travel card disabled

Advertiser Disclosure

Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive financial compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). However, the credit card information that we publish has been written and evaluated by experts who know these products inside out. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers that are on the market. See our advertising policy here where we list advertisers that we work with, and how we make money. You can also review our credit card rating methodology .

The Ultimate Guide to Air Travel With a Disability

Christy Rodriguez

Travel & Finance Content Contributor

87 Published Articles

Countries Visited: 36 U.S. States Visited: 31

Keri Stooksbury

Editor-in-Chief

32 Published Articles 3109 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 45 U.S. States Visited: 28

Your Rights

Americans with disabilities act, air-travel specific rights, common challenges with air travel, if you encounter a problem, pick the right flight, u.s. airline-specific accommodations, get informed by your healthcare provider, pick the right seat, communication is key, pack strategically, leave early, getting checked in, at the tsa security checkpoint, service and emotional support animals, getting to the gate, boarding your flight, wheelchair considerations, other considerations, tips for travel, once you’ve arrived, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

Traveling by plane is one of the safest and fastest ways to get to your destination. But crowded airports, long waits at security checkpoints, and baggage restrictions can make flying challenging when you have a disability.

According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) , 25.5 million Americans ages 5 and older have self-reported travel-limiting disabilities. Unfortunately, information on how to travel with a disability can be hard to find.

To help streamline this information, here’s an in-depth guide to help you better navigate airports and flights while traveling with a disability. This guide also includes many tips and tricks to make flying a more enjoyable process.

Know Before You Go

Figuring out what the laws are and how they relate to your travel experience will help you plan, pack, and feel confident before your trip.

Knowing what you’re entitled to and not being afraid to ask for what you’re entitled to will make the entire flight process less stressful. With the help of legislation and strong advocacy, airlines, and airports are making flying more accessible for travelers with disabilities.

Don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself. You deserve a pleasant flying experience, and there are certain accommodations that you are entitled to, especially when it comes to ensuring your medical safety during a flight.

It is important to note that while most airports and U.S. facilities have accommodations available, you will probably have to ask for them.

The  Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits “discrimination and ensures equal opportunity for persons with disabilities in employment, state and local government services, public accommodations, commercial facilities, and transportation.”

While the ADA doesn’t extend to airline passengers, it does means that those with disabilities have the right to certain accommodations such as interpreters and TTY technology that make it safer to organize their travel.

Passengers with disabilities are entitled to certain accommodations, free of charge, under the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) . The ACAA states that all domestic and international flights that have the U.S. as the destination or origination point are required to provide necessary accommodations to people with disabilities to ensure safe travel.

The U.S. Department of Transportation is responsible for enforcing the ACAA. The DOT’s guide includes videos and other digital content for best practices for airline personnel and the traveling public. Some of the topics include air travel with assistive devices as well as wheelchairs, service animals, and seating accommodations.

If you feel discriminated against on the basis of your disability, you can file a complaint directly with DOT by calling 202-366-4000 or via the Federal Relay .

Unfortunately, there are complaints that are reported by those traveling with a disability. While there is definitely not a “one size meets all” solution, knowing some of the common problems other travelers have experienced can help you be better prepared if a similar situation arises.

Wheelchair Complaints

In the most recently-released DOT statistics for 2021 , airlines reported 33,631 disability-related complaints. This was similar to prior years, with a notable drop in 2020 due to COVID-related travel restrictions. Over half of the complaints reported related to the failure to provide adequate assistance to travelers using wheelchairs.

Damaged wheelchairs are also another common problem. While airlines are responsible for all repairs to a damaged wheelchair and providing you with a replacement, this process can be lengthy. A replacement must be provided in the meantime, but may not be up to the standards of your damaged wheelchair.

Since December 4, 2018, airlines are required to report separate monthly statistics for mishandled wheelchairs and mobility scooters. Now that the “wheelchair rule” is finally in effect, the information is published in DOT’s monthly Air Travel Consumer Reports. 

Bathroom Access

Another frequently reported concern is issues with bathroom accommodations on airplanes. Current airline standards require 20-inch wide aisles for all single-aisle planes. Especially if you don’t have access to your wheelchair on board, getting to the restrooms may be difficult.

Sylvia Longmire at Spin the Globe notes, “I can guarantee you that most domestic airlines do not have an onboard wheelchair if it is not requested with at least 48 hours’ notice. Even seasoned gate agents and flight attendants have no clue about this requirement.”

Making things even more complicated, there has been an increased move to single-aisle planes being used for long flights, such as the transcontinental American Airlines 737 MAX 8.

Service Animals

Passengers with service animals have to experience an additional layer of complexity, especially with the recent backlash against emotional support animals.

Many airline employees do not realize that service animals and emotional support animals are not the same things and there have been occasional reports of passengers with service animals being denied boarding. Unfortunately, service animals in training are generally not allowed either.

If you do encounter a problem, don’t wait until your trip is complete to speak up. The DOT notes “you can request to speak with the airline’s Complaint Resolution Official (CRO) or a supervisor. A CRO is the airline’s expert on disability-related issues in air travel and has the authority to resolve complaints on behalf of the airline. Every airline must have a CRO available either by telephone or in-person during operating hours. ”

Discussing a problem with the CRO is the best way to resolve issues, but keep in mind that the pilot has the final say when it comes to issues of passenger safety. Asking the CRO to confirm his or her decision with the pilot can add another layer of protection for you.

Lastly, you can also call the DOT Aviation Consumer Protection Division’s Disability Hotline at 800-778-4838. For a full list of recommendations, please see the DOT’s website .

Choosing the right airline and flight is the first step. Ensuring that you select an airline with the best customer service reputation is important. Don’t forget to factor in any frequent flyer status you may have , airport layouts, flight lengths, and flight connections when you are looking at flight options as well.

Hot Tip: If you do have to make a connection, allow at least 90 minutes between connecting flights in order to ensure enough time to transfer between gates.

No matter which airline you select, always be sure to select the box for assistance when booking. This will help with seating and check-in processes later on.

Not every airline offers the same accommodation. Below, you’ll find some major highlights for U.S. airlines regarding what the airline is able to provide to passengers with disabilities.

If you have reservations or are considering making reservations soon, please look into the airline-specific policies and procedures.

Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines staff does everything they can to assist those traveling with a disability. To ensure you have everything you need, try to make reservations as early as possible. Any special services can be requested online or over Alaska’s accessible services phone line at 800-503-0101 .

Additionally, let the airline know of any special requirements at check-in, in the boarding area, and on the aircraft to ensure staff is able to assist you. Lastly, arrive at the airport at least 2 hours before departure to allow ample time to board comfortably.

For a complete listing of Alaska Airlines’ disability policies, please see its website here .

Allegiant Air

If you are traveling with Allegiant and have a disability or need accommodations, be sure to mention it when booking a reservation online or over the phone. You can also contact the reservation center by phone at 702-505-8888 and request assistance to be added to your reservation.

There is no fee to travel with required medical or assistive devices such as walkers, canes, or strollers , and these items do not count towards your number of allowed carry-on items. If you have to check your assistive devices, this will be done for free as well.

For a complete listing of Allegiant’s disability policies, please see its website here .

American Airlines

If you have questions or want to make accessibility-related travel arrangements on American Airlines, you can do so online. When booking your trip, you can:

• Request wheelchair service
• Request individual assistance if you have a hearing, vision, cognitive, or developmental disability
• Indicate that you’re traveling with any electric medical equipment or a service animal. Notice is required within 48 hours of your flight.

In addition, you can call 800-433-7300 or, for hearing or speech-impaired assistance, call 800-543-1586 .

For a complete listing of American’s disability policies, please see its website here .

Delta Air Lines

When making reservations online, Delta has the ability to request accommodations through your My Trips section. In addition, they can be contacted via a TTY-accessible phone line at 404-209-3434 .

Delta notes that it is a “priority to deliver the best service and ensure accessibility for all Delta customers. Before boarding, in the air, at your destination, and anywhere in between, our gate agents and attendants will be available to assist.”

Depending on the type and age of the aircraft, accessible features of Delta’s fleet include movable aisle armrests, wheelchair stowage locations, onboard wheelchairs, and, on larger airplanes, wheelchair-accessible lavatories.

For a complete listing of Delta’s disability policies, please see its website here .

Frontier Airlines

When flying Frontier, notify a customer service representative online or via phone at 801-401-9004 if you need any accommodation.

It should be noted that if you’re traveling with a wheelchair or mobility device, it can be checked and doesn’t count toward your baggage allowance. You can also request to store the device on board when you make your reservation.

Frontier’s customer service representatives will also make sure that passengers with a disability have the opportunity to board before general boarding.

For a complete listing of Frontier’s disability policies, please see its website here .

Hawaiian Airlines

If you’re flying on Hawaiian, let the airline know in advance about any assistance you’ll need either online or by calling its Reservations Department at 800-367-5320.

Hawaiian Airlines can assign your seat at least 24 hours prior to your scheduled flight if you require assistance with a boarding chair to get to and from your seat, you’re traveling with a personal care attendant, or you’re traveling with a service animal.

If you need extra time exiting the aircraft, a wheelchair at your destination or transfer point, assistance in deplaning the aircraft, or assistance through the terminal, the airline requests that you notify a flight attendant at least 45 minutes before landing so they have time to make the necessary arrangements.

For a complete listing of Hawaiian’s disability policies, please see its website here .

When flying JetBlue, contact the airline at 800-JETBLUE to add any accommodation you might need to an existing reservation. JetBlue encourages passengers to notify them as early as possible of any accommodation so they can ensure you have an enjoyable flight.

JetBlue consistently gets good marks for accommodating those with wheelchairs. But note that JetBlue doesn’t offer curbside service at most of its airport locations so if you need help getting into or leaving the airport, make a request with a JetBlue staff member before you arrive or inside the terminal so they can provide the curbside assistance needed.

For a complete listing of JetBlue’s disability policies, please see its website here .

Southwest Airlines

If you’re flying with Southwest and need assistance, it’s best to inform the airline in advance, or as soon as you arrive at the airport so your requests can be fulfilled as quickly as possible. You can notify Southwest online or by calling 800-I-FLY-SWA .

Priority pre-boarding is available for those who have specific seating needs to accommodate their disability, who need assistance in boarding the aircraft, or who need assistance stowing any devices. This assistance can be requested from the customer service agent at the departure gate.

For a complete listing of Southwest’s disability policies, please see its website here .

Spirit Airlines

For Spirit, depending on what kind of assistance you need, you can request it when making a reservation online or through the Spirit Airlines reservations line at 801-401-2222 .

While Spirit generally charges for carry-on luggage , customers can take wheelchairs, walkers, canes, crutches, or assistive devices on board for free.

For a complete listing of Spirit’s disability policies, please see its website here .

United Airlines

When booking with United, any accommodations should be mentioned when booking so the airline staff can do their best to help you. This includes any assistance getting to your gate, boarding , getting to your seat, deplaning, or connecting.

In addition, make sure to call the airline’s disability desk at 800-228-2744 at least 48 hours in advance of your travel so the airline can ensure your needs are met.

Hot Tip: Certain seats on the aircraft are made available to passengers with a disability, but the request needs to be made at least 24 hours in advance of your flight. You can check your wheelchair or other devices at the ticket counter or gate as well.

For a complete listing of United’s disability policies, please see its website here .

Other Airlines

If your airline isn’t listed, contact the airlines you are considering, and make an informed decision as to which airline is right for you. Ensuring that accommodations can and will be made prior to your flight will relieve some anxiety and set you up for an enjoyable trip.

Hot Tip: If you book your tickets on a third-party site (like Expedia , Priceline , Hotels.com , etc.), there may not be an option to select assistance. If this is the case, be sure to contact the airline directly to request assistance.

Your doctor should be able to discuss possible complications, health concerns, and any medications/ vaccinations you may need before traveling. It may also help to consider obtaining a statement from your doctor detailing any medical issues or accommodations.

A written letter may also be helpful for getting through TSA with any medications and/or medical devices.

Whether your airline allows you to select a seat prior to arrival or you are allowed to board first, there are a few things to consider when selecting your seat.

If the flight is longer, selecting the aisle versus window seat may be a difficult choice. If you select an aisle seat, you will be able to access the bathrooms easier; however, other passengers may require you to move so that they can also access the bathroom as well.

Hot Tip: Selecting a window seat, bulkhead seat , or the first row in any section may be the best bet.

In addition, look at the configuration of the specific airplane you will be flying and familiarize yourself with the layout in order to pick the best seat for you. Resources like SeatGuru are great for seeing layouts of the aircraft prior to boarding, which can help you prepare before you are even on board.

Select the seat that works best for you and your preferences.

Under the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) and DOT’s disability policies, passengers are generally not required to provide advanced notice for disability-related accommodations. However, it’s a good idea to call your airline in advance to arrange for accommodations.

In certain specific cases, an airline can require the passenger to provide advance notice of any traveling condition. A few examples are:

• Passengers needing to hook up a respirator to the aircraft’s electrical power supply
• Passengers needing to travel in a stretcher
• Passengers needing carriage of an incubator

Check here for a complete list of these situations. As the DOT states, “if a passenger does not meet the advance notice or check-in requirement, airlines must make a reasonable effort to provide the requested service, but are not required to delay the flight in order to do so.”

If you suffer from any food allergies, you should make requests when you are booking your flight. If you are concerned about other food that might be on board, check out our Ultimate Guide to Flying With Allergies [Includes Nut Policies for 60 Airlines] for more information.

In addition to confirming with your airline, don’t forget to contact the hotels you are staying at so they are prepared for your arrival as well.

Necessary medical equipment, such as a wheelchair, CPAP machine, or diabetes monitoring equipment, doesn’t count toward your carry-on items.

Make sure to keep important documents such as your flight plan, doctor’s note, emergency contacts, and any necessary medical information easily accessible in your carry-on. Pack medical alert information, and keep it with you. In the case of an emergency, this information can be a literal lifesaver.

Don’t forget about transportation to and from the airport. Get to the airport early — 2 to 3 hours early for domestic flights, and even earlier for international flights.

If you have a wheelchair, make arrangements in advance to have an accessible vehicle take you to the airport and pick you up in your destination city.

At the Airport

If you have made prior arrangements, many airlines will designate an employee to meet you curbside when you arrive or at check-in with a wheelchair, if you need 1, and guide you through security.

If not, a good first stop would be at your airline’s ticket counter. Here you can make or confirm that all accommodations can be met. This is also where you may be assigned designated personnel to help you get through security.

If you have any medical devices that you will not need at the airport, here is where you will check them in. These should be checked free of charge.

The TSA has a helpline available for travelers with disabilities and medical conditions. You can call TSA Cares at 855-787-2227 for additional assistance during the security screening process. According to the TSA website, you should call 72 before traveling “with questions about screening policies, procedures, and what to expect at the security checkpoint.”

At a high level, TSA notes that you should consider completing and submitting a  TSA notification card or other medical documentation to describe your condition. TSA does not require passengers to remove their shoes if they have disabilities and/or medical conditions.

TSA PreCheck can help make sure going through security is as easy as possible. Those with TSA PreCheck memberships have shorter waiting times and aren’t required to remove shoes, laptops, liquids, belts, or light jackets when they go through security.

If you are not a TSA PreCheck member, make sure that you are wearing easily removable shoes, belts, and jackets. Also, make sure that you can easily take out any liquids and electronics from your carry-on to go through the X-ray machine. Don’t hesitate to request help from TSA if you need it.

Here are some other tips for getting through the TSA security checkpoint . TSA has its own set of guidelines for special procedures that you may find worthwhile to read through as well.

Service and emotional support animals are treated very differently, but can easily be confused by airline staff. Be sure you know the documentation requirements to fly before your flight to avoid any issues.

Airlines are required to allow service animals to fly with their partners in the cabin of the aircraft free of charge. Any equipment required for your service animal is also permitted to be flown in the cargo hold as medical equipment, also free of charge.

If you have a service animal, make sure you have the proper documentation from your doctor that qualifies the animal as a service animal. Also, make sure you contact the airline and inform the airline staff that you will be traveling with a service animal so they can be prepared on the day of your flight.

Hot Tip: Here is the ultimate guide to service dogs on planes , including airline-by-airline rules.

Emotional Support Animals

In 2021, the U.S. Department of Transportation issued a ruling removing emotional support animals as service animals. This took effect on January 11, 2021, and most of the major carriers, including Alaska Airlines ,  American Airlines , Delta , JetBlue , Southwest Airlines , and United , have responded by completely banning emotional support animals .

Bottom Line: Note that on many carriers, you can still transport animals under the seat in carriers, however, you will need to pay the applicable pet fees in order to do this.

When it comes time to get to your gate, arrange any necessary assistance with your airline. If you choose to head directly to your gate, the agent should check you in with the gate agent. This way, you can get any necessary pre-boarding information.

Bron from Smith’s Holiday Road says, “communicate with staff at all points as sometimes information isn’t passed from ground staff to onboard staff. Be flexible. Smile and don’t demand! Be firm but friendly!”

In addition, some airlines have a tag that is placed on wheelchairs or other medical equipment to let the ground staff know to bring the wheelchair to the gate once landed.

According to Eamon Wood at Wayward Wheeler , having your wheelchair really helps. “Because although it isn’t the end of the world to be pushed around the airport in an airport chair, it does take away independence and the want to fly again.”

Hot Tip:  If you are a rewards member or cardholder who receives special access to lounges, don’t hesitate to use those perks. These lounges help make travel less stressful. Check out our guide to the best credit cards for lounge access.

Be sure you check in with your gate agent prior to your flight. Pre-boarding and other boarding accommodations can be arranged or confirmed at this point. Pre-boarding allows you more time to get settled on board the plane. In addition, for those airlines without assigned seats, you will also get your pick of seating options.

Properly trained staff must be available to help people with disabilities board and exit the plane. While they have been trained on how to accommodate you, communication is key. For example, if there are any areas on your body that are painful to the touch, be sure to inform them.

Another tip from Eamon at Wayward Wheeler is to “take all loose items e.g. cushions, bags, etc. out of your wheelchair before it goes in the hold. It may not be there when you land!”

Transfer From a Wheelchair

Cory Lee from Curb Free with Cory Lee notes “actually getting on the plane is the number 1 thing that wheelchair users worry about.” Cory has an ebook as well with more information about air travel for wheelchair users.

An aisle chair can be used to transport immobile passengers from their own wheelchair to a seat on the airplane and can also be used to access the lavatory during the flight. This is the most common transfer device, but may not be available on all aircraft.

If this option is not available, 2 other options, Eagle Lifters, and ADAPTS slings, are designed to safely transfer passengers requiring full assistance to and from wheelchairs and aircraft seats.

Transfer to the sling and sling placement will be performed inside an empty air bridge or similar private area. Staff members use the sling to negotiate the aircraft aisle, straddle the aircraft seat, and lower the passenger into the seat.

Airlines are not permitted to hand-carry passengers on and off aircraft. This means staff members can’t directly pick up a passenger in the arms of airline personnel. However, you may choose to bring a companion who is able to lift you and transfer you from your wheelchair to your seat.

On Board Your Flight

Once on board, an individual with a disability cannot be required to sit in a particular seat or be excluded from any seat, except as provided by FAA safety rules, such as the FAA Exit Row Seating rule.

If you are bringing a service animal on board, they must be able to fit without blocking aisles, exits, or another passenger’s seat.

According to the ACAA, every U.S. airline that seats more than 60 passengers must be equipped with an accessible bathroom or an aisle wheelchair to help you reach the bathroom if the bathroom is not accessible. If possible, request or select an aisle seat close to the bathroom.

There are some limitations to the help you can be provided on a flight. Flight attendants can help guide disabled passengers to and from the bathroom, but cannot provide any other type of assistance in the lavatory.

Some airlines have a limit for lithium wheelchair batteries of a maximum of 300 watt-hours, and the batteries need to be disconnected and brought into the cabin with the passenger.

It is always important to review the specific policies of each airline you are traveling with as several foreign airlines do not allow wheelchair users to travel alone.

In addition to the items noted above, airline crew members can help passengers with disabilities identify food items and open packages, but cannot actually feed passengers. If you need more assistance than can be provided by flight attendants, consider traveling with a companion who is able to better assist you.

With the help of some travel professionals, here are some top tips for traveling with a disability. They can be categorized into a few main areas:

If You Have a Physical Disability:

• Use your own wheelchair or mobility equipment, and check it at the gate. While airlines may be able to provide you with 1 for use at the airport, using your own equipment can eliminate wasted time and stress from switching back and forth.
• Bring spare parts.
• If your wheelchair needs wet-cell batteries or anything that typically isn’t allowed on airplanes, make sure to call ahead and talk with TSA about your equipment needs.

If You Have a Visual Impairment:

• Research the airport layout before your trip. If you have a general idea of where certain things are within the airport, it’ll be easier for you to maneuver on the day of your flight.
• Carry a cane. It will come in handy if you do end up needing it while navigating a crowded airport that you’ve never been in, but it will also help TSA and other travelers understand that you are visually impaired.
• Use a tool, such as a luggage locator, to help you find your bag with an audible sound.
• Download an audible GPS app for your trip.

If You Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing:

• Set up text alerts on your phone. Most airlines utilize overhead speakers in an airport for last-minute updates and changes.
• Pack extra batteries and a spare hearing aid.
• Bring along a medical note to provide to TSA or anywhere else you may need accommodations.
• Carry a notepad and a pen for emergencies.

If You Have a Neurological Impairment:

• Talk to your doctor about medications that can help with a long flight.
• Make sure to give yourself adequate rest during your trip.
• If you take daily medication at a certain time, make sure you have a watch or other device that stays synced to your home time zone schedule so that you can stay on track while you’re traveling.

If You Have a Developmental Disability:

• If you are sensitive to noise or light, bring noise-canceling headphones and a sleeping mask to help block noise or light out.
• Pack weighted blankets in your carry-on.
• Download your favorite calming music to play.
• For longer flights, bring a tablet that has activities downloaded to help keep you calm and engaged. Also, make sure you have a charger or portable USB charger so that your device’s battery doesn’t die.

Having pre-arranged transportation is always a good way to make sure that you are taken care of at your destination. Having written translations of your disability or what accommodations you may need abroad could help your destination ensure that you have everything you need for a safe trip. Know your medical coverage in case of an emergency.

Whether you have a disability, temporary or otherwise, or you’re traveling with someone with a disability, the challenges remain the same.

There is no 1 solution, but accessible travel is more possible than ever with proper planning and the other great tips mentioned above. Being prepared, knowing your rights, and good communication are all key when ensuring you enjoy your journey.

In addition to those noted above, a special thanks to the following experts who assisted us in reviewing this article:

• Martyn Sibley from Martyn Sibley
• Jeri and Carrieanna from Anything is Possible Travel

Frequently Asked Questions

What rights do passengers with a disability have while traveling.

The Department of Transportation is responsible for enforcing the ACAA. The DOT’s guide includes videos and other digital content for best practices for airline personnel and the traveling public. Some of the topics include air travel with assistive devices as well as wheelchairs, service animals, and seating accommodations.

Are there handicap bathrooms on airplanes?

While larger dual-aisle planes are required by U.S. law to have an accessible toilet, smaller planes with 1 row might not have them. Be sure to check the plane’s layout on a site like Seatguru.com before you book.

How much does it cost to fly with a wheelchair?

Since a wheelchair is considered a medical device, it is free to travel with an airline. If you travel with multiple wheelchairs, you may be charged regular baggage fees which vary by airline.

Can airlines ask for proof of disability?

Airlines cannot ask what your disability is, but they may ask how it will impact your ability to reach your gate, board the plane, or exit the plane. No proof of disability is required.

Was this page helpful?

About Christy Rodriguez

After having “non-rev” privileges with Southwest Airlines, Christy dove into the world of points and miles so she could continue traveling for free. Her other passion is personal finance, and is a certified CPA.

INSIDERS ONLY: UP PULSE ™

Get the latest travel tips, crucial news, flight & hotel deal alerts...

Plus — expert strategies to maximize your points & miles by joining our (free) newsletter.

We respect your privacy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA. Google's privacy policy and terms of service apply.

Related Posts

UP's Bonus Valuation

This bonus value is an estimated valuation calculated by UP after analyzing redemption options, transfer partners, award availability and how much UP would pay to buy these points.

An official website of the United States government Here's how you know

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock A locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

General Travel Tips for Persons with Disabilities

Arrange Your Travel Ahead of Time

Under the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) and DOT’s disability rules, passengers are generally not required to provide advanced notice for disability-related accommodations.  However, it’s a good idea to call your airline in advance to arrange for:

• A wheelchair or other guided assistance to board, deplane, or connect to another flight;
• A seating accommodation that meets your disability-related needs; and/or
• The loading and stowing of any assistive device.

Note : Providing detailed information about the accommodations you need in advance will assist airline personnel providing those accommodations in a correct and timely manner.

Advance Notice Requirements

In certain cases, an airline can require the passenger to provide advance notice as a condition of traveling on the airline or receiving services associated with the passenger’s disability.  An airline may require that a passenger with a disability provide the airline with up to 48 hours advance notice and to check-in at least one hour before their flight if the passenger wishes to receive any of the following services, types of equipment, or accommodations:

• Hook-up for a respirator to the aircraft electrical power supply;
• Hazardous materials packaging for a wheelchair battery or other assistive device;
• Medical oxygen for use onboard the aircraft, if this service is offered by the airline;
• Transportation for a powered wheelchair on an aircraft with fewer than 60 seats;
• Provision of an onboard wheelchair on an aircraft that does not have an accessible lavatory;
• Accommodation for a group of ten or more individuals with a disability, who make reservations and travel as a group;
• Accommodation for a passenger who must travel in a stretcher; or
• Carriage of an incubator.

Note : If a passenger does not meet the advance notice or check-in requirement, airlines must make a reasonable effort to provide the requested service, but are not required to if delay the flight in order to do so.

Be Informed, Be Prepared

• Confirm your accessibility needs with all airlines involved in your journey.
• Check your flight status before arriving at the airport.
• Check into your flight and arrive at the airport as early as possible to allow time to check any baggage, go through the security screening, and board the plane.
• Be alert to gate and flight time changes and notify airline personnel of your need to move to a different gate, if necessary.
• Providing written instructions detailing the disassembly, assembly, and stowage of your device; and
• Taking a picture of your device before your flight to capture its condition.
• Airlines must have a priority space for at least one folding manual wheelchair on aircraft with 100 or more seats; you must request to pre-board the flight in order to have the opportunity to stow your wheelchair in the aircraft cabin.
• If you need to use your assistive device during the flight, you can request that the flight crew help you retrieve it from the stowage space.
• Carry medicine or other assistive devices like syringes as a carry-on item.  Passengers, at times, get separated unexpectedly from checked baggage. If you do decide to carry medication or other assistive devices with you on board, the items cannot be counted towards your carry-on baggage limit.
• Bring photocopies of instructions about the assembly and disassembly of wheelchairs and other assistive devices when you access air transportation may be a good idea. You can provide that information to carrier personnel storing or checking your wheelchair or assistive device.

Encounter A Problem?

• If you believe your rights under the Air Carrier Access Act are being or have been violated, ask to speak with a Complaints Resolution Official (CRO). A CRO is the airline’s expert on disability accommodation issues. Airlines are required to make one available to you, at no cost, in person at the airport or by telephone during the times they are operating.

DOT Relaunches Air Consumer Website

Get Daily Travel Tips & Deals!

By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use .

Disabled Travel: Tips and Advice for Travelers with Disabilities

Independent Traveler

Travel Smarter! Sign up for our free newsletter.

Travel by people with disabilities, also known as “disabled travel” or “accessible travel,” is on the rise. The travel industry is waking up to the special needs of travelers with disabilities by providing more services and greater accommodation. Meanwhile, the sheer abundance of information on accessible travel is astounding — much of it generated by travelers with disabilities themselves.

The Americans with Disabilities Act guarantees that travelers with disabilities receive equal treatment under the law. While this would be the case in a perfect world, it doesn’t always work out that way in real life, especially in foreign countries where accessibility regulations vary widely. Despite having common sense, considerable public sentiment and strength in numbers, travelers with disabilities frequently face inadequate facilities, prejudice, misinformation, general hassles and higher prices than other travelers.

Compounding the problem is the fact that there are as many disabilities as there are disabled folks. Each person’s needs are a little different, and traveling in cookie-cutter airline seats, hotel rooms and rental car fleets can be very tricky. The following tips and resources will help disabled travelers and their companions anticipate some of the snags of accessible travel.

Disabled Travel Tips

• Call ahead. Service providers are required by law in many cases to accommodate travelers with special needs. However, most need some time to make the necessary arrangements. Mention your needs at the time of reservation, and call the provider 24 to 48 hours before your arrival to confirm that proper accommodations have been made.
• Be specific and clear when describing a disability. Not all service providers know the “lingo” of accessible travel, or the medical terms for certain conditions. Give as many details as you can about what you can and can’t do, and don’t downplay the severity of the disability. The more information a service provider has, the better they will be able to accommodate you. If they promise you certain accommodations, try to get these promises in writing.
• Be specific and clear when describing the trip to your doctor. A doctor can often prescribe measures for coping with an unusually long flight, limited medical facilities at your destination, the unavailability of prescription drugs and other pitfalls of traveling. Be prepared — in some cases, your doctor may question the advisability of travel.
• Take a doctor’s note and phone number. Travel with a statement from your doctor, preferably on letterhead, covering your condition, medications, potential complications, special needs and other pertinent information. Be sure you have a number where your doctor (or another medical professional) can be reached in an emergency situation at any hour of the day.
• Bring extra medication. Many experts advise that you travel with two complete packages of essential medication in case of emergency. Store all medications and other necessary medical supplies in your carry-on bag.
• Investigate physician availability where you will be traveling. Your doctor, health care provider, insurance company or local embassy can provide the names and contact numbers of physicians at your destination. For more information, see Health Care Abroad .
• Carry medical alert information, preferably in a place that a medical professional or anyone who assists you will find easily (wallet card, necklace, close to your identification).
• Consider using a specialist travel agent. Some agents provide stellar niche services; one might be very experienced in working with travelers with hearing impairments, another with developmentally impaired travelers. Since the requirements for these varied travelers can be staggeringly different, it helps to find someone who knows the ropes. Check the agent search feature at TravelSense.org to find qualified travel agents across the U.S.
• Avoid connecting flights. Although wheelchairs are the last items to be checked into the luggage compartments, and thus first to be pulled off, flying direct can save you unnecessary time and hassle. One exception: If you have trouble maneuvering into airplane lavatories, long flights may become uncomfortable — so a series of shorter flights might be a better option. If you do choose to connect, be sure to allow plenty of time between flights (we’d recommend at least 90 minutes, or two hours if you need to go through customs or security) to get from one gate to the next.
• Allow plenty of time before your flight to check in, get through security and transfer to your gate. Arrive at least two hours before a domestic flight and three hours before an international flight — more if you’re traveling at a peak time.
• Check in with your flight attendant before your plane lands to make a plan for exit.
• Don’t forget about transportation to and from the airport. If you have a wheelchair, make arrangements in advance to have an accessible vehicle pick you up in your destination city.
• Bring spare parts and tools. Wheelchairs can take tremendous abuse while traveling; assemble a small kit of spare parts and tools for emergency repairs. You may also be required to dismantle a wheelchair for certain flights or activities; make sure you and your traveling companions know how to do this.
• Know your rights. Before going through airport security, be aware of the TSA’s rules for travelers with disabilities and medical conditions. See also the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Disability Resource Center .
• Be creative. Reader Dorothy Dean, who has a mobility disability, wrote to us with the following suggestion: “When traveling by car, I can use a bariatric walker in lieu of grab bars in the bathroom. You simply walk it up to the toilet, put it in place against the toilet, turn around, sit down and you have sturdy arms to use for getting up. It’s a little uncomfortable but is fine for travel.” Dean notes that this tip works best with large, sturdy walkers that have hand holds designed to help people rise, not just walk: “I would never use my regular walker to get up from a toilet,” she wrote. (Here’s an example of this type of walker.)

Websites and Resources for Travelers with Disabilities

For more information on traveling with all types of disabilities, check out the websites and other resources below.

• Accessible Journeys : Tour operator for slow walkers, travelers with wheelchairs and their companions
• Accessible Travel Concierge : Concierge who will help you research accessible options and plan your trip
• Accessible Travel Solutions : Company providing accessible tours and other services for travelers with disabilities
• ClubMates Travel : Company that plans trips for travelers with physical and/or intellectual disabilities
• Cruise Critic : Info on cruising with a disability
• DisabledHolidays.com : U.K.-based travel agency for accessible vacations and cruises
• DisabledTravelers.com : Comprehensive listing of accessible travel specialists around the world
• Disabled Traveler’s Guide to the World : Travel tips and destination guides for travelers with disabilities
• Emerging Horizons : News and information for mobility-impaired travelers
• Gimp on the Go : Destination guides, travel tips, photo gallery and resources for travelers with disabilities
• Limitless Travel : U.K.-based company offering accessible tours in Europe
• Sage Traveling : Information for travelers with disabilities on accessible tours/hotels/cruises in Europe
• Travel on the Level : Tips and destination recommendations for travelers looking for less strenuous walking and fewer stairs
• Wheel the World : Listings of accessible accommodations and travel experiences for travelers with disabilities

More from SmarterTravel:

• 7 Safety Tips for Senior Travelers
• Traveling with a Disability: What Are Your Rights?
• Traveling with Dietary Restrictions

Don't Miss a Trip, Tip, or Deal!

Let us do the legwork! Sign up for our free newsletter now.

We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.

Top Fares From

Don't see a fare you like? View all flight deals from your city.

Today's top travel deals.

Brought to you by ShermansTravel

Porto to Lisbon: 7-Nt, Small-Group Portugal...

Indus Travels

Greenland: Luxe, All-Incl. 11-Nt Exploration Small-Ship...

Swan Hellenic

Ohio: Daily Car Rentals from Cincinnati

Trending on SmarterTravel

Planning an accessible trip? These travel resources can help.

Traveling with a disability poses challenges, and more research and planning are required to ensure a safe trip. Unfortunately, not everywhere you go will be accessible to people with disabilities, so picking where you go and when can make all the difference in your trip experience.

There are great tour companies and travel agencies out there that specialize in helping travelers book accessible trips catered to their specific needs. But if you do go the DIY route, there are also resources available to help you research where to book.

Want more travel news and advice from TPG? Sign up for our daily newsletter.

Planning resources

AbleThrive aggregates support resources to help people with disabilities. The site covers multiple topics related to living with a disability, including healthcare, parenting, employment, relationships and, of course, travel.

AccessibleGO

AccessibleGO is a full-service travel platform dedicated to helping people with disabilities make the most out of their travels. They offer articles written by community members who all have first-hand experience traveling with a disability.

You can use their booking tool to search for hotels and cruises that are accessible . You can also book trips through the website, but we recommend booking directly with a hotel or airline generally.

Handiscover

Similar to AccessibleGO, Handiscover allows you to book accessible accommodations. The site uses a unique classification system that lets you filter searches to your specific physical accessibility needs — from being able to walk up only a few flights of stairs to needing fully wheelchair accessible accommodations.

Handiscover also has community-contributed articles on the site to help you plan out your trip from start to finish.

Related: What does accessible travel mean to you?

Tips for planning an accessible trip

The resources listed above all offer content created specifically to help people with disabilities — often with a focus on physical disabilities that impact mobility — plan out trips. But there are also some general tips everyone looking to book an accessible trip should keep in mind when mapping out a getaway.

Use a travel agent or tour company that specializes in accessible travel

Beginner travelers especially should consider taking advantage of tour operators and travel agents that cater to those with disabilities. They'll not only have resources to help make sure your trip fits your specific needs, but you also might get special rates or offers when going through an agency.

Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)

The STEP program is a free government service that notifies you of security updates from the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate while you're abroad. STEP also helps the U.S. embassy better provide assistance during an emergency while you're out of the country.

This tip doesn't only apply to people traveling with disabilities — anyone traveling abroad should sign up — but those who are traveling with physical disabilities can also add relevant information about any mobility limitations.

Call ahead to arrange special assistance

Whether it's a hotel, a cruise or a flight, you should call ahead if you need special assistance. When you book, it's a good idea to call and note if there are any physical limitations you'll need help with — such as boarding a plane with a wheelchair. Also, call again 48 hours before your trip to confirm any assistance arranged at booking, and mention it again at the check-in counter.

Related: Air travel tips for wheelchair users

Research contingency plans before you go

Talk to your doctor before your trip to discuss any specific concerns, get any doctors' notes required for travel and arrange for any medication refills you may need before you go (you'll want to pack more than you need of any medication, and it should go in your carry-on bag for easy access).

Additionally, research the area where you're traveling, and have contact information for doctors' offices, pharmacies and hospitals in case of emergency.

It's also not a bad idea to look into comprehensive travel insurance that includes medical coverage while you're abroad.

Update April 12, 2024

Information for u.s. citizens in the middle east.

• Travel Advisories |
• Contact Us |
• MyTravelGov |

Find U.S. Embassies & Consulates

Travel.state.gov, congressional liaison, special issuance agency, u.s. passports, international travel, intercountry adoption, international parental child abduction, records and authentications, popular links, travel advisories, mytravelgov, stay connected, legal resources, legal information, info for u.s. law enforcement, replace or certify documents, before you go.

Learn About Your Destination

While Abroad

Emergencies

Share this page:

Crisis and Disaster Abroad: Be Ready

What the Department of State Can and Can't Do in a Crisis

Information for U.S. Citizens about a U.S. Government-Assisted Evacuation

Traveler's Checklist

Safety and Security Messaging

Best Practices for Traveler Safety

Staying Connected

Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)

Traveler Information

LGBTQI+ Travelers

Adventure Travel

High-Risk Area Travelers

Travelers with Dual Nationality

Journalist Travelers

Faith-Based Travelers

Pilgrimage Travelers (Hajj and Umrah)

U.S. Students Abroad

Cruise Ship Passengers

Women Travelers

Travelers with Disabilities

Older Travelers

U.S. Volunteers Abroad

Travelers with Pets

Travelers With Firearms

Travel Agents

Travel Safety - Race and Ethnicity

U.S. Travelers in Europe's Schengen Area

Your Health Abroad

Insurance Coverage Overseas

Driving and Road Safety Abroad

Customs and Import Restrictions

Information for U.S. Citizens in Russia – Travel Options Out of Russia

Lodging Safety

Research Your Destination

Each country has its own laws regarding discrimination against and accessibility for persons with disabilities.  Before you travel, visit  travel.state.gov/destination . Find information for travelers with disabilities in the  Local Laws & Special Circumstances  section .  In some countries, there is little to no requirement for accessibility.  

Know Before You Go

Preparing  for your trip is critical:

• Talk to your travel agent, hotel, airline, or cruise ship company. Learn about  services including accessible accommodations and travel during your trip and at your destination. Ask them about rules for traveling with a service animal. Ask about any other rules for assistive devices on various modes of transport.
• Call the  Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) helpline at  855-787-2227  (toll-free). They may assist if you need help with the security screening process. You can also check TSA’s website,  TSA Cares . They can answer questions about screening policies, procedures, and security checkpoints.
• Check websites such as  Mobility International USA  to find  overseas disability organizations. See more links below.
• Check out the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program. It’s in 230+ airports and helps travelers who have hidden disabilities. Travelers wear the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyard or related aid. These can be found at information desks of participating airports. By wearing them, travelers alert staff that they may need help. More information can be found on the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower website.
• Read Section 6 of the State Department's annual  Human Rights Report . Find information about the  human rights and social service framework.  It governs the rights of individuals with disabilities in your destination country. 
• Check on the help services available that are provided at your destination airport. 

Service Animals

Before traveling, you should research  taking a service animal abroad :

• Check the Country Information Page for the country you are going to visit. Look for information on legal   limits, access issues, or cultural norms. They may affect travel with your service animal.
• Find out about any  quarantine, vaccination, or documentation  requirements. Research these for your destination country. Research this also for any countries you will travel through.
• Talk with your vet  about tips for traveling with your service animal.
• Make sure your  hotel  will accommodate your service animal. 
• Confirm with your airline what its requirement are.
• View Mobility International USA’s  tip sheet  for Service Dogs and International Travel.

Assistive Devices and Equipment

Research whether the airline follows  specific rules for your assistive devices and equipment. These may include wheelchairs, portable machines, batteries, respirators, and oxygen . You could be required either to take such items only as checked baggage, or only as carry-ons.  Security screening in the departing and arriving airports may also have specific rules for such equipment.  

• Research if there are  wheelchair and/or medical equipment providers at your destination. Also check if there are repair services there.
• Check on any rules about wheelchairs. This includes the type, like manual vs. power , and other devices like scooters. Bring extra supplies as wheelchair tires, tubes, and patch kits may not be available at your destination
• Always gate check your wheelchair and keep the receipt. 
• Have information about your equipment at hand.  This includes its make and model and type of battery used, if any.  
• Check airline policies on damaged equipment and how long it may take for replacement.
• Check the voltage  of electricity at your destination and the voltage of the power wheelchair. You may need a converter.
• Check the type of electrical  plug and outlets at your destination . Consider bringing an adaptor if needed.
• Consider the reliability of the electrical system  at your destination, 24/7
• Bring extra batteries for devices such as hearing aids.
• Consider bringing a portable external charger for equipment such as communication devices.

Medical Consideration

Check with your physician  before traveling overseas. Understand what health care you may need during your trip. Your health insurance plan may not provide coverage overseas. We strongly recommend  supplemental medical insurance and medical evacuation plans . Remember that U.S. Medicare / Medicaid does not provide coverage overseas. Private health insurance plans may not cover claims. If they do, they may require you to pay costs directly before getting reimbursed.

• Visit our webpage  Your Health Abroad .
•  Visit the  Travelers’ Health page  of the Centers for Disease Control website.
• Carry medical alert information and emergency contacts. Also, bring a  letter from your health care provider. The letter   should describe your medical condition, allergies, medications, potential complications, and other important information.
• Carry sufficient  prescription medication  to last your entire trip. Bring extra medicine in case of delays.  Some prescription medications that are legal in the United States are illegal in other countries . Visit  travel.state.gov/destination  to make sure your medication is legal.
• Always carry your prescriptions in their labeled containers, not in a pill pack. 
• Pack medications in your carry-on luggage. Do not pack medication in checked luggage, which can be lost or delayed.
• If you medication requires refrigeration, consider how to transport it. For example, use an insulated bag. Request a hotel room with a small refrigerator.
• Consider bringing extra supplies. For example, incontinence supplies, diabetes test strips, and hearing aid batteries may not be available at your destination. 
• Find out the type of medical services, hospitals, and urgent care facilities at your destination. This may include dialysis centers. 
• Check out Mobility International USA’s  tip sheet  on health coverage while overseas.

Communications

While some airports have real-time alerts appearing on screens, not all have this feature. If you need real-time information related to your travel, sign up for alerts with your airline. Check with your airline’s service desk. You can get up-to-date information like gate changes, delays, and cancellations.

Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program  ( STEP ) to receive security messages. It also makes it easier for the U.S. embassy or consulate to reach you in an emergency.

Useful Links

• Airline Passengers with Disabilities Bill of Rights . This describes the rights of air travelers with disabilities under the Air Carrier Access Act and its implementing regulation, 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 382.
• Traveling with a Disability . U.S. Department of Transportation material and information for passengers with disabilities.
• Guidance on the Transport of Mobility Aids . IATA guidance on the issues identified and where feasible, to improve the safe transportation of mobility aids.
• Mobility International USA. Disability-related material and information.
• Disabled Travelers. Disability-related travel information.
• Society for Accessible Travel and Hospitality. Disability-related travel information .
• European Network for Accessible Tourism Disability-related travel information for European cities.Disability-related travel information for European cities.

This site is managed by the U.S. Department of State. External links to other Internet sites and listings of private entities on this page are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as the U.S. Department of State or U.S. government endorsement of the entity, its views, the products or services it provides, or the accuracy of information contained therein. The order in which names appear has no significance, and the listings or links may be removed at any time at the discretion of the Department.

Enroll in STEP

Subscribe to get up-to-date safety and security information and help us reach you in an emergency abroad.

Recommended Web Browsers: Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome.

Learn about your destination

Make two copies of all of your travel documents in case of emergency, and leave one with a trusted friend or relative.

External Link

You are about to leave travel.state.gov for an external website that is not maintained by the U.S. Department of State.

Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U.S. Department of State of the views or products contained therein. If you wish to remain on travel.state.gov, click the "cancel" message.

You are about to visit:

• Best Extended Auto Warranty
• Best Used Car Warranty
• Best Car Warranty Companies
• CarShield Reviews
• Best Auto Loan Rates
• Average Auto Loan Interest Rates
• Best Auto Refinance Rates
• Bad Credit Auto Loans
• Best Auto Shipping Companies
• How To Ship a Car
• Car Shipping Cost Calculator
• Montway Auto Transport Reviews
• Best Car Buying Apps
• Best Websites To Sell Your Car Online
• CarMax Review
• Carvana Reviews
• Best LLC Service
• Best Registered Agent Service
• Best Trademark Service
• Best Online Legal Services
• Best CRMs for Small Business
• Best CRM Software
• Best CRM for Real Estate
• Best Marketing CRM
• Best CRM for Sales
• Best Free Time Tracking Apps
• Best HR Software
• Best Payroll Services
• Best HR Outsourcing Services
• Best HRIS Software
• Best Personal Loans
• Best Fast Personal Loans
• Best Debt Consolidation Loans
• Best Personal Loans for Bad Credit
• Best Personal Loans for Fair Credit
• Home Equity
• Best Home Equity Loan Rates
• Best Home Equity Loans
• Best Checking Accounts
• Best Free Checking Accounts
• Best Online Checking Accounts
• Best Online Banks
• Bank Account Bonuses
• Best High-Yield Savings Accounts
• Best Savings Accounts
• Average Savings Account Interest Rate
• Money Market Accounts
• Best CD Rates
• Best 3-Month CD Rates
• Best 6-Month CD Rates
• Best 1-Year CD Rates
• Best 5-Year CD Rates
• Best Jumbo CD Rates of April 2024
• Best Hearing Aids
• Best OTC Hearing Aids
• Most Affordable Hearing Aids
• Eargo Hearing Aids Review
• Best Medical Alert Systems
• Best Medical Alert Watches
• Best Medical Alert Necklaces
• Are Medical Alert Systems Covered by Insurance?
• Best Online Therapy
• Best Online Therapy Platforms That Take Insurance
• Best Online Psychiatrist Platforms
• BetterHelp Review
• Best Mattress
• Best Mattress for Side Sleepers
• Best Mattress for Back Pain
• Best Adjustable Beds
• Best Home Warranty Companies
• American Home Shield Review
• First American Home Warranty Review
• Best Home Appliance Insurance
• Best Moving Companies
• Best Interstate Moving Companies
• Best Long-Distance Moving Companies
• Cheap Moving Companies
• Best Window Replacement Companies
• Best Gutter Guards
• Gutter Installation Costs
• Best Window Brands
• Best Solar Companies
• Best Solar Panels
• How Much Do Solar Panels Cost?
• Solar Calculator
• Best Car Insurance Companies
• Cheapest Car Insurance Companies
• Best Car Insurance for New Drivers
• Same-day Car Insurance
• Best Pet Insurance
• Pet Insurance Cost
• Cheapest Pet Insurance
• Pet Wellness Plans
• Best Life Insurance
• Best Term Life Insurance
• Best Whole Life Insurance
• Term vs. Whole Life Insurance
• Best Travel Insurance Companies
• Best Homeowners Insurance Companies
• Best Renters Insurance Companies
• Best Motorcycle Insurance

Partner content:  This content was created by a business partner of Dow Jones, independent of the MarketWatch newsroom. Links in this article may result in us earning a commission.  Learn More

A Guide To Accessible Travel for People with Disabilities (2024)

Bradford Cuthrell is a meticulous researcher and writer specializing in pet and home finance topics. He’s surveyed thousands of pet owners and homeowners, listened to hundreds of customer service calls from various home service companies and spoken with dozens of industry experts to understand homeowners’ common pain points and needs.

Tori Addison is an editor who has worked in the digital marketing industry for over five years. Her experience includes communications and marketing work in the nonprofit, governmental and academic sectors. A journalist by trade, she started her career covering politics and news in New York’s Hudson Valley. Her work included coverage of local and state budgets, federal financial regulations and health care legislation.

Traveling is an enriching experience that can bring a sense of freedom and excitement as you experience the thrill of exploring new cultures, landscapes and foods. However, for individuals with disabilities, this thrill can also be accompanied by distinct challenges.

When traveling with a disability, each new experience requires attention to detail where accessibility, convenience and safety become paramount. This guide provides insights on strategies for traveling the globe with a disability.

To aid you on this journey, we’ve consulted with two experts:

• Dr. Kwangsoo Park, Associate Dean of the College of Business and Director of the White Lodging School of Hospitality and Tourism Management at Purdue University Northwest
• Dr. Stefanie Benjamin, Associate Professor of Retail, Hospitality and Tourism Management at the University of Tennessee Knoxville

These experts will provide valuable guidance on how to navigate the travel experience for people with disabilities.

Source: Adobe Stock

Why Trust MarketWatch Guides

Our editorial team follows a comprehensive methodology for rating and reviewing travel insurance companies. Advertisers have no effect on our rankings.

Companies Reviewed

Quotes Collected

Rating Factors

Planning Your Trip

Researching your desired destinations and familiarizing yourself with accessibility and disability rights can help you advocate for yourself and enable your needs to be met wherever you decide to go.

“People with disabilities should ensure that their travel destination and accommodations are accessible, taking into account their specific needs. Despite efforts by companies and governments to enforce reasonable accommodations, there are still places that lack adequate facilities for individuals with certain disabilities,” Dr. Park said.

In the planning stages, it can be helpful to look into special protections or services available for individuals with disabilities at airports, such as designated assistance services, to ensure an itinerary that allows you to accomplish your travel goals.

Following these planning steps can help make your trip as accessible and enjoyable as possible.

Plan Your Trip Backward

Before you start planning, it can help to first determine desired activities at your selected destination. By doing so, you can make sure the places you want to visit and the activities you wish to engage in are easily accessible.

When researching, seek out resources specifically dedicated to your unique community for trustworthy information on accessible-friendly guided tours, how to access tourist attractions and other valuable details. By utilizing comprehensive resources, you can plan a trip that caters to your needs and create an enjoyable and inclusive travel experience.

Make Reservations that Ensure Accessibility

After conducting thorough research on the accessibility of your chosen destination, the next step is to make reservations.

“Depending on the disability — lots of planning is involved when traveling. Always consider and understand that not every destination is the same,” Dr. Stefanie Benjamin said.

Take the time to explore and identify accommodations, such as hotels, tours and excursions, that offer specialized accessibility features as this will make your travel experience more seamless. Consider factors such as transportation options, and book airline, bus or train tickets with companies that prioritize and cater to accessibility needs.

Proactively considering these aspects and making reservations with accessibility at the forefront of planning can offer peace of mind in knowing your trip will be free from any last-minute accessibility-related concerns.

Research Protective Measures for Traveling

In the realm of travel, unpredictability will occasionally arise, making it important to consider protective measures for your safety and well-being. One of the most common precautions to consider is obtaining comprehensive travel insurance . This type of insurance covers unforeseen circumstances while traveling, including trip cancellations, unexpected medical emergencies or misplaced luggage, among other incidents. By securing adequate travel insurance, you can rest assured in knowing you have financial protection against potential trip hurdles.

It’s also important to note and be aware of the special protections that airports offer to individuals with disabilities. Airports provide equal access and comfortable travel experiences with accessible parking spaces, restrooms with features like grab bars and trained staff to assist passengers. Other examples include alternative screening procedures and private screenings, the ability to bring medical equipment and mobility aids onboard the plane, and other assistance programs like wheelchair assistance and transportation.

Before you fly, familiarize yourself with the protective resources available at the departure and arrival airports by either contacting each location or checking online for a list of services. These special protections are there to ensure that individuals with disabilities can travel with safety, comfort and dignity.

Packing Tips

While packing for your trip, consider items and equipment that will help support your needs while traveling. Airlines are not allowed to charge for transporting mobility equipment like wheelchairs and generally accept service dogs to support accessible travel.

Here is a table outlining several essential items to pack:

By considering these and any other specific items based on your needs, you can be well-prepared for any trip and have the necessary support and comfort throughout your journey.

Navigating the Airport

When traveling by air, navigating the airport can be a challenge, especially for individuals with disabilities or mobility impairments. However, careful planning and preparation can combat the anxieties involved and create a stress-free experience.

Checking Bags and Other Items

Before heading to the airport, familiarize yourself with the policies and procedures for checking bags and other items. Getting to the airport early is always recommended to allow sufficient time for check-in and security screening. “Arriving earlier than told is key,” Benjamin added.

If you require any assistance, such as checking wheelchairs or other assistive devices, it is advisable to call ahead and inform the airline of your specific needs . If you are worried about your bags getting lost during transit, consider buying baggage coverage to protect your belongings.

Getting Through Security, Boarding and Deplaning

Security procedures can be quite daunting, but there are several ways to make the process easier. Similar to checking bags, it is advisable to inform the airport and TSA in advance of any accommodations or assistance you require. TSA Cares is a program designed to assist travelers with disabilities or medical conditions when it comes to getting through security, boarding and deplaning. Additionally, traveling with a companion can provide that extra layer of support throughout your journey.

To expedite the security screening processes, consider applying for TSA Precheck to evade long lines and wait times. Looking ahead at airport maps can help you locate accessible restrooms and food options that meet your dietary restrictions and know what to expect. When it comes to getting to your gate, you can file a ride request from airport staff to save you time and energy. Lastly, contacting your airline in advance to arrange for assistance during boarding and deplaning can help facilitate the assistance you need.

Safety Tips While Traveling at the Airport

Navigating the airport can be a manageable process if you plan ahead and are aware of the available resources and accommodations. While traveling, it is important to prioritize safety and to be aware of your rights and accessibility laws.

Mobility-impaired individuals are often targeted by thieves, so it is crucial to keep your bags close at all times. “While this situation can occur for anyone, it’s advisable to keep important documents and valuables secure. I would strongly recommend that people with disabilities carry a list of emergency contacts, including local authorities and embassy/consulate information,” Park said.

If necessary, consider using a money belt or travel wallet to hide your valuables on your person. By taking these simple precautions, you can minimize the risk of becoming a victim of theft.

Enjoying Your Destination

Traveling to new destinations can be an exciting and fulfilling experience. It allows you to immerse yourself in different cultures, explore new sights and create lasting memories. However, while enjoying your travels, it is important to prioritize your safety and remain aware of your surroundings. By empowering yourself with knowledge and taking certain precautions, you can make the most of your travel while ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey.

How To Make the Most of Your Travel

Making the most of your travel may require you to embrace certain strategies, such as researching and planning ahead for accessible destinations. To maximize your experience, it is recommended to replicate your home routine as much as possible to maintain familiarity and comfort. When it comes to outings and adventures, pace yourself and allow for relaxation to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

Since additional amenities can enhance your overall travel experience, see if you can take advantage of perks and benefits from memberships or credit cards, such as access to airport lounges and travel upgrades.

Safety Tips While At Your Destination

By implementing these strategies, you can enhance your travel experience, ensure your safety and navigate your destination more effectively. A major safety tip to protect yourself financially in the event of unforeseen medical emergencies is to obtain comprehensive travel medical insurance . Next, to enjoy the trip experience, it’s a good idea to learn basic local phrases to facilitate communication and ask for help when needed. Additionally, carry an accessibility card to effectively communicate your specific needs if possible.

Organizations that Help People with Disabilities While Traveling

There are several organizations dedicated to supporting individuals with disabilities while traveling. Here are a few examples:

• The Disabled Travelers Guide offers comprehensive resources and information for travelers with disabilities. Its website provides guides on accessible destinations, travel tips, and a forum where users can share their experiences and advice.
• The Society for Accessible Travel and Hospitality (SATH) is an organization working to promote accessibility and inclusivity in the travel and hospitality industry. It provides resources, training and advocacy for individuals with disabilities, ensuring they have equal access to travel opportunities.
• Accessible Travel Solutions specializes in providing accessible travel planning services for individuals with disabilities. It offers customized itineraries, accommodations research and transportation arrangements tailored to specific accessibility needs.
• The National Center on Disability and Access to Education (NCDAE) focuses on ensuring equal access to education for individuals with disabilities. While its primary focus is education, its website provides valuable information on accessible technology, accommodations and beneficial resources for disabled travelers.

These organizations are dedicated to empowering individuals with disabilities to explore the world with confidence. Each offers valuable resources and advocacy to enhance the travel experience for disabled individuals.

While traveling with disabilities can present its own set of challenges, there are ways to keep those challenges from interfering with your trip. With proactive trip research, good planning and resource utilization, individuals with disabilities can experience inclusive travel opportunities to create lasting trip memories.

Our Experts

• Dr. Kwangsoo Park holds the position of Associate Dean in the College of Business and is the Director of the White Lodging School of Hospitality and Tourism Management at Purdue University Northwest. His research focuses on enhancing services for people with disabilities and their families in the hospitality and tourism sector. Dr. Park’s primary goal is to reduce biases associated with disabilities and improve service quality for all consumers, irrespective of their disability status.
• Dr. Stefanie Benjamin serves as an Associate Professor of Retail, Hospitality, and Tourism Management at the University of Tennessee Knoxville. Her research interests revolve around social equity and critical tourism scholarship, with a specific focus on the experiences and narratives of marginalized populations. She is committed to promoting social advocacy and amplifying underrepresented voices in the tourism field through research, education and practice. As a certified qualitative researcher, she employs various methodologies, such as collective storytelling and ethnography, to explore these areas. Dr. Benjamin is also involved in content tourism research and offers improvisational theater workshops to enhance empathetic listening and creative skill development.

You are using an outdated browser. Upgrade your browser today or install Google Chrome Frame to better experience this site.

Traveling with a Disability

If you have a disability and are considering international travel, a little advance planning can help you to see the world and return home safe and healthy.

Make an appointment with your healthcare provider or a travel health specialist  that takes place at least one month before you leave. They can help you get destination-specific vaccines, medicines, and information. Discussing your health concerns, itinerary, and planned activities with your provider allows them to give more specific advice and recommendations.

Get travel insurance.  Find out if your health insurance covers medical care abroad. Travelers are usually responsible for paying hospital and other medical expenses out of pocket at most destinations. Make sure you have a plan to  get care overseas , in case you need it. Consider buying  additional insurance  that covers health care and emergency evacuation, especially if you will be traveling to remote areas.

Enroll with the Department of State’s  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program  (STEP) . Check for and monitor any travel advisories for your destination. Enrolling also ensures that the  US Department of State  knows where you are if you have serious legal, medical, or financial difficulties while traveling. In the event of an emergency at home, STEP can also help friends and family contact you.

Prepare a  travel health kit  with items you may need, especially those items that may be difficult to find at your destination. Include your prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines in your travel health kit and take enough to last your entire trip, plus extra in case of travel delays. Depending on your destination you may also want to pack a mask ,  insect repellent , sunscreen (SPF15 or higher), aloe, alcohol-based hand sanitizer, water disinfection tablets, and your health insurance card.

Carry your medical alert information and a letter from your health care professional describing any medical conditions, medications, and potential complications.

Research the availability of wheelchairs and other medical equipment. Consider renting a wheelchair and any medical equipment at your destination. Websites such as  Mobility International USA  and the  European Network for Accessible Tourism  provide information on overseas medical equipment providers. 

Considerations for Air Travel

U.S. airlines and flights to or from the United States on a foreign carrier must provide all travelers with the same travel opportunities, regardless of disability, unless doing so would endanger the health or safety of other passengers and crew.

Some airlines may require up to 48 hours advance notice and 1-hour advance check-in for certain accommodations. Check with your airline for more information. Airlines are required to provide people with disabilities access to the aircraft, an aisle seat, and a seat with a removable armrest.

If you plan to fly within a foreign country or between countries while abroad, the regulations above might not apply. Check with the airline to find out what accommodations it makes for people with disabilities.

The U.S. Department of Transportation has a toll-free hotline, 800-778-4838 (voice) or 800-455-9880 (TTY), for more information about the rights of air travelers with disabilities. Also, check federal relay 711 or the Transportation Security Administration’s website  for answers to questions about screening policies, procedures, and checkpoints. Find out if there are specific policies for devices such as wheelchairs, portable machines, batteries, respirators, and oxygen.

Considerations for Cruise Ship Travel

Most cruise ships can accommodate travelers with disabilities. Check with the cruise line before booking to make sure any accommodations you’ll need are available, such as medical oxygen or a wheelchair. Some cruises cater to travelers with special needs, such as patients on dialysis.

Traveling with Service Animals

Most airlines allow a trained service animal to accompany a qualified individual with a disability. Be sure to check with your airline to ensure that your service animal meets the airline’s requirements, including necessary documentation. Service animals may not be allowed to enter all countries and are subject to animal importation regulations, such as quarantine regulations. Your service animal will also be subject to  US animal import regulations  when flying to the United States. Prior to traveling with your service animal, find out what documents and testing may be required to enter another country and return to the United States.

• Contact the US embassy or consulate of the destination country for information on possible restrictions for service animals and any quarantine, vaccination, and documentation requirements.
• Consult a veterinarian prior to your trip and ask about tips for traveling with service animals.
• Contact destination hotels to make sure they will allow service animals.

After Travel

If you traveled and feel sick, particularly if you have a fever, talk to a healthcare provider and tell them about your travel. 

If you need medical care abroad, see Getting Health Care During Travel .

More Information

• CDC Yellow Book: Travelers with Disabilities
• Society for Accessible Travel and Hospitality
• Mobility International USA
• Traveling with a Disability—Aviation Consumer Protection (US Department of Transportation)
• Travelers with Disabilities and Medical Conditions (Transportation Security Administration)
• International Association for Medical Assistance for Travellers (IAMAT)
• European Network for Accessible Tourism

File Formats Help:

• Adobe PDF file
• Microsoft PowerPoint file
• Microsoft Word file
• Microsoft Excel file
• Audio/Video file
• Apple Quicktime file
• RealPlayer file
• Zip Archive file

Exit Notification / Disclaimer Policy

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website.
• Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.
• You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link.
• CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website.

• Skip to main content
• Skip to site information

Language selection

Help us to improve our website. Take our survey !

Travelling with disabilities

Accessibility standards can vary greatly from one country to another.  Many countries do not have facilities to provide access to people in wheelchairs or provide services for those with hearing, visual, or other disabilities.

Contact your destination country’s embassy or consulate in Canada to find out about the services available for travellers with disabilities there.

If you hold a valid accessible parking permit in Canada, it may be used in any member country of the  International Transport Forum  (ITF). Check with local authorities if you can use it in a country that is not a member of the ITF. 

Travel by air

Check the websites of your airline and the airport at your destination to find out what services are available to travellers with disabilities.

Plan your flight 

Booking your flight

Make sure your airline is aware of your needs so it can help ensure your safety and comfort. You may want to ask about services or conditions such as: 

• restrictions on the types of oxygen devices
• limits on the number and types of batteries for mobility aids
• help with transporting a battery-operated wheelchair or mobility aid
• making a special declaration of interest to qualify for reimbursement if your mobility aid is damaged in transit  

Consulting your doctor

Ask if you will need to take precautions during your trip, and:

• check if you will need a physical search if it’s not safe for you to be near metal detectors
• find out if you need a prescription to bring some medication sold over the counter in Canada into other countries, including the United States

Packing medication

Pack your medication in your carry-on baggage and always bring documentation that supports your medical condition.

• prescription medication should have your name on clearly identified labels
• liquid restrictions do not apply to prescription medication, but the medication must be given to the screening officer separately from your carry-on baggage
• Travelling with a service animal

If you are travelling outside Canada, there may be rules and restrictions related to travelling with a service animal, including:

• quarantine or permit requirements in your destination country
• international health certificate and/or proof of vaccination
• different requirements for emotional support animals

Keep any required documentation for your service animal with you at all times while you are visiting foreign countries.

At the airport

Don’t hesitate to ask your airline for help with your mobility aids and carry-on items.

Security screening

When you arrive at the security checkpoint, let the screening officer know about any mobility, vision, hearing, speech, medical, or other needs. Screening options are available for most passengers with special needs:

• family or special needs security lines, if available. Screening officers at these lines are trained to offer additional assistance.
• screening with a hand-held metal detector or full body scanner instead of walking through a metal detector
• private search rooms for undergoing a physical search
• remaining seated while screening officers visually inspect your wheelchair or scooter, or perform explosive trace detection swabs of the cushion

If someone is helping you through the pre-boarding screening process , but is not boarding a flight, they will need a gate pass or authorization from the airline’s check-in counter. They must pass through the same security screening as other passengers.

Boarding gate

When you arrive at the gate, take advantage of priority boarding services. If you have difficulty carrying your carry-on baggage, ask an airline staff member for help when your boarding pass is issued at check-in.

Accessible transportation in Canada

The Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) creates accessibility regulations, codes of practice and guidelines to protect the fundamental human right of persons with disabilities to accessible transportation services in Canada.

If you have a complaint about accessibility and can’t resolve it directly with the transportation service provider, the CTA can help you resolve it through facilitation, mediation or adjudication.

The CTA  Accessible Transportation  website includes:

• information related to the Accessible Transportation for Persons with Disabilities Regulations
• information on the carriage of mobility aids on planes, trains and ferries
• publications and checklists to help you plan a trip that meets your accessibility requirements, including Take Charge of Your Travel: A Guide for Travellers with Disabilities
• frequently asked questions on accessible transportation
• list of accessible transportation links
• Travelling with a medical device
• Travelling with medication
• In-flight safety
• International Transport Forum
• Special Needs (Canadian Air Transport Security Authority)
• Travelling with a disability (Canada Border Services Agency)

Cookies on GOV.UK

We use some essential cookies to make this website work.

We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services.

We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.

You have accepted additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

You have rejected additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

• Driving and transport
• Parking, public transport and the environment

Apply for a disabled person's bus pass

Contact your local council to find out who issues disabled bus passes in your area as part of the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme. You’re eligible for a disabled person’s pass if you live in England and are ‘eligible disabled’.

Find a postcode on Royal Mail's postcode finder

What you need to know

• Available in England only

Get more information about a disabled person’s bus pass in:

• Northern Ireland

Related content

Is this page useful.

• Yes this page is useful
• No this page is not useful

Help us improve GOV.UK

Don’t include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details.

To help us improve GOV.UK, we’d like to know more about your visit today. We’ll send you a link to a feedback form. It will take only 2 minutes to fill in. Don’t worry we won’t send you spam or share your email address with anyone.

• Renew my Railcard
• Manage my Railcard

The official retailer of Railcards by National Rail

Get 1/3 off adult train travel with a Disabled Persons Railcard

Buy now renew my railcard.

How much can I save?

People with a Disabled Persons Railcard  save on average £105 per year** , or  £4.4 per journey^ . If you’re travelling here’s an example of some of the savings you can make on train tickets:

Railcard price

Get special offers and rewards from our partners

Free Luxury Sleep Set (Worth £31)

Virgin Wines

£50 to spend at Virgin Wines plus FREE delivery & FREE Stemless Wine Glasses!

As a Railcard holder treat yourself to a 3‐month tastecard membership for free today!

How does using a Railcard work?

Get your Railcard

Buy your discounted train tickets

Have your Railcard with you when you travel

Eligibility and terms of use

• Buy a Railcard and keep it with you when you travel (on your phone or wallet)
• Save on most tickets including Advance tickets
• Valid for you and one adult companion

Read full eligibility and usage terms

Need help getting or using your Railcard?

Need help? Can't figure out what card to buy? Or just have a question?

How do I apply for a Disabled Persons Railcard online?

Please click on 'Buy Now' on the website homepage and follow the instructions on the screen. You will need to provide proof of your disability to verify your eligibility online and a digital passport-style photo if you have selected ‘Digital’ under ‘Choose the type of Railcard you would like’ section. You can check if you are eligible here .

Once your online payment has been successfully processed you will receive an email confirmation and acknowledgement of your application (this confirmation cannot be used to buy discounted tickets). Please allow up to 5 working days for your Railcard application to be reviewed and approved.

If you have purchased a plastic Railcard, please allow 5 working days for delivery in addition to the 5 working days for your Railcard application review. You can choose to pay for Special Delivery, but you will have to place your order before 15:45pm to guarantee that your Railcard is delivered within two days (Monday to Thursday) or three days (Friday to Sunday).

If you have purchased a digital Disabled Persons Railcard, it will be available to use straight away. A download code will be sent to your registered email address, along with instructions on how to download your Railcard.  Please also allow up to 5 working days for your Railcard application to be reviewed and approved.

Can I use my Railcard for tickets for travel on the London Underground?

With your Disabled Persons Railcard, you and an adult companion can get 1/3 off Anytime Day Travelcard when bought as part of your journey to London from outside London Zones 1-9 (subject to a minimum fare which is currently £19.60). Please note that your adult companion or the adult accompanying person must travel with you for the whole journey in order for them to also get the discount.

You can also get your Disabled Persons Railcard discount loaded onto your Oyster card to save 1/3 on single peak or off-peak pay as you go fares on London Underground and Docklands Light Railway services in London. You will need to have registered your Oyster in your name to do this. Simply take your Oyster card and a valid Disabled Persons Railcard to a London Underground station and ask a member of staff to set the discount for you. You can also get the discount set at Oyster Ticket Shops and Visitor Centres.

Please note that Oyster pay as you go discounts are for the Disabled Persons Railcard holder only.

If the Disabled Persons Railcard holder is travelling on a Disabled Person's Freedom Pass, they cannot use their Disabled Persons Railcard to buy a discounted ticket for an adult accompanying person.

See the Transport for London website for more details on Oyster pay as you go.

How do I submit evidence of eligibility if I am applying online?

Please click on 'Buy Now' on the website homepage to get started. When you get to the ‘Upload proof disability documentation’ page, please click on ‘Choose file’ to select the evidence of eligibility document on your device then click ‘Upload’ and follow the instruction on the screen to continue with your purchase.

Files need to be provided in JPEG or PDF format with a maximum individual file size of 4MB. If you are using the mobile site, files can only be provided in JPEG format.

Can I use my Railcard on Eurostar services?

Eurostar does not provide domestic rail services in Great Britain and so (unlike domestic train operating companies) it is not required to accept Railcards as part of its franchise to operate services. Eurostar does, however, give discounts to customers who have to remain in a wheelchair for the duration of the journey. For more information, see the Eurostar website .

• Renew my Railcard
• Manage my Railcard

1/3 off rail fares

For you and a friend., disabled persons railcard, what is the disabled persons railcard.

Get 1/3 off with a Disabled Persons Railcard for travel on the National Rail network in Great Britain. If there is another adult travelling with you, they can also get 1/3 off their rail fare. You can use your rail card to get discounts any time of day.

Where can I buy the Disabled Persons Railcard?

You can buy the Disabled Persons Railcard here online.

How much can I save with the Disabled Persons Railcard?

The Disabled Persons Railcard costs just £20 so after just a few trips, the card will have paid for itself. Alternatively, you can get a 3-year Railcard for just £54, saving you £6 on the price of three 1-year Railcards.

Where and When Can I Use the Disabled Persons Railcard?

The Disabled Persons Railcard gives up to 1/3 off rail travel in Great Britain and there are no time restrictions on when you can travel .  Please visit https://www.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk/using-your-railcard/the-benefits/ to find out more.

Savings Calculator

Concessionary travel

Cheaper travel with the National Entitlement Card scheme.

100 million free bus journeys made by under 22s

More than 100 million free bus journeys have been made since the Scottish Government introduced free bus travel for under 22s.

Our concessionary travel schemes make getting about easier and cheaper for people in Scotland. And by making more sustainable travel choices easier to access, we can help to tackle the climate emergency as well.

Over 2 million people across Scotland can travel for free by bus, and eligible islands residents can access free ferry vouchers too.

Find out more about the free and discounted travel on offer.

Under 22s free bus travel

Young people and children in Scotland who are aged 5-21 can apply for a card to access free bus travel.

60+ or disabled free bus travel

People in Scotland who are aged 60 and over, and disabled people who meet the eligibility criteria can apply for a card to access free bus travel.

Ferry vouchers

Eligible islands residents who have a National Entitlement Card can get two free return ferry journeys to the mainland each year.

Other concessionary travel and discounts

Find out about other concessionary travel schemes and discounted travel in Scotland.

The Transport Scot Pass Collect app

Find out more about the Transport Scot Pass Collect app and how to use it.

Reporting misuse

How to report concerns about misuse of the concessionary travel schemes for investigation.

Getting and using your card

How to apply.

• Apply online at getyournec.scot
• Find contact details to apply through your local council

Using your card

• Find out about using your NEC on other transport modes

Help with travelling

• Find out more about the Thistle Assistance Card

Concessionary travel and smart ticketing privacy policy

Our concessionary travel and smart ticketing privacy policy outlines how we use, store and share the personal information we hold about you in connection with our national concessionary travel schemes.

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock A locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

TSA Cares: Screening Travelers on the Autism Spectrum

Are you or someone you know on the Autism Spectrum and preparing for a flight? Watch and learn what to expect during airport security screening if you or someone you know have communication, social interaction and/or sensory sensitivities. TSA Cares is a helpline that provides travelers with disabilities, medical conditions and other special circumstances additional assistance during the security screening process. Call 72 hours prior to your travel at (855) 787-2227 or federal relay 711 on weekdays, 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET and weekends/holidays, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET. For more information on travel and to print your own notification card to present to the TSA officer for accommodations during security screening, visit tsa.gov.

Best no annual fee travel credit cards of April 2024

Fortune Recommends™ has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Fortune Recommends™ and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.  

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.  

Travel rewards cards are a lot like gyms. The best ones may come with tons of added benefits (saunas, yoga class, etc.) but they also cost a lot, usually with a big financial commitment upfront. 

As a result, whether you’re considering a Chase Sapphire Preferred ® Card (with its $95 annual fee) or a CrossFit membership, you probably have the same question on your mind: will I really use it enough to justify paying for it? 

While there aren’t any free gyms we know of, there thankfully are plenty of no-annual-fee travel rewards cards that require essentially zero commitment. And just like an ab roller or a Richard Simmons DVD, you can simply use them a few times, forget about them, and put them in a drawer until beach season. Or, you can stick with it and make them part of your daily routine—whatever works for you.

You’re also far more likely to see “instant results” with these cards, too. From 100,000-point welcome bonuses to rewards for paying rent, free travel insurance to 3X on gas, these cards offer way more than you’d expect for a fee of $0 per year. 

The best no-annual-fee travel cards for April 2024

Best overall: bilt mastercard, best for hotel rewards: ihg one rewards traveler credit card, best for airline rewards: united gateway℠ card, best for travel earnings: wells fargo autograph℠ card, best for flat-rate earnings: capital one ventureone rewards credit card.

The Bilt Mastercard allows you to earn points from paying rent and transfer them 1:1 to well over a dozen different travel partners including United MileagePlus and Marriott Bonvoy. Toss in some surprisingly robust travel insurance and you have our unconventional—yet logical—choice for the best overall no-annual-fee travel card of 2024.

Bilt Mastercard®

Special feature.

Rewards Rates

• 1x Earn 1X points on rent payments without the transaction fee, up to 100,000 points each calendar year
• 1x Earn 3X points on dining
• 2x Earn 2X points on travel
• 1x Earn 1X points on other purchases
• Use the card 5 times each statement period to earn points.
• Uniquely earns points on rent
• Rent Day bonus every first of the month offers double points (excluding rent)
• Robust travel transfer partners
• Cash redemption rate is poor
• No traditional welcome bonus
• Travel perks: Trip Cancellation and Interruption Protection, Trip Delay Reimbursement, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver
• See this page for details
• Foreign Transaction Fee: None

Why we like this card: As mentioned, the Bilt Mastercard’s most compelling feature is that it allows you to pay rent with a credit card—even if your landlord doesn’t take plastic—and avoid the transaction fee paying rent by credit card would typically incur. Then, as long as you complete five transactions each month, you’ll trigger 1X rewards on your rent payments. 

Note that rewards on rent are capped at 100,000 points per year.

In terms of earning potential, if you pay the median ~$2,000 rent in the U.S., you could earn approximately 24,000 points per year which can be used to book travel in Bilt’s portal at a value of 1.25 cents per point or transferred to any of Bilt’s airline or hotel partners at a 1:1 ratio. In other words, you could likely earn a domestic flight with United or a weekend stay at Hyatt, all for simply paying rent on time.

The Bilt card also provides trip cancellation and interruption protection, trip delay reimbursement, and primary rental car insurance (terms apply)—perks you wouldn’t typically find on a no-annual-fee credit card.

If you’re looking for a hotel rewards card that offers the most free nights for no annual fee, wait until you read about the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card. With a six-figure welcome bonus, up to 17X on stays and other compelling rewards, it’s currently the gold standard for no-fee hotel rewards.

IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card

Intro bonus.

• 17x Earn up to 17X points when you stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts 
• 3x Earn 3X points on dining, utilities, internet, cable, and phone services, select streaming services, and at gas stations
• 2x Earn 2X points on all other purchases
• Generous welcome bonus not typically seen in a $0 annual fee card
• Travel protections that are unusual for a no-annual-fee card
• Fourth night free on award bookings
• Limited redemption options outside of IHG
• IHG points are worth less than some other rewards currencies
• Silver status granted with the card has limited benefit
• Additional perks: Trip cancelation/interruption insurance, auto rental collision damage waiver, purchase protection, ability to spend to Gold status
• Foreign transaction fee:None

Why we like this card: We like calling the IHG One Rewards Traveler card the “Liam Hemsworth” of travel rewards cards because it lives in the shadow of its big brother—the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card —but still delivers plenty of quality and substance in its own right (with no annual fee, to boot). 

For starters, you can get a welcome bonus of 80,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening, potentially worth around $500 to $700 in IHG redemption. 

Plus, enjoy up to 17X points when you stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts, instant Silver Elite status and a handy bonus where you redeem points for three consecutive nights and get the fourth night in your stay free. So, if you book a three-night stay using your welcome bonus, you’ll essentially be getting a complimentary four-night stay at a nice IHG property for no annual fee. The IHG One Rewards program could be very rewarding for the right traveler.

Check out our full review of the IHG One Rewards Traveler .

As a no-annual-fee airline card, the United Gateway℠ Card currently edges out its rival the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card by offering a more generous welcome bonus and travel insurance that the Delta card does not provide. If you fly occasionally and would like to earn miles, but aren’t willing to make the commitment of $95 or more for a mid-tier airline card with more perks, the Gateway is a strong choice. 

United Gateway℠ Card

• 2x 2 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases, including tickets, Economy Plus, in-flight food, beverages and Wi-Fi, baggage service charges and other United purchases.
• 2x 2 miles per $1 spent on local transit and commuting, including rideshare services, taxicabs, train tickets, tolls, and mass transit.
• 1x 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
• No annual fee or foreign transaction fee
• Reward bonus categories outside of United Airlines
• Robust travel protections for a no-annual-fee card
• No baggage or expanded award availability benefits like with other United cards
• Subject to Chase 5/24 rule.
• United perks: 25% back as a statement credit on purchases of food, beverages and Wi-Fi on board United-operated flights and on Club premium drinks when you pay with your Gateway Card
• Other perks: Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Trip Cancellation/Interruption insurance, Purchase Protection, Extended Warranty
• Foreign transaction fee: None

Why we like this card: The United Gateway card offers 2 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases, at gas stations and on local transit and commuting plus 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases. Considering a United Mile is worth roughly around 1.2 cents these days, effectively earning 2.4 cents back on everyday purchases is a solid value proposition. 

You’ll also get a welcome bonus of 20,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. And, you can save with a discount of 25% back on United in-flight and Club Premium drink purchases. 

New cardholders will enjoy a 0% Intro APR on Purchases for 12 months, after 21.99%–28.99% variable applies.

If the United Gateway card has a small lead on the Delta Skymiles Blue Amex at this point, it soars ahead (pun intended) when you look at the included travel and shopping protections. Both cards offer secondary rental car insurance, but only the Gateway includes trip cancellation and interruption insurance, purchase protection and extended warranty protection. 

So, if you’re seeking a no-annual-fee card you can use to rack up miles—and you either tend to fly United most of the time or you’re at minimum not devoted to a competing airline—the United Gateway is the card to beat.

Check out our full review of the United Gateway Card for more info.

To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card, see this page  

With a generous welcome bonus in exchange for an attainable spend amount, 3X on travel, and a fancy name, you’d think the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card would command an annual fee of at least $95. But it doesn’t, making it a superb candidate for general travel use.

Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

Intro bonus.

• 3X 3X points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans
• 1X 1X points on other purchases
• No annual fee
• 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months (that's a $200 cash redemption value)
• Points transfer to partners
• Car rental insurance is secondary
• No travel insurance
• Transfer partners are limited
• Additional perks: Cell Phone Protection: Provides up to $600 in cell phone protection when you pay your monthly cell bill with your Wells Fargo Autograph card. Coverage is subject to a $25 deductible and limited to two claims every 12-month period.
• Foreign transaction fee: N/A

Why we like this card: The Wells Fargo Autograph offers unlimited 3X points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans and even your landline bill too if you have one, plus 1X points on other purchases—all without charging an annual fee. And, to make traveling a little cheaper/less stressful, you’ll also get $600 worth of cell phone protection (minus a $25 deductible) as long as you pay your phone bill with this card and secondary rental car insurance. 

Cardholders can transfer points at a 1:1 ratio to Wells Fargo’s first wave of transfer partners including Air France‑KLM Flying Blue, Avianca Lifemiles, British Airways Executive Club, AerClub, and Iberia Plus and 1:2 to Choice Privileges. 

But even if you aren’t a member of those loyalty programs, earning 3X on dining, travel, gas, and more is hard to pass up. You can redeem points at a value of 1 cent each to offset past purchases on your account, meaning you can wield the Autograph either as a no-annual-fee travel card or as a cash-back card effectively earning unlimited 3% back in a wide swath of useful categories. 

Check out our full review of the Wells Fargo Autograph .

Sometimes, you just want a card that offers a little more than 1X on every purchase—without having to worry about what this quarter’s rotating rewards are, or whether a specific merchant qualifies as “groceries” for the purposes of your card’s rewards. If you value simplicity and the lack of an annual fee in your travel card, you’ll probably be a fan of the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card and its straightforward rewards program.

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

Reward Rates

• 5x Earn 5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• 1.25x Earn 1.25x miles on every other purchase
• Flexible travel rewards
• No foreign transaction fee
• Maximizing Capital One Miles requires a learning curve
• Cash redemption value is limited
• The VentureOne offers travel accident insurance, rental car coverage, extended warranty protection, exclusive access to events through Capital One Dining and Capital One Entertainment

Why we like this card: The Capital One VentureOne Rewards offers 1.25X miles per dollar spent on everyday purchases and 5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. That’s pretty much all that you have to remember. You can also get a nice welcome bonus of 20,000 miles after spending $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, which is a solid payout for a very attainable spending target. 

Capital One Miles can be transferred to well over a dozen airline and hotel partners, most at a 1:1 rate. Partners include Air Canada’s Aeroplan, British Airways Executive Club, Choice Privileges, Virgin Red, and Wyndham Rewards, among others. Other ways to book travel include redeeming miles through Capital One’s portal or making the purchase directly, paying with your card like normal, then using miles for a statement credit to cover the transaction. 

The Venture One also offers a 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months (after that, the variable APR will be 29.99%). There’s an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account during the first 15 months that your account is open , then 4% per transfer for any promotional APR offered after. 

Come to think of it, provided you have the excellent credit needed to apply, the VentureOne could make a great travel companion for a grad student given its simplicity, lengthy intro APR period and low spending threshold required to trigger the welcome bonus.

Check out our full review of the Capital One VentureOne Rewards .

Frequently asked questions

Which card is best for international transactions without extra charges.

Zero foreign transaction fees is actually a common benefit among travel rewards cards, including many with no annual fee. For example, neither the Bilt Mastercard nor the United Gateway card charges a foreign currency conversion fee. 

What is the best travel credit card for a young person? 

If you’re still paying rent, the Bilt Mastercard is an excellent choice since it can generate points from rent payments which can then be transferred 1:1 to well over a dozen airline and hotel partners. If you’d prefer a card with a welcome bonus, which the Bilt card lacks, the IHG One Rewards Traveler card currently offers a massive welcome bonus for a no-annual-fee card—potentially worth hundreds of dollars toward a future IHG hotel stay. 

Is a travel card with an annual fee worth it?

Using a travel rewards card with an annual fee can be worth it as long as you’re extracting enough points and benefits to justify paying the fee each year. If you travel infrequently or just want one less fee to worry about, consider one of the no-annual-fee cards on our list above. But, the best perks and protections are typically available on cards with annual fees.

For example, the Capital One Venture X card offers a $300 annual travel credit for bookings made through Capital One Travel. If you use that every year, you’ve gone a long way toward offsetting the $395 annual fee. You also get 10,000 bonus miles, worth at least $100 toward travel, every year starting on your account anniversary.

Methodology

To bring you our top picks for the best travel rewards cards with no annual fee, the Fortune Recommends surveyed more than a dozen cards currently available from today’s top issuers. From there, we ranked each one based on the following core categories and weights:

• Welcome bonus (10%): Some cards—even those with no annual fee—offer welcome bonuses that you can earn once you make enough purchases within a certain time frame, such as spending $1,000 within three months of account opening.
• Travel earnings (25%): These are the point rewards you’d earn by making travel-related purchases (e.g. 3X on hotels, 2X on airfare).
• Car rental insurance (15%): Many, but not all travel-centric rewards cards include an auto rental collision damage waiver, which allows you to decline a portion of the rental company’s insurance and save potentially up to $30 per day. We gave extra consideration to if a card offers primary rental car insurance versus secondary, because primary kicks in immediately in a covered scenario—whereas secondary only applies after your own, personal insurance. 
• Travel insurance benefits (15%): Some travel rewards cards automatically apply trip cancellation/interruption insurance, lost/delayed luggage reimbursement and even travel accident insurance on travel bookings made using the card.
• Gas earning (5%): Since road trips remain a common form of travel, whether or not a card offers points rewards at the pump factored into our rankings.
• Dining earning (10%): If a no-annual-fee travel rewards card offered 2X or more on restaurant purchases it favored well in this category.

The remaining 20% was based on the card’s main focus: hotel, airline or general travel rewards. 

• For general travel—points transferrable to partners (20%): Points are literally worth more if you can transfer them to certain partners, so a card’s ability to transfer rewards to airline and hotel partners factored into our rankings.
• For hotel rewards—free award night with booking (20%): Some hotel rewards cards offer a BOGO-like perk where if you redeem a certain number of nights with points you get an extra tacked on for free.
• For airline rewards—ability to spend towards status (20%): Most airline rewards cards allow you to earn miles, but not all of them count those miles towards your next loyalty status. If a card treated them as “qualifying miles,” it fared better in this category.

Lastly, just keep in mind that virtually every aspect of a travel rewards card—from the rewards to the welcome bonus and fee structure—is subject to change, which could impact how many miles or points you earn. 

Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefits guide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.  

Please note that card details are accurate as of the publish date, but are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the issuer. Please contact the card issuer to verify rates, fees, and benefits before applying.  

EDITORIAL DISCLOSURE : The advice, opinions, or rankings contained in this article are solely those of the Fortune Recommends ™ editorial team. This content has not been reviewed or endorsed by any of our affiliate partners or other third parties.

Guide to travel rewards credit cards

Best travel credit cards of april 2024, luxury travel for less: your guide to free airport lounge passes, 10 credit card tips to help you avoid disaster when traveling abroad, how credit card travel insurance works—and what it doesn’t cover, insure your adventures: the ultimate guide to credit cards offering travel insurance, how credit card rental car insurance saves money on every rental, chase lga lounge review: luxury at laguardia, chase beefs up new york profile with a new jfk sapphire lounge—here's what you need to know, biggest-ever amex centurion lounge opens in atlanta — with outdoor terraces and bars for both whiskey and smoothies, amex centurion lounge atlanta: what to expect now that it’s open, how to use your credit card to save on travel as airline costs soar, do you have travel rewards saved up these are the best ways to use them, 5 ways your credit card can help you save on spring break travel costs, capital one lounge: what you need to know, how i travel with my wife for less than a date night, best credit cards for cheap airport lounge access in april 2024.

The highest cash-back credit card with no annual fee

How the freedom flex works, how much could you earn, what happens once the rewards rotate, push your rewards even higher with the chase sapphire preferred or reserve, the bottom line, the chase freedom flex just became spring’s best travel card.

This card's rotating categories hit the sweet spots to potentially help you earn up to $320 on your next trip.

Evan Zimmer

Staff Writer

Evan Zimmer has been writing about finance for years. After graduating with a journalism degree from SUNY Oswego, he wrote credit card content for Credit Card Insider (now Money Tips) before moving to ZDNET Finance to cover credit card, banking and blockchain news. He currently works with CNET Money to bring readers the most accurate and up-to-date financial information. Otherwise, you can find him reading, rock climbing, snowboarding and enjoying the outdoors.

Tiffany Connors

Tiffany Wendeln Connors is a senior editor for CNET Money with a focus on credit cards. Previously, she covered personal finance topics as a writer and editor at The Penny Hoarder. She is passionate about helping people make the best money decisions for themselves and their families. She graduated from Bowling Green State University with a bachelor's degree in journalism and has been a writer and editor for publications including the New York Post, Women's Running magazine and Soap Opera Digest. When she isn't working, you can find her enjoying life in St. Petersburg, Florida, with her husband, daughter and a very needy dog.

The editorial content on this page is based solely on objective, independent assessments by our writers and is not influenced by advertising or partnerships. It has not been provided or commissioned by any third party. However, we may receive compensation when you click on links to products or services offered by our partners.

There are a lot of great travel credit cards you could bring with you on your spring trips, but few have the same breadth as the Chase Freedom Flex℠ *. 

The card has potentially the highest cash-back rates when you activate on two of the best parts of traveling: food and board. It doesn’t charge an annual fee, either, helping you maximize your savings.

But you’ll need to act quickly. These rewards will only last through June 2024.

Chase Freedom Flex℠

What makes the card’s current offer so enticing is its unparalleled cash back rate at restaurants and hotels -- so long as you can book the latter through Chase Travel℠. 

The Freedom Flex typically offers 3% cash back at restaurants, but combined with its rotating 5% cash back (on the first $1,500 spent in quarterly combined purchases, then 1%) bonus categories when you activate, the Freedom Flex boosts that number to 7% cash back.

And, since the card earns 5% cash back for travel booked through Chase Travel already, combined with its current 5% cash back offering for hotels, you could earn 9% cash back on your hotel booking if you can make it through Chase. 

The math doesn’t quite add up -- if you earn 3% cash back on dining at restaurants and the bonus categories typically earn 5% cash back, shouldn’t that be 8% cash back on dining?

Here’s a breakdown of how Chase explained the rewards rates:

• Hotels booked through Chase: Earn 4% cash back from rotating rewards and 5% back from the standard bonus category -- 9% cash back total .
• Hotels booked directly: Earn 4% cash back from rotating rewards and 1% from the card’s base rate -- 5% cash back total .
• Restaurants: Earn 4% cash back from rotating rewards and 3% from the standard category -- 7% cash back total .
• Amazon.com: Earn 5% cash back from rotating rewards.
• Drug stores: Earn 3% cash back from the standard bonus category.
• All other purchases: Earn 1% cash back.

However, there are a few caveats. First, these rates won’t last -- the Freedom Flex only offers 5% cash back at Amazon.com, hotels and restaurants when you activate from April to June 2024.

Second, the rotating reward category has a spending cap of $1,500 in combined quarterly purchases. So once you hit that limit, your restaurant rewards will fall to 3%, your Amazon.com purchases will fall to 1%, and your hotel rewards rate will fall to 5% for hotels booked through Chase Travel and 1% for hotels booked directly through the hotel brand.

The Chase Freedom Flex offers rotating rewards that change quarterly , or about every three months. Its current rotating bonus categories cover purchases made at Amazon.com, hotels and restaurants. Keep in mind you’ll need to manually activate these rewards each time they change.

Luckily, you can set alerts to inform you when it’s time to activate. And, if you do forget, you can still activate by June 14, 2024. You’ll even earn retroactive rewards for any purchases made in the featured categories before you activated -- something that gives this card an edge over the Discover it® Cash Back* .

In addition to its rotating rewards, the Freedom Flex offers a few static bonus categories. These categories cover restaurants, drug stores and travel booked through Chase.

With its spending cap of $1,500 in combined purchases, you could earn a total of $75 across the quarter at the 5% cash-back rate when you activate, before it falls to 1%. 

However, even once you hit that cap, you’ll still earn 5% cash back on hotels booked through Chase and 3% cash back at restaurants, which is among the best rates found on a cash-back credit card with no annual fee .

As an example, suppose you spent $750 on both your hotel and restaurants, making a combined total of $1,500, the Freedom Flex’s spending cap:

You could earn upwards of $120. Remember, these are merely estimates. How you spend might not be an even split, so your rewards could look different.

The Freedom Flex also features a welcome bonus -- you can earn $200 after you spend $500 on purchases in your first three months from account opening. Based on the example above, you’d hit the required spending threshold, adding another $200 to your rewards. That totals $320, which should be enough to help cover some part of your travel, whether it’s a night at a fancy hotel, your rental car or a good dinner out.

Once the Freedom Flex’s bonus categories change on July 1, you’ll still have a powerful rewards credit card to use for whichever purchases Chase decides to feature next. Past categories have included Target, fitness memberships, groceries and gas, among others.

Chase offers the opportunity to increase how much your rewards are worth by pooling them with other credit cards in its Chase Ultimate Rewards family.

You could earn the Chase Freedom Flex’s higher cash-back rates, for example, and then pool your rewards with either the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve® .

Note that both of those credit cards charge an annual fee , the Preferred comes in at $95 and the Reserve at $550. However, they both offer annual travel credits that help soften the blow of their fees. They have two other great perks -- a 1:1 point transfer rate to Chase’s hotel and airline partners , as well as a 25% and 50% point redemption bonus respectively for travel booked through Chase Travel.

It’ll take a bit more work, and an additional credit card, but if you can use the Chase Trifect strategy , you could increase the return you earn on your travel spending exponentially.

If you’ve got travel plans this spring, you should consider adding the Chase Freedom Flex to your card collection. 

Even if you don’t want to take the extra step of using it in tandem with a Chase Sapphire card, it’ll be a rewarding and inexpensive choice. You might even earn an extra $320 to spend on your travels.

*All information about the Chase Freedom Flex and Discover it   Cash Back has been collected independently by CNET and has not been reviewed by the issuer.

CNET editors independently choose every product and service we cover. Though we can’t review every available financial company or offer, we strive to make comprehensive, rigorous comparisons in order to highlight the best of them. For many of these products and services, we earn a commission. The compensation we receive may impact how products and links appear on our site.