Is getting a travel card worth it?

If you tend to travel multiple times throughout the year, a travel credit card can be a good investment. On top of earning rewards on bookings, you can also get benefits that can help you while traveling, such as purchase protection and emergency card replacement. Just make sure to find a card that matches your budget and spending habits to make it worth your while.

What’s the easiest travel card to get?

The easiest travel card to get is one that matches your own credit history and score. If you have excellent credit and a track record of responsible card use, you may have an easy time getting approved for even premium credit cards. If you’re working on building your credit from the bad or fair range, you’ll still want to look for cards that are designed for where you are in your credit process.

Can I get an airline card with a bad credit score?

It can be difficult to get a specific airline card with bad credit as most require good to excellent credit. They also are more likely to have high annual fees due to the perks and rewards rates they offer, which can make rebuilding your credit score more difficult.

Best travel credit cards for people with bad or fair credit

Written by

India Davis

and

Seychelle Thomas,

Edited by

Brooklyn Lowery

Published on January 17, 2025 | 5 min read

Bankrate is always editorially independent. While we adhere to strict , this post may contain references to products from our partners. Here's an explanation for . The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Our is to ensure everything we publish is objective, accurate and trustworthy.

Marco Bottigelli/Getty Images

Finding a travel credit card can be difficult if your credit score has seen better days. Many of the best travel rewards credit cards are targeted toward people with FICO credit scores of 670 and up. So when comparing travel cards for fair or bad credit, you may see fewer options when it comes to earning rewards for flights and hotels, but you still have options. For instance, you can use cash back cards to offset travel costs, and get creative with popular rewards categories like gas, entertainment or dining to get more value from your credit card while you take steps to improve your credit score.

Even if you have damaged credit or limited credit history, you can still get a rewards credit card that could reduce the out-of-pocket cost on your next vacation. Take a look at our picks for the best travel credit cards for bad-to-fair credit along with tips on how to make the most of your travel rewards.

Comparing the best travel cards for bad-to-fair credit

Card name	Best for	Annual fee	Credit score needed	Rewards highlights
Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card	Hotels and rental cars	$39 (See Rates and Fees)	No credit history	5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel 1.5% cash back on all eligible purchases
Credit One Bank® Wander® American Express® Card	Travel rewards	$95	Fair credit	10X points on eligible hotels and rental cars booked through Credit One Bank travel partner 5X points on eligible travel, dining and gas purchases
Bank of America® Travel Rewards Secured Credit Card*	Flat-rate rewards	$0	Bad credit	1.5 points for each $1 spent on eligible purchases 3 points for each $1 spent when booking travel through the Bank of America Travel Center
Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card	Hotels and rental cars	$0 (See Rates and Fees)	Bad credit	5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel 1.5% cash back on all eligible purchases
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card*	Day trips	None	No credit history	3% cash back in eligible category of your choice 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (Bonus rewards in 3% and 2% categories limited to first $2,500 in combined spending per quarter, then 1%)
Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card	Students	$0 (See Rates and Fees)	No credit history	8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores)
Discover it® Secured Credit Card	Sign-up bonus	$0	No credit history	2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants (up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, then 1%)

The best travel cards for bad-to-fair credit

The information about the Bank of America® Travel Rewards Secured Credit Card and Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Card was last updated on Jan. 17, 2025.

How to choose the best travel card for fair or bad credit

The best travel cards for people with bad-to-fair credit have features that can make your travel or everyday purchases more rewarding and help cover the cost of your next trip. But choosing the right one for you will depend on a few factors. Follow these tips to help you compare travel cards for fair or bad credit.

Knowing your credit score can improve your chances of applying for a credit card and getting approved. If you have bad credit (FICO score below 580), a secured credit card could be your best option, but with fair credit (FICO score of 580 to 669), you’ll have more options, including unsecured cards. If you need help, here’s how to check your credit score.
To get maximum value, you’ll need a travel card that rewards you on as much of your travel or everyday spending as possible. For example, if you spend the most on groceries and household items each month, the rewards you earn with the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card could make that card a better fit than a card that only offers bonus rewards on hotel and car rentals.
Depending on your creditworthiness, you may be able to choose between a secured or unsecured card. If your only option is to get a secured card, you’ll have to put down a cash deposit as collateral before you can use it, which typically acts as your credit limit. Make sure you know what the minimum and maximum security deposits are and that they fit your budget and spending habits.
Pay attention to the fees that come with each card you’re considering. Some fees may be worth it, especially if the card has a higher rewards rate that helps justify the cost. But if you travel abroad or make online purchases with overseas merchants, look for a card that charges no foreign transaction fees to avoid unnecessary costs.
The best travel credit cards for bad or fair credit typically have a point value of 1 cent when you redeem them for travel. So 1,000 points will be worth $10 when you book trips through a travel portal or for options like statement credits and gift cards. But some cards may have points worth less than 1 cent when you redeem them for options like gift cards.

How to make the most of a travel card for bad-to-fair credit

Once you have the right card for you, it pays to have a strategy in place to help you build credit and maximize the rewards you earn. Here are some steps you should take to get the best value out of your travel card.

Take advantage of the perks. If your credit card issuer has a travel portal, take advantage of any available features, such as price-drop prediction, which can help you book the best flight based on your travel plans. And for the best value, make sure to compare the prices with third-party booking sites before you finalize your travel plans. It’s great to use your card strategically to earn rewards but always do so responsibly so you can focus on building your credit and staying out of debt.
Create a budget. Knowing how to budget can help you keep track of your money so you can avoid most missteps that derail your travel plans or financial goals. If you don’t pay attention to your money, you run the risk of overusing your credit card or not having enough credit available in an emergency.
Pay off your balance quickly. Unless you’re traveling for an emergency, try to avoid making travel plans you can’t pay off at the next statement closing date. Most rewards cards come with high interest rates, also known as annual percentage rates (APR), which you can usually avoid if you pay your purchase balance in full each month before the grace period ends.
Ask for a credit limit increase. If you don’t have a credit card that automatically considers you for credit limit increases, consider asking for one after six months of of responsible use and on-time payment. Having a higher credit limit and using as little of your available credit as possible can help you improve your credit score over time.
Don’t lose track of building credit. Focusing too much on earning rewards runs the risk of slowing down your credit-building journey. Make sure to pay your credit card bill on time and keep your debt to a minimum to avoid negative marks on your credit report and work toward a stronger credit score.

The bottom line

Having less-than-stellar credit doesn’t mean you have to miss out on travel perks. You can score a rewards card even if you don’t have good credit, and with responsible use and a sound strategy to maximize your rewards, your next flight, hotel stay or day trip could be a lot less expensive. Just make sure to stay on budget so you don’t undo all your hard work.

Frequently asked questions

If you tend to travel multiple times throughout the year, a travel credit card can be a good investment. On top of earning rewards on bookings, you can also get benefits that can help you while traveling, such as purchase protection and emergency card replacement. Just make sure to find a card that matches your budget and spending habits to make it worth your while.
The easiest travel card to get is one that matches your own credit history and score. If you have excellent credit and a track record of responsible card use, you may have an easy time getting approved for even premium credit cards. If you’re working on building your credit from the bad or fair range, you’ll still want to look for cards that are designed for where you are in your credit process.
It can be difficult to get a specific airline card with bad credit as most require good to excellent credit. They also are more likely to have high annual fees due to the perks and rewards rates they offer, which can make rebuilding your credit score more difficult.

The information about the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card and Bank of America® Travel Rewards Secured Credit Card* has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.

Written by

India Davis

Editor, Credit Cards

Up next

Part of Guide to Credit Cards with Fair Credit

Best travel credit cards for people with bad or fair credit

Comparing the best travel cards for bad-to-fair credit

The best travel cards for bad-to-fair credit

Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

Credit One Bank® Wander® American Express® Card

Bank of America® Travel Rewards Secured Credit Card

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card

Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card

Discover it® Secured Credit Card

How to choose the best travel card for fair or bad credit

Get your credit score

Know your spending habits

Pick a secured or unsecured card

Watch out for fees

Know the value of your rewards