Credit cards with travel rewards can help you save money when traveling and enjoy perks such as complimentary hotel stays, airline lounge access and statement credits – but not all cards offer equal savings opportunities.
The best travel credit cards offer rewards that far outstrip their fees. Compare rewards rates and sign-up bonuses until you find one that suits your spending habits perfectly.
Rewards
Travel credit cards typically offer high rewards rates in the form of points or miles that you can redeem for travel expenses, plus extra benefits like priority boarding, airport lounge access and fee credits for Global Entry/TSA PreCheck applications. Some cards even allow users to transfer rewards directly into airline loyalty programs at 1:1 ratio.
Selecting the ideal card depends on how often and where you travel, along with where your money is being spent. Some travel cards specialize in certain categories like dining, grocery shopping or streaming services while others provide higher earning caps or redemption values.
Redeeming rewards may also offer cash-back in the form of statement credits or direct deposits, making this an appealing option for people hoping to avoid spending their hard-earned rewards on airfare or hotels. Unfortunately, if you carry an outstanding balance this will quickly nullify any gains from redeeming them.
Perks
Travel credit cards typically offer extra perks that can make your journey more enjoyable, such as lounge access, airline priority boarding, fee credits for Global Entry/TSA PreCheck applications and purchase protection. When combined with frequent travel, these perks may add up significantly in value; however, be wary that some come with steep annual fees which only justify being paid if their use regularly will generate rewards and savings on travel expenses. As these perks may also be offered by other cards it is wise to compare options before making decisions.
Some travel credit cards allow you to add authorized users, so it is also worthwhile comparing these offers against one another to see which might provide the best value.
