If you love travel, there are several credit cards with generous welcome bonuses that could cover the costs associated with airfare or hotel stays. Some also come equipped with other perks, like access to airport lounges for free or credit towards Global Entry/TSA PreCheck membership.
Sign-up bonuses
Credit card issuers offer sign-up bonuses as a competitive incentive to attract new customers, often in the form of cash back, points or miles tied into specific reward programs. These bonuses can have far greater value than what could be gained through regular spending alone.
To make the most of a credit card, it is crucial that you understand its appropriate usage and avoid going into debt. Furthermore, opening cards in such a manner that supports maintaining a positive credit rating will enable you to qualify for mortgages and other major financial goals in the future.
Sign-up bonuses on credit cards typically require you to spend a set amount within a given time period – typically from several months up to a year – in order to unlock them. It’s essential that you understand which expenses count towards meeting minimum spending requirements and which do not.
Online shopping portals
With the right credit card and shopping portals, it is possible to accumulate plenty of points by shopping through online portals. These websites direct shoppers directly to retailer websites while taking a small percentage as commission and giving it back as bonuses; you’ll likely find these portals listed within airline and hotel loyalty programs’ online menus; Cashback Monitor also lists them all with current earning rates and earning rates.
Every transaction may seem inconsequential at first, but their cumulative effect can add up quickly – your extra points could add up to free flights and hotels! But you must use shopping and dining portals wisely: make sure to disable ad blockers and shop incognito mode when possible, avoid purchasing gift cards as these often don’t qualify for payouts, etc.
Airline credit cards
Airlines credit cards typically offer benefits like priority boarding, free checked bags and airline-specific discounts. Furthermore, these cards often provide annual statement credits towards travel expenses as well as lounge network memberships – these cards can be obtained both by those with good and excellent credit as well as those with limited or fair credit ratings. In addition, miles earned with frequent-flier programs of participating carriers can often be redeemed for award flights available with that carrier or its partners.
Cards’ annual fees may make them unsuitable for occasional travelers, while airline miles may have blackout dates or limited availability. Some airlines also have restrictive partner relationships which limit flight options.
For maximum value from your card, redeem travel rewards on your card issuer’s website – this offers higher redemption values than gift cards or merchandise. Alternatively, use Bankrate’s Points and Miles Valuations tool to see what the real value of your rewards are.
Hotel credit cards
Hotel credit cards typically offer several perks to help you accumulate free stays faster, such as elite status or late checkout/discounted bookings – these extra perks often make up for their annual fees and can even save money over time!
Some of the top hotel credit cards offer automatic elite status and complimentary top-tier loyalty tier. Others feature higher annual fees but premium perks, like free night certificates or elevated earning rates in loyalty programs.
Some hotel credit cards offer no-fee versions, though most charge an annual fee. American Express Hilton Honors Card features both options; no fee and paid (with automatic top-tier status). Other no-annual fee hotel cards include Capital One VentureOne Rewards Card which awards Membership Rewards points that can be redeemed for travel rewards and experiences.
