Travel is expensive; to ensure maximum savings and rewards, choose a credit card that best meets your spending habits and provides additional perks such as airport lounge access and travel insurance coverage. When making this choice, keep the following in mind.
Typically, when choosing a card you should look for one with an attractive initial rewards bonus and points or miles earned per dollar spent. Furthermore, make sure it’s widely accepted internationally with no foreign transaction fees applied.
Airline- and Hotel-Specific Cards
Your ideal travel credit card depends on how and where you travel, as well as which rewards or benefits are important to you. Many premium cards include benefits like complimentary airport lounge access, property credits and automatic upgrade privileges on airline or hotel bookings; additionally they frequently feature waived foreign transaction fees as well as reimbursement of Global Entry/TSA Precheck application fee reimbursements.
Travel cards associated with airlines or hotel chains typically reward their holders with miles or points that can only be redeemed with them, such as miles for flights or points toward elite status status qualification. They may also include special perks that apply solely to the brand being represented such as free checked bags or help qualifying for elite status.
General travel cards offer more versatility for various travel expenses and provide rewards unrelated to any specific airline or hotel chain. Their rewards tend to accrue at a faster rate, and you may even be able to redeem points through your card issuer’s travel portal or loyalty programs.
Flexible Rewards Cards
Capital One Venture X Rewards Card is an excellent choice for travelers who value flexibility in earning and redeeming rewards, offering budget-minded travellers flexible earning and redemption capabilities as well as features such as lounge access. However, for travelers wanting to maximize travel rewards other cards may provide better opportunities.
This card offers an attractive first-year bonus and an unlimited 1.5 miles per dollar on purchases made. Furthermore, it comes equipped with helpful insurance protections such as trip interruption and car rental collision damage waiver.
This card’s generous sign-up bonus and long-term value make it an outstanding choice for infrequent travelers. Its generous earning rates at restaurants, supermarkets and gas stations, plus its ability to collect 10 points per dollar spent through Citi Travel portal make it a top contender among general travel credit cards. Furthermore, transfer partners extend rewards potential further. It has an affordable annual fee compared to co-branded cards.
Cash-Back Cards
Credit cards often offer extra travel perks, like annual statement credits for flights or hotels and upgrades when renting cars. Compare these benefits against the features on available cards to find one best suited for you.
Choose a travel card with higher earning rates in essential categories like dining, gas and grocery spending or one that offers a flat rate on all purchases to get maximum return from your rewards dollars. Also consider one with an introductory 0% APR to help fund your next big trip!
If you travel often, a co-branded card with an airline or hotel program may be ideal. These cards typically offer higher rewards rates and benefits such as complimentary checked bags, meals in flight, and hotel nights. But for occasional travelers or those not frequent travelers alike, a cash back card might offer more flexibility; it allows redeeming for statement credits, gift cards or travel bookings from any platform.
Visa or Mastercard
Traveling can be expensive, so credit cards that offer rewards and perks may help to lower the costs. Consider one that pays back a percentage of airfare or hotel purchases, provides airport lounge access or helps speed you through lines with TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee credits.
A suitable travel credit card will offer no foreign transaction fees and offer generous rewards rates, such as 10x point bonuses on all travel purchases. Be sure to compare this card’s annual fee, which could range anywhere from zero dollars up to several hundreds, against its travel booking cost in order to find one that fits. Some cards even provide statement credits of $300 on travel bookings! Take into consideration these features against your cost of travel booking in order to find the one that best meets your travel habits – making sure the balance is paid in full each month to protect your credit score!
