Finding the best travel credit cards for students with no annual fee can be a great way to start building credit while earning rewards for future trips. Here are some top options:
1. Discover it® Student Cash Back
- No Annual Fee: Yes
- Rewards: 5% cash back on rotating categories each quarter (up to the quarterly maximum after activation), and 1% on all other purchases.
- Introductory Offer: Discover matches all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.
- Additional Benefits: Good Grade Reward – earn a $20 statement credit each school year your GPA is 3.0 or higher for up to 5 years.
2. Journey Student Rewards from Capital One
- No Annual Fee: Yes
- Rewards: 1% cash back on all purchases, boosted to 1.25% cash back when you pay your bill on time.
- Introductory Offer: None
- Additional Benefits: Access to a higher credit line after making your first 5 monthly payments on time.
3. Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students
- No Annual Fee: Yes
- Rewards: 1.5 points for every $1 you spend on all purchases.
- Introductory Offer: 25,000 online bonus points if you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening, which can be redeemed for a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
- Additional Benefits: No expiration on points.
4. Deserve EDU Mastercard for Students
- No Annual Fee: Yes
- Rewards: 1% cash back on all purchases.
- Introductory Offer: None
- Additional Benefits: Amazon Prime Student subscription reimbursement (up to $59), cell phone protection, and no foreign transaction fees.
5. Chase Freedom® Student credit card
- No Annual Fee: Yes
- Rewards: 1% cash back on all purchases.
- Introductory Offer: $50 bonus after making a purchase within the first 3 months from account opening.
- Additional Benefits: Good Standing Rewards – earn $20 Good Standing Rewards after each account anniversary for up to 5 years, and access to a higher credit line after making 5 monthly payments on time within 10 months from account opening.
Tips for Choosing a Travel Credit Card for Students
- Consider the Rewards Structure: Make sure the rewards align with your spending habits.
- Check for Additional Benefits: Some cards offer perks like cell phone protection, higher credit line access, or no foreign transaction fees, which can be valuable for students.
- Introductory Offers: Look for cards with sign-up bonuses or first-year cash back matches, as these can provide a substantial boost in rewards.
- Build Credit Responsibly: Always pay your balance in full and on time to avoid interest charges and build a good credit history.
These credit cards can help students earn rewards for travel while managing their finances responsibly without the burden of an annual fee.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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