Travel Reward Credit Cards
Are you ready for a vacation without breaking the bank?
Think you can’t afford that dream vacation you always wanted? I know the feeling. Then, my family discovered how to change a few spending habits. Now, we travel to countries we only dreamed of for nearly free.
How do we do it? Travel Reward Credit Cards
Traveling the world has never been more rewarding, especially with the right travel reward credit cards in your wallet. These cards offer many benefits, including earning points or miles on everyday purchases that can be redeemed for flights, hotel stays, and unforgettable experiences. In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the best travel rewards credit cards available today, allowing you to embark on your dream adventures while maximizing your rewards.
Best beginner travel reward credit card
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is a popular choice among travel enthusiasts and is currently the top card in my wallet. With this card, you’ll earn valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which can be transferred to various airline and hotel loyalty programs. Additionally, you’ll receive a generous sign-up bonus, access to the Chase Travel Portal, and benefits like trip cancellation insurance and no foreign transaction fees. Read more about the top benefits of Chase Sapphire Preferred here.
Favorite Mid-tier travel reward credit card
Capital One Venture X
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is an excellent option for flexible travel rewards. With this card, you’ll earn miles on all your purchases, and redemption is simple: just book your travel using the card and redeem your miles to cover the cost. I love the fact that I can book a hotel and the next month it is removed from my bill. It also offers a generous sign-up bonus, no foreign transaction fees, and travel benefits like travel insurance. Read more details on the Venture X card here.
The most underrated reward credit card
Citi Strata Premier Card
The Citi Strata Premier Card is a well-rounded travel rewards card with many benefits. It was the first travel card I got when I started my journey in award travel. It provides ThankYou points that can be redeemed for flights, hotel stays, or transferred to partner loyalty programs. This card offers bonus points on travel and dining purchases, no foreign transaction fees, and valuable travel insurance coverage. Learn more about Citi Premier here.
Top Benefits of Travel Reward Cards
Travel rewards cards offer many benefits that can enhance your travel experiences. From complimentary airport lounge access and travel insurance to accelerated points earning and flexible redemption options, these cards provide a range of perks that can make your journeys more convenient, comfortable, and memorable. We will explore the top benefits offered by travel rewards cards and how they can add value to your adventures.
Best American Express reward credit card
American Express Gold Card
The American Express Gold Card is a versatile travel rewards card that offers generous rewards on dining and supermarket purchases. In addition, it provides Membership Rewards® points that can be redeemed for travel bookings or transferred to airline and hotel partners. The card also offers travel credits, airport lounge access, and valuable shopping and dining benefits. Interested in the AmEx Gold? More info here.
best reward credit card for renters
Bilt Mastercard
While Bilt doesn’t offer a sign-up bonus, this is the best way to earn points as a renter. That’s right this is the only card that lets you earn points for paying or rent without any fees. Bilt points are flexible, and they often offer the best transfer bonuses to travel partners I have ever seen.
American Express Platinum
The Platinum Card from American Express is a premium travel rewards card that offers exceptional benefits for frequent travelers. While it has a higher annual fee, it provides access to luxurious airport lounges worldwide, airline fee credits, hotel elite status, and travel insurance. Moreover, it earns valuable Membership Rewards points that can be redeemed for flights or transferred to travel partners. Check out our 10 Best Benefits of the American Express Platinum Card post for more details.
Hidden Gem reward credit card
Discover it Miles
While not as widely known as some other travel rewards cards, the Discover it Miles card is a hidden gem that offers unique advantages for frequent travelers. With its unlimited 1.5x miles on every purchase, flexible redemption options, and first-year matching bonus, this card provides excellent value for travel enthusiasts. We will unveil the benefits of the Discover it Miles card and why it’s worth considering for avid globetrotters. Read our full article Top 10 Benefits of the Discover it Miles Card.
Best New reards credit card
Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Card
The Autograph Journey card is the new kid on the block, ready to take on the competition. It offers a great sign-up bonus, good spending categories, and a low annual fee. This card offers $50 back in airline purchases directly applied to the card. Compared to the other cards above, transfer partners for redemptions are still lacking.
Which Travel Reward Credit Cards are Right for You:
How do I determine which travel rewards credit cards are right for me?
Choosing the right travel credit card depends on several factors. Consider your travel preferences, such as the airlines or hotels you frequently use or the destinations you plan to visit. Assess the card’s earning potential by looking at the rewards rates for different spending categories. Additionally, evaluate the redemption options available, annual fees, additional benefits like travel insurance or lounge access, and any introductory bonuses offered.
What are the key features to look for in a travel reward credit cards?
Some important features to consider are the earning potential, redemption options, flexibility in using rewards, travel benefits (such as lounge access, travel insurance, and waived foreign transaction fees), sign-up bonuses, and the annual fee. It’s also valuable to review the transfer partners or booking platforms associated with the card and consider their compatibility with your travel preferences.
Should I focus on airline-specific or general travel reward credit cards?
It depends on your travel habits and preferences. Airline-specific credit cards are ideal if you frequently fly with a particular airline and want to maximize benefits like priority boarding, free checked bags, and access to airline-specific perks. On the other hand, general travel credit cards offer more flexibility, allowing you to earn and redeem rewards across various airlines, hotels, and other travel expenses.
Learn more about the best airline rewards here.
How important are sign-up bonuses?
Sign-up bonuses can be a significant factor in choosing a travel credit card. These bonuses often provide a substantial number of points or miles, which can jump-start your rewards balance and help you achieve your travel goals faster. However, be mindful of the minimum spending requirement and whether it aligns with your usual spending habits.
Are annual fees worth it?
Annual fees are a common feature of travel credit cards, and they can range from modest to high amounts. Consider the overall value of the card’s benefits, such as rewards rates, redemption options, travel perks, and insurance coverage, in relation to the annual fee. If the benefits outweigh the fee, it may be worth paying, especially if you plan to maximize your rewards and utilize the card’s travel benefits. Don’t want to pay an annual fee, read this post, Top 5 No Annual Fee Travel Credit Cards.
Should I consider credit cards with no foreign transaction fees?
If you travel internationally or make purchases in foreign currencies, having a credit card with no foreign transaction fees is beneficial. These fees can add up quickly and eat into your travel budget. Having a card without these fees can save you money and make your travels more convenient. This is important when booking hotels also. Booking a cash-rate hotel in another country from the comfort of your living room with the wrong card can still cost you foreign transaction fees (I am guilty of this, oops).
Remember to carefully review the terms and conditions, compare different cards, and consider your personal preferences and goals before deciding.
Avoiding ATM fees
Travel credit cards leave a void in your money needs while traveling. Check out our post, Travel Debit vs. Credit Cards, to learn how to save on ATM fees. Having the proper bank cards is important to save on the various fees that may be charged. Some banks require you to locate a certain brand of ATM to waive these costs, and others will reimburse you anywhere. Read our Top 7 Travel Debit Cards post to pick the best card for you.
What About Trip Insurance
Trip insurance from credit cards is like a travel superhero that’s got your back when things don’t go as planned. Picture this: your flight gets canceled, or your bags decide to take a detour of their own. No worries! Read our full post, Trip Insurance: Top Credit Cards for Your Greatest Security, for details.
Keeping your Travel Rewards Cards Safe
Travel reward credit cards that contain chips and utilize RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology offer convenience and security for frequent travelers. The inclusion of RFID chips in these cards allows for contactless transactions and faster processing at various locations around the world. However, it is important to be aware of the need to protect these cards from potential RFID skimming or unauthorized scanning. You can read our post about RFID Wallets for more details.
One effective way to protect RFID-enabled credit cards is by using RFID-blocking sleeves or wallets. These specially designed sleeves create a barrier that prevents unauthorized scanning and helps maintain personal information security. By storing travel reward cards in RFID-blocking sleeves, travelers can enjoy peace of mind knowing that their data is shielded from potential theft or unauthorized access. Follow our link to Carbon Envisions and check out my personal favorite wallet. Use code Travel for 10% off.
Conclusion Travel Reward Credit Cards:
Choosing the right travel rewards credit card can significantly enhance your travel experiences while saving you money. Points earned from Capitol One and Citi Premier allowed my family to fly to Europe and back for less than $500 on our first experience in award travel. Each card mentioned above offers unique benefits and rewards, catering to different travel preferences and lifestyles. Consider your spending habits, preferred airlines or hotels, and the value you place on benefits like lounge access or travel insurance. If you are looking for more information on travel reward cards, check out this post from Bankrate. With the right travel rewards credit card in hand, you can easily unlock a world of possibilities and embark on your dream adventures. Happy travels!