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 precise place. The precise starter travel card can provide far more rewarding perks.
With a lot data and so many choices, how have you learnt which card to decide on? Would you like transferable points? Airline miles? Free nights with a hotel chain? There aren’t any proper or flawed solutions to those questions — it is all about what’s essential to you.
We have assembled this checklist of the very 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 packages, nor have they got intimidating annual fees, although all of them have the potential for outsize worth.
And all of them are value preserving in your bank card stock for the long run.
Associated: How to pick the right travel credit card for you
Finest starter journey rewards playing cards
The knowledge for the American Categorical 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 inside 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 inside the first three months of account opening. |
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| American Express Gold Card | Earn 60,000 bonus factors after spending $6,000 inside the first six months of cardmembership. You may even see greater, focused presents within the CardMatch tool (topic to vary at any time; not everybody will likely be focused for a similar presents). |
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| American Categorical Inexperienced Card | Earn 40,000 bonus factors after spending $3,000 inside 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. |
|
Chase Sapphire Most well-liked Card
The Chase Sapphire Preferred is considered one of our favourite journey playing cards for a motive. In case you have a adequate credit score rating, this card could be a implausible starter journey card.
Annual charge: $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 value $2,050.
Why it is an incredible starter card: There is a good motive why the Chase Sapphire Most well-liked is our high decide for our checklist of starter playing cards. Along with the profitable welcome provide, cardholders earn 5 factors per greenback on journey booked by Chase Travel, together with the next:
- 5 factors per greenback with Lyft (by Sept. 31, 2027) and on Peloton gear and accent purchases of $150 or extra (by 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, comparable to United MileagePlus and World of Hyatt. Your factors will also be redeemed for 1.25 cents apiece to e-book journey by Chase Journey.
The cardboard additionally has terrific travel benefits, together with main insurance coverage when renting a automobile and no foreign transaction fees. You may additionally get pleasure from $50 in annual assertion credit for resort stays booked by Chase Journey, and every year, in your account anniversary, you will get pleasure from a ten% factors bonus in your spending from the earlier 12 months.
Whenever you add within the welcome bonus and an annual charge of solely $95, you’ve gotten a card that gives nice worth, particularly in the event you’re simply beginning out on this planet 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 right match in your pockets.
Annual charge: $95
Welcome bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 inside 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 value $1,638 when contemplating the worth of the journey credit score.
Why it is an incredible starter card: This card’s flexibility makes it preferrred 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 all the things, that means you do not have to maintain observe of various spending classes. Nevertheless, that incomes price jumps to five miles per greenback for lodges, trip leases and automobile leases booked by Capital One Travel.
You may additionally get an up-to-$120 credit score to cowl the appliance charge 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 so much in for a $95 annual charge and even makes the reduce as considered one of our total greatest 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 need a single card to cowl a variety of bonus classes, the Strata Premier is strictly what you are searching for.
Annual charge: $95
Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus factors after spending $4,000 inside the first three months of account opening.
Based on TPG’s April 2025 valuations, this welcome provide is value $1,080.
Why it is an incredible starter card: The great 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, gasoline stations, EV charging stations and supermarkets, serving to you rack up a lot of factors very quickly.
If you happen to e-book lodges, points of interest and automobile leases by CitiTravel.com, you will get pleasure from a implausible 10 factors per greenback in your spending.
In relation to spending these factors, you’ll be able to switch them to any of Citi’s 21 travel partners.
It’s also possible to obtain $100 off one resort keep of $500 or extra (excluding taxes and costs) per 12 months while you e-book by CitiTravel.com. The cardboard has no overseas transaction charges and a $95 annual charge.
To be taught extra, see our full review of the Citi Strata Premier.
Apply right here: Citi Strata Premier Card
American Categorical Gold Card
The Amex Gold is a superb alternative for anybody who spends some huge cash on meals. With this card, you will rack up tons of factors on lots of your meals purchases.
Annual charge: $325 (see rates and fees)
Welcome provide: Earn 60,000 bonus factors after spending $6,000 inside the first six months of cardmembership. Nevertheless, you’ll want to examine the CardMatch tool to see in the event you’re focused for an even higher bonus (presents are topic to vary at any time; not everybody will likely be focused for a similar presents).
Based on TPG’s April 2025 valuations, this welcome provide is value $1,200.
Why it is an incredible starter card: The Amex Gold Card is implausible 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 may 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 all the things else.
Cardmembers additionally obtain as much as $120 in assertion credit every calendar 12 months (as much as $10 monthly) towards dining purchases at choose retailers and as much as $120 per calendar 12 months ($10 monthly) 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 may redeem it with any Amex card. Enrollment is required for choose advantages; phrases apply.
Different perks embrace entry to The Lodge Assortment*, the World Help Hotline^ and a number of other shopping and travel protections on the cardboard.
*Minimal two evening keep required; eligible expenses 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 Categorical Inexperienced Card
The Amex Inexperienced is commonly missed, however it’s positively a card younger professionals and newbie vacationers alike ought to contemplate.
Annual charge: $150
Welcome provide: Earn 40,000 bonus factors after spending $3,000 inside the first six months of cardmembership.
Based on TPG’s valuations, this welcome provide is value $800.
Why it is an incredible starter card: The Amex Inexperienced Card’s broad bonus-earning classes and comparatively low annual charge make it great for beginner travelers. With it, you will 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 residence and whereas touring.
The Membership Rewards you will earn with this card are extraordinarily versatile, and you can e-book your subsequent journey very quickly by transferring your factors to considered one of Amex’s 21 switch companions, together with Delta Air Lines SkyMiles and Marriott Bonvoy.
You may 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
If you happen to pay lease, having the Bilt Mastercard in your pockets is a great alternative.
Annual charge: No annual charge (see rates and fees)
Welcome provide: None
Why it is an incredible starter card: Many novices on this passion additionally pay month-to-month lease. If you happen to pay by financial institution deposit, money or examine, your landlord should not cost you a charge. 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’ll be able to earn Bilt Factors with out paying a transaction charge (see rates and fees). Cardholders can earn as much as 100,000 factors on lease every calendar 12 months.
Nevertheless, it’s essential make a minimum of 5 transactions in your card every month to earn rewards, which come on the price 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 presents a number of perks like Journey Cancellation and Interruption Safety, Journey Delay Reimbursement and No Overseas Transaction Charges (see rates and fees). The cardboard additionally presents World Elite Mastercard benefits, together with Cellular Telephone Protection (topic to a $25 deductible; see rewards and benefits) and Lyft credit each month you employ 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 need a card that gives simplicity or in the event you’re a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, we suggest testing the Bank of America Travel Rewards.
Annual charge: No annual charge
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 novices, 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 presents 3 factors per greenback on journey purchases within the Financial institution of America Journey Middle and an infinite 1.5 factors per greenback spent on all different purchases.
What’s extra, if you’re a Bank of America banking buyer, you’ll be able to earn extra factors beneath the Most well-liked Rewards program. Financial institution of America Most well-liked Rewards members earn a factors enhance between 25% and 75% (relying in your tier) on each buy.
Simply observe that you will want a three-month common of a minimum of $20,000 throughout your Financial institution of America and Merrill accounts to qualify.
The factors earned on this card may be redeemed as a press release credit score for journey or eating purchases at a flat price of 1 cent per level. This card does not cost a overseas transaction charge.
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 will need a rating over 650. That is to not say that you simply will not be authorised 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.
If you happen to do not presently have a superb credit score rating or lack credit score historical past, you will need to construct credit score with a beginner or secured card or by turning into a licensed person on another person’s card.
Associated: What credit score do I need for the Chase Sapphire Preferred?
Remember about Chase’s 5/24 rule
If you happen to’re nonetheless torn about which card to get, it is value interested by Chase’s 5/24 rule, as it may affect your choice. Based on this rule, Chase will doubtless reject your utility in the event you’ve opened 5 or extra private playing cards throughout all issuers within the final 24 months (most business cards do not depend towards your complete).
Due to this restriction, standard knowledge is to start out by using up your five slots with Chase earlier than shifting on to different issuers. Whenever you’re simply beginning with journey rewards, it may be straightforward to underestimate the significance of this rule, however Chase presents a few of the most valuable travel rewards cards on the market. If you do not get them first, you won’t have the ability to get them for some time.
Typically, it is sensible to disregard the 5/24 rule and set off in a special path, however it’s not a call it’s best to make flippantly. Except you’ve gotten a superb motive for trying elsewhere, it’s best to begin with a Chase card first.
For extra on this rule and the principles 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 may appear overwhelming. However you’ll be able to’t go flawed with any of the alternatives on this checklist, 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 select the precise 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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