Occasional travelers often face a dilemma: they want to reap the benefits of travel rewards without paying hefty annual fees for features they rarely use. Finding the right credit card that balances valuable rewards with affordability is crucial for maximizing travel perks without breaking the bank. This article explores the best credit card options for those who travel infrequently, focusing on earning rewards on everyday spending and redeeming them for travel experiences, all while avoiding high annual fees.
Credit Card Comparison Table: Occasional Travel (2024)
| Card Name | Rewards Structure | Key Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card | 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®; 3x points on dining, select streaming services, and online grocery purchases; 2x points on all other travel purchases; 1x point on all other purchases. | Higher earning potential on travel and dining, travel and purchase protections, point transfer to travel partners (airlines and hotels), $50 annual hotel credit, access to Chase Ultimate Rewards portal. |
| Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card | 1.25x miles on every purchase, every day. | No annual fee, miles can be redeemed for travel or statement credits, extended warranty, travel accident insurance, 0% intro APR for a limited time. |
| Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card | 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases. | No annual fee, points can be redeemed for travel or cash back, bonus points for Bank of America Preferred Rewards members, travel and purchase protections. |
| Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card | 3x points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans; 1x point on all other purchases. | No annual fee, broad bonus categories, cell phone protection, 0% intro APR for a limited time, access to My Wells Fargo Deals. |
| Discover it® Miles | 1.5x miles on every purchase. | No annual fee, Discover matches all the miles you've earned at the end of your first year, travel accident insurance, no foreign transaction fees. |
| American Express® Blue Cash Everyday® Card | 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%), 2% cash back at U.S. gas stations and at select U.S. department stores, 1% cash back on other purchases. | No annual fee, intro APR offer, cash back on everyday spending categories, purchase protection. While not strictly a travel card, cash back can be used towards travel. |
| Chase Freedom Unlimited® | 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards; 3% cash back on dining and drugstores; 1.5% cash back on all other purchases. | No annual fee, intro APR offer, access to Chase Ultimate Rewards portal, cash back can be redeemed for travel or cash. |
| U.S. Bank Altitude Go® Visa Signature® Card | 4x points on dining, takeout, and food delivery; 2x points on grocery stores, gas stations, and streaming services; 1x point on all other purchases. | No annual fee, $15 streaming service credit annually, cell phone protection, travel and purchase protections. |
| Upgrade® Cash Rewards Visa® | 1.5% unlimited cash back on card purchases when you pay them off. | No annual fee, cashback rewards with payment, credit monitoring access, fixed-rate installment loans. |
| Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card | 5% back at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market with an eligible Prime membership, 2% back at restaurants and gas stations, and 1% back on all other purchases. | No annual fee (with Amazon Prime Membership), rewards directly linked to Amazon account, travel and purchase protections. While not strictly a travel card, the rewards can be used to offset travel costs. |
Detailed Explanations
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: This card is a great option for occasional travelers due to its flexible rewards program. You earn 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3x points on dining, select streaming services, and online grocery purchases, and 2x points on all other travel purchases. These points can be redeemed for travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal at a 25% bonus, or transferred to partner airlines and hotels for even greater value. The card also offers valuable travel protections and a $50 annual hotel credit.
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card: The VentureOne card offers a straightforward rewards structure with 1.25x miles on every purchase. It's a solid choice for those who prefer simplicity and want to avoid an annual fee. Miles can be redeemed for travel purchases or statement credits, providing flexibility. The card also includes benefits like extended warranty and travel accident insurance.
Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card: This card provides 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, making it easy to earn rewards on everyday spending. With no annual fee, it's an affordable option for occasional travelers. Points can be redeemed for travel or cash back, and Bank of America Preferred Rewards members can earn bonus points.
Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card: The Autograph card offers a diverse range of bonus categories, earning 3x points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans. This makes it easy to rack up points on common expenses. With no annual fee and cell phone protection, it's a valuable card for budget-conscious travelers.
Discover it® Miles: This card offers a simple rewards structure of 1.5x miles on every purchase. Discover matches all the miles you've earned at the end of your first year, effectively doubling your rewards. With no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, it's a great choice for international travel and those new to credit card rewards.
American Express® Blue Cash Everyday® Card: While not specifically a travel card, the Blue Cash Everyday card offers 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%), 2% cash back at U.S. gas stations and at select U.S. department stores, and 1% cash back on other purchases. The cash back earned can then be used towards travel expenses. It's a solid choice for those who want to earn rewards on everyday spending and redeem them for travel.
Chase Freedom Unlimited®: This card offers 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3% cash back on dining and drugstores, and 1.5% cash back on all other purchases. The cash back earned can be redeemed for travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal or as a statement credit. With no annual fee and an intro APR offer, it's a valuable card for everyday spending.
U.S. Bank Altitude Go® Visa Signature® Card: This card focuses on dining and everyday spending, offering 4x points on dining, takeout, and food delivery; 2x points on grocery stores, gas stations, and streaming services; and 1x point on all other purchases. The card also offers a $15 streaming service credit annually and cell phone protection. With no annual fee, it's a great choice for those who spend heavily on dining and streaming.
Upgrade® Cash Rewards Visa®: This card offers a simple rewards structure of 1.5% unlimited cash back on card purchases when you pay them off. The cashback rewards are earned with each payment, encouraging responsible spending. With no annual fee and credit monitoring access, it's a good option for those who want a straightforward cashback card.
Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card: If you're an Amazon Prime member, this card offers 5% back at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market, 2% back at restaurants and gas stations, and 1% back on all other purchases. The rewards are directly linked to your Amazon account, making them easy to redeem. While not strictly a travel card, the rewards can be used to offset travel costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best credit card for occasional travel if I don't want to pay an annual fee? The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card, Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card, or Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card are excellent options as they offer rewards on all purchases without an annual fee.
How can I maximize my travel rewards with a credit card? Focus on using your card for purchases that earn bonus rewards, such as travel and dining, and consider transferring your points to airline or hotel partners for potentially greater value.
What are the benefits of using a travel credit card? Travel credit cards can offer rewards like points or miles, travel insurance, purchase protection, and access to exclusive airport lounges.
Are travel credit cards worth it for occasional travelers? Yes, especially if you choose a card with no annual fee and focus on earning rewards on your everyday spending.
What should I look for in a travel credit card? Consider factors like the rewards structure, annual fee, travel benefits, and any foreign transaction fees.
How do I redeem my travel rewards? You can typically redeem your rewards for travel purchases through the card issuer's website or by transferring them to partner airlines or hotels.
What is a good credit score to get a travel credit card? A good to excellent credit score (670 or higher) is generally required to qualify for most travel credit cards.
Do travel credit cards have foreign transaction fees? Some travel credit cards waive foreign transaction fees, which can save you money when traveling internationally.
What is the difference between points and miles in travel rewards programs? Points and miles are essentially the same thing - currency with different names. Miles are usually associated with airline rewards, while points can be used in a variety of ways.
Can I use my travel rewards for cash back? Yes, many travel credit cards offer the option to redeem your rewards for cash back, although the value may be lower than redeeming for travel.
Conclusion
Choosing the best credit card for occasional travel depends on your spending habits and travel preferences. For those seeking a no-annual-fee option, the Capital One VentureOne, Wells Fargo Autograph, or Bank of America Travel Rewards cards offer simple rewards structures and valuable benefits. If you are willing to pay a modest annual fee, the Chase Sapphire Preferred offers higher earning potential and more flexible redemption options through the Ultimate Rewards program. Consider your typical spending categories and travel patterns to select the card that best aligns with your needs and helps you maximize your travel rewards.