Ah, retirement. Time to trade the jacket and tie or laptop-sized shoulder bag for new life goals, with a healthy dose of relaxation and maybe a little travel. You're looking at a lot of changes in your future--new schedule, new hobbies, and changes in how you save and spend. It's a good time to compare credit cards to find the best credit card deals that match your life's new needs.

Best card for seeing the world

Been dreaming of a voyage across the Atlantic or the Pacific? Or a front-row seat at the Grand Prix? Whether your dreams include London, Beijing or Monaco, you know that foreign travel can be pricey. It may be fun to drop some yuan on bird's nest soup, but it's less appealing to lose a bit of every greenback to foreign transaction fees. Many credit cards charge you these fees every time you make a purchase abroad, and those 2- to 3-percent dings each time can add up.

But not with the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, which charges no foreign transaction fees when using the card abroad. Need help with travel costs? You'll also earn double airline miles on every purchase, with no limit and no expiration date. When you spend $1,000 in purchases on the card in the first three months, you'll earn 10,000 bonus miles. There are no blackout dates on travel. The card has a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year; $59 after that.

Best cards for cross-country travel

Of course there's plenty to see in your own backyard, whether it's the Grand Canyon or your brand-new grandchild. If you're planning to focus on domestic travel, consider a couple of cards with good perks for local destinations.

  • Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express. If you foresee a lot of hotel rooms in your future and are comfortable with well-known brands, a card that rewards you with free hotel stays is a promising option. The Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express is affiliated with Starwood Hotels, a company that includes the W, Sheraton, Westin, aloft and Le Meridien chains, among others.

    You can earn one Starpoint for every dollar of eligible purchases, and up to five Starpoints for purchases charged directly at hundreds of participating Starwood Preferred Group (SPG) hotels. Then you can redeem the points for stays at SPG hotels. Points can also be used on airlines with SPG flights, with no blackout dates on travel.

    The card's annual fee is waived the first year and is $65 afterward.

  • AARP Rewards Visa Card. If you're like many Americans, you've been getting AARP mailings since you turned 50. If you finally belong to this growing organization, the AARP Rewards VISA Card is a nice perk for members, a card with unlimited cash back. You'll get 5 percent back on purchases for the first six months; after that, the cash-back rate is 3 percent on travel spending and 1 percent on all other purchases.

    This Visa card also has one of the best credit card rewards for good works: For every new account and every purchase through 2012, Chase Bank USA promises to make a donation to the AARP Foundation's Drive to End Hunger.

    The card comes with a zero-percent APR for the first 12 months on new purchases and balance transfers. After the introductory period, the variable rate is 13.24 percent to 19.24 percent, depending on the cardholder's creditworthiness. The card has no annual fee.

Best credit cards for saving money at home

No matter your budget, you'll be looking to cut unnecessary expenses in retirement. Moving to cards with no or low fees and low interest rates can be a particularly easy and satisfying way to meet that goal. Take a look at these two options:

  • PenFed Promise Visa® Card. If you're eligible for the Pentagon Federal Credit Union, you will find a good low-interest, fee-free option in PenFed Promise Visa® Card. The card is for consumers with excellent credit, who can get a low introductory purchase APR of 7.49 percent for the first 36 months, and a variable APR based on the Prime Rate, currently 9.99 percent, afterward. The card also offers a nice balance transfer promotional APR.

  • Simmons First Visa® Platinum. The Simmons First Visa® Platinum is another card that rewards consumers with excellent credit. The interest rate is currently a low variable APR of 7.25 percent. It's also one of the best balance transfer credit cards; you won't pay a transfer fee. The card has no annual fee.

Whether you're spending your retirement on the road, in your own backyard or a little of both, the above options can help you find a card that fits your new lifestyle and keeps more money in your pocket.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is believed to be accurate as of the date it was written. Please keep in mind that credit card offers change frequently. Therefore, we can not guarantee the accuracy of the information in this article. Please verify all terms and conditions of any credit card prior to applying. Check our credit card database for updated terms and conditions.

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