The Best Road Trip Credit Cards
Last updated on April 26th, 2023
Summer is approaching, which is usually the perfect excuse for a road trip. Or maybe you like to road trip all year long because you’re awesome. Whatever your reason is for getting on the road, taking the right credit card on your next adventure may earn you ample rewards. Here are our top picks for the best road trip credit cards:
At a Glance
The Best Road Trip Credit Cards
Here are our top road trip credit cards:
Citi Premier® Card
Citi Premier® Card
Citi Premier® Card
- 20.99% – 28.99% (Variable) Regular Purchase APR
- 20.99% – 28.99% (Variable) Balance Transfer APR
- 29.99% (Variable) Cash Advance APR
At a Glance
Earning signup bonus points is easy with the Citi Premier® Card; 3X ThankYou® Points on select travel purchases, dining and entertainment purchases, and 1X ThankYou® Point on all other eligible purchases. New cardholders can also earn a sizable introductory bonus that can be redeemed for hundreds of dollars in gift cards after the first 3 months of account opening.
- Best Benefits
- Rates & Fees
- Why Should You Apply?
- Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening
- Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Restaurants and Supermarkets
- Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Gas Stations, Air Travel and Hotels
- Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Annual Hotel Savings Benefit
- 60,000 ThankYou® Points are redeemable for $600 in gift cards when redeemed at thankyou.com
- No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card
- No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases
- Regular Purchase APR: 20.99% – 28.99% (Variable)
- Balance Transfer APR: 20.99% – 28.99% (Variable)
- Balance Transfer Transaction Fee: Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
- Cash Advance APR: 29.99% (Variable)
- Cash Advance Transaction Fee: Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater
- Penalty APR: Up to 29.99% variable based on creditworthiness and Prime Rate
- Annual Fee: $95
- Late Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $41
- Return Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $41
- You want to earn 3X bonus points on both common and occasional travel expenses, from gas and parking to flights and hotels
- You often go out to eat and enjoy attending live entertainment experiences, such as sports games and concerts
- You can see yourself spending $4,000 in the next 3 months in order to earn a bonus 80,000 ThankYou® Points
A road trip calls for a credit card that will cover all your bases. For this reason, the Citi Premier® Card is at the top of our list for the best road trip credit cards of 2022. It gets you rewarded for the essentials.
Gas is crucial when you hit the road. And your gas tank is not the only thing that needs filling – so does your appetite. Luckily, the Citi Premier® Card will earn you 3X ThankYou Points per $1 spent at gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants.
You will also earn 3X points per $1 spent on hotels and air travel, plus 1X point per $1 spent on all other purchases. Redeem your earned ThankYou Points with ease through flexible options. For instance, redeem your rewards for gift cards at ThankYou.com or use your points at checkout from select participating partners like Amazon.com or PayPal. You can also transfer your points to your favorite airline loyalty program and more.
The Citi Premier® Card does have a $95 annual fee. However, it has a $100 Annual Hotel Savings benefit that makes up for it. Enjoy $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more when you book through thankyou.com. So the next time you’re on your road trip adventure, stay well-rested and book a hotel stay with the Hotel Savings benefit.
Credit One Bank Wander Card
Credit One Bank Wander Card
Credit One Bank Wander Card
- 28.99% variable based on the Prime Rate Regular Purchase APR
- 28.99% variable based on the Prime Rate Cash Advance APR
At a Glance
Saving money on your next staycation has never been easier, thanks to the Credit One Bank Wander Card. The card offers up to 3X points per $1 spent on eligible recreational and amusement park purchases, 2X on dining and lodging, and more.
- Best Benefits
- Rates & Fees
- Why Should You Apply?
- Earn 3X points on eligible recreational & amusement park purchases (including national parks & sporting events)
- Earn 2X points on eligible restaurant & lodging purchases (including campgrounds)
- Earn 1X on all other eligible purchases
- Enjoy extra ways to get cash back rewards with Get More Rewards
- $80 statement credit for the purchase of a qualifying National Park Pass, valid at more than 2,000 recreation areas across the U.S. This offer is available within the first year from account opening.
- Discount on Thousand Trails Camping Pass and regular-priced experiences with Maverick Helicopters
- Regular Purchase APR: 28.99% variable based on the Prime Rate
- Cash Advance APR: 28.99% variable based on the Prime Rate
- Cash Advance Transaction Fee: Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each Cash Advance, whichever is greater
- Annual Fee: See Terms
- Foreign Transaction Fee: Either $1 or 3% of each purchase in U.S. dollars, whichever is greater
- Late Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $39
- Return Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $39
- You love to travel to national parks or campgrounds
- You don’t travel internationally, or prefer staycations close to home
- You want the simplicity and versatility of the Credit One Bank rewards program
- You don’t mind paying a modest annual fee (if applicable)
You can also plan your next adventure with the Credit One Bank Wander Card with No Annual Fee. This credit card screams ROAD TRIP! Appropriate for the outdoor enthusiast who likes to travel on the road, you will earn 3X points per $1 spent on eligible recreational and amusement park purchases, including national parks and professional sporting events. Other eligible purchases include tourist attractions, aquariums, zoos, and more.
Moreover, earn 2X points on eligible restaurant and lodging purchases, including campgrounds. So you can pack up the RV, hit the road, and start exploring the outdoors with the Credit One Bank Wander Card in hand. In addition, get up to 10% More Cash Back Rewards on eligible purchases from top retailers and enjoy special offers from merchant partners like RVShare and Thousand Trails.
Most importantly, there’s no annual fee, and when it comes time to redeem your rewards, you’ll have many options. You can redeem points for cash back rewards, gifts cards, travel, and more.
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
- 19.24% to 29.99% variable based on creditworthiness and Prime Rate Regular Purchase APR
- 19.24% to 29.99% variable based on creditworthiness and Prime Rate Balance Transfer APR
- 29.99% variable based on the Prime Rate Cash Advance APR
- 0% for 15 months from account opening date Intro Purchase APR
At a Glance
The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express gives you the ability to earn cash back on purchases in a handful of common categories, including 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations and U.S. online retail purchases (on up to $6,000 in annual purchases for each, then 1%) and 1% on all other purchases. Though the categories with higher cash back rewards percentages are limited, they are ones in which many cardholders are likely to be spending money on anyway, hence the viability of this ca
- Best Benefits
- Rates & Fees
- Why Should You Apply?
- Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months
- No Annual Fee.
- Balance Transfer is back! Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from the date of account opening. After that, 19.24% to 29.99% variable APR
- 3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%.
- 3% Cash Back on U.S. online retail purchases, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
- 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations, on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%
- Get $7 back each month after using your Blue Cash Everyday Card to spend $12.99 or more each month on an eligible subscription to The Disney Bundle, which includes Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+. Enrollment required
- Terms Apply.
- Intro Purchase APR: 0% for 15 months from account opening date
- Regular Purchase APR: 19.24% to 29.99% variable based on creditworthiness and Prime Rate
- Intro Balance Transfer APR: 0% for 15 months from account opening date
- Balance Transfer APR: 19.24% to 29.99% variable based on creditworthiness and Prime Rate
- Balance Transfer Transaction Fee: Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, 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 cash advance, whichever is greater
- Penalty APR: 29.99% variable based on the Prime Rate
- Foreign Transaction Fee: 2.7% of the transaction amount in U.S. dollars
- Late Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $40
- Return Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $40
- You make frequent credit card purchases at online retailers
- You use your credit card to pay for groceries and gas in the United States
- You want a one-time $250 statement credit after making just $2,000 in purchases within the first six months of the account opening
- You do’t want to pay an annual fee
The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express is another excellent choice to take on the road. It’s a simple credit card for easy everyday use. It earns 3% cash back on groceries at U.S. supermarkets, up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%).
After you get the RV packed up with fresh groceries, you’ll have to think about filling up the gas tank, too. The Blue Cash Everyday® Card will earn you 2% cash back on gas at U.S. gas stations and 1% cash back on other purchases.
Furthermore, you’ll enjoy other Amex travel benefits like Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance. If you’re a fan of live shows, the card offers American Express Experiences, which grants exclusive access to Broadway shows and concert tours. If you’re thinking of applying for the card, you’d also get an introductory $200 bonus statement credit after. Above all, there is no annual fee, and you will get an introductory 0% purchase APR offer for a lengthy 15-month period.
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
- 19.99% – 29.99% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate Regular Purchase APR
- 19.99% – 29.99% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate Balance Transfer APR
- 29.99% variable based on the Prime Rate Cash Advance APR
- 0% for the first 15 months from date of account opening Intro Purchase APR
At a Glance
A younger sibling to the Savor® Rewards version, the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card also highlights cash back on dining and entertainment while also extending an appealing 0% introductory APR offer.
- Best Benefits
- Rates & Fees
- Why Should You Apply?
- Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), plus 1% on all other purchases
- Earn 10% cash back on purchases made through Uber & Uber Eats, plus complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024
- Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
- 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
- No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards
- Cash back wo’t expire for the life of the account and there’s no limit to how much you can earn
- No foreign transaction fee
- No annual fee
- You’re covered by $0 Fraud Liability if your card is ever lost or stole
- Intro Purchase APR: 0% for the first 15 months from date of account opening
- Regular Purchase APR: 19.99% – 29.99% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate
- Intro Balance Transfer APR: 0% for the first 15 months from date of account opening
- Balance Transfer APR: 19.99% – 29.99% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate
- Balance Transfer Transaction Fee: 3% of the amount of each transfer posted during the first 15 months from account opening. None for transfers that post thereafter
- 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
- You frequently dine out or make purchases in the entertainment category
- You want a cash back credit card with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
- You plan to pay for your groceries with a credit card over cash or debit
- You’re looking for exclusive cardmember perks that give access to unique experiences not available to the public
Last but not least is the Capital One SavorOne Card. If your road trip has many stops for entertainment, this card can be the right one for you. You will earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining and entertainment. The entertainment category ranges from movie theaters and amusement parks to tourist attractions and more.
Additionally, you earn 3% cash back when you take your favorite streaming service on your road trip adventure, including popular music and video streaming services (Note that exclusions apply). You will also earn 3% cash back at grocery stores and 1% cash back on all other purchases – all for no annual fee.
With this card, you can organize your road trip activities with Complimentary Concierge Service, plus no foreign transaction fees. You also get 8% cash back on tickets at Vivid Seats, where you can buy live event tickets for concerts, sports, and theater. Your unlimited rewards never expire and can be redeemed at any cash back amount for your convenience.
Featured image by ErikaWittlieb / Pixabay









