Having the right credit card can save you a lot on your next car rental. Many cards offer free rental car insurance when you pay for the rental with that card.
The best cards offer primary rental car insurance, which pays for any damage to the rental car before your insurance kicks in. But you still need to maintain liability insurance for damage to other vehicles.
Some cards, such as the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (review), offers extra points plus rental car elite status.
We’ve got a lot to cover, so let’s dive right in.
Best for Premium Travel: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (review)
Best for Beginner Travelers: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (review)
Best for E-commerce Businesses: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (review)
1. Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Best for Lounge Access (w/ Primary Car Rental Insurance)
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (review) delivers both everyday value with unlimited 2x miles on purchases and premium comfort through comprehensive airport lounge access for you upon enrollment. You’ll also receive $300 in annual travel credits plus 10,000 anniversary bonus miles, creating substantial ongoing value.
Welcome Bonus: bonus_miles_full
Earning Rewards: 10x miles on hotels and rental cars and 5x miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel; 2x miles on all other purchases.
Card Benefits: $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, 10,000 bonus miles every account anniversary, airport lounge access (Capital One and Priority Pass) upon enrollment, Global Entry / TSA PreCheck credit, Hertz President’s Circle elite status, primary rental car insurance, trip delay insurance, trip cancellation insurance, and cell phone protection.
Transfer Partners: Accor (2 to 1), Aeromexico, Air Canada Aeroplan, Air France-KLM Flying Blue, Avianca LifeMiles, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Choice Privileges, Emirates, Etihad, Finnair, I Prefer Hotels (1 to 2), Japan Airlines(2 to 1.5), JetBlue (5 to 3), Qantas, Qatar, Singapore KrisFlyer, TAP Air Portugal, Turkish Airlines, Virgin Red, and Wyndham Rewards.
2. Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Best for Travel Insurance (w/ Primary Car Rental Insurance)
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® (review) offers premium travel benefits including lounge access, hotel elite status, and multiple statement credits that can offset its $795 annual fee. With bonus earnings on travel and dining purchases plus the ability to transfer points to 14 airline and hotel partners, this card delivers strong value for frequent travelers who can maximize its benefits.
Welcome Bonus: bonus_miles_full
Earning Rewards: 10x points on Hotels (excluding The Edit) and car rentals and 5x points on flights through Chase Travel after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually; 10x points on Chase Dining purchases with Ultimate Rewards; 3x points on dining at restaurants, including eligible delivery services, takeout, and dining out; 3x points on other travel after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually; 1x points on other eligible spending.
Card Benefits: $300 annual travel credit, Priority Pass airport lounge membership with unlimited visits, Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS application fee credit of up to $120 every four years, no foreign transaction fees, travel insurance (primary rental car, trip delay, trip cancellation, travel accident, lost luggage, and baggage delay), purchase protection, return protection, and extended warranty.
Transfer Partners: Aer Lingus, Air Canada Aeroplan, British Airways, Emirates, Air France KLM Flying Blue, Hyatt, IHG, Iberia, JetBlue, Marriott, Singapore KrisFlyer, Southwest, United, and Virgin Atlantic.
3. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Best for Beginner Travelers (w/ Primary Car Rental Insurance)
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (review) is one of the most popular travel rewards cards because it offers nice welcome bonus and extra points on travel and dining, which can be transferred to airline and hotel partners or redeemed directly for travel at a rate of 1.25 cents per point through Chase Travel℠. The Sapphire Preferred also offers great travel and purchase protections for a card with a $95 annual fee.
Welcome Bonus: bonus_miles_full
Earning Rewards: 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3x points on dining, select streaming services, and online grocery purchases (excluding Walmart, Target and wholesale clubs), 2x points on all other travel purchases, and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.
Card Benefits: Ability to transfer to airline and hotel partners, 25% bonus when redeeming points through Chase Travel, $50 annual hotel stay credit via Chase Travel, 10% anniversary points bonus, no foreign transaction fees, primary rental car insurance, trip delay insurance, trip cancellation insurance, baggage delay insurance, purchase protection, and extended warranty.
Transfer Partners: Aer Lingus, Air Canada Aeroplan, British Airways, Emirates, Air France KLM Flying Blue, Hyatt, IHG, Iberia, JetBlue, Marriott, Singapore KrisFlyer, Southwest, United, and Virgin Atlantic.
4. Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Best for E-commerce Businesses (w/ Primary Car Rental Insurance)
The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (review) offers great rewards for small business owners. With bonus points on travel, shipping, advertising, and communication services, plus valuable travel protections, it’s a solid choice for companies looking to maximize their everyday spending.
Welcome Bonus: bonus_miles_full
Earning Rewards: 3x points on travel, shipping, advertising made with social media sites and search engines, and internet, cable and phone services on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases in the following categories each account anniversary year; 1x points on all other eligible purchases.
Card Benefits: Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase Travel, no foreign transaction fees, primary rental car insurance, trip cancellation insurance, cell phone protection, purchase protection, and extended warranty.
Transfer Partners: Aer Lingus, Air Canada Aeroplan, British Airways, Emirates, Air France KLM Flying Blue, Hyatt, IHG, Iberia, JetBlue, Marriott, Singapore KrisFlyer, Southwest, United, and Virgin Atlantic.
5. Bilt Mastercard®
Best for Rent (w/ Primary Rental Car Insurance)
The Bilt Mastercard® (review) lets you earn valuable travel rewards on rent payments without fees while offering bonus points on dining and travel purchases. This no-annual-fee card stands out for its unique rent payment feature and strong travel benefits like rental car coverage and trip protection.
Earning Rewards: 5x points on Lyft; 3x points on dining; 2x points on travel purchases; 1x points on rent payments without any transaction fees up to 100,000 points per year, and 1x points on everything else. (Five transactions are required per billing cycle to earn points.)
Card Benefits: No transaction fees to pay rent and earn 1x points, primary rental car insurance, cell phone protection, trip delay and trip cancellation insurance, purchase protection, and no foreign transaction fees.
6. United℠ Explorer Card
Best for United Purchases (w/ Primary Rental Car Insurance)
The United℠ Explorer Card (review) delivers premium travel benefits without the premium price tag, making it ideal if you fly United just a few times yearly. You’ll enjoy practical perks like free checked bags and priority boarding alongside monthly credits for ride-sharing and grocery delivery that provide value throughout the year.
Welcome Bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.
Earning Miles: 2x miles on United Airlines purchases, dining (including eligible delivery services), hotel accommodations when purchased directly with the hotel; 1x miles on all other purchases.
Card Benefits: Free first checked bag for you and one companion, 2 United Club one-time passes each year, $120 Instacart credit, $100 JSX credit, $60 ridesharing credit, $100 United Hotels credit, Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS application fee credit, 25% back on United inflight and Club premium drink purchases, no foreign transaction fees, travel insurance (primary rental car, trip delay, trip cancellation, lost luggage, and baggage delay), purchase protection, and extended warranty.
7. United℠ Business Card
Best for Business Travelers (w/ Primary Car Rental Insurance)
The United℠ Business Card (review) packs useful perks for United flyers, including free checked bags, priority boarding, and two annual United Club passes. This practical business card proves worthwhile for small business owners who fly United even just a few times yearly.
Welcome Bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus miles + 2,000 Premier qualifying points (PQP) after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months
Earning Miles: 2x miles on United Airlines purchases, dining (including eligible delivery services), gas stations, at United Hotels, office supply stores, local transit, and commuting; 1x miles on all other purchases.
Card Benefits: Free first checked bag, $100 United travel credit after after 7 United flight purchases of $100 or more within each card anniversary year, 5,000 anniversary bonus miles when you also have a personal United credit card, 2 United Club one-time passes each year, annual $25 FareLock credit, $100 rideshare credit, $100 JSX credit, $120 Instacart credit, $50 Avis or Budget credit, annual $100 United Hotels credit, 25% back on United inflight and Club premium drink purchases, priority boarding, no foreign transaction fees, travel insurance (primary rental car, trip delay, baggage delay, lost luggage, trip cancellation), extended warranty, and purchase protection.
8. Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
Best for Office Expenses (w/ Primary Car Rental Insurance)
The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card (review) packs serious value with no annual fee, offering excellent rewards at office supply stores and on internet, cable, and phone services. This business card stands out with its substantial welcome bonus and valuable perks like purchase protection and primary rental car coverage for business rentals.
Welcome Bonus: bonus_miles_full
Earn Rewards: 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable, and phone services each account anniversary year; 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year; 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Card Benefits: Primary rental car insurance, purchase protection, extended warranty, and 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases, after that a reg_apr,reg_apr_type APR applies.
9. Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Best for Simple Rewards (w/ Secondary Rental Car Insurance)
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® (review) sets itself apart with 1.5% back on non-bonus purchases, plus higher rewards in select categories including dining and travel. This flexible rewards card becomes even more valuable when paired with a premium Chase card, allowing you to transfer your rewards to travel partners.
Welcome Bonus: bonus_miles_full
Earning Cash Back: 5% back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠; 3% back on dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services; 3% back on drugstore purchases; 1.5% back on all other purchases
CaBenefits: Purchase protection, extended warranty, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, secondary rental car insurance, and 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, after that reg_apr,reg_apr_type APR applies;
10. Capital One Spark Miles for Business
Best for Daily Business Expenses (w/ Primary Car Rental Insurance)
The Capital One Spark Miles for Business (review) simplifies rewards earning with double miles on everything you buy. This straightforward business card lets you transfer miles to travel partners or redeem directly for travel purchases, making it a practical choice for business owners who want travel flexibility without complex bonus categories.
Welcome Bonus: Earn a 50,000 miles bonus when you spend $4,500 in the first 3 months.
Earn Rewards: 5x miles on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars for bookings via Capital One’s travel booking site; 2x miles on all other eligible purchases.
Card Benefits: Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit, primary rental car insurance, extended warranty, purchase protection, and no foreign transaction fees.
Transfer Partners: Accor (2 to 1), Aeromexico, Air Canada Aeroplan, Air France-KLM Flying Blue, Avianca LifeMiles, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Choice Privileges, Emirates, Etihad, Finnair, I Prefer Hotels (1 to 2), Japan Airlines(2 to 1.5), JetBlue (5 to 3), Qantas, Qatar, Singapore KrisFlyer, TAP Air Portugal, Turkish Airlines, Virgin Red, and Wyndham Rewards.
11. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Best Budget Travel Card (w/ Primary Car Rental Insurance)
- Earn 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.
- 5x Miles on Hotels, Vacation Rentals, and Rental Cars via Capital One Travel
- 2x Miles Everywhere Else
- Global Entry or TSA Pre-Check Credit
- Hertz 5-Star Elite Status
- Rental Car Insurance and Extended Warranty
- $95 Annual Fee
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card (review) offers 2x miles on every purchase and flexible redemption options through transfer partners or travel statement credits. This card shines with its straightforward rewards structure and useful travel benefits, making it a solid choice for both beginners and experienced travelers.
Welcome Bonus: Earn 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.
Earning Rewards: 5x miles on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel; 2x miles on all other eligible purchases.
Card Benefits: Global Entry or TSA PreCheck Credit, no foreign transaction fees, secondary rental car insurance, extended warranty, and lost luggage reimbursement.
Transfer Partners: Accor (2 to 1), Aeromexico, Air Canada Aeroplan, Air France-KLM Flying Blue, Avianca LifeMiles, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Choice Privileges, Emirates, Etihad, Finnair, I Prefer Hotels (1 to 2), Japan Airlines(2 to 1.5), JetBlue (5 to 3), Qantas, Qatar, Singapore KrisFlyer, TAP Air Portugal, Turkish Airlines, Virgin Red, and Wyndham Rewards.
