By Amanda McCoy, POPSUGAR
If you're an avid explorer, a travel credit card in your wallet is imperative. The right plastic can be the difference between eating a cold grab-and-go sandwich and dining on hot, fresh fare while sipping Champagne before a flight. They can also help you rack up hotel points and miles, helping you see the world without shelling out tons of cash. Think a first-class trip to Paris might be out of reach? Not when you save up the points.
[post_ads]Most major airlines offer cards specific to their airline, making it easier for you rack up miles with that carrier. But there is a world of non-airline-specific cards out there that are geared toward travelers. Some are completely free and just help you accumulate miles faster, while others com with stiffer annual fees but offer additional perks like instant hotel status, TSA PreCheck, or Global Entry Reimbursement, even complimentary massages at certain lounges (now that's how to spend your layover!). So to help you find the right CC for your jet-setting needs, we're breaking down all the non-airline cards and their APRs, annual fees, and perks.
If you're an avid explorer, a travel credit card in your wallet is imperative. The right plastic can be the difference between eating a cold grab-and-go sandwich and dining on hot, fresh fare while sipping Champagne before a flight. They can also help you rack up hotel points and miles, helping you see the world without shelling out tons of cash. Think a first-class trip to Paris might be out of reach? Not when you save up the points.
[post_ads]Most major airlines offer cards specific to their airline, making it easier for you rack up miles with that carrier. But there is a world of non-airline-specific cards out there that are geared toward travelers. Some are completely free and just help you accumulate miles faster, while others com with stiffer annual fees but offer additional perks like instant hotel status, TSA PreCheck, or Global Entry Reimbursement, even complimentary massages at certain lounges (now that's how to spend your layover!). So to help you find the right CC for your jet-setting needs, we're breaking down all the non-airline cards and their APRs, annual fees, and perks.
Chase Sapphire Preferred
APR: 17.4 percent to 24.24 percent
Annual fee: $95, waived the first year
Sign-up bonus: Earn 50,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months.
Extra perks: Earn two times the points on travel and dining at restaurants. Earn 25 percent more in travel redemption at airfare, hotels, car rentals, and cruises. No foreign transaction fees. Travel and purchase coverage.
Annual fee: $95, waived the first year
Sign-up bonus: Earn 50,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months.
Extra perks: Earn two times the points on travel and dining at restaurants. Earn 25 percent more in travel redemption at airfare, hotels, car rentals, and cruises. No foreign transaction fees. Travel and purchase coverage.
Chase Sapphire Reserve
APR: 17.4 percent to 24.24 percent
Annual fee: $450
Sign-up bonus: Earn 50,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months.
Extra perks: $300 annual travel credit used toward travel-related purchases. Earn three times the points on travel and dining at restaurants worldwide. Earn 50 percent more value in travel redemption. Global entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit. Complimentary lounge access at Priority Pass lounges with 1,100 locations worldwide. Special benefits at a variety of hand-selected top hotels and resorts worldwide such as complimentary room upgrades, early check-in, and late check-out. Special car rental privileges from National Car Rental, Avis, and Silvercar. Access to Via Infinite Concierge. No foreign transaction fees. Travel and purchase coverage.
Annual fee: $450
Sign-up bonus: Earn 50,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months.
Extra perks: $300 annual travel credit used toward travel-related purchases. Earn three times the points on travel and dining at restaurants worldwide. Earn 50 percent more value in travel redemption. Global entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit. Complimentary lounge access at Priority Pass lounges with 1,100 locations worldwide. Special benefits at a variety of hand-selected top hotels and resorts worldwide such as complimentary room upgrades, early check-in, and late check-out. Special car rental privileges from National Car Rental, Avis, and Silvercar. Access to Via Infinite Concierge. No foreign transaction fees. Travel and purchase coverage.
American Express Platinum
APR: Charge card that allows you to pay over time
Annual fee: $550
Sign-up bonus: Earn 60,000 points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first three months.
Extra perks: Earn five times the points on airfare and hotels. Complimentary lounge access at the Global Lounge Collection, Priority Pass lounges, and the Delta Sky Club. $200 airline fee credit with one specific carrier. Global entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit. Automatic Gold status with Hilton Honors and Starwood Preferred Guest. Receive complimentary benefits with Fine Hotels & Resorts, including breakfast for two, room upgrades, and late check-out. $200 in Uber rides annually. Complimentary Boingo WiFi access. Complimentary membership in premium car rental programs and damage insurance. No foreign transaction fees.
Annual fee: $550
Sign-up bonus: Earn 60,000 points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first three months.
Extra perks: Earn five times the points on airfare and hotels. Complimentary lounge access at the Global Lounge Collection, Priority Pass lounges, and the Delta Sky Club. $200 airline fee credit with one specific carrier. Global entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit. Automatic Gold status with Hilton Honors and Starwood Preferred Guest. Receive complimentary benefits with Fine Hotels & Resorts, including breakfast for two, room upgrades, and late check-out. $200 in Uber rides annually. Complimentary Boingo WiFi access. Complimentary membership in premium car rental programs and damage insurance. No foreign transaction fees.
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Capital One Venture Rewards
APR: 14.24 percent to 24.24 percent
Annual fee: $95, waived the first year
Sign-up bonus: Earn 50,000 miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months.Extra perks: Earn unlimited two times the miles per dollar on every purchase. Earn 10 times the miles at hotels. No foreign transaction fees. Travel accident insurance and 24-hour travel assistance services.
Annual fee: $95, waived the first year
Sign-up bonus: Earn 50,000 miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months.Extra perks: Earn unlimited two times the miles per dollar on every purchase. Earn 10 times the miles at hotels. No foreign transaction fees. Travel accident insurance and 24-hour travel assistance services.
Barclaycard Arrival Plus
APR: 14.24 percent to 24.24 percent
Annual fee: $85, waived the first year
Sign-up bonus: Earn 40,000 miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months.Extra perks: Earn unlimited two times the miles per dollar on every purchase. Get five percent miles back to use toward your next redemption every time you redeem. Complimentary 24/7 travel card concierge service. No foreign transaction fees. Travel accident and trip insurance.
Annual fee: $85, waived the first year
Sign-up bonus: Earn 40,000 miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months.Extra perks: Earn unlimited two times the miles per dollar on every purchase. Get five percent miles back to use toward your next redemption every time you redeem. Complimentary 24/7 travel card concierge service. No foreign transaction fees. Travel accident and trip insurance.
Discover It Miles
APR: 0 percent for the first 14 months, 13.24-24.24 percent after
Annual fee: $0
Sign-up bonus: none
Extra perks: Earn unlimited 1.5 times the miles on every purchase. Mile match at the end of the first year — example: 30,000 miles turns into 60,000. $30 In-Flight WiFi credit each annual year.
Annual fee: $0
Sign-up bonus: none
Extra perks: Earn unlimited 1.5 times the miles on every purchase. Mile match at the end of the first year — example: 30,000 miles turns into 60,000. $30 In-Flight WiFi credit each annual year.
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Citi ThankYou Premier
APR: 15.74 percent to 24.74 percent
Annual fee: $95, waived the first year
Sign-up bonus: Earn 50,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months.
Extra perks: Earn three times the points on travel-related purchases including gas stations, airfare, car rentals, hotels, ridesharing services, tolls, and more. Earn two times the points on dining out and entertainment. Points are worth 25 percent more on airfare. Transfer your points to certain airline loyalty programs. No foreign transaction fees. Access to Citi concierge.
Annual fee: $95, waived the first year
Sign-up bonus: Earn 50,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months.
Extra perks: Earn three times the points on travel-related purchases including gas stations, airfare, car rentals, hotels, ridesharing services, tolls, and more. Earn two times the points on dining out and entertainment. Points are worth 25 percent more on airfare. Transfer your points to certain airline loyalty programs. No foreign transaction fees. Access to Citi concierge.
