If you always find yourself booking flights or making hotel reservations, it’s high time that you earn some rewards out of it. You can do this by getting a travel credit card! Flight tickets and hotels can get unreasonably expensive, especially when last-minute travels are involved. Using a travel rewards credit card will ensure that you get to enjoy some perks like waived fees on checked baggage, upgrades on accommodation and other hotel amenities, discounted or free air tickets, cash back, and more.
Who should get a travel rewards credit card?
Using a travel rewards credit card can benefit you in several ways, but it might not be the best choice for everyone. Therefore, before you apply for one, ensure that you consider the factors mentioned below:
- Credit score
Most providers require their clients to have a good to excellent credit score to qualify for a travel rewards credit card. However, there are secured rewards credit cards available for individuals who want to build or improve credit as well as earn travel incentives. - Frequency of use
Getting a travel rewards credit card makes more sense if you regularly use a credit card to make purchases or for travel booking. If you barely use one, you won’t earn substantial points to redeem them for any rewards. - Repayment habits
Ideally, it is always in the best financial interest of any borrower to pay off their full credit card balance every month. This debt management measure is especially crucial when it comes to travel rewards credit card, as they typically have a higher APR (annual percentage rate). Not making timely payments can lead to higher interest accumulation and might also cause the lender to discontinue some key benefits of the travel rewards credit card. - Loyalty to a particular airline or hotel
If you travel only via a certain airline or book stays with one hotel chain, it can be a great idea to pick an airline or hotel co-branded credit card. The rewards earned using travel credit cards are highly attractive since you are spending on one specific hotel or airline provider.
Choosing the best travel rewards credit card
Every traveler has different needs, so focus on what kind of perks are imperative for you. For instance, if to you are a traveler who has to fly for business every month, getting an airline credit card would be wiser as you can gather points and trade them in for flight upgrades or free tickets. On the other hand, if you often rent cars, apply for a travel rewards credit card that facilitates decent offers on rental car protection.
Popular travel rewards credit cards
Here are some of the most popular rewards credit cards that you can use on your future travel exploits:
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Chase Ink Business Preferred℠ Credit Card
- The Platinum Card® from American Express®
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card
- Capital One® Spark Miles for Business
- Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card
- Gold Delta SkyMiles American Express
- United℠ Explorer Card
- Bank of America® Premium Rewards®
- Marriott Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card
