Travel credit cards that offer lounge access, insurance and other perks with no annual fee

It's no secret that the top luxury credit cards feature the best benefits. The problem is, you have to pay hundreds of dollars a year for these cards. That's a big commitment.

A massive annual fee can be worth paying when you value the card's perk far more than the upfront cost. But there is a simpler (and cheaper) path to perks like airport lounge access and travel protections. Several no-annual-fee credit cards offer key perks without committing to a high annual fee.

Airport lounge access is a headline-grabbing benefit, but I've found its value to be hit or miss. The best lounges are crowded at peak times, and the lounges aren't always conveniently located.

Rather than pay for a perk you may not get full value from, consider the U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature Card. You can enroll to receive a Priority Pass membership with four complimentary lounge visits per year ($35 per person per additional visit). This isn't as good as the unlimited fee-free access you'll get with most premium cards, but you can use these visits for credit at Priority Pass partner restaurants and non-lounge experiences, which most other card issuers exclude.

You can also get lounge access with this card's SmartDelay benefit. Register your flights, and you and up to three travel companions receive lounge passes for delays of two hours or more.

The best travel rewards allow transfers to partner airline and hotel loyalty programs, and you can unlock this redemption option with several no-annual-fee travel credit cards. In fact, premium credit cards can be poor options for earning points on purchases. So you may want a more rewarding card for spending even if you plan on having a luxury option as well.

The no-annual-fee Wells Fargo Autograph® Card offers access to all of Wells Fargo's travel partners at the full transfer ratio you receive with the $95-a-year Wells Fargo Autograph Journey® Card. Plus, it has an incredible list of 3X bonus categories. You'll earn 3X points on:

• Restaurants
• Travel
• Gas stations and EV charging
• Transit
• Popular streaming services
• Phone plans

The Citi Double Cash® Card is another great option for earning transferable rewards because you'll earn up to 2% cash back (as Citi ThankYou® Points) on every purchase — 1% when you buy and 1% when you pay. That's a great flat-rate return, and because you're earning ThankYou® Points, you can transfer the points to all of Citi Transfer partners. Keep in mind that the Double Cash's transfer ratios are reduced compared to Citi credit cards with an annual fee like the Citi Strata Premier^® Card (see rates and fees) and Citi Strata Elite℠ Card (see rates and fees).

I've had so much success getting hundreds of dollars in food, hotels and rental cars reimbursed through trip delay benefits that I always make sure I have a card with this protection.

Several cards with sub-$100 annual fees have trip delay insurance, but the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card offers similar protection with no annual fee. With this card's trip delay perk, you can be reimbursed up to $500 per covered traveler when your travel is delayed by more than 12 hours or requires an overnight stay. Eligible expenses include lodging, food and other reasonable expenses.

The U.S. Bank Altitude Connect also provides trip delay coverage for delays of 12+ hours or that require an overnight stay. However, it only covers up to $300 per ticket, not per traveler, which is significantly less than what the Bonvoy Bold card offers.

Rental car insurance is a common card benefit, but many policies are secondary when you're renting a car in the U.S. With secondary insurance, you're required to file a claim with your primary insurance provider first. Having primary rental car insurance with your credit card can easily save you $15 or more a day you could be paying the rental company for protection.

The One Key™ Card is a good option because it has no annual fee and offers primary rental car protection for covered accidents and theft (secondary coverage for New York residents). You can be reimbursed for up to $50,000 when you charge the entire eligible rental to your card.

Programs like TSA PreCheck and Global Entry can help alleviate one of the worst things about air travel: waiting in lines. But you have to pay for membership with either program. TSA PreCheck costs up to $85 for a five-year membership and gets you expedited security with 90+ airlines at 200+ airports. Global Entry costs $120 for a five-year membership and comes with expedited customs and immigration processing upon re-entering the U.S. and TSA PreCheck benefits.

The Fidelity® Rewards Visa Signature® Card and U.S. Bank Altitude Connect both have a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit of up to $100 every four years. The PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards Visa Signature® Card offers up to $120 in credits for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry applications. It has a $95 annual fee that's waived for existing PenFed Honors Advantage members, which you can qualify for with military service (active duty, reserve, honorable discharge or retired) or with a qualifying PenFed checking account.

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