No matter whether traveling for work or pleasure, having the appropriate credit card for travel can help you earn rewards, save money and gain extra perks. Some cards provide bonus points in multiple categories as well as waived foreign transaction fees and travel insurance benefits that could come in handy during your journey.
An easily accepted credit card such as Capital One’s Venture X and Venture Rewards cards are essential, too.
Airline credit cards
Traveling on a tight budget or spending a considerable sum? A credit card with special features and rewards could save you on airfare and hotel costs while helping you unlock large rewards on purchases made abroad.
The Ink Business Preferred(sm) Credit Card offers 3X Ultimate Rewards on travel purchases of $150,000 or more in bonus categories that don’t incur foreign transaction fees, and its sign-up bonus covers one economy class ticket to Europe through Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan, American Airlines AAdvantage, Air France KLM Flying Blue/JAL Mileage Bank or United MileagePlus programs.
American Express’ Platinum Card comes with an attractive welcome bonus and features such as airport lounge access, Global Entry/CLEAR application fee credits and 5x Membership Rewards on flights and hotels – but it may take 17 months before enough Membership Rewards points have been earned to purchase an award ticket to Europe with an airline of your choice.
Hotel credit cards
Credit cards abroad can be an essential travel companion, helping travelers avoid foreign transaction fees and having to withdraw currency at ATMs. Some travel credit cards even waive these fees while providing valuable perks like trip protections, airline mile/hotel point earning and other amenities when traveling internationally.
American Express Platinum Card is an ideal solution for travelers to Europe who travel frequently. This card provides access to airport lounges with your card, earning Membership Rewards(r) points at a 1:1 ratio for award flights and offering a $200 annual credit towards airline fee charges. Furthermore, this card features numerous perks including global entry benefits like TSA PreCheck and pre-approved Global Entry status as well as many others.
Apply for credit cards 9 months in advance of any travel adventure to make sure that you meet minimum spending requirements and claim any bonuses associated with them before embarking. It is also wise to evaluate how much annual fee applies in your personal situation.
Cash-back credit cards
Euro vacations can be an unforgettable experience, yet often come with an exorbitant price tag. Credit cards offer an effective solution to keep expenses under control and earn rewards on your trip.
For instance, the Ink Business Cash card features no foreign transaction fees and provides bonuses of up to $25,000 in office supply purchases each year – plus you get an impressive 2% cash back on dining and gas purchases!
Chase Ultimate Rewards cards provide another excellent way of traveling through Europe. The Sapphire Preferred card waives foreign transaction fees and grants an initial bonus of 60,000 points (worth approximately $750 in travel) after making your first three months of eligible spending, along with many airline transfer partners (1:1 ratios), airport lounge access through Priority Pass network membership, as well as offering you $50 hotel credit annually.
Not everyone visiting Europe for entertainment purposes; many business travelers make investments totaling millions each year in European markets as part of their work activities. Luckily, several credit cards provide bonus rewards on purchases such as museum, theatrical and sporting event tickets.
Other credit cards
With a strong dollar and reduced travel restrictions, Europe is within reach for any budget traveller this year. Finding the appropriate credit card can make your dollars go further by eliminating fees and adding features that enhance your experience on vacation.
Many premium credit cards provide benefits that make travel in Europe even more pleasurable, such as access to exclusive airport lounges like American Express’ Centurion Lounge or Global Lounge Collection lounges. Furthermore, such credit cards may offer useful insurance policies including delay coverage or lost luggage protection.
The Amex Prestige boasts an attractive sign-up bonus, which could net you an economy round-trip award ticket with Air France KLM Flying Blue or United MileagePlus within 17 months of receiving it. In addition, foreign transaction fees apply; Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card does not charge such fees and allows users to accumulate rewards in their native currency.
