3 Travel Credit Cards That Are Worth It Even if You Don't Travel Much

If you take a family vacation once or twice a year and don't travel for business, it might not seem like a travel credit card is a good choice for you. But you might be surprised.

If you don't travel often, benefits like airport lounge access (which adds hundreds of dollars to a credit card's annual fee) probably aren't necessary. However, the ability to earn miles or points at a high rate, and other features like free checked bags when traveling, could be nice to have.

Three top credit cards for casual travelers

Some airline-branded and other travel credit cards are clearly designed for people who travel often. But there are some that still have excellent travel benefits and could make sense if you only travel once or twice a year. With that in mind, here are three ideas for travel credit cards that could be worth it even if you only take one trip per year:

1. Capital One Venture Card

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card has a $95 annual fee (see rates and fees), but its perks could be well worth the cost. For starters: Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options.

And there are several ways to redeem those miles, including on Capital One's excellent travel booking portal or transferring them to one of Capital One's partners.

In addition, you get some valuable travel perks. The card credits you for the cost of a TSA PreCheck or Global Entry membership, which is worth up to $100 and makes going through airport security much more convenient. And unlike other travel cards at this price point, cardholders get two visits per year to Capital One Lounges or over 100 other lounges in the Plaza Premium Lounge network, which can be more than enough for people who only travel occasionally. Plus, as of October 2023, there is a welcome bonus offer of 75,000 Miles when you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months. Those miles have a value of 75,000.

2. Bank of America Travel Rewards

The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card is a great no annual fee option. It offers 1.5 points per $1 on all purchases, and with a 25%-75% rewards boost for Bank of America's Preferred Rewards members, the effective reward rate can be significantly higher.

In addition, the card offers a 0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers, after which the go-to rate of 18.24% - 28.24% (Variable) APR applies. There's also a welcome bonus of 25,000 points miles (worth $250 in travel) after $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days.

3. Amex Delta SkyMiles Gold

If you're looking for a card with airline-specific benefits that is great for occasional travelers, the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card could be worthy of a spot on your list. The card does have a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150. (See rates and fees.) But the perks of the card can easily outweigh the cost.

For starters, the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card offers the following rewards: Earn 2X Miles on Delta purchases, at U.S. Supermarkets and at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases. Terms apply. But these are miles, not generic points, and can often have a redemption value far greater than the standard $0.01 rate that applies to the other two cards on the list.

In addition, cardholders get free checked bags for themselves and as many as nine other people on the same reservation, which can be worth $50 per round trip, per person. You'll also get priority boarding, as well as a $200 Delta flight credit if you spend $10,000 in a calendar year, which can completely offset the annual fee all by itself. Terms apply; enrollment may be required.

Which is best for you?

These are three excellent travel credit cards with little or no annual fees and some excellent perks, even for infrequent travelers. Take a look at our credit card reviews and closely compare the benefits and drawbacks of each. The best choice for you depends on your preferences and how comfortable you are with paying an annual fee, but there’s a great value case to be made for all three.