Last updated on April 26th, 2023
Travel credit cards are not only for super prime credit scores. Less-than-perfect credit has a few travel credit card options too. And they feature benefits like travel rewards, travel coverage, and travel savings. Here are the best travel credit cards for subprime credit.
At a Glance
Travel Credit Cards for Less-Than-Perfect Credit
Your credit might not be its best but a travel credit card is still a possible option to help make your travel purchases rewarding, beneficial, and secure. We have rounded up the best travel cards for subprime credit. We are talking car rental coverage, no foreign transaction fees, travel insurance, travel rewards, and more. You can have it all even if your credit score is not looking its best. Check out our top travel credit card picks for little to no credit.
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa® Secured Card
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa® Secured Card
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa® Secured Card
- 29.99% variable based on the Prime Rate Regular Purchase APR
- 29.99% variable based on the Prime Rate Balance Transfer APR
- 29.99% variable based on the Prime Rate Cash Advance APR
At a Glance
The U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa® Secured Card is a secured credit card that offers up to 5% cash back on purchases, reasonable minimum deposit requirements, and more – all for no annual fee.
- Best Benefits
- Rates & Fees
- Why Should You Apply?
- No annual fee
- Earn 5% back on the first $2,000 in combined eligible purchases each quarter in two categories you choose
- Earn 2% back on the first $2,000 in combined eligible purchases each quarter in one everyday category
- Earn 1% Back on all other purchases
- Earn 5% back on prepaid air, hotel and car reservations booked directly in the Rewards Travel Center
- Regular Purchase APR: 29.99% variable based on the Prime Rate
- Balance Transfer APR: 29.99% variable based on the Prime Rate
- Balance Transfer Transaction Fee: Either 3% of the amount of each transfer or $5 minimum, whichever is greater
- Cash Advance APR: 29.99% variable based on the Prime Rate
- Cash Advance Transaction Fee: Either 5% of the amount of each advance or $10 minimum, whichever is greater
- Foreign Transaction Fee: 3% of each foreign transaction in US dollars
- Late Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $41
- Return Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $41
- Minimum Deposit Required: $300
- You have bad credit or no credit history
- You want the chance to graduate to a lucrative no annual fee, unsecured rewards card
- You want to earn up to 5% cash back
- You do't want to pay an annual fee
Best For Earning Cash Back on Travel
The U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa® Secured Card is a great option for anyone who is currently working on bettering their credit but also wants to earn the most cash back for their travels. It’s a secured credit card with the best rewards available for anyone with bad credit looking to earn maximum cash back on travel purchases.
The U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa® Secured Card earns 5% cash back on prepaid air, hotel, and car reservations. To gain 5% cash back for these travel categories, purchases must be made with the U.S. Bank Rewards Travel Center. However, if you have plans to use the card internationally, beware of the 3% foreign transaction fee – a typical fee in credit cards. It has a minimum deposit of $300 and a maximum of $5,000 deposit. Best of all, getting this secure credit card is no annual fee.
Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card
- 29.99% variable based on the Prime Rate Regular Purchase APR
- 29.99% variable based on the Prime Rate Balance Transfer APR
- 29.99% variable based on the Prime Rate Cash Advance APR
At a Glance
The Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card is a secured credit card that offers 1.5% cash back on all purchases, no annual fee, and no foreign transaction fees. Cardholders may automatically graduate to an unsecured version of the card with responsible use in as little as six months.
- Best Benefits
- Rates & Fees
- Why Should You Apply?
- No annual or hidden fees, and you can earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day. See if you're approved in seconds
- Put down a refundable $200 security deposit to get a $200 initial credit line
- Building your credit? Using a card like this responsibly could help
- Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you wo't be responsible for unauthorized charges
- You could earn back your security deposit as a statement credit when you use your card responsibly, like making payments on time
- Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months with no additional deposit needed
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
- Monitor your credit score with CreditWise from Capital One. It's free for everyone
- Enjoy up to 6 months of complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024
- Regular Purchase APR: 29.99% variable based on the Prime Rate
- Balance Transfer APR: 29.99% variable based on the Prime Rate
- Balance Transfer Transaction Fee: 3% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that we may offer you. None for balances transferred at the Transfer APR
- Cash Advance APR: 29.99% variable based on the Prime Rate
- Cash Advance Transaction Fee: 3% of the amount of the cash advance, but not less than $3
- Late Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $40
- Minimum Deposit Required: $200
- You have bad credit or no credit history at all
- You want to earn cash back rewards while building credit
- You don’t want to pay an annual fee
- You have at least $200 for a security deposit
Best for Booking Hotels & Car Rentals
If you’re looking for travel perks on your stay, the Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card takes the cake. This is another secured credit card with the power to earn cash back on your travel purchases. Get 5% cash back on hotel and rental cars when you book through Capital One Travel. The card does have a $200 minimum deposit, which is $100 less than the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa® Secured Card. Additionally, the card features no foreign transaction fees so you can use it abroad without any worries – all for no annual fee. Then redeem your earned cash back as a statement credit or check.
Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card
Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card
Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card
- 27.24% variable based on the Prime Rate Regular Purchase APR
- 27.24% variable based on the Prime Rate Balance Transfer APR
- 29.24% variable based on the Prime Rate Cash Advance APR
At a Glance
The Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card provides businesses with a credit lifeline for no annual fee. The card, which requires a $1,000 minimum security deposit, earns unlimited 1.5% cash back, with even more rewards through Bank of America Preferred Rewards for Business.
- Best Benefits
- Rates & Fees
- Why Should You Apply?
- No annual fee
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back rewards while establishing your business credit
- Flexible redemption options
- Seamless transition from secured credit to unsecured with financial responsibility
- Regular Purchase APR: 27.24% variable based on the Prime Rate
- Balance Transfer APR: 27.24% variable based on the Prime Rate
- Balance Transfer Transaction Fee: Either $10 or 4% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater
- Cash Advance APR: 29.24% variable based on the Prime Rate
- Cash Advance Transaction Fee: Either $10 or 4% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater
- Foreign Transaction Fee: 3% of the U.S. dollar amount of each transactio
- Late Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $49
- Minimum Deposit Required: $1,000
- You own a business but don’t want to impact your personal credit score
- You want a versatile cash back rewards card
- You have an existing BoA relationship and Preferred Rewards account
- You don’t want to pay an annual fee
Best For Business Travel
The Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card is an option for business owners with little or no credit. The card is issued by Bank of America (BOA) and is a secured business credit card with a $1,000 minimum security deposit and a maximum limit of $10k. It’s an excellent choice for entrepreneurs who wish to eventually graduate to an unsecured credit card. If used responsibly, BOA will evaluate the card use and overall credit history to make a final decision. Check your business credit score with free access via your credit card account
This secured business credit card also earns 1.5% cash back on all purchases so you can build business credit and earn rewards for your business expenses – like travel purchases – at the same time. In addition, the card offers $100,000 in travel accident insurance, suitable for a business travel emergency and your peace of mind.
Navy Federal nRewards Secured Credit Card
Navy Federal nRewards Secured Credit Card
Navy Federal nRewards Secured Credit Card
- 18.00% variable based on the Prime Rate Regular Purchase APR
- 18.00% variable based on the Prime Rate Balance Transfer APR
- 20.00% variable based on the Prime Rate Cash Advance APR
At a Glance
The Navy Federal nRewards Secured Credit Card is a secured credit card designed for those looking to repair or build their credit while earning rewards. Cardholders earn one bonus point for every dollar they spend on purchases with the card. Rewards points are applicable to travel, merchandise, cash, or gift cards. The card also features no annual fees, no foreign transaction fees, and an 18% APR on purchases and balance transfers.
- Best Benefits
- Rates & Fees
- Why Should You Apply?
- No annual fee
- No foreign transaction fees
- 1x points for every dollar spent
- Regular Purchase APR: 18.00% variable based on the Prime Rate
- Balance Transfer APR: 18.00% variable based on the Prime Rate
- Balance Transfer Transaction Fee: None
- Cash Advance APR: 20.00% variable based on the Prime Rate
- Cash Advance Transaction Fee: None if performed at a Navy Federal branch or ATM. Otherwise, up to $1
- Penalty APR: 18.00%
- Late Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $20
- Return Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $20
- Minimum Deposit Required: $200
- You're a member of NFCU
- You need to rebuild or establish your credit
- You want to earn rewards for your everyday purchases
- You do't want to pay an annual fee
- You can make a security deposit of at least $200, which acts as the credit line (credit limit)
Best Overall Subprime Travel Credit Card
The Navy Federal nRewards Secured Credit Card is the best overall when it comes to the best suited travel credit card for subprime credit scores. Why, may you ask? The answer is that the nRewards secured credit card has a little bit of everything. It earns rewards, saves money on travel fees, and builds credit all the same time, all for no annual fee.
When you book a car rental with the nRewards secured card, you can skip the car rental insurance payment option at the car rental kiosk, because rental car coverage is included with your card. If you travel internationally, you also do not have to worry about accruing fees with you card use as it has no foreign transaction fees. Additionally, the card earns 1x points for every $1 spent on everyday purchases like groceries, hotel bookings, and even travel fares.
This card has no annual fee and requires a $200 minimum deposit. In conjunction to earning rewards and laying low on travel costs, if used responsibly the card cam help build credit at a decent pace. With the Navy Federal nRewards Secured Credit Card you get multiple upgrade opportunities. At the three-month mark, Navy Federal will review your account and you may be eligible to receive additional credit with no security deposit. At six months, you get a second review used to determine an upgrade to an unsecured credit card.
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Card
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Card
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Card
- 27.99% variable based on the Prime Rate Regular Purchase APR
- 27.99% variable based on the Prime Rate Balance Transfer APR
- 29.99% variable based on the Prime Rate Cash Advance APR
At a Glance
The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Card is a cash back rewards and secured credit card that provides up to 3% cash back on purchases for no annual fee.
- Best Benefits
- Rates & Fees
- Why Should You Apply?
- 3% cash back in the category of your choice: gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, or home improvement/furnishings
- 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubS
- Unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases
- No annual fee
- Regular Purchase APR: 27.99% variable based on the Prime Rate
- Balance Transfer APR: 27.99% variable based on the Prime Rate
- Balance Transfer Transaction Fee: Either $10 or 3% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater
- Cash Advance APR: 29.99% variable based on the Prime Rate
- Cash Advance Transaction Fee: Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater
- Penalty APR: Up to 29.99%
- Foreign Transaction Fee: 3% of the U.S. dollar amount of each transactio
- Late Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $40
- Return Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $29
- Minimum Deposit Required: $300
- You have bad credit or no credit history at all
- You want to earn up to 3% back while building your credit score
- You have $300 available for a security deposit
- You do't want to pay an annual fee
Good for Cash Back on Travel
The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Card makes our list for its accessibility to anyone with subprime credit and for its reward earning benefits. The card features no annual fee and requires a $200 minimum deposit with a maximum of $5,000. It also earns 3% cash back in a category of your choice – including travel – 2% cash back at grocery stores/wholesale clubs, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. However, the Customized Cash Rewards Secured Card does have a 3% foreign transaction fee.
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