The Best Travel Credit Cards for Bad Credit
At a Glance
Just because you’ve got bad credit doesn’t mean you can’t get rewarded for your purchases. There are many travel credit cards out there that will approve credit scores that are typically considered poor to fair which will not only help build your credit but help you earn free or discounted travel, too.
In this article, you’ll learn:
Comparing the best travel rewards credit cards for poor credit
| Travel Credit Card |
Benifits for Travellers |
Welcome Offer |
|---|---|---|
Discover It® Secured Credit Card |
2% cash back on gas and restaurant purchases, 1% cash back on all other purchases | $0 |
Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card |
1.5% cash back on all purchases | $0 |
The Credit One Wander Card |
10X points on eligible hotel and car rental bookings, 5X points on eligible travel, dining, and gas purchases, 1X points on all other purchases | $95 |
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card |
1% cash back on general purchases, 2% cash back on grocery and wholesale club purchases, 3% cash back in a category of choice | $0 |
The Savings Secured Platinum Rewards Credit Card |
1 point for every $1 spent | $0 |
| Capital One QuicksilverOne cash rewards credit card |
1.5% cash back on every purchase | $39 |
*These numbers were updated as of June 2023.
A closer look at the best bad credit travel credit cards
Discover It® Secured Credit Card
For the Always on the Road
Reward Rate:
2%
Reward Details:
Earn 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. Additionally, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases – automatically.
Card Summary
Signup bonus:
The standout feature of this card is the sign-up bonus. Discover matches all the rewards earned during the first year. While the bonus is received at the end of the first year, it offers cardholders the opportunity to double all their rewards earned during that period.
Our verdict
The secured card from Discover is one of the few that will convert to an unsecured card for those who use it responsibly, making it much easier to build your credit. With the 1% cash back on all purchases, it’s a great way to get a little bit back for every travel purchase you already plan to make.
Annual Fee: NA
Regular APR: 27.74%
Recommended
Credit Score: Fair 
Pros and Cons
- No annual fee
- Can convert to an unsecured account after 7 months
- No late fee for a first missed payment
- 2% back on grocery and gas station purchases
- 1% back on everything else
- Discover matches cash back on all purchases in the first year
- High-interest rate
- No introductory rate
- Cash back match is only redeemed at the end of the first year
Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card
For the Everyday Spender
Reward Rate:
1.5%
Reward Details:
With the Capital One Quicksilver Secured card, you can earn an unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day. Additionally, you can enjoy a high rewards rate on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital Travel.
Card Summary
Signup bonus:
The provided information does not specify a specific sign-up bonus for the Capital One Quicksilver Secured card.
Our verdict
If you want a secured card that gets you into a credit card company with generous travel options, the Quicksilver card is it. Not only will it get you into a good relationship with Capital One, but having access to their Travel Portal can go a long way to helping you save on your next trip.
Annual Fee: NA
Regular APR: 29.99%
Recommended
Credit Score: NA
Pros and Cons
- Best Price guarantee can save you money.
- $0 fraud liability.
- No annual fee.
- Unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase.
- Access to Capital One’s Travel Portal where you can save money on travel purchases.
- High-interest rate.
- Cannot convert the card to unsecured.
- No intro offers.
The Credit One Wander Card
For the Always on the Road
Reward Rate:
1X -10X
Reward Details:
The Credit One Wander Card offers a tiered rewards structure. Cardholders can earn 10X points on hotel and car rental bookings made through the Credit One Bank Travel partner. Additionally, they earn 5X points on all other eligible travel (including airfare), dining, and gas purchases. All other purchases earn 1X points.
Card Summary
Signup bonus:
By spending $1,000 on eligible purchases within the first 90 days, cardholders can earn a sign-up bonus of 10,000 points. These points can be redeemed for a $100 statement credit, gift cards, or travel.
Our verdict
One of the more generous cards for those looking to build their credit, the Credit One Wander Card is a serious contender for frequent travelers.
Annual Fee:Earn 10,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on eligible purchases in the first 90 days
Regular APR: 28.24%
Recommended
Credit Score: NA
Pros and Cons
- 10x points on hotels and car rentals
- 5x points on airfare, dining, and gas
- 1x points on all other purchases
- Generous introductory offer
- Annual fee of $95
- High-interest rate
- Harder to get for those with poor credit
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card
for the Flexible Spender
Reward Rate:
1% – 3%
Reward Details:
The Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card offers a tiered rewards structure. Cardholders earn 1% cash back on general purchases. Additionally, they can choose one category in which they will earn 3% cashback. Furthermore, cardholders earn 2% cash back on grocery and wholesale club purchases, up to $2,500 in combined purchases in these categories each quarter, and then 1% cash back.
Card Summary
Signup bonus:
NA
Our verdict
With a bonus rewards category of your choosing and an additional 2% cash back on essential purchases like groceries, this secured card can help you build credit while also getting generous cash-back rewards with no annual fee.
Annual Fee:NA
Regular APR: 26.24%
Recommended
Credit Score: NA
Pros and Cons
- 3% bonus spend category of your choosing.
- 2% cash back on groceries and wholesale club purchases.
- 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- No annual fee.
- No introductory offer.
- Cash back bonus categories capped at $2,500 per year.
- High variable interest rate.
The Savings Secured Platinum Rewards Credit Card
For the Everyday Spender
Reward Rate:
1 point for every $1 spent
Reward Details:
The Savings Secured Platinum Rewards Credit Card offers a rewards program called Flexpoints Rewards. Cardholders can earn 1 point for every $1 spent.
Annual Fee: The Savings Secured Platinum Rewards Credit Card has no annual fee, allowing cardholders to avoid unnecessary expenses.
Card Summary
Signup bonus:
The provided information does not specify a specific sign-up bonus for the Savings Secured Platinum Rewards Credit Card.
Our verdict
If you’re a Department of State employee or work in one of their Select Employee Groups, this secured card offers one of the lowest interest rates on purchases around. Plus, with Flexpoints Rewards, it’s easy to get rewarded for your everyday purchases.
Annual Fee:NA
Regular APR: 16.49%
Recommended
Credit Score: NA
Pros and Cons
- No annual fee
- Low APR
- 1 point for every $1
- No minimum score requirements
- Responsible users will get their account converted to an unsecured card automatically
- No introductory offer
- Only available for employees of a Department of State or who work in an affiliate Select Employee Group
- No bonus spend categories
Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
For the Everyday Spender
Reward Rate:
1.5%
Reward Details:
The Capital One QuicksilverOne card offers a rewards program where cardholders can earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day. Additionally, they can earn 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
Card Summary
Signup bonus:
The provided information does not specify a specific sign-up bonus for the Capital One QuicksilverOne card.
Our verdict
Like its secured card sibling, the QuickSilverOne card has impressive reward options that have no spend caps. Plus, with access to Capital One’s Travel Portal, cardholders can save even more on travel purchases.
Annual Fee:NA
Regular APR: 29.99%
Recommended
Credit Score: NA
Pros and Cons
- Unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase
- 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Doesn’t require a high credit score
- $39 Annual fee
- High variable APR
- No introductory offer
How to choose the best travel card for bad credit?
When selecting a travel card for bad credit, there are a few key factors to consider:
1. Rewards program:
Look for a card that offers rewards specifically geared toward travel. Consider the earning rates for different types of travel expenses and evaluate if they align with your spending habits and travel preferences.
2. Annual fee:
Consider the annual fee associated with the card. Balance the potential rewards and benefits you’ll receive against the cost of the fee to determine if it’s worth it for you.
3. Credit building features:
Check if the card offers credit-building features, such as the opportunity to graduate to an unsecured card or regular credit line increases based on responsible card use. These features can help improve your credit over time.
4. Additional benefits:
Consider any additional perks or benefits offered by the card, such as travel insurance, roadside assistance, or access to travel portals. These extras can enhance your overall travel experience.
5. Credit requirements:
Understand the credit requirements for the card and ensure it is accessible to individuals with bad credit. Look for cards that are specifically designed for people in similar credit situations.
How to make the most out of a travel credit card?
To maximize the benefits of a travel credit card, consider the following strategies:
1. Understand the rewards program:
Familiarize yourself with the specific rewards structure of your card. Know which categories earn higher rewards and any limitations or caps on earning potential. This knowledge will help you plan your spending and take advantage of the most lucrative earning opportunities.
2. Optimize bonus categories:
If your card offers bonus rewards in specific categories, such as hotels or dining, make a conscious effort to use your card for those purchases. This way, you can earn more rewards in areas where you frequently spend.
3. Utilize travel benefits:
Take advantage of the additional travel benefits provided by your card. These may include access to travel portals, discounted or free services, or travel insurance. Use these perks when planning and booking your trips to maximize value.
4. Pay in full and on time:
To avoid unnecessary interest charges, aim to pay your balance in full each month. Late payments can also negatively impact your credit score, so ensure you make payments on time.
5. Monitor and redeem rewards:
Regularly check your rewards balance and be proactive about redeeming your earned rewards. This way, you can enjoy the benefits of your travel card, whether it’s through statement credits, travel bookings, or other redemption options.
By following these strategies and using your travel credit card responsibly, you can make the most out of the rewards and benefits offered, enhancing your travel experiences while managing your finances effectively.
Methodology
1. Research and gathering:
The initial step involved researching and gathering information about the mentioned credit cards, including their key features, rewards rates, annual fees, intro APRs, regular APRs, and signup bonuses. The information was collected from reliable sources such as official credit card websites, financial institutions, and reviews.
2. Analysis of rewards rate:
The rewards rate for each credit card was evaluated to determine the percentage of cash back or points earned on different types of purchases, such as gas, restaurants, travel, groceries, and general purchases. The focus was on understanding the potential value and benefits provided by the rewards programs.
3. Assessment of annual fees:
The annual fees associated with each credit card were examined to determine the cost of owning and maintaining the card. The objective was to identify whether the benefits and rewards outweigh the annual fee, especially for individuals with bad credit or limited credit history.
4. Evaluation of introductory APRs:
The introductory APR offers, if applicable, were reviewed to assess any promotional interest rates provided for a specific period. This allowed us to understand the potential cost savings or benefits during the introductory period.
5. Examination of regular APRs:
The regular APRs for each credit card were analyzed to understand the ongoing interest rates that would apply after any introductory period. This information is crucial for individuals who may carry a balance on their credit cards and want to evaluate the cost of borrowing.
6. Review of signup bonuses:
The sign-up bonuses offered by the credit cards were considered to determine if any additional incentives were provided to new cardholders. This included evaluating the requirements, such as minimum spending thresholds or specific timeframes, to qualify for the bonus rewards.
7. Credit requirements:
The credit needed for each credit card was assessed to determine the target audience and eligibility criteria. This helped in understanding which cards were suitable for individuals with bad credit, fair credit, limited credit, or average credit.
8. Compilation and presentation:
The gathered information was compiled and presented in a table format, summarizing the key features, rewards rates, annual fees, intro APRs, regular APRs, and signup bonuses for each credit card.
FAQs
When looking to find a credit card to use for international travel, you need to be cautious to find one with low foreign transaction fees, if applicable, and global perks. Finding this with bad credit can be difficult, but the Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards card is an excellent option to consider. There are no foreign transaction fees and there’s 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
For those who spend their years traveling a decent amount, investing in an excellent travel credit card is certainly worth it. While these cards tend to come with higher annual fees due to the perks they offer, so long as the card is used in the spend categories it promotes the fee should be relatively easy to break-even on. The trick is finding a travel credit card which suits your specific spending on a monthly basis.
Learn more: Are Travel Credit Cards Worth It?
The easiest type of credit card to get with poor credit will be a secured credit card. This typically means you put down a cash deposit in advance as security before you are allowed to borrow on the card. Be aware that secured cards naturally come with less benefits and earning potential than unsecured cards due to the higher perceived risk on behalf of the card issuer.
The product information provided here is based on research conducted up to a specific date and may have changed. For the latest and most accurate information, we recommend you to visit the respective card’s website before proceeding.
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