When comparing travel credit cards, here are some things to consider:
1. Annual fee
Annual fees for credit cards can range from $0 to hundreds of dollars. Generally speaking, the more expensive the card, the more perks and perks it offers. The annual fee is well worth it if you want to take advantage of the associated benefits, but if you’re comfortable with how it works, there are travel credit cards with no annual fee.
2. Foreign transaction fees
If you’re traveling internationally, make sure your travel card doesn’t have foreign transaction fees. This can add an additional 2% to 3% to the purchase price, and anything you buy with the card in a foreign country will be more expensive than a card without this fee. Foreign transaction fees also apply to purchases made in other currencies, even if you have not left the United States. With the best foreign transaction fee free cards, you won’t have to pay this additional fee.
3. Registration bonus
If you’re trying to choose between two similar cards, it can be helpful to consider the welcome offer of a particular card. These welcome offers ebb and flow, and if the card you’re considering has a particularly generous offer, it can help offset annual fees and future travel costs.
4. Compensation rate
Consider your spending patterns when choosing a card. If you rarely fly, it may not make sense to own the card that offers the most benefits on airline purchases.
5. International acceptance
In some countries, all credit cards may be accepted, but this is not always the case. When traveling outside of the United States, Visa and Mastercard tend to be more widely accepted than American Express and other cards. For this reason, if you travel frequently, you may want to choose a Visa or Mastercard in addition to or instead of other types of cards.
6. Travel compensation
Many travel credit cards include various forms of travel protection, such as trip interruption coverage and rental car collision damage coverage. These included protections can save you money compared to insurance purchased separately, but they are not necessarily comprehensive. Please see your card’s benefits guide for information on coverage terms. If you travel frequently, it may be worth looking specifically for the best credit cards with travel insurance or the best credit cards with rental car insurance.
When choosing between two similar cards, it’s wise to look for lesser-known credit card benefits, such as baggage coverage or travel delay insurance. These coverages can cover lost or lost baggage up to a certain amount, or cover the cost of meals and lodging if your flight is delayed for more than a certain amount of time.
—Yanely Espinal, Forbes Advisor Credit Card Advisory Board Member
7. Benefits
Also consider any special benefits associated with the card you’re evaluating. These can range from airport lounge access to statement credit refunds for certain purchases made with certain brands or purchases in certain categories.
Airline credit card reviews
Airline credit cards typically earn you frequent flyer miles on every purchase you make. Partner airline cards often come with perks when you travel, like free checked baggage, plenty of award space, and lounge access. It also helps you achieve elite status more easily.
When evaluating the best airline credit cards, consider the following:
rate of return. Many airline credit cards don’t offer increased rewards in categories other than airline spending, so choose wisely if that’s important to you. Perks in flight. Typically, only cards with an annual fee include in-flight perks like priority boarding and free checked bags. Elite qualifying bonus. Some cards include bonus elite status miles when you reach your spending limit, which can further enhance your flying experience. Companion fee. Some airline cards offer the opportunity to earn a companion certificate that allows you to bring a second traveler with you on your trip at a discounted price.
Additionally, redeeming frequent flyer miles can be more complicated than requesting cash back or other types of rewards. You can get tremendous value by using your miles for award tickets, but you’ll need to learn the ropes of the program.
7 ways to earn more airline miles
The most common ways to earn airline miles are with an airline (or one of its partners) or with a credit card that allows you to earn frequent flyer miles on every purchase. You can also earn more airline miles by:
Purchase through an airline’s shopping portal Book a hotel through an airline’s platform Rent a car and opt-in for frequent flyer miles instead of rental credits Complete a partner activity (depending on the airline, use Starbucks, Lyft, or (may include partnerships with other brands) Account to register for promotions Dining at partner restaurants Flexible credit card points transfer
pro tips
Rather than participating in every airline’s program, integrate as much as possible. Many airline partners give you the opportunity to earn miles with a single program instead of spreading your rewards thinly, allowing you to earn them faster.
Hotel credit card reviews
Hotel credit cards earn points towards future free nights, but this is one of those cases where the perks often outweigh the perks. Hotel cards often automatically give you elite status, giving you a fast track to higher levels of status. Additionally, annual free night certificates or statement credits further enhance the value proposition.
Many hotel loyalty programs now offer multiple co-branded cards to choose from, making it even more important to compare the features of each individual card. A single hotel brand offers no-annual-fee, mid-tier, and premium cards, each with different earning rates and benefits.
When evaluating hotel credit cards, consider the following:
Elite status offer. Generally, cards with higher annual fees can automatically elevate you to a higher elite status level and can be great value if you stay there often. Free accommodation certificate. Many, but not all, hotel cards offer free night certificates when you renew your card or when you reach your credit limit. Each certificate may have restrictions on when and where you can redeem them, so be sure to compare the details. rate of return. Hotel cards may have big multipliers in their bonus categories, allowing you to earn between 5 and 10x on certain purchases. However, be careful with your expectations. Hotel points are not always worth a penny per point. Statement credit. Some cards may include statement credits for eligible purchases at hotels and resorts, as well as airline charges and restaurant purchases, which can be valuable, but must be used.
8 ways to earn more hotel points
In addition to booking hotel stays and using hotel-branded credit cards, you can earn hotel points in other ways, including:
Charge your account for incidental purchases such as spa, parking, and dining at hotel properties Verify your account and register for promotions Book events and conferences at participating hotels Purchase through the hotel’s shopping portal Renting a car and opting in for hotel points in lieu of car rental Completing credit partner activities (which may include partnerships with Starbucks, Lyft, or other brands you use) Dining at partner restaurants Flexible credit cards Transfer points to your preferred hotel program
pro tips
Hotel bonus point promotions are particularly beneficial, but are not always widely advertised. Please note these opportunities and registration and other detailed requirements.
