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Many travel credit cards require applicants to have at least good credit — typically scores 670 and above. However, some credit cards are tailored to consumers rebuilding their credit scores.
These credit cards are easier to qualify for but often lack the benefits and rewards available with the best credit cards. That said, there are travel credit cards for consumers with less-than-perfect credit that allow you to rebuild or establish your credit and earn cash back, points or miles.
Below, CNBC Select rounds up the best travel credit cards for fair credit, including cards with generous rewards structures, welcome bonuses and intro APR offers. (See our methodology for information on how we chose the best fair credit travel credit cards).
Best travel credit cards for fair credit
- Best for everyday purchases: Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
- Best for students: Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
- Best for unsecured cards: Chase Freedom Rise® (see rates and fees)
- Best for earning rewards: Credit One Bank® Wander® American Express® Card with Dining, Gas & Travel Rewards
- Best for flexible bonus categories: Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card
- Best for no annual fee: Capital One Quicksilver Secured Credit Card
- Best for welcome bonus: Discover it® Secured Credit Card
Best for everyday purchases
The Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card available to those with limited/fair credit, which makes it surprising that it features an elevated 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
- Simple rewards structure with no caps or categories to track
- Available if you have fair credit
- High APR
- Has an annual fee
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
- No rotating categories or limits to how much you can earn, and cash back doesn't expire for the life of the account. It's that simple
- Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months
- Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
- Help strengthen your credit for the future with responsible card use
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Monitor your credit score with CreditWise from Capital One. It's free for everyone
- Check out quickly and securely with a contactless card, without touching a terminal or handing your card to a cashier. Just hover your card over a contactless reader, wait for the confirmation, and you're all set
- Top rated mobile app
Balance transfer fee
- $0 at the Transfer APR, 4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you
Who's this for? The Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is ideal if you have average or fair credit and want to earn rewards with an unsecured credit card.
Standout benefits: The Capital One QuicksilverOne earns 1.5% cash back on all purchases. While you won't earn additional cash back in special categories, you are earning a higher return on everyday spending compared to other cards. Plus, this card charges no foreign transaction fees.
Best for students
The Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is a card designed for students with rewards rates that match many of the top cash-back credit cards.
- High cash-back rates for common student expenses, such as groceries, dining and entertainment
- No annual fee
- No foreign transaction fees
- High APR
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn unlimited 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services, plus 1% on all other purchases
- Early Spend Bonus: Earn $50 when you spend $100 in the first three months
- Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
- Enjoy no annual fee, foreign transaction fees, or hidden fees
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Earn up to $500 a year by referring friends and family when they're approved for a Capital One credit card
- Earn 8% cash back on entertainment purchases when you book through the Capital One Entertainment portal
- Build your credit with responsible card use
- Whether you're at a 4-year university, community college or other higher education institution, this card might be an option for you
- Top rated mobile app
Balance transfer fee
4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you
Who's this for? The Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card provides students with high cash-back rates for all sorts of travel and everyday purchases. If you want to build credit while in school and earn cash back, this card is for you.
Standout benefits: In addition to elevated rewards on eligible travel booked through Capital One Travel, the Capital One Savor Student card earns a generous 3% cash back on dining, popular streaming services, entertainment and grocery stores (not including superstores like Walmart or Target), then 1% on all other purchases.
Best for unsecured cards
The Chase Freedom Rise® is one of the most rewarding cards that's available if you're new to credit.
- No credit history required
- Above average flat-rate rewards
- No annual fee
- Small welcome offer
- Has a foreign transaction fee
Who's this for? The Chase Freedom Rise® is a great option for establishing your credit and a relationship with Chase, which issues many top travel credit cards.
Standout benefits: The Chase Freedom Rise earns 1.5% cash back on all purchases, which is a high rate of return for a starter credit card. If you or a household member have a card that allows point transfers (like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees), you can move the rewards you earn from your Freedom Rise onto that card and transfer them to any of the Chase Ultimate Rewards® travel partners.
Best for earning rewards
Credit One Bank® Wander® American Express® Card with Dining, Gas & Travel Rewards
Rewards
10% cash back rewards on eligible hotel and car rentals booked using the Credit One Bank travel partner, 5% cash back rewards on eligible dining, gas, & travel purchases. 1% cash back rewards on all other purchases, terms apply
Welcome bonus
No current offer
Annual fee
$95
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
29.74%* Variable
Balance transfer fee
N/A
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit needed
Fair to Good credit
See rates and fees. Terms apply.
Pros
- Great return on travel purchases
- Available to those with average credit
Cons
- High APR
- No welcome bonus
Who's this for? The Credit One Bank Wander Card is worth considering if you have average credit and want to earn the most rewards for your travel spending.
Standout benefits: Eligible travel, including flights, dining and gas purchases, earn a generous 5% cash back rewards, and you can earn a whopping 10% cash back rewards on eligible hotels and rental cars you book through the Credit One Bank travel partner site.
Best for flexible bonus categories
- Flexible bonus cash-back categories
- Qualifies for Preferred Rewards, which can boost your rewards
- 3% foreign transaction fee
Information about Bank of America cards has been collected independently by CNBC Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer prior to publication.
Who's this for? The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card is an exceptionally rewarding secured credit card because you can choose where you earn the most cash back. This makes it a great option if you want to maximize the cash back you can earn to use for your next vacation.
Standout benefits: The Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Secured Card earns 3% cash back in the category you choose each month. On top of that, you'll get 2% cash back at grocery store and wholesale clubs. You earn these bonus cash-back rates on the first $2,500 in combined purchases each quarter (then 1% cash back).
Pro tip: Pair this card with a Bank of America account for more rewards
You can boost the cash back you earn with the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card if you qualify for Bank of America's Preferred Rewards program. The Preferred Rewards program offers a range of benefits, including a credit card rewards boost of 25% to 75%.
You qualify for the program based on the three-month combined average daily balance of your Bank of America and Merrill accounts. This includes checking accounts, such as the Bank of America Advantage Plus Banking account, savings accounts and investment accounts. You'll need at least $20,000 in deposits to be eligible for the first tier of rewards and remember, retirement accounts with Merrill count toward that number.
Bank of America Advantage Plus Banking®
Monthly maintenance fee
$12, with options to waive
Minimum deposit to open
$100
Minimum balance
$1,500 daily balance to avoid monthly maintenance fee
Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
None
Free ATM network
16,000 Bank of America ATMs
ATM fee reimbursement
None
Overdraft fee
$10 per item (max 2 per day)
Mobile check deposit
Yes
Terms apply. Bank of America is a Member FDIC.
Best for no annual fee
The Capital One Quicksilver Secured Credit Card is an unusually rewarding card because you earn 1.5% cash back on every purchase.
- Simple rewards structure with no caps or categories to track
- Available if you have fair credit
- High APR
- Has an annual fee
Rewards
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
Balance transfer fee
- $0 at the Transfer APR, 4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you
Who's this for? The Capital One Quicksilver Secured Credit Card is a great low-cost option for anyone working to rebuild or establish their credit. Plus, it earns a solid flat-rate return on every purchase.
Standout benefits: With this card, you'll earn 1.5% cash back on every purchase, with no limit to how much cash back you can earn. The card charges no foreign transaction fees, which is useful when traveling overseas.
Best for welcome bonus
Information about Discover cards has been collected independently by CNBC Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer prior to publication.
Who's this for? The Discover it® Secured Credit Card is worth considering if you're working on your credit, but want to earn rewards along the way. It earns cash back at a generous pace and has a welcome offer, which is rare for secured credit cards.
Standout benefits: You'll earn 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. Plus earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Offers in this section are from affiliate partners and selected based on a combination of engagement, product relevance, compensation, and consistent availability.
From 2.00% to 4.05% APY
1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month.
More on our top travel credit cards for fair credit
Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card keeps it simple with a higher-than-average rate of return on every purchase and low annual fee.
Rewards
- 1.5% cash back on all purchases
Welcome bonus
None
Annual fee
$39
Notable perks
This card has no foreign transaction fees, so when you're traveling outside the U.S. or make any purchase in a foreign currency, you won't pay anything extra for that privilege.
Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is one of the most rewarding credit cards available to students.
Rewards
- 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases when you book through the Capital One Entertainment portal
- 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply)
- 3% cash back on dining
- 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®)
- 3% cash back on popular streaming services
- 3% cash back on entertainment
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
Early Spend Bonus: Earn $50 when you spend $100 in the first three months.
Annual fee
$0
Notable perks
This card has no foreign transaction fees, which can be useful for students studying abroad.
Chase Freedom Rise®
The Chase Freedom Rise® is a no-annual-fee card geared toward those just starting their credit journey. It offers an elevated rate of return on everyday purchases that you normally only see on credit cards with higher credit requirements.
Rewards
- 2% cash back on eligible Lyft rides (through September 30, 2027)
- 1.5% cash back on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
Earn a $25 statement credit after enrolling in automatic payments within the first three months of opening your account.
Annual fee
$0
Notable perks
Eligible items you purchase with this card qualify for purchase protection and extended warranty protection. You can also be reimbursed up to $1,500 per person and $6,000 per trip for eligible prepaid non-refundable fares with this card's trip cancellation and interruption insurance.
This card also qualifies for several limited-time partner benefits. Cardholders can enroll to receive six months of complimentary DoorDash DashPass (Dec 31, 2027). After the six free months, you'll be automatically enrolled at the current monthly rate.
You can redeem your cash-back rewards for a direct deposit or statement credit to offset travel expenses. You can also use rewards to book travel through Chase Travel℠. After you build your credit history, you can upgrade to a Chase Freedom Flex® or Chase Freedom Unlimited® (see rates and fees) card without losing the rewards you've earned.
Credit One Bank® Wander® American Express® with Dining, Gas & Travel Rewards
The Credit One Bank Wander Card is rewarding for travel purchases, especially when you consider that it's available if you have fair or average credit.
Rewards
- 10% cash back rewards on eligible hotels and rental cars you book through the Credit One Bank travel partner site
- 5% cash back rewards on eligible travel, dining and gas purchases
- 1% cash back rewards on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
None
Annual fee
$95
Notable perks
This card has no foreign transaction fees and offers travel accident insurance. Cardholders also enjoy free access to their credit score.
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card
The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card allows you to choose a bonus cash-back category based on where you spend the most.
Rewards
- 3% cash back on a category of your choice, the categories are: Gas and EV charging stations, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, home improvement and furnishings*
- 2% cash back on grocery stores and wholesale clubs*
- 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases
*You earn 3% and 2% cash back on up to $2,500 in combined choice category and grocery stores purchases each quarter
Welcome bonus
None
Annual fee
$0
Notable perks
This secured card requires a minimum security deposit of $200 to open, with a maximum deposit of $5,000. The size of your deposit, income and ability to repay all factor into your credit limit.
The cashback you earn never expires if you keep the account open, and it's easy to redeem. You can use your rewards for statement credits or deposits into an eligible Bank of America or Merrill account, including checking, savings and investment accounts.
Capital One Quicksilver Secured Credit Card
The Capital One Quicksilver Secured Credit Card is a secured card with a rewards rate comparable to some of the top flat-rate cash-back credit cards.
Rewards
- 1.5% cash back on all purchases
Welcome bonus
None
Annual fee
$0
Notable perks
To qualify for this card, you'll need to make an upfront refundable deposit of at least $200. You are eligible for a refund of your deposit and an upgrade to an unsecured version of the card once you have a track record of "responsible use."
This card has no foreign transaction fees.
Discover it® Secured Credit Card
The Discover it® Secured Credit Card is a secured credit card that earns valuable rewards for gas station and restaurant spending, as well as a potentially lucrative welcome bonus.
Rewards
- 2% back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, then 1% back
- 1% back on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
Discover will match all of the cash back you earn at the end of your first year.
Annual fee
$0
Notable perks
The Discover it® Secured Credit Card requires a refundable security deposit of at least $200, which then becomes your credit limit. After seven months, Discover will review your account to see if you can be moved to an unsecured card and have your deposit refunded.
Since this card has no foreign transaction fees, you won't be dinged for using it abroad.
FAQs
What does your credit score need to be to get a travel credit card?
The best travel credit cards generally require a good to excellent credit score, which is 670 or higher.
What's the best way to improve my credit score?
Your credit score is based on numerous factors, but the most important things to pay attention to are your debt and payment history. So the best way to increase your credit score is to consistently pay your bills on time and to focus on paying down your debt.
Can I get a Southwest credit card with a 600 credit score?
While there aren't officially published minimum credit score requirements for Southwest credit cards, you'll typically need a good to excellent score to be approved.
Why trust CNBC Select?
At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every credit card article is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of credit card products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics. See our methodology for more information on how we choose the best travel credit cards for fair credit.
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Our methodology
To determine which travel cards are the best value for anyone with fair credit, CNBC Select analyzed the most popular credit cards issued through FDIC-insured banks and NCUA-insured credit unions available to those with no credit or who are rebuilding their credit.
We compared each card on a range of features, including rewards (e.g., cash back, points and miles), annual fees, welcome bonuses, introductory and standard APR and balance transfer fees and foreign transaction fees. We also considered additional perks (e.g., ongoing travel or merchant statement credits), cardholder protections (e.g., purchase protection, $0 liability protection and travel insurance), the application process when available (e.g., is there a credit pull or required credit score) and how easy it is to redeem points (e.g., are rewards are tied to a specific brand; if transferable, to how many/which partners, can you redeem for straight cash back).
We also considered CNBC Select audience data when available, such as general demographics and engagement with our content and tools.
For the cards that offered a rewards program, we considered consumer spending data forecasts from location intelligence firm Esri to determine where U.S. consumers are spending the most money, like on dining and travel. We used this to help determine what bonus categories are most useful for consumers. Since the value of a point or mile varies based on what they can be redeemed for, we also considered things like transferability and the ability to redeem for cash-back.
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For rates and fees of the Discover it® Secured Credit Card, click here.
