Travel rewards credit cards are a great way to save money on your next trip. With a travel rewards credit card, you can earn rewards for every purchase you make, and then redeem those rewards for travel-related expenses such as flights, hotels, rental cars, and more. With so many rewards programs available, it can be difficult to decide which card is the best for you. To help you make an informed decision, here’s an overview of the different types of travel rewards credit cards, the benefits of having one, and tips for choosing the best travel rewards credit card for you.
Benefits of Travel Rewards Credit Cards
Travel rewards credit cards offer a variety of benefits that make them attractive to travelers. The most obvious benefit is the ability to earn reward points or miles for every dollar you spend. Depending on the card, you can earn up to 5x points per dollar on certain purchases, such as airline tickets or hotel stays. These rewards can be redeemed for a variety of travel-related expenses, such as flights, hotels, rental cars, and more. Additionally, many cards come with additional benefits such as travel insurance, car rental insurance, and more.
Types of Travel Rewards Credit Cards
There are a variety of different types of travel rewards credit cards available. Each card has its own set of rewards and benefits, and the best card for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences. Some of the most popular types of travel rewards credit cards include airline credit cards, hotel credit cards, and general travel credit cards.
Airline credit cards offer rewards in the form of airline miles, which can be redeemed for flights on the airline’s partners. Hotel credit cards offer rewards in the form of hotel points, which can be redeemed for hotel stays. General travel credit cards offer rewards in the form of points or miles, which can be redeemed for travel-related expenses such as flights, hotels, rental cars, and more.
Tips for Choosing the Best Travel Rewards Credit Card
When choosing a travel rewards credit card, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, consider the rewards rate of the card. Make sure that the rewards rate is high enough to make it worth your while. For example, if you typically fly on a particular airline, an airline credit card may be the best choice as it will offer the highest rewards rate for flights on that airline.
Next, consider the additional benefits offered by the card. Many travel rewards credit cards come with additional benefits such as travel insurance, car rental insurance, and more. These benefits can be very helpful if you travel frequently and want to be covered in case of an emergency.
Finally, consider the fees associated with the card. Some cards may have an annual fee, while others may have a foreign transaction fee. Make sure you read the fine print and understand all the fees associated with the card before you apply.
The Top 5 Travel Rewards Credit Cards
1. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: This card offers a generous sign-up bonus and rewards rate, making it one of the best travel rewards credit cards available. You can earn 2x points per dollar spent on travel and dining, and 1x points per dollar spent on all other purchases. Additionally, the card comes with a wide range of travel benefits, including trip cancellation and interruption insurance, car rental insurance, and more.
2. Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card: This card offers rewards in the form of miles, which can be redeemed for travel-related expenses such as flights, hotels, rental cars, and more. You can earn 2x miles per dollar spent on all purchases, and the card comes with a generous sign-up bonus, no foreign transaction fees, and a variety of travel benefits.
3. American Express® Gold Card: This card offers rewards in the form of points, which can be redeemed for flights, hotels, rental cars, and more. You can earn 4x points per dollar spent on restaurants and 3x points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline. Additionally, the card comes with a generous sign-up bonus, and a variety of travel benefits.
4. Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite™ Mastercard®: This card offers rewards in the form of airline miles, which can be redeemed for flights on American Airlines and its partners. You can earn 2x miles per dollar spent on American Airlines purchases, and 1x miles per dollar spent on all other purchases. Additionally, the card comes with a generous sign-up bonus, no foreign transaction fees, and a variety of travel benefits.
5. Marriott Bonvoy Boundless™ Credit Card: This card offers rewards in the form of hotel points, which can be redeemed for hotel stays. You can earn 6x points per dollar spent on Marriott hotels, and 2x points per dollar spent on all other purchases. Additionally, the card comes with a generous sign-up bonus, no foreign transaction fees, and a variety of travel benefits.
Conclusion
Travel rewards credit cards are a great way to save money on your next trip. With a travel rewards credit card, you can earn rewards for every purchase you make, and then redeem those rewards for travel-related expenses such as flights, hotels, rental cars, and more. With so many rewards programs available, it can be difficult to decide which card is the best for you. To help you make an informed decision, here’s an overview of the different types of travel rewards credit cards, the benefits of having one, and tips for choosing the best travel rewards credit card for you.
