transaction fees. If you plan to study abroad or travel internationally, you’ll save a lot of money by choosing a card without foreign transaction fees.
- Redemption options. Consider whether you’re looking for hotel points, airline miles, cash back or a combination of multiple reward types to ensure the card you’re looking at coincides with your preferences.
- Trip protections. Travel insurance might not be glamorous, but cards that offer protection against trip cancellation, flight delays or lost baggage could save you money when things don’t go according to plan.
What Travel Credit Card for Beginners Would You Recommend, and Why?
Laura Adams
Credit Cards Expert
Toni Perkins-Southam
Credit Cards Lead Editor
Jerod Morales
Credit Cards Editor
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers many travel benefits for beginners with a reasonable $95 annual fee. You earn 5 points per dollar on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3 points per dollar on dining, select streaming services and online grocery purchases (excluding Walmart, Target and wholesale clubs), 2 points per dollar on all other travel purchases and 1 point per dollar on other purchases. You also receive valuable travel insurance protections for rental cars, trip cancellations and lost luggage. These perks come with a high APR though, so beginners should avoid carrying a balance on the card whenever possible.
Credit Cards Expert
This is a toss-up between the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card (rates & fees). They are both amazing travel cards for beginners. Each card utilizes transferable points that can be converted to loads of useful partners; both cards offer elevated earnings on eligible travel, and they have a similar annual fee. The choice comes down to your spending habits. Can you do better with 3X on online grocery purchases and 1X on all other shopping offered with the CSP? Or does a flat 2X on all eligible purchases with the Venture make more sense for you?
Credit Cards Lead Editor
The travel card I most often recommend for beginners is the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. It’s easy to get above-average redemption value when booking through the Chase Travel portal. For those who want to explore travel rewards more deeply, airline and hotel transfer partners offer a way to get outstanding value when redeemed for select sweet spots.
Credit Cards Editor
Maximizing Travel Credit Cards for Beginners
The best way to maximize your credit card is to use one that aligns with your spending patterns. That will allow you to earn more rewards more quickly without having to change your lifestyle. You’ll also want to take some time to understand your card’s rewards program so you can redeem your points for maximum value. Not all redemptions are created equally, making it worth the effort to see if you can eke out a little extra utility from the same balance.
Earning and Redeeming Flexible Rewards for Beginners
We love flexible rewards, like Chase Ultimate Rewards and Citi ThankYou Points, and this holds especially true for beginners. These programs don’t lock you into complicated mileage schemes like a single airline co-branded credit card would. You can earn points and wait until you’re ready to look into your redemption options.
Flexible points let you keep things simple—redeem them toward cash back or apply them to reservations you make through your credit card’s travel booking portal. If you want to move points to an airline or hotel, you can, but it’s never required. You’ll also get to pick and choose which loyalty programs are relevant partners to you. For example, you may wish to start with transfers to programs that are easy to understand, like Hyatt or United, and only move onto more complicated programs if you later have a need to dig into those details.
Is a Travel Credit Card Right For You?
If you love to travel, getting a travel rewards credit card probably makes sense. Since travel can be an expensive budget item, it makes sense to earn rewards on these charges—and then turn around and use rewards to offset the charges on future trips.
To view rates and fees for Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card please visit this page.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the easiest travel credit card to get for beginners?
Most travel credit cards require good to excellent credit scores (starting at 670 in the FICO scoring model). However, generally speaking, no annual fee travel cards are typically easier to be approved for than ultra-premium travel cards with high annual fees. The Credit One Bank® Wander® American Express® with Dining, Gas & Travel Rewards is marketed to people with average credit.
What is the best credit card with travel insurance?
Forbes Advisor’s best credit cards for travel insurance lists cards offering different types of trip protection. These can be useful money-saving perks, but the policies may require you to carefully follow specific terms and conditions. Make sure you understand the rules and limitations of your policy to ensure you’re protected.
What is the best card for international travel?
When choosing a credit card for international travel, pick one with no foreign transaction fees. You’ll also need to confirm that the type of card you choose is widely accepted at your destination and that any rewards you intend to redeem have options with airlines or hotels that service that area.
