You may not think globetrotters and gamers share many similarities, but when you think about it, they do share a number of things in common. For one, they are both driven by a passion to explore new worlds, albeit travellers seek out real-life destinations and gamers get lost in virtual ones.

Whether navigating a foreign city or completing different levels and solving puzzles in a game, both require you to have good problem-solving skills and involve strategic planning. And one such aspect of that strategic planning for both is finding the best ways to pay for their respective passions.

Today’s broad range of credit cards have become more personalised than ever, allowing both travellers and gamers the ability to seek out and find a credit card that is perfectly aligned with their lifestyle in terms of the perks and rewards they offer.

So, whether you’re a traveller or a gamer, let us detail some important factors each should consider when applying for a credit card and making purchases, as well as some of the top credit card options for both in 2024

Best Credit Cards for Travel and Gaming in 2024

What is a Travel Credit Card? 

A travel credit card is exactly what it sounds like it is, it’s a card specifically tailored to the needs of travellers. They not only reward you with greater points for travel-related expenses, but may also offer annual travel bonuses like free hotel nights or airline flights. They may also come with complimentary perks like free travel insurance or a guaranteed higher status level within hotel loyalty programs.

Travel-based credit cards will often earn you reward points at higher rate for travel purchases than normal everyday purchases. They may provide free travel insurance for trips booked with the credit card, giving you complimentary coverage for things like trip cancellations, overseas medical treatment, lost luggage, and other travel mishaps.

Some travel credit cards come with free airport lounge access, which means you’ll be treating yourself to free drinks, food, magazines, sofas, possibly beds, showers, and nicer airport bathrooms.

How Does a Travel Rewards Credit Card Work? 

Travel credit cards work the same as other traditional credit cards. You simply use them to make purchases and ideally pay off each month’s bill in full so as to avoid paying interest charges and simply reap the benefits of the reward points received.

You will be credited with travel reward points or airline miles after each closing statement date. The closing statement date of your credit card determines when the cut-off of charges will take place each month and when your payment will be due. Understanding your statement, its closing date, and your payment requirements is vital to ensuring you manage your card effectively, avoid charges if possible, and improve your credit score.

A good travel credit card understands that travellers will be likely making many international purchases, and therefore won’t charge you any foreign transaction fees. You may even be able to score free travel insurance as stated previously, but keep in mind that the insurance protection usually only applies to travel purchased using the credit card.

The next step after looking for these features in a travel credit card is to seek out a card that has possibly partnered with your preferred choice of hotel chain or airline. By doing this, you will begin to earn greater points, rewards, and perks with these companies you are loyal to.

As you accumulate points or miles from making purchases, you can then redeem them for free flights, hotel stays, and other travel-related expenses. And some travel credit cards offer enticing sign-up bonuses, whereby if you meet a certain dollar amount of purchases in the first few months, you may get a bonus like 50,000 or 100,000 points you can use for travel right away.

As rewarding as travel credit cards can be, you do need to research if they carry an annual fee. You will need to decide if the travel benefits you will receive will outweigh this annual cost. Other factors to consider is how high the charged interest rate will be if you are not able to pay each bill in full, and note that some credit cards travel reward programs may impose restrictions or blackout dates for redeeming points or rewards.

Origins and Future of Travel Credit Cards

Travel credit cards have been around for quite a while now, getting their start back in the 1950s with Diners Club cards. Roughly thirty years later, we saw the introduction of frequent flyer programs launched by airlines which in turn enticed credit card companies to want to partner with airlines and offer co-branded cards that earned miles.

As we look to the future, the advent of mobile apps and digital wallets will likely offer more seamless integration of travel rewards and benefits. And there will likely be an even greater growth in the use and acceptance of credit cards globally as we continue to move away from cash payments. We may also see AI play a role in an increased offering cards with even more personalised rewards and travel experiences.

Recommendations for Travel Credit Cards in 2024

Below are some credit cards currently recommended for travellers. Keep in mind that the perks, bonuses, and offerings of these credit cards may readily change, as may their interest rates, annual rates, restrictions, or requirements.

We encourage you to research these cards and others and read their full terms and conditions to ensure you choose a credit card that best aligns with your needs and interests. Keep in mind that specific travel credit cards available to you will vary depending on what country you live in as well as your financial background or history.

• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card
• Hilton Honors American Express Card
• The Platinum Card® from American Express
• Chase Sapphire Reserve®
• British Airways Visa Signature® Card
• IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
• The World of Hyatt Credit Card

What is a Gaming Credit Card? 

A gaming credit card does for gamers what a travel credit card does for travellers, and that is offer various rewards and benefits that are tailored to gaming-related expenses. These cards provide incentives for purchases made on various gaming platforms, game stores, and for in-game transactions.

Gaming credit cards are worth looking into if you spend a significant amount on gaming. While they may not offer the wealth of perks we see in travel credit cards, you will earn higher rewards rates on gaming purchases compared to general spending.

Score discounts or rebates on popular gaming subscriptions such as Xbox Live, PlayStation Plus, and game streaming services. And as with travel cards, there may be significant rewards or signup bonuses for new cardholders who meet a minimum spending requirement within the first few months.

You may also be able to access special gaming events, early game releases, and in-game content depending on the card you choose. Some gaming credit cards will have annual fees much like travel credit cards, and these could again offset the benefits you’ll receive if not used extensively.

Keep in mind that if you are just a casual gamer, choosing a gaming specific credit card whose rewards and benefits is largely focused on gaming purchases as you’re your main credit card you use for everyday purchases, may actually see you missing out on saving money overall for credit card purchases.  

When it comes to online gambling and virtual casinos, most credit card companies do not offer specific reward programs to gamblers due to the various government regulations. However, there are credit cards with rewards that might allow you to earn points, cashback, or miles on gambling transactions if they are not explicitly excluded in the card’s terms and conditions. There are also a few casino resorts that have branded credit cards.

How Does a Gaming Rewards Credit Card Work? 

By leveraging a gaming credit card’s rewards structure and perks, you can maximise your spending power, gain access to exclusive perks, and potentially save money while doing what you love to do.

A gaming rewards credit card operates similarly to other rewards credit cards like travel credit cards in terms of how purchases, payments, and statements are dealt with. The difference with gaming cards largely relates to the benefits and perks you’ll receive for making purchases with the card.

When you use the card to purchase items like video games, consoles, accessories, or in-game purchases, you should earn a higher rate of points or cash back compared to other spending categories like groceries or fuel.

Many gaming cards operate on a points system where you accumulate points for every dollar spent, while others offer cash back or statement credits. If you do receive points, you may be able to redeem them for gaming-related items such as gift cards for popular gaming stores or gaming gear.

Gaming-related equipment and accessories that is purchased using your card may also receive an extended warranty with specific credit cards.

When it comes to gambling, some nations have passed laws making it illegal to pay for online casino or gambling charges using a credit card. Therefore, you may be better off simply seeking out the best crypto casinos online.

You may be able to still earn reward points when you use various credit cards for purchases at casinos and casino resorts for non-gambling purchases such as booking a room or dining purchases. For gambling purposes, you will likely be forced to use an ATM to access cash which can then be used to gamble.

Review your card’s terms and conditions to ensure that gambling transactions or related charges are eligible for rewards. Some cards explicitly exclude gambling from earning points or cashback. You also want to make certain that gambling transactions are not treated as cash advances, as these often do not earn rewards and come with high fees and interest rates.

Origins and Future of Travel Credit Cards

Gaming credit cards are somewhat in their infancy within credit card industry. Credit card company are only just beginning to realise the significant spending power and loyalty of gamers, and will likely continue to partner with gaming companies to offer cards offering greater perks for gamers.

They may also expand their reach to include partnering with tech companies, e-sports events, and various streaming services that may entice gamers.

Recommendations for Gaming Credit Cards in 2024

Below are some credit cards currently recommended for gamers. Keep in mind that the perks, bonuses, and offerings of these credit cards may readily change, as may there interest rates, annual rates, restrictions, or requirements.

We encourage you to research these cards and others and read their full terms and conditions to ensure you choose a credit card that best aligns with your needs and interests. Keep in mind that specific gaming credit cards available to you will vary depending on what country you live in as well as your financial background or history.

• PlayStation® Visa® Credit Card
• Xbox Mastercard Rewards Credit Card
• Caesars Rewards® Visa® Credit Card
• MGM Rewards Mastercard®
• Amazon Prime Visa