Your First Travel Rewards Card

Choosing your first travel rewards card doesn't have to be a paralyzing decision – but you do need a plan. Think of this as your entry point into a hobby that will literally take you places. Transparency note: This post contains referral links. If you apply through my link, I may earn bonus points at no cost to you.

Let's Talk About Annual Fees

Here's the reality: most travel rewards cards have annual fees, and making peace with that is part of the game. I used to balk at paying fees too, until I reframed it as "the cost of doing business." Most hobbies cost money – gym memberships, golf, crafting supplies – and travel hacking is no different.

The key is understanding what you get for those fees. Most cards offer perks and credits designed to offset the annual fee. If you'll actually use the $300 travel credit and the Priority Pass lounge access, that $395 fee starts looking reasonable. But if you find yourself stress-buying things you don't need just to use credits, it's time to reconsider.

Bottom line: Know the fee, know the perks, and be honest about what you'll actually use.

The Main Players

The big names in travel credit cards are Chase, Capital One, Citi, and American Express. For your first card, I'm focusing on the two I started with – and the two that offer the best combination of valuable points and beginner-friendly features.

Chase: The Darling of Travel Cards

Chase Sapphire cards are beloved in the travel hacking world, mainly because their Ultimate Rewards (UR) points have incredible transfer partners. Hyatt alone makes Chase worth considering – their points transfers can unlock luxury hotel stays that would cost thousands in cash.

Your Chase options:

The Chase catch: They have an unwritten "5/24 rule" – they won't approve you for more than 5 cards within 24 months. This is why conventional wisdom says "start with Chase" – get your Chase portfolio built before you hit that limit.

Capital One: The Underrated Powerhouse

Capital One doesn't get as much love as Chase, but their Venture cards are solid performers with some unique advantages.

Your Capital One options:

What makes Capital One special: You earn 2x miles on everything – no categories to remember, no quarterly limits, no mental gymnastics. Just spend and earn. While their transfer partners aren't as extensive as Chase, they're particularly strong with international airlines.

The Capital One quirk: They're "inquiry sensitive," meaning they don't love seeing lots of recent card applications. Get them early or risk getting the cold shoulder later.

My Strategy (And Why I Broke the Rules)

When I started, I got both the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Capital One Venture within 30 days of each other. This goes against conventional wisdom, but here's my thinking:

I wanted to diversify my points earning across two strong ecosystems before either bank decided I was too much of a risk. I picture Capital One as being a bit jealous: "Oh, now that Chase isn't approving you anymore, now you're interested in me? Well, maybe I will or maybe I won't go out with you..."

This dual-bank strategy worked beautifully. I accumulated points in both systems without exhausting my options with any one bank too quickly.

Making Your Choice

Start with Chase Sapphire Preferred if:

  • You want the most valuable transfer partners

  • You're planning to build a Chase portfolio

  • You're comfortable with the 5/24 rule limiting your future options

Start with Capital One Venture if:

  • You want simplicity (2x on everything)

  • You're planning international travel

  • You want to avoid the Chase ecosystem entirely

Start with both if:

  • You can meet both spending requirements

  • You want to diversify your points earning

  • You're comfortable managing multiple cards from day one

What's Missing from This Guide

This is your starting point, not your ending point. I haven't covered:

  • How to meet minimum spending requirements safely

  • When and how to apply for cards

  • Specific redemption strategies

  • How to track everything without losing your mind

Those guides are coming – but first, pick your card and get started. The best travel rewards strategy is the one you actually implement.

Ready to take the plunge? Remember: the perfect card doesn't exist, but the perfect card for right now absolutely does.