You can use a travel credit card as a helpful tool to reduce your trip expenses. You get to enjoy free flights, hotel stays, and other things if you spend your money wisely. When you use these cards to pay for your excursions, you may receive additional rewards of up to ten points per dollar in addition to the regular amount of points (or miles) earned for travel and other regular expenditures. Continue reading to learn about the top travel rewards credit cards with no annual fee in 2023, how they operate, and how to choose the right one for you.
Preamble
The finest travel credit cards come with a variety of bonuses and improvements that can transform your next vacation from inexpensive to opulent without spending more money. These benefits go beyond amazing cash-back, points, or mile incentives. No foreign transaction fees, travel insurance, and various travel credits are among the features of travel cards that are almost universally available. By providing lounge access and credits for accelerated airport security, more premium credit cards take things to the next level.
Once you start to go past those qualities, things start to get interesting and perplexing. Consider how you’ll use the card and how to maximize your points before applying for a new card to ensure that you’re receiving the most out of the rewards program, particularly if you’re paying a high annual fee. As many of credit cards also have high-interest rates, it’s crucial to make sure you have the financial means to pay off your bill completely and on time each month.
Best Credit Cards for Travel Rewards 2023
Below are some of the best credit cards for travel rewards in 2023:
#1. Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
One of the best credit cards available in any 2023 category, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card rewrote the rules of the game in the travel rewards industry. The card offers a plethora of benefits, the points are simple to earn and spend, and the credits can easily justify the annual charge. Just be sure you value traveling with your incentives. You might be put off by the annual fee, but the card offers a 10,000-point anniversary bonus good for $100 in travel, as well as up to a $300 yearly travel statement credit for reservations made through the Capital One Portal. As Capital One Points can be transferred to travel partners or used to purchase travel, they are simple to redeem.
#2. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a great starting point for travelers who want to dangle their toes in the water. It has a reasonable annual cost and has all the features you require. Cardholders can use their precious Ultimate Rewards points to access transfer partners or to easily redeem for travel through the Chase travel portal with no restrictions. There are several options for travel insurance, and there are no foreign transaction fees.
With Chase’s travel site, the Pay Yourself Back option, or by transferring them to the airline and hotel transfer partners of Chase, such as United MileagePlus and World of Hyatt, at a 1:1 ratio, Chase Ultimate Rewards points can be used to book travel. When using the Ultimate Rewards website to make a hotel reservation, the card additionally provides a $50 hotel credit and a 10% anniversary point boost. This implies that if you use the card to make $10,000 in purchases, you will receive an extra 1,000 Ultimate Rewards points when you renew the card.
#3. United Club℠ Infinite Card
Generally speaking, you should acquire a card with the airline you fly the most if you’re searching for an airline-specific card. The United ClubSM Infinite Card is the airline credit card with the most potential for earnings, valuable points, and other advantageous features like lounge access. Access to United Club airport lounges and other Star Alliance Gold lounges is the United Club Card’s most notable perk. Also, if you have status, you’ll get Premier Access, 25% back on in-flight purchases, enhanced access to award flights, two free checked bags for you and a companion, and Premier Upgrades on award tickets. There are also additional travel advantages and protections provided.
#4. Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express *
The Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express* offers complimentary top-tier Hilton Honors Diamond status in addition to rapid point accumulation. A night reward each year and up to $250 in resort statement credits are two more Hilton perks. Hotel points are often less valuable than airline miles or flexible rewards points, even if the Hilton Aspire card offers a higher point yield per dollar than some of the other cards on this list. Nonetheless, the Hilton Aspire Card offers a lot of advantages.
Together with hotel benefits, cardholders can enroll for a free Priority Pass Select airport lounge membership and receive up to $250 in airline charge statement credits per year for incidental expenditures made at a chosen qualified airline.
#5. The World of Hyatt Credit Card *
Hyatt is beloved by travelers. The World of Hyatt Credit Card* offers an annual free night and the opportunity to spend toward status, making it a decent option for travelers who frequently stay at Hyatt hotels even though it may not be the greatest way to earn World of Hyatt points. The World of Hyatt Credit Card* offers cardholders a free hotel night redeemable at Category 1 to 4 Hyatt hotels each cardmember anniversary year and the chance to earn a second one after spending $15,000 on the card in a calendar year in addition to the possibility to earn points in a variety of categories.
#6. Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Our list of the best travel rewards credit cards in 2023 also includes the Chase Sapphire Reserve® for a number of reasons. Even though it has a high annual fee, it has transfer partners that offer a wide range of redemption choices, so it consistently earns meaningful rewards at a good rate. Also, there are no international transaction fees, and the best-in-class travel insurance advantages. It is also widely accepted all over the world as a Visa card. If you travel at least a few times a year, you should give this card considerable thought.
Earned Chase Ultimate Rewards® points with the Sapphire Reserve are worth 1.5 cents each when used to book travel through the Chase travel portal. Points can also be transferred to Chase’s travel partners at a 1:1 ratio. Points in Pay Yourself Back are worth between 1.25 and 1.5 cents each.
Best Credit Cards for Travel Rewards No Annual Fee
A reliable travel rewards credit card can be obtained without paying an annual fee. There are some very great options that will help you earn incentives to pay for your next journey, even if you don’t receive all the fancy features that come with some of the more opulent travel cards. We examined common alternatives using the average American’s annual spending budget and thoroughly examined each card’s benefits and downsides to determine the best no-annual-fee travel rewards credit cards based on your travel preferences. This ensures that you are selecting the finest card for your needs.
#1. Discover it® Miles
The Discover it® Miles card stands out among travel credit cards thanks to its extensive rewards program. Unlike some of the other cards on this list, there is no bonus for eating or travel-related expenditures. With the Discover it Miles card, customers may earn limitless 1.5X miles on all purchases. But, Discover has a sign-up benefit that is difficult to beat for customers who make larger purchases: It will match all miles accrued in the first year, mile for mile.
There are no blackout periods while using this card to pay for travel-related expenses. Also, it’s simple to convert miles into a statement credit for travel, dining, or petrol purchases or a bank account payment. The finest aspect is that accrued miles are kept active even after account closure.
#2. Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card
Similar to the Discover card mentioned above, the Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card likewise provides an unlimited 1.5X rate. Every dollar spent on all purchases by cardholders results in 1.5 points. Although we classified it as runner-up due to its less significant welcome bonus than Discover’s, prospective users can still benefit from applying and making purchases: After making at least $1,000 in purchases during the first 90 days after account opening, earn 25,000 bonus points. This can be exchanged for a $250 statement credit that can be applied to eligible travel expenses.
With this card, there is no cap on how many points you may accumulate, and they never expire. Cardholders can use their rewards at any time for any amount, and they can go abroad without paying any international transaction fees.
#3. Bank of America® Travel Rewards for Students Credit card
Students who intend to study abroad or travel during breaks might consider the Bank of America Travel Rewards for Students. Cardholders earn 1.5 points for every dollar spent on all transactions as part of the rewards program, which is focused on travel. You may use rewards as a statement credit to pay for eligible travel expenses, which is an easy way to lower the cost of a spring break getaway or a return flight. This card is perfect for students who are studying abroad because there are no international transaction fees.
Also, this card has a longer-than-average special financing offer that carries no interest for 15 billing cycles (followed by a variable APR of 15.49% – 25.49%). You can make payments on new purchases over time without paying interest for the entire year of 0% APR.
#4. U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa® Secured Card
One of the few travel-oriented secured credit cards on the market is the U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa® Secured Card. So, this card can be a wonderful option for you if you want to earn travel points on your purchases while improving your credit. Cardholders can also receive a $15 credit on yearly streaming service purchases.
A deposit of $300 to $5,000 is required for new cardholders; this deposit serves as your credit line. There is no set timeframe, unlike with some of the other cards on this list, for when U.S. Bank will upgrade you to the U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card if you stay under your credit limit and pay your bills on time. Your security deposit will be reimbursed once you’ve been upgraded. You can choose the day that your bill is due, and there are no foreign transaction fees with this card.
#5. Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
Anybody wishing to make hotel reservations have to take into account the fantastic offer of the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card. 5X miles for accommodations and auto rentals made with Capital One Travel. This card, which has no annual fee, gives cardholders an unlimited 1.25X mile bonus on all other transactions. The introduction 0% APR term, which is available for 18 months on new purchases and balance transfers, is another benefit.
40,000 bonus miles are awarded to new cardholders of the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card once they spend $1,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. This card lets you transfer miles to Emirates Skywards, Etihad Guest, and Aeroplan®, Capital One’s airline rewards programs. Cardholders can redeem miles for checks, account credits, gift cards, and other products at various rates.
Are Rewards Cards Really Worth It?
If you pay off your credit card balance in full each month, then yes, credit card incentives are worthwhile. You won’t be charged interest on your purchases if you do that.
Is 3 Credit Cards Too Much?
Two to three credit card accounts in addition to other forms of credit are typically advised if obtaining or maintaining a strong credit score is your objective.
Does Mastercard Have Travel Rewards?
Mastercard Travel Rewards offers cash back at select global shops in over 60 countries.
Which Card Is Used for International Travel?
The InterMiles HDFC Bank Signature Credit Card is mostly appropriate for travel abroad. You may save more money on your travel purchases and receive better benefits with this card.
Does Visa Offer Any Rewards?
Several credit cards have a benefit called Visa Rewards that lets you accumulate points on regular transactions.
Which Mastercard Has Airport Lounge Access?
The Mastercard® Gold CardTM and Mastercard® Black CardTM offer free Priority Pass lounge memberships at over 1,300 locations worldwide. Compared to the perks they provide, both cards have substantial yearly fees.
What Is the Difference Between a Travel Card and Credit Card?
A credit card specifically created with a traveler’s needs in mind is known as a travel card. With a standard credit card, you can earn incentives like cashback or points that can be used to buy gift cards, items, or discounts.
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