9 valuable travel perks that you can get with a credit card
Editor's Note
There's no shortage of great perks you can get with a travel credit card — especially with several solid options currently on the market.
Premium travel cards can shield you from risk with travel and rental car insurance, in addition to providing benefits that include lounge access. If you're curious about what other travel perks you can access with a credit card, we've got you covered.
Lounge access
Airport lounges are one of the best parts of premium travel. They offer a spot to relax while you wait for your flight. Several high-end cards offer access to lavish lounges.
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offers complimentary access to Capital One Lounges for cardholders, authorized users and up to two guests per visit. You'll also enjoy perks like 10,000 bonus miles every account anniversary and a welcome bonus of 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Based on TPG's November 2024 valuations, this offer is worth $1,388.
Then there's the U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® card. For a $400 annual fee, you'll enjoy a 12-month Priority Pass Select membership, granting access to over 1,300 airport lounges. You'll also get up to $325 in annual credits for travel and dining, as well as bonus points on mobile wallet purchases.
Lastly, there's the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, which offers an expansive lounge network through a Priority Pass Select membership. You can earn a welcome offer of 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of card membership. Based on TPG's November 2024 valuations, this offer is worth $1,230.
The information for the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Related: The best credit cards for airport lounge access
TSA PreCheck/Global Entry credits
TSA PreCheck and Global Entry are programs that allow you to cut the line at airport security and immigration, allowing for expedited screenings over a five-year period for $120 (Global Entry) or $85 (TSA PreCheck). It's best to pay extra for Global Entry as TSA PreCheck is included in the $120 fee.
With the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, you'll enjoy a credit of up to $120 for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, letting you enjoy the program of your choice for only a $95 annual fee. The Venture Rewards card also offers a simple 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, with no bonus categories to memorize and a number of other solid mid-tier perks.
Another card offering credits is the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card. This card offers a TSA PreCheck/Global Entry statement credit of up to $100 every four years, plus a welcome offer of 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 90 days of account opening.
If you want to save even more time, you can grab a card that will reimburse you for an annual Clear Plus membership.
Related: The best credit cards for Global Entry and TSA PreCheck
Rental car insurance
Some of the best travel rewards cards provide rental car insurance that may allow you to decline a rental company's collision damage waiver.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve and Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card are two valuable cards that offer primary rental car insurance on most rentals.
The Sapphire products are some of the most valuable cards for travel beginners and experts. They offer perks that include up to $300 in annual travel credits (via the Sapphire Reserve) and a $50 annual hotel credit for stays booked through Chase Travel℠ (via the Sapphire Preferred).
No foreign transaction fees
If you travel internationally often, you'll want a card with no foreign transaction fees.
Cards like the Sapphire Preferred and Venture Rewards fit that bill. Each card lets you make purchases worldwide with no additional fees attached. However, consider the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card for your international business spending.
Travel insurance
Travel insurance is a small thing that can prevent a big hassle should something go wrong on your next trip. Cards like the Sapphire Reserve have solid protections in place should you lose a bag or suffer a last-minute cancellation.
You might also consider the United Club℠ Infinite Card, which offers a complimentary United Club lounge membership (worth up to $650 per year); it also offers two free checked bags and an up to $120 statement credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus every four years. The card offers great value for frequent United flyers and crucial travel insurance if you're a frequent flyer trying to mitigate risk.
Related: The best travel insurance policies and providers
Free checked bags
Most cobranded airline credit cards offer complimentary checked bags for you and those traveling with your party.
You might consider the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, which gives you your first checked bag for free. This card offers 50,000 bonus miles after spending $2,000 in eligible purchases within the first six months of card membership. Based on TPG's November 2024 valuations, this offer is worth $600.
There's also the United℠ Explorer Card, which offers the first checked bag free for you and your companion. You get two United Club passes and an up to $120 TSA PreCheck, Global Entry or Nexus credit every four years. This card offers 60,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Based on TPG's November 2024 valuations, this offer is worth $810.
Related: How to avoid checked baggage fees on major domestic airlines
Elite status
Many credit cards give you elite status for holding that particular card. This is primarily found with hotel credit cards.
You might consider the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card, which earns three free night awards (up to 50,000 points each) after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Based on TPG's November 2024 valuations, this offer is worth up to $1,275. This card comes with Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status every year.
The World of Hyatt Credit Card also earns 30,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months, plus up to an additional 30,000 bonus points by earning 2 bonus points total per $1 spent in the first six months from account opening on purchases that normally earn 1 bonus point, on up to $15,000 spent. Based on TPG's November 2024 valuations, this offer is worth up to $1,020.
This card comes with World of Hyatt Discoverist status every year.
Related: Comparing the best hotel elite status tiers and how to earn them
Purchase protection
You also might opt for a card with purchase protection that covers the cost of items bought in the event of loss, theft or damage.
Most top-tier travel cards, like the Sapphire Reserve and the Capital One Venture X, offer purchase protection. If you have a large purchase coming up, it's wise to put it on a card with substantial purchase protections. Make sure to read the terms and conditions of your particular card so you understand what protections are available to you.
Cellphone protection
Lastly, you might opt for a card with cellphone protection that covers loss or damages when you pay your cellphone bill with the card.
The Chase Freedom Flex® is one such option, covering up to $800 per claim and $1,000 per year in cellphone protection. It also offers a valuable 5% cash back on select bonus categories that rotate each quarter once you activate (on up to $1,500 in combined purchases), plus 5% back on travel purchased through Chase Travel. This card is a great option for cash-back enthusiasts, with an intro bonus and no annual fee.
There's also the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card (see rates and fees), offering up to $600 of Cellular Telephone Protection against damage or theft (subject to a $25 deductible) when you pay your monthly cellphone bill with your card. It offers a simple 2% cash rewards rate on purchases.
Along with cellphone protection, the card provides access to the Visa Signature® Concierge and the Visa Signature® Luxury Hotel Collection; you can earn a welcome bonus $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first three months.
Related: Link a credit card with cellphone protection to your mobile bill
Bottom line
Some of these perks aren't the most eye-catching, and you probably won't get a new credit card solely because it offers something like phone protection. However, some of these lesser-known benefits can provide value in the long run and should definitely be a factor in deciding on your next card.
You never know when something like travel or rental car insurance will come in handy.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.