The world of bank cards can appear overwhelming while you’re simply beginning. However if you wish to transfer on out of your cash-back card (or perhaps a student card), you are in the proper place. The suitable starter travel card can provide far more rewarding perks.
With a lot data and so many choices, how are you aware which card to decide on? Would you like transferable points? Airline miles? Free nights with a hotel chain? There are not any proper or improper solutions to those questions — it is all about what’s essential to you.
We have assembled this record of one of the best starter bank cards so you do not find yourself with rewards that do not match your objectives. None of those playing cards are tied to difficult, difficult-to-understand applications, nor have they got intimidating annual fees, although all of them have the potential for outsize worth.
And all of them are price maintaining in your bank card stock for the long run.
Associated: How to pick the right travel credit card for you
Greatest starter journey rewards playing cards
The knowledge for the American Specific Inexperienced Card has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or supplied by the cardboard issuer.
| Card | Welcome provide | Bonus classes |
|---|---|---|
| Chase Sapphire Preferred Card | Earn 100,000 bonus factors after spending $5,000 within the first three months from account opening. |
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| Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card | Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 throughout the first three months from account opening. Plus, obtain a $250 Capital One Journey credit score to be used within the first cardholder 12 months upon account opening. |
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| Citi Strata Premier Card | Earn 60,000 bonus factors after spending $4,000 throughout the first three months of account opening. |
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| American Express Gold Card | Earn 60,000 bonus factors after spending $6,000 throughout the first six months of cardmembership. You might even see increased, focused affords within the CardMatch tool (topic to vary at any time; not everybody might be focused for a similar affords). |
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| American Specific Inexperienced Card | Earn 40,000 bonus factors after spending $3,000 throughout the first six months of cardmembership. |
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| Bilt Mastercard | None |
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| Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card | Earn 25,000 bonus factors after spending $1,000 within the first 90 days of account opening. |
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Chase Sapphire Most well-liked Card
The Chase Sapphire Preferred is one among our favourite journey playing cards for a purpose. If in case you have a ok credit score rating, this card is usually a unbelievable starter journey card.
Annual price: $95
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Welcome bonus: Earn 100,000 bonus factors after spending $5,000 within the first three months from account opening.
Based on TPG’s April 2025 valuations, these 100,000 bonus factors are price $2,050.
Why it is an incredible starter card: There is a good purpose why the Chase Sapphire Most well-liked is our prime choose for our record of starter playing cards. Along with the profitable welcome provide, cardholders earn 5 factors per greenback on journey booked by way of Chase Travel, together with the next:
- 5 factors per greenback with Lyft (by way of Sept. 31, 2027) and on Peloton gear and accent purchases of $150 or extra (by way of Dec. 31, 2027, with a restrict of 25,000 bonus factors)
- 3 factors per greenback on dining (together with takeout and supply), choose streaming companies and on-line grocery orders (excluding Walmart, Goal and wholesale golf equipment)
- 2 factors per greenback on different travel
- 1 level per greenback on all different purchases
The Ultimate Rewards points it earns are straightforward to make use of with 11 airline and three resort loyalty program companions, akin to United MileagePlus and World of Hyatt. Your factors can be redeemed for 1.25 cents apiece to e book journey by way of Chase Journey.
The cardboard additionally has terrific travel benefits, together with main insurance coverage when renting a automobile and no foreign transaction fees. You will additionally get pleasure from $50 in annual assertion credit for resort stays booked by way of Chase Journey, and every year, in your account anniversary, you may get pleasure from a ten% factors bonus in your spending from the earlier 12 months.
Once you add within the welcome bonus and an annual price of solely $95, you will have a card that provides nice worth, particularly for those who’re simply beginning out on the earth of journey rewards.
To be taught extra, learn our full review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card.
Apply right here: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
Capital One Enterprise Rewards Credit score Card
The Venture Rewards does not have difficult bonus classes to trace, which can make it the proper match to your pockets.
Annual price: $95
Welcome bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 throughout the first three months from account opening. Plus, obtain a $250 Capital One Journey credit score to make use of within the first cardholder 12 months upon account opening.
Based on TPG’s April 2025 valuations, this welcome provide is price $1,638 when contemplating the worth of the journey credit score.
Why it is an incredible starter card: This card’s flexibility makes it best for vacationers getting began within the factors and miles world or those that aren’t inherently loyal to a single resort chain or airline.
First, you earn a flat 2 miles per greenback spent on every thing, that means you do not have to maintain monitor of various spending classes. Nevertheless, that incomes charge jumps to five miles per greenback for lodges, trip leases and automobile leases booked by way of Capital One Travel.
You will additionally get an up-to-$120 credit score to cowl the appliance price for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry.
With this card, you can benefit from Capital One’s 15-plus airline and resort companions. This card packs lots in for a $95 annual price and even makes the reduce as one among our total finest journey bank cards.
To be taught extra, learn our full review of the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card.
Study extra: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Citi Strata Premier Card
If you would like a single card to cowl a variety of bonus classes, the Strata Premier is strictly what you are on the lookout for.
Annual price: $95
Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus factors after spending $4,000 throughout the first three months of account opening.
Based on TPG’s April 2025 valuations, this welcome provide is price $1,080.
Why it is an incredible starter card: The fantastic thing about the Citi Strata Premier Card is its breadth of bonus classes. The cardboard earns 3 ThankYou points per greenback on air journey, different resort purchases, eating places, fuel stations, EV charging stations and supermarkets, serving to you rack up numerous factors very quickly.
For those who e book lodges, points of interest and automobile leases by way of CitiTravel.com, you may get pleasure from a unbelievable 10 factors per greenback in your spending.
In terms of spending these factors, you possibly can switch them to any of Citi’s 21 travel partners.
You can even obtain $100 off one resort keep of $500 or extra (excluding taxes and costs) per 12 months while you e book by way of CitiTravel.com. The cardboard has no international transaction charges and a $95 annual price.
To be taught extra, see our full review of the Citi Strata Premier.
Apply right here: Citi Strata Premier Card
American Specific Gold Card
The Amex Gold is a good alternative for anybody who spends some huge cash on meals. With this card, you may rack up tons of factors on lots of your meals purchases.
Annual price: $325 (see rates and fees)
Welcome provide: Earn 60,000 bonus factors after spending $6,000 throughout the first six months of cardmembership. Nevertheless, make sure to test the CardMatch tool to see for those who’re focused for an even higher bonus (affords are topic to vary at any time; not everybody might be focused for a similar affords).
Based on TPG’s April 2025 valuations, this welcome provide is price $1,200.
Why it is an incredible starter card: The Amex Gold Card is unbelievable for anybody trying to leverage their on a regular basis spending for wonderful rewards — whereas additionally having fun with helpful assertion credit for issues like eating and ride-hailing companies.
You will earn 4 factors per greenback at eating places worldwide (on as much as $50,000 in purchases per calendar 12 months, then 1 level per greenback) and on as much as $25,000 in purchases per calendar 12 months at U.S. supermarkets (then 1 level per greenback), 3 factors per greenback on flights booked instantly with airways or on amextravel.com, 2 factors per greenback spent on pay as you go lodges and different eligible purchases booked on amextravel.com and 1 level per greenback on every thing else.
Cardmembers additionally obtain as much as $120 in assertion credit every calendar 12 months (as much as $10 per 30 days) towards dining purchases at choose retailers and as much as $120 per calendar 12 months ($10 per 30 days) in Uber Cash towards U.S. Uber rides and U.S. Uber Eats orders after downloading and enrolling your Amex Gold card in your Uber account. You’ll be able to redeem it with any Amex card. Enrollment is required for choose advantages; phrases apply.
Different perks embody entry to The Resort Assortment*, the World Help Hotline^ and several other shopping and travel protections on the cardboard.
*Minimal two night time keep required; eligible costs range by property.
^Eligibility and Profit degree varies by Card. Phrases, Circumstances and Limitations Apply. Please go to americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for extra particulars. Card Members are liable for the prices charged by third-party service suppliers.
To be taught extra, learn our full review of the Amex Gold Card.
Apply right here: American Express Gold Card
American Specific Inexperienced Card
The Amex Inexperienced is usually neglected, however it’s positively a card younger professionals and newbie vacationers alike ought to think about.
Annual price: $150
Welcome provide: Earn 40,000 bonus factors after spending $3,000 throughout the first six months of cardmembership.
Based on TPG’s valuations, this welcome provide is price $800.
Why it is an incredible starter card: The Amex Inexperienced Card’s broad bonus-earning classes and comparatively low annual price make it great for beginner travelers. With it, you may earn 3 factors per greenback on journey, transit and eating at eating places worldwide (together with takeout and supply within the U.S.), permitting you to rack up factors each at dwelling and whereas touring.
The Membership Rewards you may earn with this card are extraordinarily versatile, and you can e book your subsequent journey very quickly by transferring your factors to one among Amex’s 21 switch companions, together with Delta Air Lines SkyMiles and Marriott Bonvoy.
You will additionally get journey advantages like an as much as $199 Clear Plus credit every calendar 12 months, travel insurance and shopping protections. Enrollment is required for choose advantages; phrases apply.
Study extra: American Express Green
Bilt Mastercard
For those who pay lease, having the Bilt Mastercard in your pockets is a great alternative.
Annual price: No annual price (see rates and fees)
Welcome provide: None
Why it is an incredible starter card: Many newcomers on this passion additionally pay month-to-month lease. For those who pay by financial institution deposit, money or test, your landlord should not cost you a price. Paying your rent by credit card usually entails transaction charges, however that is not true with the Bilt Mastercard.
The Bilt card even works with landlords who do not settle for bank card funds, so you possibly can earn Bilt Factors with out paying a transaction price (see rates and fees). Cardholders can earn as much as 100,000 factors on lease every calendar 12 months.
Nevertheless, it’s worthwhile to make at the very least 5 transactions in your card every month to earn rewards, which come on the charge of 1 level per greenback on lease, 2 factors per greenback on journey and three factors per greenback on eating bought exterior of Bilt Eating. Cardholders can even earn 5 factors per greenback on Lyft after connecting their Bilt and Lyft accounts.
Moreover, the cardboard affords a number of perks like Journey Cancellation and Interruption Safety, Journey Delay Reimbursement and No International Transaction Charges (see rates and fees). The cardboard additionally affords World Elite Mastercard benefits, together with Cellular Telephone Protection (topic to a $25 deductible; see rewards and benefits) and Lyft credit each month you utilize your card to pay for 3 or extra Lyft rides.
The factors earned on this card may be transferred to 13 airways and 5 resort companions.
To be taught extra, learn our full review of the Bilt Mastercard.
Apply right here: Bilt Mastercard
Financial institution of America Journey Rewards Credit score Card
If you would like a card that provides simplicity or for those who’re a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, we suggest testing the Bank of America Travel Rewards.
Annual price: No annual price
Welcome provide: Earn 25,000 bonus factors after spending $1,000 inside 90 days of account opening.
Why it is an incredible starter card: For newcomers, factors and miles can appear daunting, so it is good to have a card with a easy incomes construction. The Financial institution of America Journey Rewards affords 3 factors per greenback on journey purchases within the Financial institution of America Journey Middle and a limiteless 1.5 factors per greenback spent on all different purchases.
What’s extra, in case you are a Bank of America banking buyer, you possibly can earn extra factors below the Most well-liked Rewards program. Financial institution of America Most well-liked Rewards members earn a factors increase between 25% and 75% (relying in your tier) on each buy.
Simply notice that you will want a three-month common of at the very least $20,000 throughout your Financial institution of America and Merrill accounts to qualify.
The factors earned on this card may be redeemed as an announcement credit score for journey or eating purchases at a flat charge of 1 cent per level. This card does not cost a international transaction price.
To be taught extra, learn our full review of the Bank of America Travel Rewards card.
Apply right here: Bank of America Travel Rewards
What credit score rating do you want for a journey bank card?
Most journey bank cards require good-to-excellent credit score, that means you may desire a rating over 650. That is to not say that you just will not be authorized in case your rating is not that top, however it’s a good rule of thumb when contemplating making use of for a bank card.
For those who do not at present have a great credit score rating or lack credit score historical past, you may need to construct credit score with a beginner or secured card or by changing into a licensed consumer on another person’s card.
Associated: What credit score do I need for the Chase Sapphire Preferred?
Do not forget about Chase’s 5/24 rule
For those who’re nonetheless torn about which card to get, it is price fascinated by Chase’s 5/24 rule, as it could affect your resolution. Based on this rule, Chase will doubtless reject your software for those who’ve opened 5 or extra private playing cards throughout all issuers within the final 24 months (most business cards do not rely towards your whole).
Due to this restriction, typical knowledge is to begin by using up your five slots with Chase earlier than transferring on to different issuers. Once you’re simply beginning with journey rewards, it may be straightforward to underestimate the significance of this rule, however Chase affords a few of the most valuable travel rewards cards on the market. If you do not get them first, you may not be capable to get them for some time.
Typically, it is smart to disregard the 5/24 rule and set off in a distinct route, however it’s not a choice it is best to make frivolously. Except you will have a great purpose for trying elsewhere, it is best to begin with a Chase card first.
For extra on this rule and the foundations the banks use for bank card purposes, see our information to credit card application restrictions.
Backside line
With so many journey rewards playing cards on the market, selecting which one to use for might sound overwhelming. However you possibly can’t go improper with any of the alternatives on this record, as all of the choices provide nice rewards charges and an introduction to the world of factors and miles. So, determine what your journey objectives are, then use this information to choose the proper card.
Associated: Are travel credit cards worth it?
For charges and costs of the Amex Gold Card, click on here.
For charges and costs of the Bilt Mastercard, click on here.
For rewards and advantages of the Bilt Mastercard, click on here.
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