What the Priceline Credit Card is and who issues it
The Priceline Credit Card is a co-branded card issued by Barclays in partnership with Priceline, the travel booking website. You use it like any other credit card, but the rewards structure is built around travel purchases — flights, hotels, rental cars, and activities booked through Priceline or other merchants.
Barclays handles the credit decision, sets your credit limit, and manages your account. Priceline handles the rewards redemption and partnership benefits. If you already book travel through Priceline, this card is designed to give you cash back or points on those purchases.
The card comes in two versions: the standard Priceline Card and the Priceline Visa Infinite Card. The Infinite version carries an annual fee and offers higher rewards rates and additional travel protections. The standard version has no annual fee.
Key Takeaways
- The no-annual-fee version earns 3% cash back on Priceline bookings and 1% on all other purchases, making it useful only if you book travel regularly through Priceline.
- The Visa Infinite version costs an annual fee but earns higher rewards on Priceline purchases and includes trip cancellation insurance and other travel protections.
- Both versions require you to have a credit score in the good to excellent range — typically 670 or higher — to be considered.
- Rewards earned through this card can be redeemed as statement credits, transferred to Priceline's loyalty program, or used to book travel directly.
- The card's value depends entirely on how much you spend on Priceline bookings; if you book travel elsewhere, the rewards rate drops to 1% on everything.
Rewards structure and how redemption works
The standard Priceline Card earns 3% cash back on purchases made through Priceline.com and 1% on everything else. The Visa Infinite version earns 4% on Priceline bookings, 3% on rental cars and hotels booked outside Priceline, and 1% on all other purchases — but only if you pay the annual fee.
Cash back appears as a statement credit on your monthly bill. You do not have to do anything to claim it; Priceline tracks your purchases and applies the reward automatically. You can also choose to deposit rewards into a Priceline account and use them to book travel directly, which sometimes gives you more value if Priceline is running a promotion.
One limitation: the 3% or 4% rate applies only to bookings made directly through Priceline's website or app. If you book a hotel through another site, even if Priceline owns that site, the higher rate may not explore. Read the terms carefully before opening an account.
Annual fees and when the Infinite card makes financial sense
The standard Priceline Card has no annual fee. The Visa Infinite Card charges an annual fee that varies by year and current offer — check Barclays' website for the exact amount before you open the account.
The Infinite card only makes financial sense if you spend enough on Priceline bookings to earn back the annual fee in rewards, plus come out ahead. If you book a $2,000 hotel stay through Priceline once a year, the extra 1% on that purchase (the difference between 3% and 4%) earns you $20 — likely less than the annual fee. If you book multiple trips per year or spend $5,000 or more annually on Priceline, the math shifts in the card's favor.
The Infinite version also includes trip cancellation insurance, trip delay reimbursement, and lost luggage reimbursement — benefits that have real value if you travel frequently and want protection beyond what your travel insurance covers. These protections alone may justify the fee for some travelers, independent of the rewards rate.
Credit requirements and how the process works
Barclays typically considers applicants with a credit score of 670 or higher, though the exact threshold is not published. A higher score — 740 or above — improves your chances of approval and a higher credit limit. If your score is below 670, you may still be considered, but approval is less likely.
You explore directly through Barclays' website or through Priceline's site, which links to the process. The process takes a few minutes and requires your Social Security number, income, employment status, and current debts. Barclays will pull a hard inquiry on your credit report, which temporarily lowers your score by a few points.
You will receive a decision within minutes to a few days. If approved, the card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. If denied, Barclays will send you a letter explaining the reason — usually insufficient credit history, too many recent inquiries, or a score below their threshold.
Comparing the Priceline card to other travel rewards cards
The Priceline Card's main competitor is the Chase Sapphire Preferred, which earns 2% on travel and dining and 1% on everything else, with no restriction to a single booking site. The Sapphire also comes with trip cancellation insurance and other protections, though it carries a higher annual fee.
If you book most of your travel through Priceline, the Priceline Card's 3% or 4% rate beats the Sapphire's 2%. If you split your bookings between Priceline, Expedia, Kayak, and direct hotel websites, the Sapphire's broader 2% rate may earn you more overall because it applies everywhere.
Other cards to consider: the Capital One Venture X earns 5% on flights and hotels booked through its travel portal, but charges a higher annual fee. The American Express Gold Card earns 4% on flights and hotels booked directly with the airline or hotel, which rewards you for bypassing booking sites entirely. Your choice depends on how you actually book travel, not on which card has the highest headline rate.
Fees, interest rates, and terms to understand before opening an account
Beyond the annual fee on the Infinite version, the Priceline Card charges standard credit card fees: a foreign transaction fee (usually 3%) if you use it outside the United States, a late payment fee if you miss a due date, and a cash advance fee if you withdraw cash at an ATM. These are typical across the industry.
The purchase APR — the interest rate you pay if you carry a balance — varies based on your credit score and current market rates. Barclays will tell you the rate before you open the account. If you plan to carry a balance, a card with a 0% introductory APR period may save you money on interest, even if the rewards rate is lower.
The card does not offer a sign-up bonus in the traditional sense (a lump sum of points or cash for spending a certain amount in the first few months). Your rewards come only from ongoing purchases. If you are comparing this card to others, factor in that other travel cards often offer a $500 to $1,000 sign-up bonus, which can be worth more than a year of rewards on this card.
How to maximize rewards and avoid common mistakes
The biggest mistake is opening this card if you do not book travel through Priceline regularly. If you book flights on Kayak, hotels on Booking.com, and rental cars directly with Hertz, this card earns only 1% on all of it — the same as a basic cash-back card. You are paying an annual fee (if you choose the Infinite version) for a benefit you do not use.
To maximize value, consolidate your travel bookings through Priceline when possible. Check Priceline's prices against competitors before booking; sometimes another site is cheaper, and the 3% reward does not make up the difference. Use the card for non-travel purchases too, but understand that the 1% rate is not competitive — a flat 2% cash-back card beats it on everything except Priceline bookings.
If you earn rewards but rarely redeem them, set a calendar reminder to check your account balance quarterly. Rewards do not expire, but it is straightforward to forget you have them. Some people accumulate hundreds of dollars in statement credits and never use them because they do not remember the balance exists.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Priceline Card work if I book through Priceline's mobile app?
Yes. Bookings made through the Priceline app earn the same rewards rate as bookings on the website. The card must be linked to your Priceline account for the rewards to post correctly, so verify that connection before you book.
What happens to my rewards if I close the card?
Any cash-back rewards you have already earned remain in your account as a statement credit and can be used indefinitely. Rewards do not disappear when you close the card. However, you will stop earning new rewards once the account closes.
Can I use this card to book travel for someone else and still earn rewards?
Yes. The rewards are tied to the card, not the traveler. If you book a hotel for a friend using your Priceline Card, you earn the cash back. The friend does not need to have a Priceline account or any relationship to the card.
Is there a sign-up bonus if I open this card now?
The Priceline Card does not offer a traditional sign-up bonus. Barclays occasionally runs promotions that waive the annual fee for the first year or offer bonus rewards for a limited time, but these are not may provide. Check the current offer on Barclays' website before you open an account.
What credit limit should I expect?
Credit limits vary based on your credit score, income, and credit history. Most applicants receive between $1,000 and $10,000. You can request a higher limit after you have used the card responsibly for a few months, and Barclays will review your request.