Valuable travel benefits you can get with a credit card

There is no shortage of great benefits that you can obtain with a travel credit cardespecially with several solid options currently on the market.

Premium travel cards can protect you from risk with travel and car rental insurance and provide you with benefits like airport lounge access and travel-focused annual statement credits. If you’re curious about some of the travel benefits you can access with a credit card, we’ve got you covered.

Access to the lounge

Airport lounges are one of the best parts of premium travel. They offer a place to relax and refuel while you wait for your flight. Nowadays, several premium travel cards give you access to these luxurious lounges.

He Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offers free access to Capital One Salons. You’ll also enjoy perks like 10,000 bonus miles for every account anniversary.

New account holders can earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. Based on TPG February 2026 ratingsThis offer has a value of $1,388.

Alternatively, there is the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees), which offers a wide network of salons through a Priority pass Select membership. Cardholders also have access to Chase’s growing network of Chase Sapphire Pumps by The Club.

You can earn a welcome offer of 125,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. Based on our month of February 2026 ratingsThis offer has a value of $2,563.

Related: The best credit cards to access airport VIP lounges

TSA PreCheck/Global Entry Credits

TSA Precheck and Global Entry are programs that give you expedited screening at US airports for $85 (for TSA PreCheck) or $120 (for Global Entry). If you are eligible, it is best pay extra for global entryas TSA PreCheck benefits are included.

With the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit CardYou’ll enjoy up to a $120 credit toward Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, allowing you to enjoy the program of your choice for just a $95 annual fee. The Venture Rewards card also offers at least 2 miles per dollar spent on every purchase, no bonus categories to remember, and a host of other solid mid-tier perks.

Another card that offers 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. Please note that this credit will not cover the full cost of Global Entry, but will reduce the cost to a very reasonable amount.

If you want to save even more time, you can get a card that will reimburse you for an annual fee. Claro Plus affiliation. He American Express® Green Card is one of these cards, offering up to $209 each calendar year for a Clear Plus membership (enrollment required; subject to automatic renewal).

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.

Related: Best Credit Cards for Global Entry and TSA PreCheck

rental car insurance

Some of the best travel rewards cards provide primary services rental car insurance That may allow you to decline a rental company’s collision damage waiver.

He Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees) are two valuable cards that offer primary rental car insurance on most rentals.

Sapphire products are among the most valuable cards for both travel beginners and experts. They offer benefits that include up to $300 in annual travel credits (through Sapphire Reserve) and a $50 annual hotel credit for stays booked through Chase Travel℠ (via Sapphire Preferred).

No foreign transaction fees

If you travel internationally frequently, you’ll want a card with no foreign transaction fees.

Cards like Preferred sapphire and the Risk rewards fits that bill. Each card allows you to make purchases worldwide without additional fees.

Consider the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (see rates and fees) for your international business expenses. The card also offers bonus points on popular business expenses, including travel and advertising.

travel insurance

travel insurance It’s a small thing that can prevent big problems in case something goes wrong on your next trip. Cards like Sapphire Reserve Have strong protections in case an airline loses your checked luggage or if it is delayed overnight.

If you’re a frequent traveler, you may want to consider a premium airline card like the United Club Card℠ (see rates and fees). This card offers great value for United Airlines frequent flyers and provides essential travel insurance to help mitigate risk.

If you’re loyal to another airline, consider your primary credit card.

Free checked bags

Most co-branded airline credit cards We offer complimentary checked luggage for you and those traveling with your group.

For example, the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card gives you your first checked suitcase.

There is also the United℠ Explorer Card (see rates and fees), which also offers your first checked bag for free.

Another great advantage of this last card is its two annual United Club happens. TPG Credit Card Editor Olivia Mittak appreciates the ability to use your United Club Passes from United Explorer when you fly with United.

Related: Airline baggage fees: How much does it cost to check a bag on major US airlines?

elite status

Many credit cards give you elite status for having that particular card. This is mainly found with hotel credit cards.

You could consider the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card (see rates and fees) if you’re a fan of Marriott. New cardholders can earn five free night awards (valued up to 50,000 points each) after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. Certain hotels have resort rates. Plus, you can receive up to $100 in statement credits (up to $50 every two years) after you spend $500 on eligible airline purchases.

Based on TPG February 2026 ratingsThis offer is valued up to $1,850. This card includes Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite Category each year, providing additional benefits at Marriott hotels.

New World of Hyatt Credit Card (see rates and fees) holders can earn up to five free nights: three free nights after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening, plus two free nights after spending $15,000 on purchases in the first six months. Free nights can be redeemed at any category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort worldwide.

This card comes with World of Hyatt Discoverist Status and can help you earn Elite nights to reach higher status levels.

Related: Comparison of the best hotel elite status levels and how to get them

Purchase protection

You can also opt for a card with purchase protection which covers the cost of purchased items in the event of loss, theft or damage.

Most premium travel cards, such as Sapphire Reserve and the Capital One Ventureoffers purchase protection. If you have a big purchase coming up, it’s wise to put it on a card with substantial purchase protection. Be sure to read the terms and conditions of your card to understand the protections available to you.

Cell phone protection

Finally, you can opt for a card with cell phone protection which covers loss or damage when paying your cell phone bill with the card.

He Chase Freedom Flex® (see rates and fees) is one of those options, covering up to $800 per claim and $1,000 per year in cell phone protection.

Cardholders can earn valuable 5% cash back on select bonus categories that rotate each room once you activate it (on up to $1,500 in combined purchases each quarter), plus 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel.

This no-annual-fee card is a great option for cash back enthusiasts.

There is also the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card (see rates and fees), which offers up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft (subject to a $25 deductible) when you pay your monthly cell phone bill with your card. Offers a simple 2% cash reward rate on purchases.

In addition to cell phone protection, the card provides access to Visa Signature Concierge and Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection. New cardholders can earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months.

Related: Link a credit card with mobile protection to your mobile bill

In a nutshell

Some of these perks aren’t the flashiest, and you probably won’t get a new credit card just because it offers something like cell phone protection. However, some of these lesser-known benefits can provide long-term value and should factor into your decision about your next card.

You never know when something like travel or rental car insurance will come in handy.

Related: How to choose the best credit card for you

For Capital One products listed on this page, some benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. Please refer to the respective Benefits Guide for further details as terms and exclusions apply.