Exploring Credit Cards for Senior Citizens
6 Min Read | Last updated: July 3, 2025
This article contains general information and is not intended to provide information that is specific to American Express products and services. Similar products and services offered by different companies will have different features and you should always read about product details before acquiring any financial product.
Get tips for finding ideal credit cards for seniors. Choose from rewards credit cards for retirees that enrich travel and everyday purchases.
At-A-Glance
- For senior citizens, rewards credit cards may help with a variety of goals and everyday activities, from international travel to grocery shopping.
- If travel is a retirement goal, travel rewards credit cards provide points toward flights and hotels, along with perks that can make travel more relaxing.
- Cash back cards may help a fixed income stretch further by providing money back on everyday spending.
If you’re gearing up for retirement or you’re already enjoying your golden years, you might be wondering how credit cards could help you plan trips, have incredible dining experiences with loved ones, or streamline future medical expenses. While there may not be one credit card explicitly made for seniors, plenty of cards could enrich your retirement spending with rewards, travel perks, and coverage when you use them responsibly. Keep reading to get a deeper insight into how credit cards might help you reach your goals at any age.
What Are the Best Credit Cards for Senior Citizens?
Different credit cards offer unique benefits for people with established credit histories, so consider your goals, income, spending patterns, and financial resources when choosing cards to meet your needs. Whether you’re looking for strategic ways to purchase prescription medication, save, or manage high-interest revolving card balances, these three card categories may help:
- Rewards Cards
Rewards credit cards earn perks like points, miles, or credits as you spend, and some cards even have welcome offers. Depending on the issuer, you may be able to redeem your rewards in several ways. Typical redemption options could include travel, dining, entertainment, and more. - Cash Back Cards
Cash back cards work similarly to rewards cards, but instead of rewards points, you may get at least 1% cash back on all eligible non-bonus category purchases, potentially with higher percentages for spending at restaurants or gas stations.1 The Blue Cash Preferred® Card, for example, offers eligible Card Members cash back on applicable grocery purchases. - Balance Transfer and No-Annual-Fee Cards
If you’re focused on minimizing fees and interest, you might want to consider a card that simplifies balance transfers with an introductory 0% Annual Percentage Rate (APR) period that lets you move over high-interest balances and make purchases without interest charges. You may also find terms and conditions that include low or $0 annual fees attractive, and some issuers offer cards with no annual fees if saving is a priority.
Do Credit Cards For Retirees Have Added Protection?
Not every credit card comes with default protections for cardholders of a specific age, but some issuers might provide you with protections that could help during unpredictable circumstances. Your card’s terms and conditions detail any coverage or perks and potential exclusions. Benefits often vary from card to card but may include:
- Customer Support
Service hotlines and online chats could provide travel-related information and support, such as roadside assistance if you encounter problems far from home. - Purchase Protection
Some cards might provide extended warranties or protection against damages for a limited period, including refunds under some conditions. - Car Rental Insurance
If you use your card to pay for a car rental, you might receive support or funds in the event of an accident that meets certain conditions.
Are There Travel Credit Cards Just For Retirees?
Credit cards that cater to travel rather than a specific generation of consumers may offer useful perks if hitting the road appeals to you. With these cards, you can earn points for all spending but may earn more points for travel-related purchases including flights, trains, cruises, car rentals, and hotel stays.2 With some cards, you may then be able to redeem those points toward future travel expenses or for other purposes.3
Here are some broad categories to be aware of to help you choose the right travel credit card:
- Airline Credit Cards
These cards, like the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, are co-branded by a credit card company and an airline and may offer the highest level of rewards when you travel with that airline or, in some cases, partner airlines. - Hotel Credit Cards
Credit issuers in partnerships with hotels can offer products like the Hilton Honors® Card, which may offers the most benefits when used to book with the partnering hotel.
Travel Credit Card Benefits for Senior Citizens
Some travel credit cards also include benefits that may help make travel less stressful. Depending on the card, those benefits could include:
- Airport Lounge Access
Hunting for a seat in a crowded airport may be thrilling for some, but you might prefer a more relaxing experience. Some travel credit cards could offer complimentary or discounted access to a worldwide network of airport lounges for certain card members, which could provide a welcome respite from airport hubbub. - Faster Security Screening
Some credit cards may provide credits toward programs that help get you through airport screening and customs more efficiently, so you spend less time standing in line.4 - No Foreign Transaction Fees
Some credit cards, like the American Express® Gold Card, eliminate foreign transaction fees, so you don’t need to worry about the extra cost that might otherwise be added to each purchase in a foreign currency. - Hotel Upgrades
Certain credit cards may include elite status when you enroll in hotel loyalty programs, with potential benefits such as booking upgrades.5 - Trip and Baggage Insurance
Trips can be delayed, and baggage can get lost. If you used your card to pay for those expenses, you may be reimbursed if your terms and conditions include applicable coverage. There are also products like The Platinum Card® that can offer eligible Card Members Trip Delay Insurance and Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance to help make stressful travel less overwhelming.
Tips for Making the Most of Your Credit Card in Retirement
Here are some quick tips for finding and maximizing your card’s benefits and capabilities no matter how you might use it:
- If you have the flexibility to travel off-peak, you may benefit from a change in how certain airlines and hotels price their reward travel. If you can travel when demand is low, you may need fewer points for your flight or hotel stay.
- Some cards may offer both 0% introductory APR as well as no annual fee, so be sure to familiarize yourself with the product’s terms and conditions when comparing available credit card options.
- Autopay isn’t just for Gen-Z. Anyone can link their bank account to their credit cards to set up automatic payments that could alleviate the need to send manual monthly payments, freeing up time and space for you to relax.
Frequently Asked Questions
Any eligible adult can get a credit card if they meet the issuer’s criteria, regardless of their age.
It could be possible to get a credit card when listing your Social Security or your spouse’s earnings as income.6 Social Security benefits, withdrawals from a retirement account, rental income, and more may all count as income.7
You could still apply and be approved for credit cards after retirement, even if you no longer have traditional employment. While issuers may dive deeper into your application to confirm your risk level, keeping your current credit lines responsibly active, avoiding late payments, and keeping your balances low can all contribute to your creditworthiness.8
The Takeaway
In retirement, you may find rewards and cash back credit cards to be useful tools for helping to achieve a range of retirement goals, from travel to simply making the most of a fixed income. A wide variety of credit cards offer different benefits, so think carefully about your goals and spending habits when choosing cards to meet your needs.
1 “How Do Cash Back Credit Cards Work?,” Experian
2 “What Counts as a Travel Purchase for Rewards Credit Cards?,” Experian
3 “How Do Travel Credit Cards Work?,” Experian
4,5 “When Are Travel Credit Cards Worth It?,” Experian
6 “The 6 best credit cards for low-income earners,” CNBC
7 “What is taxable income (and how you can reduce it)?,” Yahoo! Finance
8 “How to Maintain Your Credit in Retirement,” myFICO
Mike Faden has covered business and technology issues for more than 30 years as a writer, consultant, and analyst for media brands, market-research firms, startups, and established corporations.
All Credit Intel content is written by freelance authors and commissioned and paid for by American Express.
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