Top Credit Cards for Digital Nomads and Long-Term Travelers

Choosing the right travel credit card is crucial for any journey, as it can help you earn points or miles while offering essential travel protections. But what if you're on the road for months as a digital nomad?

My husband and I have embraced the digital nomad lifestyle for over six years, working remotely while traveling without a permanent residence. This article is based on our extended personal journey.

While each traveler values credit card perks differently, this guide highlights cards that I believe are ideal for those leading a life of prolonged travel or digital nomadism.

Top Cards for Digital Nomads and Long-Term Travelers

Here’s a quick overview of the top cards for digital nomads and those traveling for extended periods. Details will follow below.

• Chase Sapphire Reserve®: The ultimate travel card
• The Platinum Card® from American Express: The finest card for luxury travel perks
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: The best fixed-rate travel rewards option
• Citi Strata Premier℠ Card (see rates and fees): The best travel card with an annual fee under $100, offering extended warranty protection
• American Express® Green Card: The ideal card for contemporary travelers

Details regarding the American Express Green Card have been independently gathered by Dinogo. The information on this page has not been reviewed or supplied by the card issuer.

Comparison of the top cards for digital nomads and long-term travelers

*After the initial $300 spent on travel purchases each year

Now, let's explore the offerings of each card in detail. All welcome bonus evaluations listed below are based on TPG's September 2024 assessments.

Chase Sapphire Reserve

The Chase Sapphire Reserve is a top choice for premium cards according to TPG, praised for its benefits and earning potential.

Welcome bonus: Receive 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 within the first three months of account activation.

Welcome bonus value: $1,230

Rewards:

• 10 points per dollar on hotel and car rental bookings made through Chase Travel
• 10 points per dollar on dining purchases via Ultimate Rewards for prepaid restaurant reservations
• 10 points per dollar on Lyft rides (available through March 2025)
• 5 points per dollar on flights booked through Chase Travel
• 3 points per dollar on all other dining and travel expenditures
• 1 point per dollar on all other transactions

(Keep in mind that the higher earning rates for travel purchases activate after the initial $300 spent on the card in a calendar year.)

Key benefits:

• Annual travel credit of up to $300
• Access to Priority Pass Select lounges
• Points can be redeemed directly through the Ultimate Rewards travel portal at 1.5 cents each or transferred to 11 airline and three hotel partners
• Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fee reimbursement every four years
• Exclusive car rental benefits with National Car Rental, Avis, and Silvercar
• Access to The Edit℠ hotel and resort collection
• Free Lyft Pink All Access membership for two years (when activated by Dec. 31)
• At least 12 months of complimentary DashPass (when activated by December 31, 2027)
• No foreign transaction fees
• Travel protections, including primary auto rental collision damage waiver, baggage delay insurance, emergency evacuation and transportation coverage, emergency medical/dental benefits, lost luggage reimbursement, roadside assistance, trip delay compensation, and trip cancellation/interruption insurance
• Shopping protections, including extended warranty coverage, purchase protection, and return protection

Annual fee: $550

The Chase Sapphire Reserve is a fantastic choice for long-term travelers, offering 3 points per dollar on a wide range of travel purchases (after the first $300 spent on travel in a calendar year) and dining expenses.

Its extensive travel protections also make it a prime option for digital nomads, covering reimbursements for travel delays, delayed baggage, and emergency medical and dental services.

While the annual fee is $550, the potential $300 annual travel credit, generous rewards on travel and dining expenses, and extensive travel protections can offer considerable value for frequent travelers.

Additionally, Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to various hotel and airline partners or redeem them for 1.5 cents each through Chase Travel.

For more details, check out our comprehensive review of the Chase Sapphire Reserve.

The Platinum Card from American Express

If you're able to fully utilize the statement credits and perks provided by the Amex Platinum, it becomes an excellent card for long-term travelers.

Welcome bonus: Earn 80,000 bonus points after making $8,000 in purchases during the first six months of card membership.

Make sure to use the CardMatch Tool to check if you're eligible for a better welcome offer—this offer can change at any time, and not everyone will receive the same deal.

Welcome bonus value: $1,600

Rewards:

• Earn 5 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or via American Express Travel (for the first $500,000 each calendar year, then 1 point per dollar), as well as on prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel.
• Receive 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.

Standout benefits:

• Annual statement credit for Equinox membership of up to $300 each calendar year*
• Annual airline fee credit of up to $200 every year*
• Annual credit for prepaid hotel bookings via Amex Travel up to $200 each calendar year*
• Annual digital entertainment credit of up to $240 (up to $20 monthly)*
• Annual Uber Cash credit of up to $200 (up to $15 monthly, $35 in December; add card to Uber app to access; valid in the U.S. only)*
• Annual Clear Plus membership credit up to $199 each year*
• Saks Fifth Avenue credits up to $100 each calendar year (up to $50 every six months)*
• Application fee credit every four years for Global Entry or every 4.5 years for TSA PreCheck ($120 for Global Entry, up to $85 for TSA PreCheck)
• Lounge access through the Amex Global Lounge Collection, including Priority Pass Select and Centurion Lounges*
• Hotel elite status: Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite and Hilton Honors Gold Elite*
• Access to the Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts program
• Transfer points to 21 airline and hotel partners affiliated with Amex
• Travel protections including trip delay and cancellation/interruption insurance**
• Shopping protections such as extended warranty*** and purchase protection***
• No foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees)

*Enrollment required for select benefits. Terms apply to all benefits.

**Eligibility and benefit levels vary by Card. Terms, conditions, and limitations apply. For further details, visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide. Policies are underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
***Eligibility and benefit levels differ by card. Terms, conditions, and limitations apply. Check americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more information. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

Annual fee: $695

The Amex Platinum offers a wide array of annual statement credits along with unparalleled lounge access benefits compared to other credit cards available today.

Keep in mind that maximizing every credit may be challenging. Additionally, those who frequently travel outside the U.S. might find it difficult to utilize the Uber benefit, as it is a monthly credit restricted to U.S. usage.

Nonetheless, access to lounges—particularly Centurion Lounges—and elite hotel status with Marriott and Hilton can be incredibly advantageous for frequent travelers.

The main reason I consider the Amex Platinum a great investment for long-term travelers and digital nomads is its travel protections. Just remember that enrollment is necessary for certain benefits, and specific terms apply.

For additional information, check out our detailed review of the Amex Platinum.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

The Venture X features one of the lowest annual fees among premium travel cards available today (see rates and fees).

Welcome bonus: Receive 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

Welcome bonus value: $1,388

Rewards:

• 10 miles for every dollar spent on hotels and rental cars booked via Capital One Travel
• 5 miles for every dollar spent on flights and vacation rentals through Capital One Travel
• 2 miles for every dollar spent on all other purchases

Standout benefits:

• $300 annual credit for reservations made through Capital One Travel
• 10,000 miles as an anniversary bonus
• Unlimited access to Capital One lounges and Priority Pass lounges
• Hertz President's Circle status**
• Credit for Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fees
• Coverage for auto rental collision damage*
• Extended warranty protection*
• No foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees)

*For Capital One offerings mentioned on this page, some benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and can vary by product. Refer to the respective Guide to Benefits for more information, as terms and exclusions apply.

**Upon enrollment, which can be done through the Capital One website or mobile app, eligible cardholders will maintain their upgraded status until December 31, 2024. Please be aware that enrolling via the standard Hertz Gold Plus Rewards process (e.g., at Hertz.com) will not automatically recognize a cardholder as eligible for the program, and automatic upgrades to the relevant status tier will not occur. Additional terms apply.

Annual fee: $395 (see rates and fees)

The Capital One Venture X is an excellent choice for reservations made through Capital One Travel and offers straightforward, flat-rate rewards on all other purchases. Additionally, it allows you to transfer your miles to over 15 airline and hotel partners.

The card’s $300 annual travel credit from Capital One and the 10,000 anniversary miles create substantial yearly benefits. The Venture X particularly shines by allowing multiple authorized users at no extra charge, who can also enjoy access to Capital One and Priority Pass lounges, bringing up to two guests each (see rates and fees).

To find out more, check our comprehensive review of the Capital One Venture X.

Citi Strata Premier Card

The Citi Strata Premier might not get the attention it deserves compared to other premium travel cards, but it's definitely worth considering for any frequent traveler.

Welcome bonus: Earn 70,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 within the first three months. A better offer might be available on Citi.com.

Welcome bonus value: $1,260

Rewards:

• Earn 10 ThankYou points for every dollar spent on hotels, car rentals, and attractions (excluding flights) when you book through CitiTravel.com
• 3 points per dollar on flights, hotels, gas stations, EV charging, dining, and grocery stores
• 1 point per dollar on all other expenses

Standout benefits:

• Includes extended warranty and purchase protection
• Points can be redeemed directly for flights via CitiTravel.com or transferred to 20 airline and hotel partners
• Annual $100 statement credit for one hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) booked through CitiTravel.com or via phone
• Add an authorized user to your account at no extra charge
• No foreign transaction fees

Annual fee: $95

The Citi Strata Premier offers a 24-month extended warranty feature, which is especially beneficial for those living a nomadic lifestyle, as it helps protect electronics and other gear from wear and tear. Additionally, it boasts an excellent earning rate for a mix of everyday and travel-related expenses.

Moreover, it’s significantly more affordable than many other options on this list, making it an ideal choice for budget-conscious travelers.

To gain further insights, check out our full review of the Citi Strata Premier.

American Express Green Card

While it may be less recognized than other American Express cards, the Amex Green is a solid option worth considering for digital nomads.

Welcome bonus: Receive 40,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first six months of account activation.

Welcome bonus value: $800

Rewards:

• 3 points for every dollar spent on restaurants globally and travel, including public transport
• 1 point for every dollar on all other purchases.

Standout benefits:

• Receive up to $199 annually in statement credits when you pay for your Clear Plus membership with this card*
• Get up to $100 in statement credits each year for lounge access purchased via LoungeBuddy*
• Ability to transfer points to airline and hotel partners
• Travel protections, including trip delay insurance** for eligible round-trip ticket purchases made with this card, plus secondary car rental loss and damage insurance***
• Shopping protections, such as purchase protection** and extended warranty**
• No foreign transaction fees

*Enrollment is necessary for certain benefits.

Annual fee: $150

The Amex Green offers 3 points for every dollar spent on travel, including transit, making it an excellent choice for frequent travelers. While its annual fee is slightly higher than that of the Citi Strata Premier, the Amex Green includes annual statement credits that can easily outweigh the $150 fee, especially if you derive significant value from a Clear Plus membership and LoungeBuddy.

Discover more: American Express Green Card

Airline and hotel co-branded credit cards

If you often travel with a specific airline or frequently stay at a certain hotel chain, getting a co-branded credit card from that airline or hotel might be beneficial.

These cards offer a variety of perks, ranging from complimentary checked bags to enhanced award availability, bonus rewards, and elite status benefits.

Explore TPG's guide to airline credit cards to determine if any co-branded airline credit cards offer benefits that align with your travel needs. Many of these cards feature complimentary checked bags, which can lead to significant savings, especially if you often buy basic economy tickets.

Even if you check a bag just a few times a year, options like the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®, and United℠ Explorer Card can be worthwhile investments.

Refer to TPG's guide to hotel credit cards to see if applying for a hotel co-branded credit card suits your travel preferences.

For instance, I have gained significant value from the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card. Since I frequently stay at IHG properties, the card's benefits more than justify the $99 annual fee.

Key advantages include earning up to 26 points per dollar at IHG locations, an anniversary night at a qualifying IHG hotel valued at up to 40,000 points each year, automatic Platinum Elite status, and a fourth-night bonus when using IHG points for stays of three nights or more.

I also appreciate the perks associated with Hilton Diamond Elite status from the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, though its $550 annual fee might be hard to justify if you don't frequently stay at Hilton properties.

The details for the Hilton Aspire Amex card and Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard have been independently sourced by Dinogo. The information presented on this page has not been evaluated or provided by the card issuer.

Business credit cards

Many long-term travelers and digital nomads manage businesses while on the move. These individuals might find having one or more business cards beneficial as well.

A business card particularly tailored for long-term travelers and digital nomads is the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card.

This card provides 3 points per dollar on the first $150,000 spent in total on travel, shipping, advertising through social media and search engines, as well as internet, cable, and phone services each account anniversary year, and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.

The Ink Business Preferred includes cellphone insurance, primary rental car insurance for business-related rentals, and has no foreign transaction fees.

Final thoughts

If you have a remote job, you might consider embracing the digital nomad lifestyle. Should you choose to travel, any of the cards listed here can significantly enhance the security of your work and travel experiences.