Best Travel Credit Cards for Budget-Friendly Adventures 2025

Planning a trip to relax yourself or enjoy nature this spring? Before you start packing, let’s talk about something that could make or break your travel budget—credit card fees. Foreign transaction fees, annual fees, and cash advance charges can quietly drain your savings, making your trip way more expensive than expected. 

But here’s the good news: picking the right travel credit card can help you avoid these hidden costs, earn rewards, and even score free flights and hotel stays. Let’s dive into the best options to keep your travels budget-friendly!

1. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Best for First-Time Travel Rewards 

💰 Why you’ll love it? It has High-value points, flexible redemptions, and strong travel protections. 

Annual Fee: $95 

Welcome Bonus: 60,000 points (worth ~$750 in travel) after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months. 

Earning Potential: 

5x points on travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards 

3x points on dining, streaming, and online groceries 

2x points on all other travel purchases Perks that save you money: No foreign transaction fees Travel insurance & trip delay reimbursement Points transfer to airline and hotel partners for maximum value 

🔹 Best for: Budget travelers who want a well-rounded rewards card without spending hours figuring out redemption strategies.

👉🔗 Apply my Chase Sapphire Preferred® Credit Card

2. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Best for Simple Rewards 

💰 Why you’ll love it: Flat-rate earning with flexible redemptions. 

Annual Fee: $95 Welcome Bonus: 75,000 miles (worth $750 in travel) after spending $4,000 in 3 months. 

Earning Potential: 2x miles on every single purchase—no need to track categories. 

Perks that save you money: 

No foreign transaction fees 

$100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck 

Transfer miles to 15+ airline and hotel partners 

🔹 Best for: Travelers who don’t want to memorize bonus categories but still want to earn solid rewards on every purchase.

👉🔗 Apply my Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

3. Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card: Best for No Annual Fee 

💰 Why you’ll love it: Unlimited rewards with no annual fee. 

Annual Fee: $0 (seriously, it’s free!) 

Welcome Bonus: 25,000 points (worth $250 in travel) after spending $1,000 in 90 days. 

Earning Potential: 1.5x points on every purchase, every day. 

Perks that save you money: No blackout dates on travel redemptions No foreign transaction fees 

🔹 Best for: Occasional travelers who want an easy, no-fee way to earn rewards without the hassle of annual fees.

👉🔗 Apply my Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card

4. Bilt World Elite Mastercard®: Best for Renters Who Travel 

💰 Why you’ll love it: Earn points on rent payments without paying extra fees! 

Annual Fee: $0 

Welcome Bonus: None—but the long-term earning potential is huge. 

Earning Potential: 

 1x points on rent payments (up to 100,000 points per year) 

 3x points on dining 2x points on travel 

Perks that save you money: No foreign transaction fees Points transfer to major travel partners like American Airlines and Hyatt Trip cancellation & cell phone protection 

🔹 Best for: Renters who want to earn travel rewards without spending extra.

👉🔗 Apply my Bilt World Elite Mastercard®

How to Pick the Best Travel Credit Card for You 

Not sure which one to go for? Here’s how to decide: 

✅ Do you travel often? → Chase Sapphire Preferred or Capital One Venture are great for frequent travelers. 

✅ Hate tracking categories? → Go with Capital One Venture for simple, 2x rewards on everything. 

✅ Want to avoid fees? → Bank of America Travel Rewards keeps it fee-free. 

✅ Pay rent every month? → Bilt lets you earn travel rewards without spending extra. 

 💡 Pro Tip: If you’re new to travel credit cards, start with one that matches your spending habits and maximize its rewards before adding another.

Final Thoughts: Travel Smarter, Not Harder 

With the right travel credit card, you don’t have to be rich to explore the world. Whether you want free flights, hotel stays, or just to avoid pesky foreign transaction fees, picking the right card can save you hundreds—if not thousands—on your trips.