Before I consider applying for any travel credit card, I usually look for answers to my 9 main questions about the card:
- Is the card free of foreign transaction fees?
- Does it offer the ability to lock/unlock the card through the app for added security against fraud?
- Does the card offer expedited shipping for a replacement card to an overseas location if lost or stolen overseas?
- Does it provide complimentary access to airport lounges worldwide?
- Does it provide trip cancellation/interruption insurance coverage?
- Does it offer an auto rental collision damage waiver?
- Does it include baggage delay insurance coverage?
- Does it cover lost luggage insurance?
- Does it have trip delay insurance coverage?
Of course, there are other benefits I usually look for in addition to the ones listed above, but those are the main ones. If a card does not offer any of these, I never consider getting it as my main travel card, unless I plan to use it for non-travel purchases or as a backup card. (Note: no foreign transaction fees and a lock/unlock feature are a must for any card I carry.)
Is there a credit card that offers these 9 benefits without charging an annual fee?
Unfortunately, there is none.
If a card offers all 9 of these benefits, it most likely has an annual fee.
This is true, but if I have to pay an annual fee to get these 9 benefits, I will try to find out if the card offers additional benefits that will help cover the annual fee. What do I mean by that? Well, if the value of the card’s benefits exceeds the cost of the annual fee, and if I will actually use those benefits, then it is worth paying the annual fee to have a reliable travel card.
My Preferred Cards with Annual Fees
Below are the top four cards that satisfy my basic travel credit card requirements. Keep in mind they have an annual fee. Some full-time travelers, including me, have all of them, but you can read more about each card to decide which one fits your needs.
American Express Platinum (This is NOT an affiliated link)
I use this card for booking flights and renting cars, as well as for airport lounge access worldwide. When I book flights directly on airline websites, I earn 5X points, which is one of the main reasons I use this card for airfare. Even though rental cars only earn 1X, I still use this card because American Express has more reliable rental car insurance when it comes to filing a claim, which gives me peace of mind. I transfer the Membership Rewards points I earn from this card to partner airlines to book flights. Occasionally, American Express offers transfer bonuses to select airline partners, so I watch for those deals before transferring my points.
Chase Sapphire Preferred (This is NOT an affiliated link)
Unfortunately, Chase recently announced changes to the Sapphire Reserve that removed the 3x points on travel category and increased the annual fee to $795. The Chase Sapphire Reserve used to be my preferred travel card, and I mainly used it for dining and booking accommodations to earn 3x points. Because of these changes, I decided to downgrade to the Chase Sapphire Preferred, since it still earns 3x on dining and 2x on travel, and it also retains Hyatt as a transfer partner. The Sapphire Preferred does not include complimentary airport lounge access, but that does not bother me because I already receive that benefit through the American Express Platinum. I transfer the Chase Ultimate Rewards points I earn to Hyatt, since it often provides some of the best hotel redemption value. Chase is one of the few issuers that allows point transfers to Hyatt, so I try to make the most of that benefit.
Citi Strata Premier Card (This is NOT an affiliated link)
This card does NOT offer complimentary access to airport lounges. I use this card for purchases at supermarkets, gas stations, Airbnb stays, and hotel bookings, since all of these earn 3X points. Recently (July 2025), American Airlines was added as a transfer partner, which is perfect if you want to use points to fly with them. American Airlines often has excellent redemption deals for flights to Japan, especially if your home base in the US is near Dallas, TX. I also sometimes transfer the Citi ThankYou points I earn from this card to the Choice Privileges hotel program, taking advantage of the 1:2 points conversion ratio.
Note: If you do not want to get the Amex Platinum or Chase Sapphire Preferred, the Citi Strata Premier can be a good alternative, since it offers 3x points on travel, dining, grocery, and gas stations worldwide.
Chase IHG Premier Card (This is NOT an affiliated link)
I also like this card because IHG has a lot of hotel options in Southeast Asia, which is where I travel the most. The card gives Platinum Elite status just for having it, so I usually get room upgrades when checking in. Another big benefit is the 4th night free when redeeming points, which helps my points go further.
IHG sometimes runs 100% bonus promotions when buying points, and I try to keep an eye out for those offers so I can grab them before they end. If you travel full-time or spend a lot of time in Southeast Asia, this card can be very useful. The IHG Premier Card does not include complimentary airport lounge access, but that does not bother me because I already receive that benefit through the American Express Platinum.
What if you are looking for a card with no annual fee?
Cards with no annual fee are likely to have limited or no travel benefits. However, if you don’t mind missing out on those benefits, you should still look for a card that does not charge foreign transaction fees, so you can use it overseas without worrying about extra charges.
Below are some cards that do not charge foreign transaction fees and may offer limited travel benefits. You can read more about each card to determine which one best fits your needs.
Wells Fargo Autograph Visa (This is NOT an affiliated link)
This card allows you to transfer points to partner airlines and hotel programs, and it earns 3X points on travel, dining, transportation, and rideshares. If you use the Choice Privileges hotel program, you can take advantage of the 1:2 points conversion ratio. It is one of the few cards that allow points transfers without an annual fee. I still recommend this card even if you already have the cards mentioned above, because it is always good to have a backup, especially when this card has no annual fee and still lets you earn transferable points with airline and hotel partners. Keep in mind that its list of transfer partners is not as large as those offered by Amex, Chase, or Citi.
Bank of America Travel Rewards (This is NOT an affiliated link)
This card is equipped with chip-and-PIN technology, which is useful when using the card at self-service machines outside the United States, such as gas pumps or train ticket kiosks, that require a PIN. You can earn more points with this card if you are a Bank of America Preferred Rewards member.
Fidelity Rewards Visa Signature (This is NOT an affiliated link)
You can earn 2% cash back on all purchases. This card is a great option for customers who have an investment account with Fidelity. You can earn up to $100 in Reward Points when you apply for either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. This is a great benefit for a card with no annual fee.
Key Consideration
I highly recommend having cards issued by different banks as a backup and keeping them in separate places. This way, if one bank’s system experiences issues, your card is lost or stolen, or fraud occurs, you have alternatives available.