Update: One or more card offers in this post are no longer available. Check our Hot Deals for the latest offers.
Many of the best rewards credit cards have benefits that go far beyond the introductory bonus offer or the rewards you earn for purchases. The specific perks will vary by travel credit card, but there are sometimes benefits that are tied to the payment network for the card (Visa, Mastercard, etc.). Mastercard has different designations such as World Mastercard and World Elite Mastercard and Visa has regular Visa cards as well as Visa Signature and Visa Infinite cards.
The Visa Infinite card is a designation reserved for premium credits cards and there are only a handful of Visa Infinite cards available to U.S. residents. Let’s take a look at which Visa Infinite cards you can currently apply for and what benefits are available.
Visa Infinite card benefits
Top Visa Infinite credits cards
- Chase Sapphire Reserve
- U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite® Card
- UBS Visa Infinite Credit Card
- Crystal® Visa Infinite® Credit Card
Best Visa Infinite card perks
If you’re based in the U.S. there aren’t a lot of Visa Infinite cards open to new applicants and the best two Visa Infinite travel credit cards are the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve. The exact benefits your specific Visa Infinite card has will vary depending on the specific card and card issuer, but these are the perks that Visa offers for Infinite cards.
Trip cancellation/interruption insurance
This insurance can cover you for non-refundable travel expenses if your trip is canceled or interrupted for an eligible reason such as injury, illness or financial insolvency of the travel provider. You can be reimbursed up to $2,000 per covered person for non-refundable tickets. The cardholders spouse/domestic partner and dependent children are also covered when you pay for the entire trip with your Visa Infinite card.
Trip delay coverage
If a trip that was at least partially paid for with your card is delayed by six hours or more you can be reimbursed up to $500 per ticket. This benefit covers “reasonable” expenses you incur as a result of the delay, this includes things like lodging, meals and toiletries.
Lost luggage protection
You can be reimbursed up to $3,000 per covered trip for theft or loss of your checked or carryon luggage. You and your immediate family are covered as long as you paid for the ticket with your card or the rewards associated with the card.
Extended warranty
An eligible warranty of three years or less in length can be extended by one year. This benefit covers the original purchase price of the item up to $10,000 per item or $50,000 per account.
Purchase protection
Purchases made with your eligible card in the past 90 days are covered for up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account. This benefits applies to damage or theft of the item.
Return protection
If a retailer won’t accept an item you purchased within the last 90 days you are covered for the purchase price, up to $300 per item and $1,000 per year per account.
Primary car rental insurance
For domestic car rentals of 15 days or less (31 days or less for rentals outside your country of residence) you’ll get primary rental car coverage when you pay for the entire rental with your Visa Infinite card. The insurance covers damage or theft up to $75,000. You also need to decline the rental company’s collision insurance for this coverage to apply.
Rental car discounts
If you rent with Avis, National, Hertz or Silvercar you are eligible for discounts that are advertised as up to 30%. Book through these links to get the discount:
The discount won’t always be as a high as 30% and you’ll want to be sure to shop around to ensure you’re getting the best price. I suggest using Autoslash, just enter your reservation details and it will automatically check for better prices.
Airport lounge access
Visa Infinite cards come with airport lounge access, but the specifics will vary by card. For example, the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve card comes with four visits each year (for the cardholder and a guest) to Priority Pass airport lounges. But if you have the Sapphire Reserve card you’ll get unlimited Priority Pass lounge visits for you and up to two guests. That’s a huge difference in benefits, so be sure to read the card’s terms before you apply.
Trusted traveler application fee credit
When you apply for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck and pay for your application fee with your Visa Infinite card you’ll be reimbursed for the expense (up to $100).
Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection
The Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection is a program similar to the Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts. When you use your Visa Infinite card to book hotels through the Visa Infinite Hotels website, you’re eligible for these extra perks:
- Best Available rate guarantee
- Automatic room upgrade at check in (when available)
- Free Wi-Fi (when available)
- Free breakfast for two
- $25 food or beverage credit
- Late check-out upon request (when available)
- Special amenity at select locations ($100 spa, dining, resort credit, etc.)
Bottom line
While they’re aren’t many cards issued in the U.S. with the Visa Infinite designation, there are a couple of good ones – the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the U.S.Bank Altitude Reserve. But, these cards also comes with higher annual fees, so you’ll have to weigh the benefits to see if they’re worth the extra cost for you.
Keep in mind, that some perks like the Global Entry fee credit or primary rental car insurance are available on travel credit cards with much smaller annual fees. For example, the IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card only has an $99 annual fee and comes with a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application credit and the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card has a primary rental car insurance benefit and only a $95 annual fee.
| For more travel and credit card news, deals and analysis sign up for our newsletter here. |