Are you in your travel era and want to cash in on rewards, but need somewhere to start? Imagine saving money on all your trips while receiving free luxury upgrades! I’m here to help you start cashing in and maximizing all the rewards you deserve. π€
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Leveraging travel rewards will be your gateway to making your luxury travel dreams a reality. Once you learn how to strategically utilize loyalty points and perks I promise you will never look back. You have the capability to turn your everyday purchases into airline miles, premium upgrades, and free hotel stays without having to break the bank or spend extra money.
Whether you’re a frequent flyer, a corporate traveler, or an occasional vacationer – travel rewards offer unique opportunities to save you money and travel in style! Throughout my personal experiences having traveled to over 23+ countries in 5 years, I’ve learned valuable insights along the way that I’m so excited to share with you! If you ever see me in first-class lounges or in luxury hotels – just know I got there by using my points! Use this post as a your general go-to guide, and make sure to save and share!
Disclaimer: I am not a financial advisor. The information shared in this blog post is based on personal experiences and does not constitute financial advice. Travel rewards and credit card strategies may vary depending on individual financial situations and preferences. Readers are encouraged to consult with a qualified financial advisor for personalized recommendations. The author is not liable for any decisions made based on the content presented here.
Top Travel Credit Card Picks
You thought your passport was your portal into exploring? Wrong. It’s a travel credit card.
KIDDING! You do need a passport to travel the world, but venture even further with a solid travel credit card. If used correctly, these cards can elevate your travel experience to levels you never thought were possible. Make sure to be responsible when using your credit card (duh!) – please do not open a bunch at once, or take on more than you can financially handle. But, if you are in the market here are my top picks. When choosing between top-tier credit cards with elevated annual fees and those designed for limited credit with more affordable fees, it’s crucial to weigh the perks to guarantee you make the most of your travels without breaking the bank.
Top-Tier Credit & Elevated Annual Fee
Note that these top tier cards with elevated annual fees are catered towards those who have good to excellent credit scores.
Capital One Venture X
I’m placing this one first, because this is my personal card – and I’m obsessed. The perks list is a little bit thinner, but the annual fee is lower and the travel benefits pan out similarly to its competitors.
Favorite Perks
My personal top perk picks. Of course, there are plenty more that may be more relevant to you!
- Comparatively, a lower annual fee than its competitors Amex Platinum & Chase Sapphire Reserve (see below)
- up to $300 back in statement credit annually for bookings made through Capital One Travel (this perk is my favorite, the annual fee pretty much pays for itself! All other benefits are just bonuses IMO)
- 10,000 anniversary miles
- Free Priority Pass Membership – a wide variety of airport lounge access
- Up to 4 authorized users can be added at no charge
- No foreign transaction fees
- Hertz car rental Presidential status
- Global Entry or TSA Precheck
- Cellphone protection
Annual Fee
$395 USD
Points System
- 10X Miles on hotels & rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- 5 miles per dollar on flights booked via Capital One Travel.
- 2 miles per dollar on other purchases.
Pro Tip: Capital One has the best user interface & app compared to Chase and Amex, in my opinion.
Read More Here (The Points Guy) | Sign Up Here
Final Verdict
The Capital One Venture X Card stands out as my favorite option for travelers, because of its substantial sign-up bonus, versatile redemption choices, and premium features without the hefty annual fee. If you utilize $300 worth of travel in one year, and can utilize the 10,000 miles/year – then the card pays for itself. The other benefits are so nice, but ancillary.
Chase Sapphire Reserve
A crowd favorite – for good reason. This card is top-notch for travel and renowned for a generous sign-up bonus, valuable reward points, and added benefits that are applicable for your travels but also useful in day-to-day life.
Favorite Perks
My personal top perk picks. Of course, there are plenty more that may be more relevant to you!
- No foreign transaction fees
- $300/a year in travel credit
- TSA PreCheck/Global Entry/NEXUS credit
- 6 months of InstaCart +
- 10x points on Lyft (through March 2025)
- DoorDash DashPass Membership for 12 months
- Airport Lounge Access – Priority Pass Membership + Chase Sapphire Lounges
- Shopping and travel protections
- 6h+ delay reimbursements, lost luggage reimbursement, medical emergency service reimbursement
- Chase Ultimate Rewards Portal + 10x points on car rentals, hotels, and dining booked through the portal
- Elite rental car status with National and Avis
Annual Fee
$550 USD
Points System
- 5x points on travel purchased through Chase
- 3x points on dining and grocery
- 2x points on all other travel purchases
Read More Here (Nerd Wallet)| Sign Up Here
Final Verdict
Excellent choice for travelers of all kinds, and anyone who values luxury perks, dining rewards, and seamless travel experiences. The point system provides a flexible and valuable rewards structure, allowing point redemption beneficial for future travels & excursions.
American Express Platinum
A well-respected, premium card with a ton of exclusive benefits!
Favorite Perks
My personal top perk picks. Of course, there are plenty more that may be more relevant to you!
- $200 Hotel Credit
- $200 Airline Fee Credit
- $200 Uber Cash
- $300 Equinox Credit & SoulCycle At-Home Bike Credit
- $189 CLEAR Plus Credit
- No Foreign Transaction Fees
- Cell Phone Protection
- Walmart+ Monthly Membership
Annual Fee
$695 USD
Points System
- 5 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel, on up to $500,000 spent per year.
- 5 points per dollar on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
- 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.
Read More Here (NerdWallet) | Sign Up Here
Final Verdict
If you believe you can offset the annual fee through the accompanied perks, then this card is definitely for you. It truly is an investment in your travels and will definitely pay off if used correctly!
Your Preferred Airline
If you are loyal to a certain airline, then signing up with their affiliated card can enhance your travel experience with them. Your preferred airline will heavily rely on which region of the country you’re from! Know where the airline hubs are. As a Houston girly, I’m either a United or Southwest person. If you’re from the Atlanta area, you’re probably a Delta person. If you’re from the west coast, Alaska Airlines may be your jam. Also keep in mind where you’re traveling internationally. For example, Southwest doesn’t go many places abroad beyond the Caribbean.
Make sure to carefully review the terms, fees, and benefits before applying to ensure an airline card aligns with your travel habits and preferences.
United
United Airlines offers offers a wide selection of credit cards based on your needs and travel frequency.
- United Explorer Card: My personal card! This card typically offers benefits like priority boarding, free checked bags, and United Club passes. It’s a good option for someone like me who frequently fly with United and likes to enjoy perks like lounge access and travel insurance.
The United lounges are great – always clean, good food, and I’ve never experienced one that’s too crowded. (Cannot say the same about the Centurion Lounge tbh.) The free checked bags end up paying for the card itself, given that I fly United quite a lot.
Annual Fee: $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95
- United Club Card: Geared towards frequent travelers, this card provides United Club membership, which offers access to United Club lounges, along with enhanced travel benefits and rewards.
Annual Fee: $525
- United Gateway Card: This is often marketed as a more entry-level option, the perks are basic but useful: no foreign transaction fees, and the ability to earn miles on purchases.
Annual Fee: $0
- United Business Card: Designed for business travelers, this card often includes rewards for business expenses, along with benefits like priority boarding and expanded travel coverage.
Annual Fee: $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $99
- United Quest Card: This card offers a combination of premium perks like up to $125 in United credits, enhanced rewards on travel and dining, and additional benefits for travelers.
Annual Fee: $250
Delta
Delta Airlines also offers a range of credit cards that also cater to various travel preferences, providing benefits like priority boarding, free checked bags, and the ability to earn miles for Delta flights and everyday purchases. These cards are designed to enhance the flying experience for frequent Delta travelers.
Explore Delta’s Credit Card Options Here
Alaska Airlines
I’ve never flown with Alaska, actually, but I have heard wonderful things about their credit card (namely, their famous companion fare!) Their credit card(s) are also tailored to its passengers, featuring benefits such as free checked bags, companion fares, and opportunities to earn miles both on Alaska Airlines flights and everyday spending.
Explore Alaska’s Credit Card Options Here
Final Verdict
If you’re leaning towards choosing an airline-specific card, consider the airlines that best align with your travel needs and local airport accessibility to make an informed decision. It’s possible that another travel card could offer you comparable advantages without requiring you to commit exclusively to a particular airline.
Limited Credit and/or Affordable Annual Fee
Capital One Quicksilver
My personal card! The Capital One Quicksilver Card offers straightforward cash back rewards on every purchase, making it a hassle-free choice for travel and lifestyle purchases. It also has no foreign transaction fees (Which we love!). I also love the Capital One shopping portal and Capital One app!
Annual Fee: $0
Note you’ll still need a good credit score for this card!
Chase Sapphire Preferred
A crowd favorite, a popular choice – the Chase Sapphire Reserve is its mother. The rewards are versatile, and points can be transferred to various airline and hotel partners, making it a flexible option for maximizing travel value. The card also provides valuable travel benefits (like no foreign transaction fees) and purchase protection.
Annual Fee: $95
Read More Here (Nerd Wallet) | Sign Up Here
Note you’ll still need a good credit score for this card!
Chase Freedom Flex
Known for its rotating cashback categories that offer bonus rewards on different spending areas throughout the year, this card is an appealing choice for people who want to maximize their cashback earnings. Additionally, the card provides valuable benefits such as purchase protection, no foreign transaction fees, and no annual fee.
Annual Fee: $0
Read More Here (Nerd Wallet) | Sign Up Here
Choosing the Perfect Fit: How Do I Choose?
As someone who habitually struggles with making decisions, choosing the right travel credit card can be quite overwhelming. However, if you carefully consider your travel goals, spending habits, and assessing the perks you will actually use, you can confidently narrow down your options to find the perfect travel credit card that matches your lifestyle.
My number one tip is to BE SO FOR REAL with yourself. I’m serious.
Is there an Equinox gym even near you? Do you actually go there? Are you a regular gym go-er? Is it somewhere you were already planning to join? Is your Equinox club worth the monthly price? (I hate to say it but the Houston, Texas one isn’t in my opinion)
Are you really a frequent Uber rider? Is that Uber One membership worth it?
How frequently do you plan on renting a car each year? Is the Hertz Presidential Status important to you?
Do you genuinely use DoorDash that frequently?
Do you already have Global Entry/TSA Pre-Check?
These are some questions I had to ask myself, and I hope that you are also asking yourself the right questions when selecting your travel credit card. Make sure you can justify balancing out the yearly fee with the benefits.
Mastering Credit Card Points – Secret Hacks!
Rakuten + Amex
I have the key to the best-kept secret hack that will help you accumulate Amex points & get you a fastpass to first class!
Rakuten. Rakuten is a well-known platform/portal/browser extension that can be used on your computer or through an app that offers cashback, discounts, and rewards for shopping through their platform. But did you know your Rakuten points can be transferred to American Express?!
All you have to do is log into your Rakuten account and head to your account settings. Scroll down to the “How would you like to get paid?” section, where you’ll see the option to “Switch to Membership Rewards points.”
If you’re already shopping, just use the Rakuten portal and get rewarded for doing so! This can add up to thousands of dollars worth of travel rewards. Business class here we come!
Shoutout to @chloejadetravels on TikTok for sharing this hack
Utilize Shopping Portals
Another method for getting discounts and rewards involves utilizing your credit card’s shopping portal.
Personally, I love the Capital One shopping portal – it allows you to add a free Chrome extension. The Capital One Shopping app is also easy to navigate and utilize.
I’ve saved so much money using this portal, and it’s so satisfying to see the statement credit. It also eliminates the effort of searching for promotional codes and coupons.
Other portals:
Chase Shopping Portal | United Airlines Shopping Portal | Delta Airlines Shopping Portal | Alaska Airlines Shopping Portal
Verify with your credit card issuer for its dedicated portal.
Premier Hotel Rewards
Ensure you register for all available hotel rewards programs, and remember that specific credit cards also provide free elite status at hotels.
If your’e a frequent traveler, it’s a good idea to stick to one hotel brand to easily build up loyalty points, unlock exclusive benefits, and streamline your booking experiences.
| Card | Hotel Elite Status |
| American Express Platinum | Hilton Honors Gold Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve | Limited time offer: Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status for three months (with an opportunity to extend it through early 2025) |
Top Hotel Brand Loyalty Programs
The majority of hotel brands provide free loyalty programs. Sign up to enjoy exclusive rewards, discounts, and personalized perks!
Marriott Bonvoy | IHG | World of Hyatt | Wyndham
Building Your Travel Fund
Lastly, if you’re planning a leisure travel trip, be sure to establish a dedicated travel fund. My biggest tip is to set a budget for every trip, and the best way to do this is to outline your expected expenses, including accommodations, transportation, meals, and activities, before you go. This will help you manage your finances and make the most of your travel experiences!
When you’re on your trip, utilize your credit card for purchases. However, in the meantime, continue to contribute to your travel fund to ensure you have the means to cover your expenses. While you build up these funds, don’t let them just sit in your checking account. Make sure you move your money to a high-yield savings account so it’s actively earning interest before you take your trip.
My favorite place to store my travel funds is Marcus, who offers a 4.3%APY.
Other favorite options are Ally & SoFi, but there are plenty more out there. I encourage you to do your research and choose the best one for you!
Final Thoughts
In the words of Taylor Swift – take your money and your dignity and get the hell out βο½‘Λ βοΈ βοΈ β Embrace your travel rewards era and take the opportunity to leverage your well-deserved rewards so you can see the world in luxury!
Make sure to follow me for more travel tips π€
