One of our writers was attacked by a dog in a remote region of South America many years ago. The dog bit him on the leg. A rabies infection could not be ruled out, therefore the only option was to evacuate the area. After everything was said and done, the author, who we will refer to as "Chauncey" to protect the guilty, and his family ended up footing the bill for the majority of the treatment, as well as the subsequent evacuation, cancelled arrangements, and changes to their airline tickets. If "Chauncey's" family had used a credit card with travel insurance features, such as the best card on this list, they might have been able to avoid financial hardship when their vacation went awry.
If you already know which credit card you will use to pay for the trip, then it is not always necessary to obtain an additional travel insurance coverage in order to protect yourself while you are away. Even while the coverage provided by travel insurance included with credit cards is typically not as extensive as the coverage provided by a separate policy, it still might be sufficient for some journeys. These are the credit cards that we recommend getting for the most protection while traveling.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
For travelers, the Chase Sapphire Reserve's weighty metal packaging delivers a lot of power. The primary benefit of this card is that it receives awards of the highest tier. Chase Ultimate Rewards® are probably more versatile than Simone Biles, as they may be redeemed for statement credits, gift cards, and merchandise, or, best of all, for 50% more value when booking travel through the Ultimate Rewards portal. Additionally, you may transfer your points to more than a dozen prominent airline and hotel partners for a potential increase in value.
Access to Priority Pass Select Lounges, reimbursement of Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees, and advantages at locations in the Visa Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection are just a few of the features included with the Sapphire Reserve. The $300 annual bill credit for approved travel is likely to be the perk that assists the majority of potential applicants in obtaining the card. Anyone who ever leaves their home will certainly find a way to utilize this credit to its maximum.
In addition to the potential 50% boost in redemption value, this card has another reward-maximizing feature: If you combine it with a card that earns Ultimate Rewards, such as the Chase Freedom FlexSM or Chase Freedom Unlimited®, you can combine all of your points and redeem them at the Sapphire Reserve's enhanced value. To receive the bonus on all of your Ultimate Rewards, you can also have points transferred to you from a family member's or small company account.
United Club℠ Infinite Card
The United ClubSM Infinite Card is Chase's premium co-branded United credit card. Platinum Elite membership with the IHG portfolio of hotels, United Club and Star Alliance Lounge access, free first and second checked baggage on United flights, and up to a $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck charge credit are among the benefits.
In addition to priority access travel services and a discount of 25% on United inflight purchases and premium drinks in United Club lounges when you use your card, the United Club Infinite also offers a variety of travel insurance and purchase protections, making it a card to consider if you can stomach the annual fee. If you frequently travel United and want to maximize your comfort, the United Club Infinite can assist.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card provides premium credit card features with a reduced annual fee and good travel insurance coverage. The greatest disadvantage of the Venture X's travel protections is that it only covers transportation costs in the event of a trip cancellation, whereas many other cards on this list cover all prepaid charges up to the coverage maximum. In addition, it provides coverage for trip delay, lost and damaged baggage, delayed baggage, and primary automobile rental insurance.
In addition to solid rewards earning and good travel insurance coverage, the Capital One Venture X card also provides an annual travel credit of up to $300 and 10,000 bonus miles on the card's anniversary. The travel credit of up to $300 must be redeemed using Capital One's travel portal.
After paying the application fee with the card, cardholders also receive a Priority Pass lounge membership, access to Capital One lounges, and a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a premier option among travel credit cards. This is because it could be a natural fit for both novices and experts in reward maximization.
For an annual fee of $95 you will earn 5 points per dollar on travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3 points per dollar on dining, select streaming services, and online grocery purchases (excludes Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs), 2 points per dollar on all other travel purchases, and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.
These are easily digestible earnings that a beginner in travel rewards is likely to be able to handle. However, the card also offers luxuries that appeal to even the most seasoned rewards wranglers, such as a 25% value boost when redeeming rewards for travel booked through the Chase Travel Center and a $50 annual credit for hotel stays booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. This is the type of reward redemption value that nearly everyone who travels beyond their home can appreciate.
United℠ Explorer Card
The Explorer card, a mid-tier option among United credit cards, offers some features that United flyers will find appealing, but don't get too excited. The subset of consumers who should obtain this card are those who travel United frequently enough to derive value from the card's privileges, but not frequently enough to receive the same perks for free through elite status.
The card's perks are actually advantageous for travelers who fall into this category. Cardholders will receive priority boarding, gratis checked bags, and discounts on food and beverages onboard (Premier members are also eligible for complimentary upgrades on award flights). The increased reward space accessible to cardholders is an additional incentive, but one with less real value. Two United Club Lounge permits valid for a single visit each year round out the airline's privileges.
For someone who flies United a few times per year, these incentives can make the card a worthwhile investment. However, the UnitedSM Explorer Card is inadequate for earning miles. 2 miles per dollar on dining, including eligible delivery services, hotel stays, and United® purchases; 1 mile per dollar on all other eligible purchases. In fact, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card outearns it without the restrictions of staying loyal to a single airline.
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