It is never too late to start earning and redeeming travel rewards.

If you tend to spend money on everyday expenses such as dining at restaurants, shopping at supermarkets, and filling your car with gas, you might as well earn some points and miles which can help offset the cost of future travel. Thankfully, there are a number of travel rewards card options, each with their own travel perks to suit your specific needs. Many cards come with a set of unique earning categories, significant sign up bonuses, specific travel benefits and insurance, and the ability to transfer points to airline and hotel travel partners. Despite the annual fee on most cards, the benefits far outweigh the cost.

Before You Start: Know Your Credit Score

If you are new to travel rewards and credit in general, it is a good idea to check your credit score before applying for a credit or charge card. That way, you will be able to apply for travel rewards cards which align with both your credit score and your travel goals.

Credit. Time. Credit Score Chart.

Credit Scores are shown numerically and range from 300 (Poor) to 850 (Excellent / Perfect). While there are a number of credit agencies (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) and credit scores (FICO and VantageScore), generally, scores above 750 are considered excellent*. While some agencies charge for a credit report, there are a number of “free” options as well:

• Personal Bank
• Credit Karma
• Annual Credit Report

The Best Travel Credit Cards For Beginners

Here is a quick overview of the best travel rewards cards for beginners, which includes a summary of card details, reward rates, benefits, and more.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is one of the most popular travel rewards credit cards on the market and has long been the standard as one of the best travel rewards cards for beginners. The value of the card comes from the ability to earn valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points, a relatively low annual fee, and a host of benefits. In addition, cardholders can redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards points at 1.25 cents when booking travel through Chase Travel℠ or transfer the points to one of the many airline and hotel transfer partners.

Credit. The Points Guy. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.

Credit Card Details

• Intro Offer: Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
• Annual Fee: $95
• APR: 21.49% – 28.49% Variable
• Recommended Credit: 670-850 (Good / Excellent)*

Reward Rates

• 5x on Travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
• 5x on Lyft purchases (through March 31st, 2025)
• 3x on Dining, select Streaming Services, and Online Groceries
• 2x on All Other Travel purchases
• 1x on All Other purchases

Other Benefits

• Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠
• Premium travel protection benefits including trip cancellation insurance, primary car rental insurance, and lost luggage insurance
• Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

In the complex world of award travel, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card stands out due its simplicity. Cardholders will earn 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, which eliminates the need to memorize various bonus categories. Outside the simple earning structure, the card comes with a relatively low annual fee, and multiple benefits (including a Global Entry credit). In addition, cardholders have the option to “erase” travel purchases with Capital One Miles or utilize one of the many transfer partner options.

Credit. The Points Guy. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card.

Credit Card Details

• Intro Offer: New Venture cardholders can earn 75,000 miles once they spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
• Annual Fee: $95
• APR: 19.99% – 29.99% Variable
• Recommended Credit: 670-850 (Good / Excellent)*

Reward Rates

• 5x Miles on Hotels and Rental Cars (booked through Capital One Travel)
• 2x Miles on All Other purchases

Other Benefits

• Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
• Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
• Enrich every hotel stay from the Lifestyle Collection with a suite of cardholder benefits, like a $50 experience credit, room upgrades, and more

Citi Premier® Card

The Citi Premier® Card is one of the most underrated travel rewards credit cards for beginners. The value of the card comes from the broad range of earning categories, which cover the major expenses for the average household (i.e. supermarkets, restaurants, gas stations, and travel), for a relatively modest annual fee of $95. In addition, cardholders can redeem Citi ThankYou points through the Citi Travel portal or transfer the points to one of many Citi transfer partners. 

Credit. The Points Guy. Citi Premier® Card.

The American Express® Gold Card is one of the most valuable travel rewards cards for beginners. Despite the high annual fee of $250, the American Express® Gold Card offers incredible overall value through high earning opportunities on key categories (dining at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets) and a host of monthly credits. In addition, cardholders can redeem American Express Membership Rewards points through the American Express Travel portal or transfer the points to one of many American Express transfer partners. See rates and fees. 

Credit. The Points Guy. American Express® Gold Card.

The BILT Mastercard® is one of the most unique, and potentially valuable, travel rewards cards on the market. The card is unique in that it allows cardholders to earn rewards on rent payments without being charged a transaction fee. However, the card also comes with a host of impressive point earning opportunities in key spend categories. In addition, the BILT Rewards program offers numerous promotions (i.e. double points on “Rent Day”), an impressive list of transfer partners, and transfer bonus multipliers (up to 150%) based on status. These benefits are what make the BILT Mastercard® attractive to beginners, even if they do not pay rent each month. 

Credit. The Points Guy. Bilt Mastercard®.

*Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

 Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company. 

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.