9 Incredible Travel Benefits You Can Enjoy with a Credit Card

With a travel credit card, the array of perks is impressive — especially with many excellent options available today.

High-end travel cards can provide protection through travel and rental car insurance, along with other benefits like lounge access. If you're interested in discovering additional travel perks available through credit cards, we've got the details you need.

Lounge Access

Airport lounges rank among the finest advantages of premium travel. They provide a comfortable place to unwind while awaiting your flight. Many top-tier cards grant access to these luxurious lounges.

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card provides free access for cardholders, authorized users, and up to two guests per visit to Capital One Lounges. Additional benefits include 10,000 bonus miles each account anniversary and a welcome bonus of 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 within the first three months of account opening.

Next up is the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite card. With a $400 annual fee, you receive a 12-month Priority Pass Select membership, allowing entry to over 1,300 airport lounges. Plus, you can earn up to $325 in annual credits for travel and dining, along with bonus points on mobile wallet transactions.

Finally, there's the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, which provides a vast lounge network via a Priority Pass Select membership. You'll also enjoy a welcome bonus of 60,000 points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of card membership.

The information for the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve has been independently sourced by Dinogo. The card details presented on this page have not been reviewed or endorsed by the card issuer.

TSA PreCheck/Global Entry credits

Programs like TSA PreCheck and Global Entry allow you to skip long lines at airport security and immigration, offering expedited screenings for a five-year period at a cost of $100 for Global Entry or $78 for TSA PreCheck. Opting for Global Entry is advisable since TSA PreCheck is included in the $100 fee.

With the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, you can receive a credit of up to $120 for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, allowing you to enjoy your preferred program at no additional cost. Additionally, the Venture Rewards card earns a straightforward 2 miles per dollar on all purchases, without the need to remember specific bonus categories, along with several other valuable mid-tier benefits.

The Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card is another option that provides TSA PreCheck/Global Entry statement credits of up to $100 every four years, as well as a welcome bonus of 60,000 points after spending $4,000 within the first 90 days of opening your account.

To save even more time, consider a card that reimburses the annual fee for a Clear Plus membership.

Rental car insurance

Many of the top travel rewards cards offer rental car insurance, which could allow you to waive the collision damage waiver from the rental company.

Both the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card provide primary rental car insurance for most rentals, making them highly regarded options.

The Sapphire cards are some of the most advantageous for both novice and seasoned travelers. They come with benefits such as up to $300 in annual travel credits (through the Sapphire Reserve) and a $50 annual hotel credit for reservations made via Chase Travel℠ (with the Sapphire Preferred).

No foreign transaction fees

For frequent international travelers, it's essential to have a card with no foreign transaction fees.

Cards such as the Sapphire Preferred and Venture Rewards offer this benefit, allowing you to make purchases globally without extra charges. Additionally, consider the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card for your overseas business expenses.

Travel insurance

Having travel insurance can save you from significant hassles if things don’t go as planned during your next trip. Cards like the Sapphire Reserve offer robust protections in case of lost luggage or unexpected cancellations.

Consider the United Club℠ Infinite Card, which includes a complimentary United Club lounge membership (valued up to $650 annually), two free checked bags, and a statement credit of up to $100 for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or Nexus. This card is particularly beneficial for frequent United travelers and provides essential travel insurance for those looking to minimize risk while flying.

Free checked bags

Most cobranded airline credit cards provide complimentary checked luggage for you and your travel companions.

You might want to look into the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, which offers a complimentary first checked bag. Additionally, this card provides 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of membership.

Another option is the United℠ Explorer Card, which also allows the first checked bag for free for both you and a companion. It comes with two United Club passes and a credit of up to $100 for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or Nexus. This card offers 50,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 within the first three months of account opening.

Elite status

Many credit cards grant you elite status simply for holding that card, which is especially common with hotel credit cards.

You might consider the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card, which rewards you with 125,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 within your first three months. This card also grants you Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status every year.

The World of Hyatt Credit Card allows you to earn five complimentary nights at any Hyatt hotel or resort in Categories 1 through 4 after you spend $4,000 within the first three months of opening your account.

This card provides you with World of Hyatt Discoverist status each year.

Purchase protection

You might also consider a card that offers purchase protection, which covers the costs of items in case of loss, theft, or damage.

Many premium travel cards, such as the Sapphire Reserve and the Capital One Venture X, include purchase protection. If you're planning a significant purchase, it's advisable to use a card that offers strong purchase protection. Be sure to review your card's terms and conditions to fully understand what protections are available to you.

Cellphone protection

You may want to choose a card that includes cellphone protection, covering any loss or damage if you pay your cellphone bill with it.

One option is the Chase Freedom Flex®, which provides coverage of up to $800 per claim and $1,000 annually for cellphone protection. It also offers an appealing 5% cash back on select rotating bonus categories (up to $1,500 in combined purchases each quarter when activated), as well as 5% back on travel booked through Chase Travel. This card is excellent for cash-back lovers, featuring a sign-up bonus and no annual fee.

Another option is the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card, which offers up to $600 in protection against damage or theft (with a $25 deductible) when you pay your monthly cellphone bill using the card. It provides a straightforward 2% cash rewards rate on all purchases.

In addition to cellphone protection, this card grants access to the Visa Signature® Concierge and the Visa Signature® Luxury Hotel Collection. Plus, you can earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months.

Bottom line

While some of these perks may not seem particularly exciting — you likely won't choose a credit card just for its phone protection — these lesser-known benefits can add up to significant value over time and should certainly be considered when selecting your next card.

You never know when benefits like travel or rental car insurance might prove useful.

For Capital One products mentioned on this page, some benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may differ by product. Please refer to the respective Guide to Benefits for more information, as terms and exclusions apply.