Booking.com Launches the Genius Rewards Visa Signature^® Credit Card With No Annual Fee

After teasing a new credit card last week, Booking.com, the popular travel website, has now launched its Booking.com Genius Rewards Visa Signature^® Credit Card.

The card has no annual fee and offers a few perks, like earning Travel Credits toward future trips and elevated status in the Booking.com Genius rewards program.

Let’s take a look at the new Genius Rewards Visa card and its welcome offer to see if this is a good addition to your wallet.

Booking.com’s New Genius Rewards Visa Card

Last week, Booking.com emailed some members of the Genius rewards program to let them know a new credit card was coming. The Genius Rewards Visa card is now live and issued in partnership with First Electronic Bank. Applications are available here.

The card has no annual fee, and cardholders earn rewards according to the following structure:

• 6% in Travel Credits on stays reserved at Booking.com
• 5% in Travel Credits on other travel reserved at Booking.com
• 3% in Travel Credits on dining, gas, and groceries
• 2% in Travel Credits on other eligible purchases

Plus, cardholders earn a 1% in-trip bonus (turning the 2% category into 3% earnings) for purchases made in-person at accommodations reserved through Booking.com, up to $10,000 of these purchases annually.

Travel Credits are essentially rewards points or future spending credits that you can use on Booking.com to book anything from hostels and hotels to airfare and activities. It’s similar to earning cash-back, though it’s cash that you can only use with Booking.com. There are no preset minimums or blackout dates for using your Travel Credits, and $1 in credit is worth $1 toward a reservation.

Travel Credits will expire 2 years from the date they’re earned, and there’s no limit to how much you can earn.

Cardholder Benefits

Cardholders will also receive an immediate upgrade to Genius Level 3 status on Booking.com. This tier offers perks like 10% to 15% off on stays, 10% to 15% off rental cars, free breakfast and room upgrades on select stays, and all the other typical perks from Booking.com. Those include flight price alerts and a wide range of travel booking options.

Typically, unlocking Genius Level 3 requires 15 bookings in a 2-year window. While insurance, public transit, and incidentals like extra luggage don’t count, most stays, flights, and activities don’t count toward the requirement. Credit for a booking is added to your account after it ends.

Additionally, cardholders receive $100 in bonus Travel Credits after spending at least $15,000 on their card during each cardmember anniversary year (based on the date your account was opened).

Introductory Welcome Offer on the Genius Rewards Visa Card

New applicants for the Genius Rewards Visa card can earn $150 in Credits after spending $1,500 on purchases within the first 90 days of opening their account.

Should You Apply for the Genius Rewards Visa Card?

This card is sure to be popular with travelers who book regularly with Booking.com. The Genius Rewards Visa card elevates your Genius Rewards tier for extra discounts and helps you earn Travel Credits at a good rate. The 6% and 5% earnings are solid, while the 3% and 2% earnings align with popular spending categories for many people.

Plus, you get all of that without paying an annual fee.

The main drawback of this card is that it earns rewards that you can only use with 1 website. You can’t use your rewards as cash to pay for other expenses, and you can’t transfer those rewards to use with another website, an airline, or a hotel rewards program. Those restrictions are worth noting, even considering the massive breadth of what you can find on Booking.com.

Those looking for more flexibility in how they use their rewards should consult our list of the best travel credit cards with no annual fee.

Final Thoughts

Booking.com has launched its new Genius Rewards Visa card with some interesting perks. While there’s no annual fee, you can earn Booking.com Travel Credits quickly, get leveled-up status in the Genius program, and earn a nice welcome bonus when you open your account.

This card should be a hit for fans of Booking.com. However, locking earnings into a specific website isn’t ideal for those who want more flexibility in their travel rewards.