Choosing a Travel Credit Card
If you are a frequent traveler then you should be carrying a credit card that gets you to the places you want to go cheaply by giving you free travel rewards. There are many travel credit cards out there that offer a lot of different types of rewards from general points programs to hotel cards to airline cards. You probably are already using a credit card and if you like to travel, you should consider getting a travel rewards credit card. They are better than cash, especially when you can get so many rewards and freebies out of them. Travel credit cards provide a great opportunity to earn free points that can be redeemed for airfare, hotels, or cold hard cash.
What to Look in a Travel Card
No matter what credit card you get, whether it is a hotel, airline, or general rewards credit card, that card should offer all of the following things (otherwise it’s not a good card):
Sign Up Bonuses. Most travel credit cards offer joining bonuses of 20,000 points/miles. Don’t sign up for a card that doesn’t offer you one because otherwise it will take a long time to exchange reward points for hotels, cash, or airfare. Starting at 20,000 is a lot better than starting at 0.
Special rewards. Sign up for a travel credit card where you have the opportunity to earn extra reward points. Most credit cards offer 1 point for every dollar spent. However, the good credit cards give you extra points when you shop at special retailers or, if it is a branded credit card, with that specific brand. This helps you get points a lot quicker. You’re going to shop anyways so why not earn something for doing it! It will get your that free ticket to Europe a lot sooner.
Flexibility. This is the ability to use your credit card anywhere and redeem your travel reward points with anyone. Many cards, especially those who are specific to an airline, limit your ability to use points with certain retailers, airlines, or merchants. You don’t want to be tied to a specific airline, hotel, or certain travel dates as they limits your ability to get the really good travel deals. Get a card that will let you use your rewards anytime, anywhere.
Credit Card Annual Fees
Remember that all good reward cards have fees. Most fees range from $45-$80 dollars. For those who travel a lot and fly a lot, it is worth getting a fee based card. Fee credit cards give you a better rewards scheme. You can accumulate rewards faster, you get better access to services and special offers, and better protection. If you fly or travel a lot, you should get an fee credit card because it will pay for itself in no time. If you are an infrequent traveler, then you should sign up for a no fee travel credit card.
Other Important Things You Should Know:
Think about how you travel. Are you loyal to one airline? Do you spend a lot of time in hotels? If you aren’t loyal to any one brand or company, get a general travel card so you can use whatever company is best. If you are loyal to one travel company, get the card that belongs to that company as you will get better rewards and special offers only available to those card holders.
Also know that ALL credit card companies except Capital One and Discover will charge you a 3% foreign currency conversion fee.
Recommended Travel Credit Cards
American Express Platinum
Starwood American Express
AA Citi Advantage
United Mileage Rewards Card
American Express Delta Card
No matter what credit card you choose, remember that your card should work for you. Do your research first and then choose the right travel credit card so you can start earning points now and flying and traveling sooner.