There are numerous guides on the internet that discuss the best travel credit cards. However, when you are a long-term traveler for work (or play), you may be looking for different things from your travel credit card to compliment your career and lifestyle.
This article discusses three fantastic cards at three different annual fee points (premium, mid-level annual fee, and no annual fee) that are all tailored to the digital nomad life. All three cards discussed have no foreign transaction fees.
Premium Travel Card: Chase Sapphire Reserve
The Sapphire Reserve is a Premium card, offering some of the best travel benefits and rewards on the market. However, it also has a premium $450 annual fee. While this fee is steep, don’t let this scare you away. If utilized correctly, the Sapphire Reserve can be a significant weapon in the wallet of the digital nomad. The 3x points on travel expenses are highly valuable to someone who is always on the road and can quickly add up to significant value. If you include this to the $300 in travel credit, the annual fee can very easily be neutralized. The Sapphire Reserve also has excellent travel protections including travel and emergency assistance, emergency medical and dental protection, and trip delay reimbursement. It also caters generously to the intrepid flyer, with benefits such as access to 1000+ airport lounges worldwide and credit for an expedited airport screening program.
Standout Rewards and Benefits for Digital Nomads
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3x Chase Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on travel and dining worldwide
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$300 annual credit for travel
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Visa Infinite Concierge – A personal phone concierge that can assist with non-emergency related requests such as reservation, tickets, and travel information
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Priority Pass Select Membership – Access to over 1000 airport lounges worldwide
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A Global Entry or TSA PreCheck Application Fee Credit for expedited airport screening
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Significant travel protections including travel delay reimbursements to emergency dental and medical benefits
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Signup Bonus: 50,000 points for spending $4000 in your first 3 months
Mid-Level Annual Fee Card: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
The main draw of this card to digital nomads is the 10x miles on hotel bookings through Hotels.com. If you are someone who lives on the road and often stays in hotels, this 10x miles can be a major boon getting you effectively 10% cash back. The 2x miles on every other purchase is also fantastic if you want solid flat-rate cashback on all other purchases with minimal hassle. The annual fee is $95, however, this is waived for the first year.
Standout Rewards and Benefits for Digital Nomads
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10x miles per dollar at Hotels.com/venture
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2x miles per dollar on every other purchase
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No blackout dates
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Miles never expire
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Signup bonus: 50,000 bonus miles for spending $3000 in the first 3 months
No Annual Fee Card: Discover It Miles
The Discover It Miles is a no fuss, no annual fee travel card that gives 1.5x miles per dollar for all purchases made on it. The miles you earn in your first year are also doubled, which equates to 3x miles per dollar. However, unlike more premium travel cards, it does not come with a plethora of amazing or luxurious benefits. If you don’t want to worry about different purchase categories or annual fees, the Discover It Miles is a great stress-free card offering some solid cash back.
Standout Rewards and Benefits for Digital Nomads
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No annual fee
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Unlimited 1.5x miles per dollar on purchases
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Double Miles in your first year (given to you at the end of the year)
While these are 3 fantastic cards that can greatly assist digital nomads, it is always worth asking yourself what are your main expenses when you travel. Not all digital nomads have the same expenses, for example, one may heavily use air travel while another may prefer hitting the open road. If you are the latter, make sure to take a look at some of our luxury car rentals. When searching for a travel card, keep your main travel expenses in mind and tailor your card choices to them to get the most bang for your buck.