The world of bank cards can appear overwhelming whenever you’re simply beginning. However if you wish to transfer on out of your cash-back card (or perhaps a pupil card), you are in the appropriate place. The correct starter journey card can provide far more rewarding perks.
With a lot info and so many choices, how have you learnt which card to decide on? Would you like transferable factors? Airline miles? Free nights with a resort chain? There aren’t any proper or unsuitable solutions to those questions — it is all about what’s essential to you.
We have assembled this checklist of one of the best starter bank cards so you do not find yourself with rewards that do not match your targets. None of those playing cards are tied to sophisticated, difficult-to-understand applications, nor have they got intimidating annual charges, although all of them have the potential for outsize worth.
And all of them are value holding in your bank card stock for the long run.
Associated: The best way to choose the appropriate journey bank card for you
Finest starter journey rewards playing cards
The knowledge for the American Specific Inexperienced Card has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.
| Card | Welcome provide | Bonus classes |
|---|---|---|
| Chase Sapphire Most well-liked Card | Earn 100,000 bonus factors after spending $5,000 within the first three months from account opening. |
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| Capital One Enterprise Rewards Credit score Card | Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 inside the first three months from account opening. Plus, obtain a $250 Capital One Journey credit score to be used within the first cardholder yr upon account opening. |
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| Citi Strata Premier Card | Earn 60,000 bonus factors after spending $4,000 inside the first three months of account opening. |
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| American Specific Gold Card | Earn 60,000 bonus factors after spending $6,000 inside the first six months of cardmembership. You may even see increased, focused affords within the CardMatch instrument (topic to alter at any time; not everybody might be focused for a similar affords). |
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| American Specific Inexperienced Card | Earn 40,000 bonus factors after spending $3,000 inside the first six months of cardmembership. |
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| Bilt Mastercard | None |
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| Financial institution of America Journey Rewards bank card | Earn 25,000 bonus factors after spending $1,000 within the first 90 days of account opening. |
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Chase Sapphire Most well-liked Card
The Chase Sapphire Most well-liked is one among our favourite journey playing cards for a purpose. In case you have a ok credit score rating, this card could be a improbable starter journey card.
Annual payment: $95
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Welcome bonus: Earn 100,000 bonus factors after spending $5,000 within the first three months from account opening.
In line with TPG’s April 2025 valuations, these 100,000 bonus factors are value $2,050.
Why it is an awesome starter card: There is a good purpose why the Chase Sapphire Most well-liked is our prime choose for our checklist of starter playing cards. Along with the profitable welcome provide, cardholders earn 5 factors per greenback on journey booked via Chase Journey, together with the next:
- 5 factors per greenback with Lyft (via Sept. 31, 2027) and on Peloton gear and accent purchases of $150 or extra (via Dec. 31, 2027, with a restrict of 25,000 bonus factors)
- 3 factors per greenback on eating (together with takeout and supply), choose streaming companies and on-line grocery orders (excluding Walmart, Goal and wholesale golf equipment)
- 2 factors per greenback on different journey
- 1 level per greenback on all different purchases
The Final Rewards factors it earns are straightforward to make use of with 11 airline and three resort loyalty program companions, akin to United MileagePlus and World of Hyatt. Your factors will also be redeemed for 1.25 cents apiece to e-book journey via Chase Journey.
The cardboard additionally has terrific journey advantages, together with main insurance coverage when renting a automotive and no international transaction charges. You will additionally get pleasure from $50 in annual assertion credit for resort stays booked via Chase Journey, and every year, in your account anniversary, you may get pleasure from a ten% factors bonus in your spending from the earlier yr.
If you add within the welcome bonus and an annual payment of solely $95, you have got a card that gives nice worth, particularly should you’re simply beginning out on the earth of journey rewards.
To be taught extra, learn our full overview of the Chase Sapphire Most well-liked Card.
Apply right here: Chase Sapphire Most well-liked Card
Capital One Enterprise Rewards Credit score Card
The Enterprise Rewards does not have sophisticated bonus classes to trace, which can make it the proper match in your pockets.
Annual payment: $95
Welcome bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 inside the first three months from account opening. Plus, obtain a $250 Capital One Journey credit score to make use of within the first cardholder yr upon account opening.
In line with TPG’s April 2025 valuations, this welcome provide is value $1,638 when contemplating the worth of the journey credit score.
Why it is an awesome starter card: This card’s flexibility makes it very best for vacationers getting began within the factors and miles world or those that aren’t inherently loyal to a single resort chain or airline.
First, you earn a flat 2 miles per greenback spent on all the things, that means you do not have to maintain observe of various spending classes. Nonetheless, that incomes fee jumps to five miles per greenback for motels, trip leases and automotive leases booked via Capital One Journey.
You will additionally get an up-to-$120 credit score to cowl the appliance payment for TSA PreCheck or International Entry.
With this card, you’ll make the most of Capital One’s 15-plus airline and resort companions. This card packs rather a lot in for a $95 annual payment and even makes the minimize as one among our general greatest journey bank cards.
To be taught extra, learn our full overview of the Capital One Enterprise Rewards Credit score Card.
Study extra: Capital One Enterprise Rewards Credit score Card
Citi Strata Premier Card
In order for you a single card to cowl a variety of bonus classes, the Strata Premier is precisely what you are in search of.
Annual payment: $95
Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus factors after spending $4,000 inside the first three months of account opening.
In line with TPG’s April 2025 valuations, this welcome provide is value $1,080.
Why it is an awesome starter card: The great thing about the Citi Strata Premier Card is its breadth of bonus classes. The cardboard earns 3 ThankYou factors per greenback on air journey, different resort purchases, eating places, gasoline stations, EV charging stations and supermarkets, serving to you rack up a lot of factors very quickly.
In the event you e-book motels, sights and automotive leases via CitiTravel.com, you may get pleasure from a improbable 10 factors per greenback in your spending.
In terms of spending these factors, you’ll be able to switch them to any of Citi’s 21 journey companions.
You too can obtain $100 off one resort keep of $500 or extra (excluding taxes and charges) per yr whenever you e-book via CitiTravel.com. The cardboard has no international transaction charges and a $95 annual payment.
To be taught extra, see our full overview of the Citi Strata Premier.
Apply right here: Citi Strata Premier Card
American Specific Gold Card
The Amex Gold is a superb selection for anybody who spends some huge cash on meals. With this card, you may rack up tons of factors on lots of your meals purchases.
Annual payment: $325 (see charges and charges)
Welcome provide: Earn 60,000 bonus factors after spending $6,000 inside the first six months of cardmembership. Nonetheless, remember to verify the CardMatch instrument to see should you’re focused for an even increased bonus (affords are topic to alter at any time; not everybody might be focused for a similar affords).
In line with TPG’s April 2025 valuations, this welcome provide is value $1,200.
Why it is an awesome starter card: The Amex Gold Card is improbable for anybody seeking to leverage their on a regular basis spending for wonderful rewards — whereas additionally having fun with helpful assertion credit for issues like eating and ride-hailing companies.
You will earn 4 factors per greenback at eating places worldwide (on as much as $50,000 in purchases per calendar yr, then 1 level per greenback) and on as much as $25,000 in purchases per calendar yr at U.S. supermarkets (then 1 level per greenback), 3 factors per greenback on flights booked straight with airways or on amextravel.com, 2 factors per greenback spent on pay as you go motels and different eligible purchases booked on amextravel.com and 1 level per greenback on all the things else.
Cardmembers additionally obtain as much as $120 in assertion credit every calendar yr (as much as $10 per thirty days) towards eating purchases at choose retailers and as much as $120 per calendar yr ($10 per thirty days) in Uber Money towards U.S. Uber rides and U.S. Uber Eats orders after downloading and enrolling your Amex Gold card in your Uber account. You’ll be able to redeem it with any Amex card. Enrollment is required for choose advantages; phrases apply.
Different perks embody entry to The Lodge Assortment*, the International Help Hotline^ and several other buying and journey protections on the cardboard.
*Minimal two night time keep required; eligible prices differ by property.
^Eligibility and Profit degree varies by Card. Phrases, Circumstances and Limitations Apply. Please go to americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for extra particulars. Card Members are liable for the prices charged by third-party service suppliers.
To be taught extra, learn our full overview of the Amex Gold Card.
Apply right here: American Specific Gold Card
American Specific Inexperienced Card
The Amex Inexperienced is commonly neglected, nevertheless it’s undoubtedly a card younger professionals and newbie vacationers alike ought to take into account.
Annual payment: $150
Welcome provide: Earn 40,000 bonus factors after spending $3,000 inside the first six months of cardmembership.
In line with TPG’s valuations, this welcome provide is value $800.
Why it is an awesome starter card: The Amex Inexperienced Card’s broad bonus-earning classes and comparatively low annual payment make it nice for newbie vacationers. With it, you may earn 3 factors per greenback on journey, transit and eating at eating places worldwide (together with takeout and supply within the U.S.), permitting you to rack up factors each at dwelling and whereas touring.
The Membership Rewards you may earn with this card are extraordinarily versatile, and you’ll e-book your subsequent journey very quickly by transferring your factors to one among Amex’s 21 switch companions, together with Delta Air Strains SkyMiles and Marriott Bonvoy.
You will additionally get journey advantages like an as much as $199 Clear Plus credit score every calendar yr, journey insurance coverage and buying protections. Enrollment is required for choose advantages; phrases apply.
Study extra: American Specific Inexperienced
Bilt Mastercard
In the event you pay hire, having the Bilt Mastercard in your pockets is a great selection.
Annual payment: No annual payment (see charges and charges)
Welcome provide: None
Why it is an awesome starter card: Many inexperienced persons on this pastime additionally pay month-to-month hire. In the event you pay by financial institution deposit, money or verify, your landlord should not cost you a payment. Paying your hire by bank card typically entails transaction charges, however that is not true with the Bilt Mastercard.
The Bilt card even works with landlords who do not settle for bank card funds, so you’ll be able to earn Bilt Factors with out paying a transaction payment (see charges and charges). Cardholders can earn as much as 100,000 factors on hire every calendar yr.
Nonetheless, you’ll want to make at the least 5 transactions in your card every month to earn rewards, which come on the fee of 1 level per greenback on hire, 2 factors per greenback on journey and three factors per greenback on eating bought exterior of Bilt Eating. Cardholders also can earn 5 factors per greenback on Lyft after connecting their Bilt and Lyft accounts.
Moreover, the cardboard affords a number of perks like Journey Cancellation and Interruption Safety, Journey Delay Reimbursement and No International Transaction Charges (see charges and charges). The cardboard additionally affords World Elite Mastercard advantages, together with Mobile Phone Safety (topic to a $25 deductible; see rewards and advantages) and Lyft credit each month you utilize your card to pay for 3 or extra Lyft rides.
The factors earned on this card may be transferred to 13 airways and 5 resort companions.
To be taught extra, learn our full overview of the Bilt Mastercard.
Apply right here: Bilt Mastercard
Financial institution of America Journey Rewards Credit score Card
In order for you a card that gives simplicity or should you’re a Financial institution of America Most well-liked Rewards® member, we suggest testing the Financial institution of America Journey Rewards.
Annual payment: No annual payment
Welcome provide: Earn 25,000 bonus factors after spending $1,000 inside 90 days of account opening.
Why it is an awesome starter card: For inexperienced persons, factors and miles can appear daunting, so it is good to have a card with a easy incomes construction. The Financial institution of America Journey Rewards affords 3 factors per greenback on journey purchases within the Financial institution of America Journey Middle and an infinite 1.5 factors per greenback spent on all different purchases.
What’s extra, in case you are a Financial institution of America banking buyer, you’ll be able to earn extra factors beneath the Most well-liked Rewards program. Financial institution of America Most well-liked Rewards members earn a factors enhance between 25% and 75% (relying in your tier) on each buy.
Simply observe that you will want a three-month common of at the least $20,000 throughout your Financial institution of America and Merrill accounts to qualify.
The factors earned on this card may be redeemed as an announcement credit score for journey or eating purchases at a flat fee of 1 cent per level. This card does not cost a international transaction payment.
To be taught extra, learn our full overview of the Financial institution of America Journey Rewards card.
Apply right here: Financial institution of America Journey Rewards
What credit score rating do you want for a journey bank card?
Most journey bank cards require good-to-excellent credit score, that means you may desire a rating over 650. That is to not say that you simply will not be accredited in case your rating is not that top, however it’s a good rule of thumb when contemplating making use of for a bank card.
In the event you do not presently have an excellent credit score rating or lack credit score historical past, you may wish to construct credit score with a newbie or secured card or by changing into a certified person on another person’s card.
Associated: What credit score rating do I want for the Chase Sapphire Most well-liked?
Remember about Chase’s 5/24 rule
In the event you’re nonetheless torn about which card to get, it is value fascinated about Chase’s 5/24 rule, as it might affect your resolution. In line with this rule, Chase will seemingly reject your software should you’ve opened 5 or extra private playing cards throughout all issuers within the final 24 months (most enterprise playing cards do not rely towards your whole).
Due to this restriction, standard knowledge is to begin by utilizing up your 5 slots with Chase earlier than shifting on to different issuers. If you’re simply beginning with journey rewards, it may be straightforward to underestimate the significance of this rule, however Chase affords a few of the most priceless journey rewards playing cards in the marketplace. If you do not get them first, you may not have the ability to get them for some time.
Typically, it is sensible to disregard the 5/24 rule and set off in a special route, nevertheless it’s not a call you need to make flippantly. Except you have got an excellent purpose for wanting elsewhere, you need to begin with a Chase card first.
For extra on this rule and the foundations the banks use for bank card purposes, see our information to bank card software restrictions.
Backside line
With so many journey rewards playing cards on the market, selecting which one to use for may appear overwhelming. However you’ll be able to’t go unsuitable with any of the alternatives on this checklist, as all of the choices provide nice rewards charges and an introduction to the world of factors and miles. So, determine what your journey targets are, then use this information to select the appropriate card.
Associated: Are journey bank cards value it?
For charges and charges of the Amex Gold Card, click on right here.
For charges and charges of the Bilt Mastercard, click on right here.
For rewards and advantages of the Bilt Mastercard, click on right here.