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PNC Premier Traveler Visa Signature credit card review

Written by: Kelli Pate

• Balance Transfer

In a Nutshell:

With its high annual fee and relatively short 12-month introductory period, the PNC Premier Traveler card is not your best option for transferring a balance. However, if you manage to pay down your balance in the first year before the fees and interest rates kick in, you’ll have a very good travel rewards card.

Other Notable Features:  No foreign transaction fees, free concierge service, Visa Signature luxury hotel collection, lost luggage reimbursement, travel and emergency assistance services, travel accident insurance, trip delay reimbursement, auto rental collision damage waiver, roadside dispatch, extended warranty, Apple and Android pay, $0 liability, EMV chip technology

A flat 2 percent rate on travel rewards and flexible redemption options make the PNC Premier Traveler Visa Signature card another good option for netting a large number of rewards points for airfare.

The PNC Premier Traveler Visa Signature credit card is probably more appropriate for casual rewards card users, especially if you want to avoid blackout dates or the often-complicated process of trying to find the best value for your points via relationship bonuses or transfer programs.

You’re also not beholden to traveling on certain airlines or booking flights on specific websites. A lack of top-tier travel benefits beyond the industry standard might make seasoned travelers look for a more luxury travel card, but if you’re just starting out in the credit card rewards game, this one is definitely worthy of consideration.

Solid rewards

With two miles per $1 spent everywhere you use the card, the PNC Premier Traveler Visa Signature card has one of the best flat-rate rewards in its category. By comparison, most travel cards offer 1:1 rewards on general purchases.

Annual fee kicks in after first year

Like many travel rewards cards, the PNC Premier Traveler Visa Signature card’s annual fee is waived for the first year. After that, the fee is $85, which is right in line with most competing cards. Provided you pay your monthly balances in full to avoid accruing interest charges, the miles you’ll earn with this card should easily outweigh the $85 charge.

Decent sign-up bonus

The PNC Premier Traveler is currently offering a decent sign-up bonus of 30,000 points for cardholders who spend at least $3,000 in the first three billing cycles. When your redeem those points for travel, they are worth around $300. This is a pretty good bonus, but not the highest you can find on a travel card with an annual fee.

Book travel your way

The card offers pretty flexible redemption options, at least when you use them for travel: Miles don’t expire, there are no limits to the number of miles you can earn and there are no blackout dates. Plus, you’re not limited to booking travel through the PNC Rewards Center — because PNC provides statement credits for any travel purchases you make on outside websites, you can fly any airline you want.

However, there are a couple of downsides. Cardholders aren’t allowed to transfer miles to airlines’ frequent flyer programs, an option that can sometimes increase the value of your points. You’ll also need a minimum of 5,000 miles to redeem for travel. And while you do have the ability to redeem PNC Premier Traveler points for gift cards or cash back, you should definitely avoid the latter, as doing so cuts the value of your points in half.

Good perks, with some omissions

In addition to no foreign transaction fees — perfect for when those free flights take you outside of the U.S. — the PNC Premier Traveler Visa Signature card comes with a slew of other travel benefits, including free concierge service, lost luggage and trip delay reimbursement, travel accident insurance and access to the Visa Signature luxury hotel collection.

That said, the card does lack some of the swankier perks of other travel cards , such as Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card , which offers a free checked bag and priority seating on Delta flights, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card ‘s annual companion pass (after earning 135,000 qualifying points or taking 100 qualifying one-way flights in a calendar year) and the Citi®/ AAdvantage® Executive World Elite™ Mastercard® ‘s admission to the American Airline’s Admirals Club lounges.

Why get the PNC Premier Traveler card?

• You want to earn travel rewards with few restrictions on redemption, including limits on eligible airlines or hotel chains.
• You’re looking for a card you can use while traveling abroad without incurring foreign transaction fees.
• You want to use the 0 percent introductory APR on balance transfers to consolidate high-interest debt from other cards.  

How to use the PNC Premier Traveler card:

• Use it as your primary credit card — at least for the first year — to earn maximum miles before the annual fee kicks in.
• Avoid redeeming miles earned for cash back to avoid cutting their value in half.
• Transfer any high-interest credit card debt to the card (within the first 90 days) and pay it off within 12 billing cycles at 0 percent APR.
• Use the card when traveling overseas to take advantage of no foreign transaction fees.

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Bankrate.com is an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. The offers that appear on this site are from companies from which Bankrate.com receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site, including, for example, the order in which they may appear within listing categories. Other factors, such as our own proprietary website rules and the likelihood of applicants' credit approval, also impact how and where products appear on this site. Bankrate.com does not include the entire universe of available financial or credit offers.

Bankrate has partnerships with issuers including, but not limited to, American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citi and Discover.

Emily Sherman is a former senior editor for CreditCards.com and Bankrate Credit Cards, specializing in product news and recommendations. She has worked as a writer and editor in the credit cards space for several years, covering any and all topics related to how cards work, rewards programs, card benefits, travel, cash back and more.

Antonio Ruiz-Camacho is the former senior director of content for CreditCards.com and Bankrate Credit Cards . He has more than 20 years of international experience leading content teams, focused on consumer advice, technology and immigration.

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PNC points® Visa® Credit Card

*The information about the PNC points® Visa® Credit Card has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.

Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.

A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.

Intro offer

Earn 50,000 bonus points after you make $750 or more in purchases during the first 3 billing cycles following account opening of a PNC points Visa Credit Card.

Offer valuation

Offer valuation is not available for this credit card.

Rewards rate

Earn 4 points for every $1 in purchases

Regular APR

On This Page

• Pros and cons
• Current offer details
• Key cardholder perks
• Understanding the fees
• PNC points Visa Credit Card vs. other rewards cards
• Is this card worth getting?

The PNC points® Visa® Credit Card Overview

The PNC points Visa looks pretty appealing from the outside, and some may find it very practical for their banking needs. Since it comes from a regional bank, the PNC points Visa may not even be available to you. Even if it is, you may find you already have a card giving you better rewards.

What are the pros and cons?

Earn points on nearly all purchases

Intro APR offers

No annual fee

Bonus point opportunities

Only available in areas with PNC physical presence

Foreign transaction fee

Points carry a relatively low cash value compared to other cards

A deeper look at the current card offer

Quick highlights.

• Rewards Rate : 4 points for every $1 on qualifying purchases
• Welcome Offer : 50,000 bonus points for spending $750 within the first three billing cycles
• Annual Fee : None
• Purchase Intro APR : 0 percent APR for the first 12 billing cycles
• Balance Transfer Intro APR : 0 percent APR for the first 12 billing cycles, plus a fee of $5 or 3 percent of the balance if balances are transferred within 90 days of account opening
• Regular APR : 11.99 percent to 21.99 percent APR variable

Current welcome offer

If you’re approved for a new PNC points Visa Credit Card, you can earn an additional 50,000 points when you spend $750 within the first three billing cycles.

While not a spectacular bonus, it’s solid nevertheless, and there are thousands of options when it comes to redeeming. Since $750 isn’t a huge threshold to clear, this is something you may want to consider if you live in an area where PNC operates.

Earning rewards points with the PNC Points Visa Credit Card is easy if you have an account with PNC (or open one) and meet the requirements to earn bonus points. You can always check the number of points available with your PNC credit card login credentials.

Earning rewards

You will earn four PNC rewards points for every $1 in qualified spending, which is almost everything except gift cards and other cash equivalent transactions. When this card is your daily go-to for spending, you can find yourself with a nice stash of points pretty quickly.

Let’s say you put $1,000 on your credit card each month. That gives you 4,000 points at the end of the month. Now, if you have a PNC account, this is where the point earnings really start to add up, as you’ll see below.

Redeeming rewards

With so many redemption choices, you’ll find earning them easier than spending them. Do you want to book an exciting travel getaway? Treat yourself to a spa experience? Donate to your favorite charity? Or use them on some new items for your home or wardrobe? The online rewards page is easy to navigate. Chose the category of reward you want to look at and browse through the offers.

Beware though: points expire 48 months after they are earned. To avoid losing them, after you open your account, set a reminder for 46 months from that date. That will give you a two-month buffer to decide how you’ll spend your points before they vanish from your account.

Other cardholder benefits

The benefits for this card, while not outstanding, are solid. Current PNC customers, or those who are open to banking with them, enjoy the most rewards.

Opportunity to earn bonus points every month

PNC gives you bonus points on the base points you earn with your card if you maintain specific accounts.

• Earn a 25 percent bonus when you maintain a Virtual Wallet, Virtual Wallet Performance Spend, Virtual Wallet Performance Select, Performance or Performance Select checking account.
• Earn a 50 percent bonus points when you maintain a Performance Checking account or Virtual Wallet with Performance Spend and meet the minimum balance or direct deposit requirements for this award level.
• Earn a whopping 75 percent bonus when you maintain a Performance Select Checking account or Virtual Wallet with Performance Select and meet the minimum balance or direct deposit requirements.

Seamless integration with PNC online banking and Virtual Wallet

Streamline your finances when you pair this card with other banking options from PNC. Access your account information in one location with your PNC visa login. You can easily check your balance and points available with your PNC Bank credit card login info anytime and anywhere.

How much are points worth?

These points are, sadly, not very valuable when you consider their cash equivalent. Many rewards programs have points or miles worth 1 cent each, but PNC points work out to less than a quarter of a cent each.

Here are three examples we compared:

• Round-trip flight from Chicago to New York City : $197 when you pay with cash, or 66,067 points, making each point worth $0.29.
• LG Stylo 6 phone : Best Buy sells the 64 GB model for $299.99, but you can get sans cash with 184,583 points. This works out to 0.16 cents per point.
• Walmart gift card : A $100 gift card costs 45,980 points, making each point worth $0.21.

Rates and Fees

This card offers an intro 0 percent APR for 12 billing cycles on new purchases and balance transfers made within the first 90 days of account opening. After that, the rate goes up to a lower-than-average among rewards credit cards rate of 11.99 percent to 21.99 percent variable, depending on creditworthiness.

Balances transferred within the first 90 days incur a fee of $5 or 3 percent of the total, whichever is greater. After the intro period, the fee increases to the greater of $5 or 4 percent of the total balance transferred.

You’ll also pay a 3 percent foreign transaction fee on international purchases. The late and returned payment fees can be up to $38. Cash advance fees are 10 percent of the total amount or $5, whichever is greater.

How the PNC Points Visa Credit Card compares to other rewards cards

This $0 annual-fee card does come up short when it comes to the length of the 0 percent intro APR. However, it shines when it comes to the number of points it earns day in and day out. Additionally, it has one of the lower spending thresholds that need to be reached to get the welcome bonus.

Recommended Credit Score

Citi Double Cash® Card

Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.

Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, for a limited time, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/24.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠. 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries. 2x on all other travel purchases. 1x on all other purchases.

A balance transfer request must be made within 120 days from account opening to qualify for the introductory APR. 

Best cards to pair with the PNC Points Visa Credit Card

With so many specialized rewards cards available, it’s helpful to have a few in your wallet to maximize your rewards-earning potential. The PNC Points Visa pairs well with cards that earn cash back or give extra rewards for travel spending and redemption, like the Citi Double Cash® Card or the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card . That way, you can cover all of your bases when it comes to getting rewarded for your purchases.

Bankrate’s Take — Is PNC Points Visa Credit Card worth it?

We like the PNC Points Visa Credit Card overall, but unless you already are a PNC customer and can take advantage of the bonus earning opportunities, this isn’t one of the best credit cards on the market today.

All information about the PNC Points Visa Card and Wells Fargo Propel American Express® card has been collected independently by Bankrate and has not been reviewed or approved by the issuer.

* See the online application for details about terms and conditions for these offers. Every reasonable effort has been made to maintain accurate information. However all credit card information is presented without warranty. After you click on the offer you desire you will be directed to the credit card issuer's web site where you can review the terms and conditions for your selected offer.

Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, and have not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. The information, including card rates and fees, is accurate as of the publish date. All products or services are presented without warranty. Check the bank’s website for the most current information.

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Credit Cards | Buyer's Guide

Best PNC Business Credit Cards for 2024

Updated April 3, 2024

Updated Apr 3, 2024

Published April 3, 2024

Published Apr 3, 2024

REVIEWED BY: Tricia Jones

WRITTEN BY: Benilyn Formoso

This article is part of a larger series on Best Small Business Credit Cards .

• Quick Comparison
• How To Choose the Best Card
• PNC Cash Rewards Visa Signature Business Credit Card
• PNC Visa Business Credit Card
• PNC points Visa Business Credit Card
• PNC Travel Rewards Visa Business Credit Card
• PNC BusinessOptions Visa Signature Credit Card
• Alternatives

Bottom Line

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post with regularly updated card details.

PNC Bank has five business credit cards ideal for business owners who want to save on credit costs. They come with $0 annual fees and relatively low annual percentage rates (APRs). You have the option to earn cash back, points, or travel rewards or to take advantage of a long 0% introductory APR on balance transfers. When choosing the best PNC business credit card for your company, consider your business’s unique needs and preferences.

Note: To qualify for any of the best PNC business credit cards, you need to have a good or excellent credit score. All of the best PNC credit card options listed carry $0 annual fees.

Here are the five best PNC business credit cards:

• PNC Cash Rewards ® Visa Signature ® Business Credit Card : Best for earning unlimited cash back and a welcome offer
• PNC Visa ® Business Credit Card : Best for carrying a balance and 0% APR on balance transfers
• PNC points ® Visa ® Business Credit Card : Best for 0% APR on both purchases and balance transfers
• PNC Travel Rewards Visa ® Business Credit Card : Best for earning travel rewards
• PNC BusinessOptions ® Visa Signature ® Credit Card : Best for businesses with significant annual expenses

Overview of the Best PNC Business Credit Cards 2024

How to choose the best pnc bank business credit card.

PNC business credit cards have come with $0 annual fees and either ongoing rewards or 0% introductory APR periods. To choose the best PNC business credit card for your business, take your spending habits, rewards preference, and whether you need a zero-interest financing option into account.

1. Ongoing Rewards

The type of rewards you want to earn will determine the best PNC Bank business credit card for your business. You can earn cash back, travel rewards, or points-based rewards. You also have the option to choose your preferred rewards.

• PNC Travel Rewards Visa ® Business Credit Card : Travel rewards
• PNC Cash Rewards ® Visa Signature ® Business Credit Card : Cash back rewards
• PNC points ® Visa ® Business Credit Card : Points rewards
• PNC BusinessOptions ® Visa Signature ® Credit Card : Choose from either cash back, points, or travel rewards

2. Annual Expenses

Your annual expenses are a crucial factor that can help you decide which of the best PNC business credit cards to choose from. If your business typically spends up to $50,000 or $250,000 in a year, you may benefit most from the PNC BusinessOptions ® Visa Signature ® Credit Card as these are the maximum credit limits you can get, depending on your chosen payment frequency.

3. Payment Habits

PNC Bank business credit cards have relatively low ongoing APRs compared to most other business credit cards. However, PNC Visa ® Business Credit Card offers the lowest minimum regular APR among the listed cards—although it doesn’t offer ongoing rewards.

If you have large expenses and can pay your balance in full each month, consider the PNC BusinessOptions ® Visa Signature ® Credit Card. It offers a pay-in-full option with a high credit limit of up to $250,000.

4. Interest-free Financing Options

If you need a zero-interest financing period, here are your options:

• PNC Cash Rewards ® Visa Signature ® Business Credit Card : 0% introductory APR on purchases for the first nine billing cycles
• PNC Visa ® Business Credit Card : 0% APR on balance transfers for the first 13 billing cycles
• PNC points ® Visa ® Business Credit Card : 0% APR on both purchases and balance transfers for the first nine billing cycles after opening an account

5. Welcome Offer

There are three PNC business credit cards that come with a welcome offer:

• PNC Cash Rewards ® Visa Signature ® Business Credit Card: Spend at least $3,000 during the first three months and receive a $400 bonus
• PNC Travel Rewards Visa ® Business Credit Card: Double miles on your first $2,500 in eligible net purchases
• PNC BusinessOptions ® Visa Signature ® Credit Card: Get a $750 bonus if you can spend at least $25,000 in the first three months after opening an account

PNC Cash Rewards ® Visa Signature ® Business Credit Card: Best for Earning Unlimited Cash Back & a Welcome Offer

PNC Cash Rewards® Visa Signature® Business Credit Card

PNC Bank account holders who want to earn fixed-rate cash back rewards

Card Details

Pros & cons, additional features.

On PNC's Secure Website

• Earn $400 bonus after spending $3,000 in qualifying purchases within the first three billing cycles after opening an account
• 0% APR on purchases for the first nine billing cycles after opening an account
• Earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases
• Does not charge an annual fee
• Charges $0 annual fees
• Welcome offer
• Has a low regular APR for both purchases and balance transfers
• Does not have a 0% introductory period on balance transfers
• Requires having an active PNC Bank account to qualify for the card
• Cash Flow Insight®: An online account management that is designed to help monitor and plan cash flow, send invoices through email, pay online, and manage payables digitally.
• Travel accident insurance: You can obtain a maximum of $500,000 in principal sum coverage if the covered person’s injuries occurred while on a covered trip.
• Cellphone protection: You are provided with up to $800 per claim with a maximum of two claims and $1,600 per twelve-month period in the event of a theft, damage, or involuntary and accidental parting of your cellphone.

Read Full Review

Who Should Consider the PNC Cash Rewards ® Visa Signature ® Business Credit Card

• You want to earn unlimited cash back: Receive 1.5% cash back on all eligible purchases, regardless of spending categories with no caps.
• You can spend at least $3,000 in the first three billing cycles: Earn a $400 cash bonus when you meet this spending requirement.
• You need to make a large purchase: Take advantage of 0% introductory APR on purchases for the first nine billing cycles after opening an account.

Other Benefits of the PNC Cash Rewards ® Visa Signature ® Business Credit Card

• $0 annual fee
• Cash Flow Insight ® : Monitor your business spending so you can plan your budget strategically.
• Check current balance and view pending transactions
• Set individual spending limits
• Add, activate, or close cards
• Make electronic payments or schedule recurring payments
• Access up to 13 months’ worth of transaction detail
• Download transactions into Excel, Quicken, or QuickBooks, or use comma-separated values (CSV) files
• Zero liability fraud protection
• Extended warranty protection
• Purchase security
• Auto rental collision damage waiver
• Roadside dispatch ®
• Lost/stolen card reporting
• Purchase security and extended protection
• Lost luggage reimbursement
• Emergency card replacement
• Emergency cash disbursement
• Travel accident insurance
• Travel and emergency assistance services
• Visa signature concierge
• Overdraft protection: Set up your PNC business credit card as overdraft protection for your business checking account to avoid getting overdrafts.

Due to its simple yet lucrative rewards program, it is one of our top business cards for sole proprietors .

PNC Visa ® Business Credit Card: Best for Carrying a Balance & 0% APR on Balance Transfers

PNC Visa® Business Credit Card

Existing PNC Bank account holders that need to carry a balance

on PNC Visa® Business Credit Card's secure website.

• No annual fee
• No rewards on puchases
• Online account management tools allow you to manage your business credit card activity
• With an interest-free financing option on balance transfers
• No interest-free financing option on purchases
• No rewards for new and existing cardholders
• Can only apply online if you have an existing online bank account with PNC Bank
• With a high penalty interest rate
• Cash Flow Insight®: Helps you monitor and plan your cash flow, send invoices via email, get paid online, and manage payables.
• Travel accident insurance: You’re covered by travel accident insurance if you die or are seriously injured while traveling.
• Roadside Dispatch®: A pay-per-use roadside assistance program that provides services such as towing, tire changing, jump-starting, fuel delivery of up to five gallons, winching, and lockout services.
• Overdraft protection: You can set up your PNC Visa® Business Credit Card as overdraft protection for your PNC business checking account to ensure that you have funds when needed.

Who Should Consider the PNC Visa ® Business Credit Card

• You plan to carry a balance: It comes with the lowest starting APR among all other PNC business credit cards on this list, making it a more affordable option if you carry a balance to the next billing cycle.
• You plan to transfer a balance from another credit card: You can enjoy interest-free financing for balance transfers on the first 13 billing cycles, as long as the balance is transferred within 90 days from the date of opening an account.
• You don’t mind not earning ongoing rewards: While it does not let you earn rewards on your purchase, the primary benefit of this card is its low ongoing APRs.

Other Benefits of the PNC Visa ® Business Credit Card

• Visa benefits: Take advantage of Visa benefits, such as zero liability fraud protection, extended warranty, and purchase security.
• Gain access to up to 13 months’ worth of transaction detail
• Download transactions into Excel, Quicken, or QuickBooks, or use CSV files
• Cash Flow Insight ® : Take control of your business’s expenses with the Spend Analysis tool to monitor your spending.
• Overdraft protection: Use your PNC business credit card to protect your business checking account against overdrafts when your account balance is not sufficient to cover your checking transactions.

It is one of our top business cards for balance transfers because of its 13-month-long 0% APR offer and low ongoing APR.

PNC points ® Visa ® Business Credit Card: Best for 0% APR on Both Purchases & Balance Transfers

PNC points® Visa® Business Credit Card

Those who need to carry a balance

on PNC points® Visa® Business Credit Card's secure website.

• Unlimited 5 points for every dollar spent on eligible purchases, with no spending categories to keep track of and no limits on the amount of points earned.
• Low ongoing APR
• Unlimited five points for every dollar spent on business-related purchases
• Short interest-free financing option on both purchases and balance transfers
• Points expire on the 48th month after the month in which they were posted to your points account
• Only available if you have an existing online bank account with PNC Bank or if you’re an existing PNC depositor
• Overdraft protection: You can use this card as overdraft protection for your PNC business checking account. This can help prevent overdrafts if your checking account doesn’t have sufficient funds to cover your check transactions.
• Cash Flow Insight®: This lets you monitor and plan your cash flow, send invoices via email, get paid online, and manage payables. It has a Spend Analysis tool that will automatically assign business categories to your credit card transactions so that you can track your expenses and plan a budget for your future business needs.
• Purchase security: Items purchased with this card are covered by purchase security. Visa® will replace, repair, or reimburse you for eligible items in the event of theft or damage within the first 90 days of purchase.
• Extended protection: If you purchase an item with this card, you’re covered with extended protection. This coverage doubles the original manufacturer’s written US warranty up to a maximum of one additional year on warranties of three years or less.

Who Should Consider the PNC points ® Visa ® Business Credit Card

• You prefer to earn points-based rewards: Receive unlimited 5x points per dollar on all eligible purchases, regardless of spending categories.
• You need to make a significant purchase or consolidate credit card debts: Enjoy interest-free financing on both balance transfer transactions and purchases for the first nine billing cycles after opening an account.

Other Benefits of the PNC points ® Visa ® Business Credit Card

• More redemption options: Redeem your rewards as cash back or use them for travel, hotel stays, merchandise, or gift cards from Target, Amazon, and Starbucks.
• Visa benefits: Take advantage of various Visa benefits, including extended warranty protection, zero fraud liability protection, and purchase security.
• Cash Flow Insight ® : Take control of your business’s expenses with the Spend Analysis tool to monitor, plan, and budget your business spending.
• Overdraft protection: Protect your business checking account against overdrafts by linking your PNC business credit card and use it to cover for your insufficient balance when needed.

Note that your earned points will expire 48 months from the date when they were posted to your account.

PNC Travel Rewards Visa ® Business Credit Card: Best for Earning Travel Rewards

PNC Travel Rewards Visa® Business Credit Card

Earning fixed-rate rewards for businesses that bank with PNC Bank

• Earn 2x miles on the first $2,500 on eligible net purchases
• Unlimited 1x miles for every dollar on eligible net purchases after the first $2,500
• Does not charge annual and foreign transaction fees
• Does not offer introductory 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers
• Low ongoing rewards
• Cash Flow Insight®: This tool helps you monitor your spending categories so you can plan your budget.
• Accounting system integrations: You can download your transactions into Excel®, Quicken®, or QuickBooks®, or use .csv files.
• Purchase security: Covers eligible items purchased with this card. Visa® will replace, repair, or reimburse you for items that are damaged or stolen within the first 90 days of purchase.
• Extended protection: Doubles the original manufacturer’s US warranty, up to a maximum of one additional year, on warranties of three years or less.

Who Should Consider the PNC Travel Rewards Visa ® Business Credit Card

• You travel for business frequently: Earn 1x mile per dollar for all eligible purchases, with no caps or limits. Plus, the card carries a $0 foreign transaction fee.

Other Benefits of the PNC Travel Rewards Visa ® Business Credit Card

• Welcome offer: Receive double miles on your first $2,500 eligible net purchases.
• Visa benefits: Enjoy the benefits of a Visa card for added convenience, including extended protection and purchase security.
• Access up to 13 months’ worth of transaction details
• Download transactions into Excel, Quicken, QuickBooks, or use CSV files
• Overdraft protection: Link your PNC business credit card to your business checking account and use it to cover for your insufficient transactions to avoid overdraft.

For more travel business credit card options, check out our guides to the best business credit cards for travel and leading business credit cards for miles .

PNC BusinessOptions ® Visa Signature ® Credit Card: Best for Businesses With Significant Annual Expenses

PNC BusinessOptions® Visa Signature® Credit Card

Those who want the option to either carry a balance or pay in full

on PNC BusinessOptions® Visa Signature® Credit Card's secure website.

• $750 statement credit after making at least $25,000 in qualifying purchases during the first three billing cycles after opening an account
• You can choose to earn either cash rebates, travel rewards, or points rewards
• You can choose either a pay-in-full option with a credit limit up to $250,000 or a revolve option with a credit limit up to $50,000
• Gives you the option to carry a balance or pay in full.
• Does not charge annual and foreign transaction fees.
• Lets you choose which rewards program is suitable for your business needs.
• It does not have a 0% introductory annual percentage rate (APR) period on purchases and balance transfers.
• Offers a low cash back rebate for those who choose the pay-in-full option
• Requires a high spending limit to avail the sign-up bonus
• Cash Flow Insight®: This tool helps you monitor your spending categories so you can plan your budget.  
• Advanced reporting tool: Enroll in the advanced reporting tool to allocate and analyze expenses.
• All benefits of a Visa® card: This card comes with all the benefits of a Visa® credit card, including worldwide acceptance and fraud protection.

Who Should Consider the PNC BusinessOptions ® Visa Signature ® Credit Card

• You prefer to choose between a pay-in-full or revolving credit card: You can use the card as either a charge card (needs to be paid in full each due date) or a regular credit card (you can carry a balance to the next billing cycle with revolving credit line).
• You have significant business expenses: You can get a credit limit of up to $50,000 to $250,000, depending on your payment option.
• You want to choose your rewards: You can either earn cash back, travel rewards, or points depending on your business’s preferences.

Other Benefits of the PNC BusinessOptions ® Visa Signature ® Credit Card

• Flexible rewards:
• Welcome offer: Receive $750 in statement credit after spending at least $25,000 in qualifying purchases within the first three billing cycles after account opening.
• $0 foreign transaction fee
• High credit limits: Get a credit limit of up to $50,000 if you choose to carry a balance, or up to $250,000 if you pay your balance in full each month.
• Zero fraud liability protection

Alternatives to PNC Business Credit Cards

One major limitation to getting PNC business credit cards is that applications need to be done via call, as the bank is unable to take online applications. Consider the alternative business cards below if you are looking for more convenient options.

U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard ®

U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard®

0% APR for 15 billing cycles

On US Bank's Secure Website

• Introducing the U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard® the card that gives back on all your eligible business needs.
• Earn $500 in cash back. Just spend $4500 on the Account Owner's card in the first 150 days of opening your account.
• Earn 3% cash back on eligible purchases at gas stations and EV charging stations, office supply stores, cell phone service providers and restaurants.
• 1% cash back on all other eligible net purchases.
• Earn 5% cash back on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Rewards Center.
• No limit on total cash back earned.
• Rewards never expire.
• Earn an annual $100 statement credit for recurring software subscription expenses such as FreshBooks or quickbooks
• 0% Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 billing cycles. After that, a variable APR currently 19.24% - 28.24%.
• No annual fee.
• Great Offer from U.S. Bank, a 2022 World's Most Ethical Company® - Ethisphere Institute, February 2022
• Terms and conditions apply
• Pay over time by splitting eligible purchases of $100+ into equal monthly payments with U.S. Bank ExtendPay™ Plan.
• 0% APR applies to both purchases and balance transfers
• Unlimited cash back rewards
• Balance transfer fee is charged even during the introductory period
• Intro APR doesn’t apply to cash advances
• MasterRental car rental collision damage waiver : When you rent a car using your U.S. Bank credit card, you’re covered in case of accident or theft on all rentals made worldwide. Coverage is primary, which means you won’t need to use your personal auto insurance or accept the insurance offered by the rental agency. Coverage is capped at $50,000.
• Purchase assurance : U.S. Bank may repair or reimburse for items purchased with your U.S. Bank business credit card that are damaged or stolen within 90 days of purchase. Coverage is limited to $1,000 per loss, up to $25,000 per year, per account. Lost items and items left out of reach that others can see are not covered.
• Extended warranty protection : U.S. Bank will double the manufacturer’s warranty up to an additional one year from the expiration of warranties of five years or less. An item with a six-month warranty would be backed for an additional six months, for example. The issuer will replace the item or reimburse you up to the amount charged on your U.S. Bank card up to $10,000.

Why we recommend it:

• 0% APR on both purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 billing cycles—this is longer than what PNC business credit cards with 0% APR offer, which are just up to nine to 13 billing cycles
• $100 annual statement credit for recurring software purchases—this is not present in any of the PNC business credit cards
• ExtendPay Plan lets you pay off your eligible balance over time without interest, just a small monthly fee—this feature is not available with PNC business credit cards

Bank of America Platinum Plus ® Mastercard ®

Bank of America® Platinum Plus® Mastercard® Business card

Low-interest credit card for business purchases

on Bank of America® Platinum Plus® Mastercard® Business card's secure website.

• Get a $300 online statement credit after you make at least $3,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening.
• Save on interest with a competitive purchase APR.
• 0% Introductory APR on purchases for the first 7 billing cycles. After the intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that's currently 16.49% to 27.49% will apply.
• Get employee cards at no additional cost to you and with credit limits you set.
• Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
• This offer may not be available if you leave this page or visit our website. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
• 0% introductory APR
• Sign-up bonus of $300
• No ongoing rewards
• 0% APR excludes balance transfers
• No-interest period is shorter than other cards
• Zero liability protection: Bank of America offers liability protection for unauthorized transactions, added protection for certain purchases against loss, damage, theft, or fire, and extended warranty coverage.
• Balance Connect for overdraft protection: This is an optional overdraft protection service that helps prevent declined purchases, returned checks, or other overdrafts. You need to link your Bank of America Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® to a Bank of America business checking account.
• Free access to business credit score: You can view and monitor your Dun & Bradstreet business credit score for free within Business Advantage 360.
• Bank of America has more branches across the United States compared to PNC Bank
• Relatively low ongoing APR compared to most other business credit cards
• Up to 7x or 8x points, depending on your payment option and expense categories, which are way higher than what PNC business credit cards offer
• 10,000 bonus points When you open a Brex Business Account using the link on this website. when spend $3,000 on a Brex card within your first three months—this is higher than what PNC business credit cards offer
• No personal guarantee required, meaning you won’t be personally liable for your business’s financial obligations; PNC business credit cards require a personal guarantee

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Where is pnc bank located.

PNC Bank is located in Washington, D.C., and 28 states:

• Massachusetts
• North Carolina
• Pennsylvania
• South Carolina
• West Virginia

How can I apply for a PNC business credit card?

You can call (855) 762-2365 between 8:30 a.m. and 8 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday, to talk with a PNC Business Banking representative. Alternatively, you can fill out the contact form and a representative will get back to you within one to two business days.

Will PNC business credit cards affect my personal credit score?

Yes, PNC Bank will report to major credit bureaus if your account is 30 days past due, which means it can negatively affect your personal credit score when you use the card irresponsibly.

PNC business credit cards are ideal for business owners wanting to save on credit costs, as all five cards charge $0 annual fees. You can choose from earning cash back, travel rewards, or points. If you don’t mind not earning rewards on your purchases, you can take advantage of a low ongoing APR, so you can carry your balance to the next billing cycle from time to time. Consider your business’s unique needs when selecting the best PNC business credit card for you.

About the Author

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Benilyn Formoso

Benilyn Formoso-Suralta is a staff writer at Fit Small Business focusing on finance, accounting, and Small Business Loans. She brings with her 12 years of experience as a banking officer with the Bank of the Philippine Islands with expertise in consumer banking, real estate sales, and foreign exchanges.

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5 Things to Know About the PNC Points Credit Card

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

The PNC points® Visa® Credit Card might make you feel like you're on an "Oprah" giveaway show. With an annual fee of $0 and an earnings rate of 4 points for every $1 you spend, it seems as if you could practically just show up with the card and walk away with a points-heavy prize package.

But before you get caught up in a rewards-induced rush to spend that cache, you have to take into account the value of those points — and that's where the card stumbles. Here are five things you should know about the PNC points® Visa® Credit Card :

1. You have to be a PNC customer to apply online

If you want to apply for the PNC points® Visa® Credit Card online, you'll be out of luck unless you already bank with PNC. People who don't have an existing relationship with PNC are encouraged to visit a PNC branch or call the bank.

It's important to note, though, that you might not be eligible to apply for the card if there isn't a PNC branch in your state. Previously, you could apply online without having an existing relationship with the bank, but only if you lived in certain states.

2. You'll get a small welcome bonus

Once you're approved for the PNC points® Visa® Credit Card , you'll have the opportunity to earn a sign-up bonus: None

That's a significant number of points for a card with no annual fee. But since the points aren't worth very much (more on that below), that bonus only works out to around $100. That's not bad, but it's smaller than the bonus you'll typically find on similar cards.

Take the the $0 -annual-fee Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card . On top of 2% cash back on all purchases, new cardholders will receive this offer: Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.

3. It does earn a lot of points ...

The goal with any rewards card is to amass a stash of points that you can redeem for things like cash, travel, gift cards and merchandise. The PNC points® Visa® Credit Card delivers the goods at a fat 4 points for every $1 in purchases. In terms of the number of points you get back, you'd be hard-pressed to find a flat-rate card that tops it.

If your only goal is to pile up points through everyday spending, the PNC points® Visa® Credit Card will help you achieve it. But redeeming those points is a different story since the value of each point is significantly lower than it is with competitors.

4. ... but the points aren't worth much

The value of a PNC point will fluctuate slightly depending on what you redeem it for. But as of October 2022, points hovered around .2 cent. That means if you want to redeem your rewards for a $100 gift card, you'd need around 50,000 points.

By comparison, many other rewards cards earn points that are worth the rough industry standard of 1 cent each, or even more.

Granted, the PNC points® Visa® Credit Card earns more total points per dollar spent than many of its competitors, but all points are not created equal.

The Citi Double Cash® Card , for example, earns 2 points per dollar (1 point when you make a purchase and 1 point when you pay it off). That's only about half the points you'll earn with the PNC points® Visa® Credit Card . But since you can redeem points from the Citi card at a rate of 1 cent per point, fewer points are actually worth more.

» MORE: NerdWallet's best cash-back credit cards

5. Loyalty earns you more

You can boost your rewards rate if you qualify for one of PNC's relationship bonuses, which offer an additional 25%, 50% or 75% bonus on base points for those who qualify. This could mean an eye-popping 7 points per dollar spent for those in the highest tier.

In order to snag a higher rate, you'll have to bank with PNC. For the two highest tiers, you'll also need to keep a certain amount of money with PNC, though the exact amount varies depending on where you're keeping that money. For example, to qualify for the 75% bonus, you can keep a monthly average of $5,000 in a single qualifying account, keep a combined monthly average of $25,000 across your PNC accounts, or have a monthly direct deposit of $5,000 or more in a qualifying account.

For other rewards card options, see NerdWallet's list of the best credit cards .

On a similar note...

Find the right credit card for you.

Whether you want to pay less interest or earn more rewards, the right card's out there. Just answer a few questions and we'll narrow the search for you.

Pros and Cons of Moving to Moscow

This guide was written prior to Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine and is therefore not reflective of the current situation. Travel to Russia is currently not advisable due to the area's volatile political situation.

Rich in history and culture, Moscow is an exciting destination for expats. Nevertheless, they may experience frustrations arising from bureaucracy, a difficult language adjustment and extreme weather conditions. Nonetheless, the city offers an attractive lifestyle with its active social life and vibrant arts and culture scene. 

Accommodation in Moscow

Densely populated Moscow offers a variety of options for accommodation, though lots of competition and high prices make finding the perfect home a bit tricky.

+ PRO: Range of options

There are many different types of accommodation available in Moscow. Expats are just as likely to find themselves in a pre-revolutionary apartment with high ceilings, thick walls and interesting architecture as in a modern apartment block with good facilities and high-tech features. There are also several international compounds with other expats. These gated communities usually offer their own sports facilities and social activities. 

- CON: High demand and expensive 

With so many people living in Moscow, housing is in great demand and can therefore be expensive. Apartments are also often small, and expats may be disappointed with what their money can buy. Realistically, size, quality and location are the most important factors influencing the cost of accommodation in Moscow. Expats with a limited budget may need to compromise on one or more of these factors to find a home that best suits them.

Lifestyle in Moscow

Moscow is a huge city, offering a wide range of activities and events . The expat community is close-knit, giving new arrivals the opportunity to make friends.

+ PRO: Great social scene 

There is so much to do in Moscow, with activities catering for every interest. Most groups and organisations are well-organised and welcoming to newcomers. The expat community is busy throughout the year with balls and charity events.

Nightlife within the city is excellent, with a variety of bars, clubs and restaurants to choose from. The quality of museums, art galleries, theatres and concerts is also outstanding.

- CON: Eating out can be expensive

Restaurants in Moscow can be extremely expensive. Expats may find their social life is limited if living on a budget. Luckily, knowing the right places will help make going out more affordable.

Education and schools in Moscow

+ pro: international schools are available .

There are several international schools in Moscow offering excellent quality education and facilities. There are also good private Russian schools, although only a small percentage of expat children attend these.

- CON: Demand is high and space is limited

The demand for schools outweighs the supply. Therefore, schools in Moscow can be expensive with long waiting lists. Schools are usually located outside of central Moscow. So, unless expats live close to the school, children will have to travel some distance by school bus or car each day.

Climate in Moscow

+ pro: many winter and summer outdoor activities.

The climate in Moscow is quite extreme. Winter weather can be beautiful in Moscow, with blue skies and sunshine on the white snow. Cross-country skiing is popular with expats and ice-skating is possible all over the city as many playgrounds are made into ice-rinks. Summer is a great time to explore Moscow, as the city is generally quieter. There are lakeside and river beaches in Moscow, where expats and locals alike can take advantage of the good weather.

- CON: Long winters 

The extreme winter weather can make living in Moscow challenging for most of the year. Expats should make sure to have enough thick and warm winter clothing to get them through. 

Safety in Moscow

- con: bribery and corruption.

Bribery and corruption are still issues in Moscow, and expats are sometimes affected by this. It's also not uncommon to find incidents of racism.

Healthcare in Moscow

+ pro: medical facilities are of a high standard .

There are many private medical centres in Moscow with well-trained doctors who can, in most cases, speak English. Dental treatment is also of a high standard in the city.

- CON: Healthcare is expensive

Getting medical treatment can sometimes be expensive, although most expats have insurance to cover these costs. Dental treatment is also pricey, although competitive with other European prices. 

Public transport in Moscow

+ pro: comprehensive public transport system.

Moscow has an impressive public transport system . The metro is not only clean, safe, efficient and fast; it is also a tourist attraction. Daily tours explore the metro system, with guides showing tourists through some of the city's most beautiful stations. These stations often resemble palaces, with sculptures, mosaics and even chandeliers. There is also an extensive bus, trolleybus and tram route throughout Moscow. Many of Moscow’s buses now even have Wi-Fi access.

- CON: Crowded public transport during rush hour 

Rush hour on the metro can be unpleasantly crowded. Many of the metro stations and trains also haven’t changed all their signs to show both the Cyrillic alphabet and the Latin alphabet. Being able to read place names in Russian is therefore helpful to avoid getting lost in the rush hour chaos.

- CON: Heavy traffic

Bad traffic can put people off travelling in and around Moscow. Luckily, the metro system is good and expats living near transport stops shouldn't have any issues getting around. The traffic could be a problem for those who choose to drive in Moscow, however. 

Further reading

►For a breakdown of what you can expect to pay for basic goods and services in Moscow, see  Cost of Living in Russia .

Expat Interviews " What I like the most about Moscow is the city itself. It is always clean, vibrant, and full of entertainment and friendly pedestrians. It means that you can walk as far as you want to and feel safe about doing so." Read about Eva's experience living in Moscow as an expat .  "What I like about Moscow is that it’s very dynamic and animated; there is always something to do at any time of the day and of the night!"  Read about Laurent's experience and his likes and dislikes of living in Moscow.

Are you an expat living in Moscow?

Expat Arrivals is looking for locals to contribute to this guide, and answer forum questions from others planning their move to Moscow. Please contact us if you'd like to contribute.

Expat Health Insurance

Cigna Global Health Insurance. Medical insurance specifically designed for expats. With Cigna, you won't have to rely on foreign public health care systems, which may not meet your needs. Cigna allows you to speak to a doctor on demand, for consultations or instant advice, wherever you are in the world. They also offer full cancer care across all levels of cover, and settle the cost of treatments directly with the provider. Get a quote from Cigna Global - 20% off

Aetna Aetna International, offering comprehensive global medical coverage, has a network of 1.3 million medical providers worldwide. You will have the flexibility to choose from six areas of coverage, including worldwide, multiple levels of benefits to choose from, plus various optional benefits to meet your needs. Get your free no-obligation quotes now!

Moving Internationally?

International Movers. Get Quotes. Compare Prices. Sirelo has a network of more than 500 international removal companies that can move your furniture and possessions to your new home. By filling in a form, you’ll get up to 5 quotes from recommended movers. This service is free of charge and will help you select an international moving company that suits your needs and budget. Get your free no-obligation quotes from select removal companies now!

Free Moving Quotes ReloAdvisor is an independent online quote service for international moves. They work with hundreds of qualified international moving and relocation companies to match your individual requirements. Get up to 5 free quotes from moving companies that match your needs. Get your free no-obligation quotes now!

• ALL MOSCOW TOURS
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• Top 10 Reasons To Go
• Things To Do In Moscow
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• Airports Transfer
• Layover in Moscow
• Best Moscow Hotels
• Best Moscow Hostels
• Art in Moscow
• Moscow Theatres
• Moscow Parks
• Free Attractions
• Walking Routes
• Sports in Moscow
• Shopping in Moscow
• The Moscow Metro
• Moscow Public Transport
• Taxi in Moscow
• Driving in Moscow
• Moscow Maps & Traffic
• Facts about Moscow – City Factsheet
• Expat Communities
• Groceries in Moscow
• Healthcare in Moscow
• Blogs about Moscow
• Flat Rentals

Moscow parks – leisure, nature and historical

Moscow is the most green megapolis in the world. There are over a hundred parks and green spaces like gardens, squares and boulevards. You will definitely bump into a few of them wherever you go. Whether you are interested in memorial, historic parks, parks of wildlife or you just want to have a calm break from the speedy city life – city parks have something special for everyone.

Moscow leisure parks

The leisure Moscow parks are undoubtedly the most popular and famous with the locals and travelers. Today such parks provide a great number of exciting entertainments for Muscovites and city guests, adults and children.

The Gorky Park

Gorky Park opened in 1928 and was the first holiday park in the Soviet Union with playgrounds, a sports stadium, exhibition halls and attractions for kids. Today it has a fresh, vibrant appearance. The park features bike rental stations, a comfortable business area with Wi-Fi, an outdoor movie theatre and a greenhouse where you can buy fresh greens such as basil and lettuce. To contemplate the sky and the stars, go to the observatory and look through the telescope while listening to fascinating stories from astronomers. Enjoy many sports in the park: volleyball, handball, football or a peaceful jog around the beautiful surroundings.

Zaryadye Park

Opened in September 2017, Zaryadye is the youngest on our list. Located just a few minutes away from Red Square, it includes various activities like the floating bridge with its thin V-form extension, an ice cave, also concert hall and an amphitheater. The entire territory of the park was divided into four zones of Russia: forest, steppe, tundra, and the floodplains.

Neskuchny Sad

By walking along the Moskva River’s bank from the Gorky Park towards Vorobievy Gory (Sparrow Hills) you’ll reach Neskuchny Sad («Not Boring» garden), a wonderful place in the Moscow center, one of Moscow’s oldest parks, charming slice of wildlife. The park mostly consists of pristine forest, dotted with old summer pavilions, ponds and quaint little stone bridges. There are a lot of opportunities for different activities lots of children playground, a ping-pong and chess clubs, football fields and tennis courts, horse riding, tree climbing and having rest in one of the nice cafes.

Museon Park

Hermitage Garden

Hermitage Garden has always been known as an amusement, entertainment center with theatres, shows, cafes, summer pavilions, pergolas since 1830. Shalyapin, Sobinov, Nezhdanova – great Russian opera singers starred on the garden stage. Famous Russian composer Rakhmaninov conducted the orchestra. Sara Bernar, Maria Yermolova, outstanding actresses, played in the open air performances. Tolstoy and Lenin had a stroll in the garden. So lots of celebrities from different epoques liked it a lot and spent their time in Hermitage Garden. You can find here three theatres in the garden: Hermitage, Sphere and New Opera. During winter an ice rink works here and in summer a musical stage is assembled to host jazz and brass band festivals.

In Sokolniki Park visitors can play billiard, chess or draughts, table tennis, as well as go cycling, roller blading and swimming in the summer and ice skating or skiing in winter. Each season is highlighted by special memorable and bright events, for example, Summer Jazz Festival or Baby Fest (for future mums), open air beach disco parties, Ice Cream Day, International Clown Festival and many other shows and exhibitions. The park has an observatory, kids center and a co-working zone with free Wi-Fi which is really nice for spending high quality work time there.

Moscow nature parks

The nature parks are national reserves with the amazing forestry and incredible variety of animals and plants there. The breath of wildlife and the chance to be closer to the virgin nature excites both children and grownups. Hundreds of different species of animals can be found in Moscow nature parks. The richest woodlands with old and even ancient trees, like a 200 years pine-tree in the Elk Island National Nature Park, are the point of passionate interest for visitors.

Aptekarsky Ogorod

Aptekarsky Ogorod (Apothecary Garden)

Aptekarsky Ogorod (Apothecary Garden) is one of the oldest gardens in Moscow. It was founded in the XVIII century by Peter the First (great Russian emperor). A larch that he planted himself still grows in the garden, so it’s more than 250 years old. At the time of its foundation, it was a garden with herbs and medicinal plants and was used as an educational center for doctors. Today there are the orangery with its tropical palms, the carp pond, and the immense trees that dot the landscape and turn wonderful golden shades in the autumn. Several restaurants and cafes work here making it a very nice spot for relaxation no matter what season it is. You can book a special tour or join the guided excursion group.

Losiny Ostrov

Losiny Ostrov (Elk Island Park)

Losiny Ostrov (Elk Island Park) is located at the north of Moscow. It covers 22 km from the west to the east and 10 km from the north to the south and it’s one of the most beautiful national parks in Moscow. Two rivers, Yausa and Pechorka begin here. You can find lots of fields, ponds, meadows, streams in the park as well as elks. Here you can enjoy guided tours, available in English. You can choose a guided tour about flora and fauna of the area, you’ll learn why elks are there, which animals are their neighbors. Or enjoy another excursion, which is totally devoted to historical past of ancient tribes once lived there, you’ll know about old Russian mythology, rituals and traditions.

Serebyany Bor

Serebyany Bor (Silver Forest)

Serebyany Bor (Silver Forest) is a famous pine forest in the west of Moscow. The park has 230 forms of plant life, and is also home to watersports complex, providing a lot of activities for visitors. The layout of Serebryany Bor is unusual, as it is located on an artificial island between a meander in the Moscow River and a channel. There is an artificial lake, the Deep Gulf and picturesque Bezdonnoe (Bottomless) Lake in the depths of the forest. Serebryany Bor’s beaches are the cleanest in the city and very popular among Muscovites. On weekends it is difficult to find a free spot here, especially because a whole range of services are offered to visitors, from simple deckchairs to catamaran and yacht rides. Driving is prohibited on the territory of the island so be ready to use trolleybus to reach the entrance.

Botanichesky Sad

Greenhouse of Botanical Garden

Main Botanical Garden of The Russian Academy of Sciences is the largest and most famous is Moscow. The garden is a real museum of nature with a very rich (more than 18000 types) collection of plants. The park was founded in 1945 at the place of the 17th century Apothecaries’ Gardens. The garden’s collection is turned into botanical expositions, made with use of modern receptions of landscape architecture. Here you can see a tree nursery, a shadow garden, hothouse complex, collection of flowers, a rosary, exposition of coastal plants, garden of continuous blossoming, Japanese garden and expositions of cultural plants and natural flora plants. The biggest part of Garden is the Tree nursery occupying the space of 75 hectares. About 2 thousand wood plants grow here. Another big exposition of the Garden is nature Flora, divided into six botanic-geographical collections: European part of Russia, Caucuses, Central Asia, Siberia and Far East. Pride of the Main Botanical Garden is the collection of tropical, coastal and water plants, which is considered as the best in Europe. The Japanese garden, a great model of Japanese landscape gardening art has a 13-level stone pagoda of the 18th century, stone Japanese lamps, ponds, falls and streams, tea lodges and more than 100 species of the most character Japan plants. It is especially decorative in spring, during Oriental cherry blossoming and in fall, when foliage blazes in crimson colors.

Moscow historic parks

Historic nature parks and estates once were the mansions of the Moscow aristocracy. At that far times the estates were outside the Moscow city limits, but after the city expansion and urbanization, they became easily accessible.

Kolomenskoye

Kolomenskoye Museum and Park

The chief attraction of the park is undoubtedly the stone Church of the Ascension of the Lord. It was constructed in 1532 by order of Tsar Vasily III to commemorate the birth of his son and heir, Ivan the Terrible. But there is a lot more to see in the park: the pretty Church of the Icon of Our Lady of Kazan – with its bright azure domes and plenty of gold. Further into the park there is a charming Church of the Beheading of St John the Baptist, built by Ivan the Terrible to mark his coronation.

Kuskovo Park

Kuskovo Park is one of the oldest country estates in Moscow. It was given to General Sheremetev by Peter the Great in 1715, but was left to fall into neglect before being plundered by Napoleon’s troops in 1812. Nowadays the estate has been restored to its former glory and is a good example of Russian 18th Century imperial architecture. The palace is a fine and rare example of wooden neoclassicism. It was completed in 1775, and the rich interiors remain unchanged since 1779. It includes a room hung with exclusive exquisite Flemish tapestries, an abundance of silk wallpaper and an impressive collection of 18th century European and Russian paintings. The palace looks onto the lake, which is surrounded by smaller pavilions: pretty Italian, Dutch and Swiss Cottages, Blank’s Hermitage and the old Orangery, where the State Ceramics Museum is located now, an extensive and absorbing collection of porcelain from the 18th century to the present day. On the other side of the lake is a large wood popular with local cyclists and joggers.

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