9 valuable travel perks that you can get with a credit card

There’s no shortage of great perks you can get with a travel credit card, especially with several solid options currently on the market.

Premium travel cards can shield you from risks with travel and rental car insurance and provide benefits like airport lounge access and travel-focused annual statement credits. If you’re curious about some of the travel perks you can access with a credit card, we have you covered.

Lounge access

Airport lounges are one of the best parts of premium travel. They offer a spot to relax and refuel while you wait for your flight. Nowadays, several premium travel cards give you access to these lavish lounges.

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offers complimentary access to Capital One Lounges. You’ll also enjoy perks like 10,000 bonus miles every account anniversary.

New account holders can earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Based on TPG’s February 2026 valuations, this offer is worth $1,388.

Alternatively, there’s the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees), which offers an expansive lounge network through a Priority Pass Select membership. Cardholders also have access to Chase’s growing network of Chase Sapphire Lounges by The Club.

You can earn a welcome offer of 125,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. Based on our February 2026 valuations, this offer is worth $2,563.

Related: Best credit cards for airport lounge access

TSA PreCheck/Global Entry credits

TSA PreCheck and Global Entry are programs that give you expedited screening at U.S. airports for $85 (for TSA PreCheck) or $120 (for Global Entry). If you’re eligible, it’s best to pay extra for Global Entry, as TSA PreCheck benefits are included.

With the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, you’ll enjoy a credit of up to $120 for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, letting you enjoy the program of your choice for only a $95 annual fee. The Venture Rewards card also offers at least 2 miles per dollar spent on every purchase, with no bonus categories to memorize and a number of other solid mid-tier perks.

Another card offering credits is the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card. This card offers a TSA PreCheck/Global Entry statement credit of up to $100 every four years. Note that this credit will not cover the full cost of Global Entry, but it will cut down the cost to a very reasonable amount.

If you want to save even more time, you can grab a card that will reimburse you for an annual Clear Plus membership. The American Express® Green Card is one of these cards, offering up to $209 each calendar year for a Clear Plus membership (enrollment is required; subject to auto-renewal).

The information for the American Express Green Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Related: Best credit cards for Global Entry and TSA PreCheck

Rental car insurance

Some of the best travel rewards cards provide primary rental car insurance that may allow you to decline a rental company’s collision damage waiver.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees) are two valuable cards that offer primary rental car insurance on most rentals.

The Sapphire products are among the most valuable cards for both travel beginners and experts. They offer perks that include up to $300 in annual travel credits (via the Sapphire Reserve) and a $50 annual hotel credit for stays booked through Chase Travel℠ (via the Sapphire Preferred).

No foreign transaction fees

If you travel internationally often, you’ll want a card with no foreign transaction fees.

Cards like the Sapphire Preferred and the Venture Rewards fit that bill. Each card lets you make purchases worldwide with no additional fees attached.

Consider the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (see rates and fees) for your international business spending. The card also offers bonus points on popular business expenses, including travel and advertising.

Travel insurance

Travel insurance is a small thing that can prevent a big hassle should something go wrong on your next trip. Cards like the Sapphire Reserve have solid protections in place should an airline lose your checked bag or you find yourself delayed overnight.

If you’re a frequent flyer, you might want to consider a premium airline card like the United Club℠ Card (see rates and fees). This card offers great value for frequent United Airlines flyers and provides essential travel insurance to help mitigate risk.

If you’re loyal to another airline, consider its top credit card instead.

Free checked bags

Most cobranded airline credit cards offer complimentary checked bags for you and those traveling with your party.

For example, the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card gives you your first checked bag for free.

There’s also the United℠ Explorer Card (see rates and fees), which similarly offers your first checked bag free.

Another great perk of the latter card is its two annual United Club passes. TPG credit cards editor Olivia Mittak appreciates the ability to use her United Explorer’s United Club passes when she flies United.

Related: Airline baggage fees: How much it costs to check a bag on major US airlines

Elite status

Many credit cards give you elite status for holding that particular card. This is primarily found with hotel credit cards.

You might consider the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card (see rates and fees) if you’re a Marriott fan. New cardholders can earn five free night awards (valued at up to 50,000 points each) after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Certain hotels have resort fees. Additionally, you can receive up to $100 in statement credits (up to $50 biannually) after spending $500 on eligible airline purchases.

Based on TPG’s February 2026 valuations, this offer is worth up to $1,850. This card includes Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status each year, which provides additional benefits at Marriott hotels.

New World of Hyatt Credit Card (see rates and fees) holders can earn up to five free nights: three free nights after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening, plus two free nights after spending $15,000 on purchases in the first six months. Free nights can be redeemed at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort worldwide.

This card comes with World of Hyatt Discoverist status and can help you earn elite nights toward higher status tiers.

Related: Comparing the best hotel elite status tiers and how to earn them

Purchase protection

You also might opt for a card with purchase protection that covers the cost of items bought in the event of loss, theft or damage.

Most top-tier travel cards, like the Sapphire Reserve and the Capital One Venture X, offer purchase protection. If you have a large purchase coming up, it’s wise to put it on a card with substantial purchase protection. Make sure to read your card’s terms and conditions to understand the protections available to you.

Cellphone protection

Lastly, you might opt for a card with cellphone protection that covers loss or damage when you pay your cellphone bill with the card.

The Chase Freedom Flex® (see rates and fees) is one such option, covering up to $800 per claim and $1,000 per year in cellphone protection.

Cardholders can earn a valuable 5% cash back on select bonus categories that rotate each quarter once you activate (on up to $1,500 in combined purchases each quarter), plus 5% back on travel purchased through Chase Travel.

This no-annual-fee card is a great option for cash-back enthusiasts.

There’s also the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card (see rates and fees), which offers up to $600 of cellular telephone protection against damage or theft (subject to a $25 deductible) when you pay your monthly cellphone bill with your card. It offers a simple 2% cash rewards rate on purchases.

In addition to cellular telephone protection, the card provides access to the Visa Signature Concierge and the Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection. New cardholders can earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months.

Related: Link a credit card with cellphone protection to your mobile bill

Bottom line

Some of these perks aren’t the most eye-catching, and you probably won’t get a new credit card solely because it offers something like cellphone protection. However, some of these lesser-known benefits can provide long-term value and should be a factor in your decision on your next card.

You never know when something like travel or rental car insurance will come in handy.

Related: How to choose the best credit card for you

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.