What is the best travel card to use in the USA?

If you're a digital nomad or location-independent professional spending significant time in the United States, getting your spending strategy right can be the difference between funding your next flight in points or haemorrhaging money on foreign transaction fees. The US is one of the most rewards-rich credit card markets on the planet, and knowing which travel card to carry — or which to apply for before you land — can unlock serious value across hotels, flights, airport lounges, and everyday spending.

The challenge for most nomads is that the best US travel credit cards — the ones with the juiciest sign-up bonuses and the most generous travel credit cards points structures — are generally issued to US residents or citizens. But that doesn't mean you're left out in the cold. Whether you hold a US card already, are building toward one, or need a globally-friendly card to use while you're there, there are smart plays at every level. This guide breaks it all down.

We've looked at this from both angles: the best cards for non-US nomads visiting America who need zero foreign transaction fees and strong rewards, and the best US-issued cards worth having if you've established residency or are building a US credit profile. Either way, your wallet is about to get a serious upgrade.

Why Your Card Choice Matters So Much in the USA

The United States runs almost entirely on card payments, and the rewards infrastructure built around that is extraordinary. From grocery stores to gas stations to co-working spaces, nearly every dollar you spend can be earning you something — miles, points, or cashback — if you're playing it right. Swipe the wrong card and you could be leaving hundreds of dollars of value on the table every single month.

For non-US nomads, the most immediate concern is foreign transaction fees. Many standard bank cards charge 2.75–3% on every purchase made in a foreign currency or processed through a foreign bank — which in the US context can add up fast. Beyond fees, you want to think about travel credit cards points accumulation: does your card earn well on dining and travel? Does it partner with airlines or hotel programs you actually use? Does it offer lounge access at US airports?

For those with access to US-issued cards, the stakes are even higher — and the rewards even richer. American Express, Chase, and Capital One dominate the premium travel card space, and their welcome bonuses alone can be worth $500 to over $1,000 in travel value when redeemed strategically. If you're spending significant time in the US and have the credit profile to qualify, this is genuinely one of the best financial moves you can make as a nomad.

Best US-Issued Travel Cards Worth Having in 2024

The Chase Sapphire Preferred is widely regarded as the best entry-level travel card for nomads with US residency. It earns 3x points on dining, 2x on all other travel, and has a $95 annual fee that's easy to justify. Its real power lies in the Chase Ultimate Rewards ecosystem — points transfer at a 1:1 ratio to partners like United, Hyatt, Singapore Airlines, and British Airways, making it one of the most flexible travel credit cards points currencies available anywhere.

Step up in budget and the American Express Platinum becomes hard to ignore. Yes, the $695 annual fee sounds alarming, but the card comes loaded with up to $200 airline fee credits, $200 hotel credits, $240 digital entertainment credits, and — critically for nomads — access to the Centurion Lounges and Priority Pass lounges globally. If you're transiting through major US hubs like JFK, LAX, or Miami regularly, this card pays for itself in lounge visits and credits alone.

For something in the middle, the Capital One Venture X has become a genuine competitor at $395 per year. It earns 2x miles on every purchase, 10x on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, and comes with a $300 annual travel credit and lounge access through Priority Pass and Capital One's own growing lounge network. It's arguably the best value premium travel card in the US market right now, particularly for nomads who don't want to micromanage bonus categories.

Best Non-US Cards to Use While Travelling in America

If you hold a UK or EU-issued card, the Chase travel card (UK version) is a standout option for time spent in the US. It charges zero foreign transaction fees, offers 1% cashback on all spending abroad, and has no annual fee. While it won't match the travel credit cards points generosity of US-issued cards, it's a genuinely useful everyday card for nomads who do a lot of international hopping and need a reliable, fee-free option for American spending.

The Wise card deserves a mention for pure spend efficiency. It converts at the mid-market exchange rate with minimal fees, is accepted everywhere Mastercard is accepted in the US, and lets you hold USD in your account to avoid conversion costs entirely. It's not a points card, but for nomads who want to minimise friction and keep spending costs low while in America, Wise is hard to beat as a complementary tool alongside a proper travel rewards card.

Australian and New Zealand nomads should look closely at the 28 Degrees Mastercard, a perennial favourite for international travel that carries no foreign transaction fees and no annual fee. It's not a rewards card, but its acceptance rate across the US is essentially universal and it removes the fee sting entirely. Pair it with a points-earning card from your home market — like an Amex with Membership Rewards that transfer to airline partners — and you've got a solid two-card setup for US trips.

How to Actually Maximise Travel Credit Card Points in the US

Having the right card is step one — using it strategically is step two. In the US, dining and food delivery earns outsized points on most premium travel cards, so put every restaurant meal, Uber Eats order, and coffee shop visit through your highest-earning card. If you're using a co-working space, check whether membership fees code as business services or travel — it can make a meaningful difference to your earn rate over the course of a long stay.

Welcome bonuses are where the real leverage is. Many US travel cards offer sign-up bonuses worth 60,000 to 100,000 points when you hit a minimum spend threshold in the first three months. If you're planning a major US stint — renting accommodation, kitting out a new workspace setup, covering flights — timing your card application to coincide with that spending can unlock a bonus worth multiple free international flights. This is the number one play for nomads who have access to US-issued cards.

Finally, don't overlook transfer partners. The real value in travel credit cards points programs like Chase Ultimate Rewards, Amex Membership Rewards, and Capital One Miles isn't in booking through the card portal — it's in transferring to airline and hotel partners. A business class flight to Southeast Asia that would cost $3,000+ in cash might be achievable for 70,000–80,000 transferred points. Learn the sweet spots for your program and book accordingly. That's where nomads with a solid points strategy consistently outmanoeuvre everyone else.

The right travel card strategy can genuinely transform the economics of your nomadic life. Whether you're a US resident with access to the country's best rewards cards or an international nomad visiting America and looking to keep fees low while earning something back, there's a setup that works for your situation. The key is not defaulting to whatever card you already have in your wallet — because in the US market specifically, a little intentionality goes a very long way.

Start with your fee situation — eliminate foreign transaction fees first, full stop. Then layer in a points-earning card that aligns with the airline or hotel programs you actually use. Hit that welcome bonus spend, learn two or three transfer partner sweet spots, and watch your travel credit cards points balance grow into real, tangible free travel. The US rewards ecosystem is one of the most powerful in the world. As a nomad, you'd be leaving serious money on the table not to use it.