Top 5 Travel Credit Cards for Digital Nomads
4 min read
One big dream that I have for the rest of my life is to be more of a “digital nomad.” I’m lucky to be able to make a living the way I do, by working remotely and working from anywhere. As a freelance writer, I can be productive from anywhere with wifi, whether it’s a coffee shop or my friend’s couch or an airport lounge.
As part of my future dream life as a digital nomad, I need to get more serious about travel rewards credit cards. I want to fly more frequently and find creative ways to save money on hotels and other accommodations, whether it’s in the U.S. or international destinations. The best airline credit cards and travel rewards cards can help make your travel dreams possible, whether you’re a full-time digital nomad or a few-times-per-year air traveler.
Here are a few of the best credit cards that I personally have (or would someday like to get) to make life easier as a digital nomad.
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1. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
This is the first travel rewards credit card I ever got, and it’s already changed my life for the better. I love this card. It gives special extra rewards multipliers when you book travel through Chase — for example, every 100 points you earn are worth 125 points for travel. $500 worth of cash back points are worth $625 for travel.
Why this card is great for digital nomads: No foreign transaction fees! And with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, you can transfer your Chase reward points to a wide range of partner airline and hotel reward programs like United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Hyatt hotels. It’s like having multiple hotel cards and airline credit cards all in one.
2. The Platinum Card® from American Express
This is a premium travel credit card with a $695 annual fee (see rates and fees), and it might be a little intimidating for beginners. Will you really get enough value out of the card to be worth the fee? I’m still getting my feet wet in the world of travel credit cards, but one day, I believe I will apply for The Platinum Card® from American Express.
This card offers massive perks for frequent flyers and globetrotters. It’s easy to transfer your American Express Membership Rewards to other travel partners, like Delta Air Lines and Hilton Honors (terms apply). No matter where you travel, this card can probably help you save money, earn rewards, and have a more comfortable experience. If travel is at the center of your life, this card can be worth having in your wallet.
Why this card is great for digital nomads: It has no foreign transaction fees. And you get airport lounge access at more than 1,400 lounges. This card is great for luxury travel perks and high-end hotels — including automatic elite status with Hilton and Marriott Bonvoy® (terms apply; enrollment may be required).
3. Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
I haven’t applied for any Capital One credit cards yet, but this premium travel card gets high marks from my colleagues at The Ascent. One of the most intriguing perks of the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is that it offers 2X miles on everyday purchases — that’s an easy way to turn everyday spending into lower-cost airline tickets or free upgrades.
Why this card is great for digital nomads: This card gives you free airport lounge access at more than 1,300 lounges, and its $395 annual fee (see rates and fees) mostly pays for itself with a $300 annual travel credit and 10,000 bonus miles on your card account anniversary.
4. United℠ Explorer Card
I often fly on United Airlines, and especially since United partners with Chase for its airline credit cards, I think it might be worth getting a United credit card. Since I’m already operating within the Chase Ultimate Rewards “ecosystem” of travel rewards points and partnerships, The United℠ Explorer Card could be a good choice for my first airline credit card.
Why this card is great for digital nomads: This card gives you a free checked bag on every flight, and two free annual one-time passes to the United Club lounge. You get 2 miles per $1 spent on United purchases, dining, and hotels — helping you earn more frequent flyer miles faster. There’s no annual fee for the first year, so this can be a low-cost way to get into airline cards.
5. Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®
As a digital nomad, I want airline credit cards or other travel rewards cards that can help me get more miles and perks on all the major U.S. airlines. So getting the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® could help cover all my bases.
American Airlines has announced that it is currently revamping its airline credit card program. So I’m interested to see what kinds of perks and benefits might be coming next for AAdvantage® credit card customers. American Airlines cards might become an even better deal in the near future.
Why this card is great for digital nomads: No foreign transaction fees, 2 miles per $1 spent on American Airlines purchases, restaurants, and gas stations, and a free checked bag for you and up to four travel companions on the same reservation. Plus, 25% savings on inflight food and beverage purchases.
Bottom line
My dreams of becoming a (part-time) digital nomad are within reach, thanks to travel rewards credit cards. Traveling and working as a freelance writer are two of the greatest joys of my life. With the right credit cards, you can earn rewards and discounts on airline tickets, hotels, and other travel experiences that matter most to you.
