Booking.com debuts Genius rewards Visa credit card in U.S.

Rewards Breakdown

Rewards appear in the form of Booking.com travel credits usable exclusively on Booking.com purchases:

6% back on accommodations booked through the Booking.com mobile app.

5% back on other travel bookings (flights, car rentals, cruises, attractions, airport taxis) made on Booking.com.

3% back on dining, gas, and grocery purchases.

3% back on in-person purchases made during an eligible stay within 50 miles of the booked accommodation (up to $10,000 annually).

2% back on all other spending.

The general rule is that one travel credit equals one U.S. dollar in value, and there is no minimum redemption amount.

The newGenius Rewards Visa Signature Credit Card brings also additional benefits such as an instant upgrade to Genius Level 3 loyalty status, unlocking perks like up to 20% discounts on eligible bookings, free breakfast, room upgrades, and priority support. It also guarantees no foreign transaction fees. It then includes travel protections such as auto‑rental coverage, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, and travel accident insurance.

Pro and Contra

The Genius Rewards card is aimed squarely at frequent Booking.com users. With elevated earning on Booking.com travel and in‑trip purchases, users can rapidly accumulate platform‑exclusive rewards.

However, rewards are non-transferable. Redeemed Cash and spending outside travel are not possible. This is probably the most acute limitation when compared to general travel cards offering flexible redemption options.

The card’s launching happened in early August 2025. Earlier industry speculation and teaser announcements revealed in July 2025 that Booking.com plans were underway to roll out a co‑branded Visa card. With a link to Booking.com Genius Rewards system.

The card marks effectively a new push by Booking.com into U.S. financial services. Travelers should however remain vigilant about scams targeting Booking.com clients. Booking.com advises users to never enter payment details outside its official app or website and to enable two‑factor authentication for added security.