{"id":161303,"date":"2025-04-10T18:00:19","date_gmt":"2025-04-10T18:00:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2025\/04\/10\/the-best-starter-travel-credit-cards-for-beginners-the-points-guy\/"},"modified":"2025-04-10T18:00:19","modified_gmt":"2025-04-10T18:00:19","slug":"the-best-starter-travel-credit-cards-for-beginners-the-points-guy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2025\/04\/10\/the-best-starter-travel-credit-cards-for-beginners-the-points-guy\/","title":{"rendered":"The best starter travel credit cards for beginners – The Points Guy"},"content":{"rendered":"


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The world of credit cards can seem overwhelming when you’re just starting. But if you want to move on from your cash-back card<\/a> (or even a student card<\/a>), you’re in the right place. The right starter travel card<\/a> can offer much more rewarding perks.<\/p>\n

With so much information and so many options, how do you know which card to choose? Do you want transferable points<\/a>? Airline miles? Free nights with a hotel chain<\/a>? There are no right or wrong answers to these questions \u2014 it’s all about what’s important to you.<\/p>\n

We’ve assembled this list of the best starter credit cards so you don’t end up with rewards that don’t match your goals. None of these cards are tied to complicated, difficult-to-understand programs, nor do they have intimidating annual fees<\/a>, though they all have the potential for outsize value.<\/p>\n

And all of them are worth keeping in your credit card inventory for the long term.<\/p>\n

Related: How to pick the right travel credit card for you<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

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Best starter travel rewards cards<\/h2>\n

The information for the American Express Green Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.<\/em><\/p>\n

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Card<\/strong><\/th>\nWelcome offer<\/strong><\/th>\nBonus categories<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card<\/strong><\/a><\/td>\nEarn 100,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 in the first three months from account opening.<\/td>\n\n
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  • 5 points per dollar on travel booked through Chase Travel\u2120 (excluding the $50 hotel credit)<\/li>\n
  • 5 points per dollar with Lyft (through Sept. 2027) and on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases of $150 or more (through Dec. 31, 2027, with a limit of 25,000 bonus points)<\/li>\n
  • 3 points per dollar on dining, select streaming services and online grocery orders (excluding Walmart, Target and wholesale clubs)<\/li>\n
  • 2 points per dollar on travel not booked through Chase Travel<\/li>\n
  • 1 point per dollar on all other purchases<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card<\/strong><\/a><\/td>\nEarn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 within the first three months from account opening. Plus, receive a $250 Capital One Travel credit for use in the first cardholder year upon account opening.<\/td>\n\n
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  • 5 miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals and car rentals booked and paid for through Capital One Travel<\/li>\n
  • 2 miles per dollar on all other purchases<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Citi Strata Premier Card<\/a><\/span><\/td>\nEarn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 within the first three months of account opening.<\/td>\n\n
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  • 10 ThankYou points per dollar spent on hotels, car rentals and attractions when booked through CitiTravel.com<\/li>\n
  • 3 points per dollar at restaurants (including takeout), supermarkets, gas stations, electric vehicle charging stations, other hotel purchases and on air travel<\/li>\n
  • 1 point per dollar on all other purchases<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
American Express Gold Card<\/strong><\/a><\/td>\nEarn 60,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 within the first six months of cardmembership. You may see higher, targeted offers in the CardMatch tool<\/a> (subject to change at any time; not everyone will be targeted for the same offers).<\/td>\n\n
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  • 4 points per dollar at restaurants worldwide (on the first $50,000 in purchases each calendar year, then 1 point per dollar)<\/li>\n
  • 4 points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets (on the first $25,000 in purchases each calendar year, then 1 point per dollar)<\/li>\n
  • 3 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com<\/li>\n
  • 2 points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on amextravel.com<\/li>\n
  • 1 point per dollar on all other purchases<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
American Express Green Card<\/strong><\/td>\nEarn 40,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 within the first six months of cardmembership.<\/td>\n\n
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  • 3 points per dollar on travel, transit and dining at restaurants worldwide (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.)<\/li>\n
  • 1 point per dollar on all other purchases<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Bilt Mastercard<\/a><\/span><\/td>\nNone<\/td>\n\n
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  • 5 Bilt Points per dollar on Lyft after connecting your Bilt and Lyft accounts<\/li>\n
  • 3 per dollar on dining purchased outside of Bilt Dining<\/li>\n
  • 2 points per dollar on travel<\/li>\n
  • 1 point per dollar on rent (up to 100,000 points per calendar year)<\/li>\n
  • 1 point per dollar on other purchases<\/li>\n
  • A minimum of five purchases per statement period on your card are required to earn points<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card<\/strong><\/a><\/td>\nEarn 25,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days of account opening.<\/td>\n\n