If you book a lot of hotels and stays through Booking.com, a co-branded card that hands back up to 6% in travel credits is worth a look. The product has changed, though, so it helps to know exactly what you are applying for.
The current Booking.com card in the U.S. is the Genius Rewards Visa Signature, launched in 2025 and issued through Imprint. If you searched for a "Booking.com Wander Card by Mastercard," that name does not match the live U.S. product, which is a Visa, not a Mastercard. Here is the real review as of June 2026.
Key facts at a glance
| Feature | Details (as of June 2026) |
|---|---|
| Issuer | First Electronic Bank, serviced by Imprint |
| Network | Visa Signature (usable anywhere Visa is accepted) |
| Annual fee | $0 |
| Purchase APR | Variable, disclosed at application |
| Rewards | 6% app stays; 5% other travel; 3% destination, dining, gas, grocery; 2% else (in travel credits) |
| Welcome bonus | Promotional travel-credit offers vary; confirm at application |
| Foreign transaction fee | $0 |
| Score needed | Typically good credit, roughly 670 or higher |
| Reports to bureaus | Yes, to the major bureaus |
Terms and conditions apply. APRs vary by creditworthiness.
What card Booking.com actually offers now
Booking.com launched its U.S. credit card, the Genius Rewards Visa Signature, in 2025. It is issued by First Electronic Bank and powered by Imprint, the fintech that handles approvals and servicing.
This is a real Visa Signature card, so it works anywhere Visa is accepted. The rewards are paid as travel credits you use toward Booking.com bookings, which is the key thing to understand: this is a travel-redemption card, not a flat cash-back card.
How the rewards work
The earning structure is built to reward Booking.com loyalists:
- 6% in travel credits on stays booked through the Booking.com app
- 5% on all other travel booked on the site
- 3% on purchases at your destination during a stay, plus dining, gas, and groceries
- 2% on all other purchases
Rewards come back as travel credits redeemed on Booking.com, so the value is highest if you book travel there regularly. If you rarely use Booking.com, those travel credits are harder to spend, which lowers the real value to you. A flat cash-back card may serve an infrequent traveler better.
Fees and APR
The Genius Rewards Visa Signature has no annual fee and no foreign transaction fee, which is a genuine plus for international travelers. Many travel cards charge 3% on foreign purchases, so skipping that fee adds up on trips abroad.
The purchase APR is variable and disclosed at application based on your credit. As with any rewards card, the value only holds up if you pay in full each month. Carrying a balance at a travel-card APR will cost more than the travel credits are worth.
Approval odds and credit reporting
Visa Signature travel cards generally favor good to excellent credit. Based on typical standards for this card tier, applicants usually need a score around 670 or higher, though Imprint considers income and other factors and does not publish a hard minimum.
The account reports to the major credit bureaus, so responsible use can help your credit. Applying triggers a hard inquiry. This is a travel rewards card, not a credit-builder, so it is best suited to people who already have established credit.
Honest alternatives if you are still building credit
The Genius Rewards card generally needs solid credit, so if you are still building, you may not qualify yet. A more accessible general-purpose card can help you get there. The Aspire Mastercard works anywhere Mastercard is accepted and is geared toward people earlier in their credit journey.
Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard
Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard
Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard. Prequalify* For Up To $1000 Credit Limit. No security deposit. Packed with great benefits, it’s designed to give you more flexibility—and purchasing power—along with up to 3% cash back rewards!** Good anywhere Mastercard is accepted, it’s the go-to card for any lifestyle.
Standout feature
Up to 3% cashback rewards
Fees
$49 to $175; after that $0 to $49 annually; - $60 to $159 annually billed at $5 to $12.50 per month after the first year.
Pros
No Deposit Required. Prequalify for up to $1000 credit limit
Cons
High APR. 25.74% to 36%, based on your creditworthiness.
If you want to spread out the cost of a trip with predictable payments rather than charging it and carrying interest, Perpay is built around scheduled installments and reports your activity to the bureaus, which can make budgeting a vacation easier.
Perpay Credit Card
Perpay Credit Card
Meet the only card powered by your paycheck. With automatic transfers from your paycheck, you can manage payments stress-free and build credit with ease.
Fee
$9/month plus $9 account opening fee
APR
Marketplace: 0% / Credit Card: 27.74% to 29.99% depending on your creditworthiness.
Minimum Deposit Amount
$0
Credit Check
No
Cashback
2% reward on purchases made in Perpay Marketplace
Benefit
2% rewards, no security deposit
And if your near-term focus is strengthening your credit so you can qualify for travel cards later, the Arro Card pairs a credit line with tools that help build a positive payment history. Review each option's terms to find the right fit.
Arro Card
Arro Card
No deposit. No hard credit check. Start with up to $300 and grow your credit line to $2,500 by completing in-app tasks. Earn 1% cash back on gas and groceries — including Walmart and Target.
Standout feature
Unsecured — no deposit required
Fees
up to $60/ year
Pros
1% cash back on gas & groceries
Cons
Starting credit limit: $50–$300
Is the Booking.com credit card worth it?
The Booking.com Genius Rewards Visa Signature is a strong fit for frequent Booking.com travelers who pay in full. Up to 6% back in travel credits, no annual fee, and no foreign transaction fees make it a real value for that group.
If you rarely book through Booking.com or you are still building credit, the rewards are harder to use and approval may be tough. In those cases, a flexible cash-back card or a credit-builder is a better starting point. Note that the older "Wander Card by Mastercard" name does not match the current Visa product.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a Booking.com Wander Card by Mastercard?
The current U.S. Booking.com card is the Genius Rewards Visa Signature, a Visa, not a Mastercard. If you saw a "Wander Card" name, it does not match Booking.com's live U.S. product as of June 2026.
Who issues the Booking.com credit card?
The Genius Rewards Visa Signature is issued by First Electronic Bank and serviced by Imprint. Imprint handles approvals and account servicing for the program.
How do Booking.com card rewards work?
You earn up to 6% on app-booked stays, 5% on other travel, 3% on destination spending plus dining, gas, and groceries, and 2% on everything else. Rewards are paid as travel credits redeemed on Booking.com.
Does the Booking.com card charge foreign transaction fees?
No. The Genius Rewards Visa Signature has no foreign transaction fee and no annual fee, which makes it useful for international trips. The purchase APR is variable and disclosed at application.
