Travel is back with a vengeance! After more than a year of sticking close to home, Americans are excitedly packing their bags and venturing out in droves. According to TripAdvisor’s 2021 Summer Travel Index, two-thirds of respondents to a survey had summer travel plans.
With this travel resurgence comes increased interest in credit cards offering travel rewards — and for good reason. These cards are often a smart investment for those with wanderlust, despite the associated annual fees, because they provide:
- Value. Points you accumulate for making everyday purchases can be exchanged for flights, hotel rooms, and upgrades.
- Protection. You’ll have financial peace of mind when travel inconveniences, such as flight delays, cellphone damage, lost luggage, trip cancellation, and more, threaten your vacation.
- Access. From premium concierge services to airport lounges, these special touches can greatly improve your entire travel experience.
But there’s another reason why signing up for a new travel credit card is especially wise right now: “Sign-up bonuses are the highest I’ve ever seen, making it an absolute no brainer,” says Brian Kelly, CEO and founder of The Points Guy, who has traveled the world on points he earned from savvy credit card spending. “COVID affected travel credit cards in 2020,” Kelly says. “Offers idled, and there were no major bonuses. But we’ve seen that completely turn around in 2021. There are huge sign-up bonuses out right now, and issuers are making it easier for people to earn points through non-travel-related expenses.”
When evaluating which of the many cards in the market is right for you, Kelly says to consider these five elements:
Sign-up bonuses. Right now, for instance, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card is offering 100,000 bonus miles — almost unheard of. Just be sure to also read the fine print, as sometimes these bonuses have spending conditions attached to them.
Points. Are you earning points in the categories you are spending the most on (e.g., groceries, airline miles, etc.)?
Perks. In an age where traveling can make you feel like herded cattle, it’s a breath of fresh air to have a few exclusive perks. Some cards offer lounge access, waived foreign transaction fees, extra bags free, and more. Find the perks that matter to you.
Interest rate. If you’re going to carry a balance, travel cards are usually not ideal because the interest rates tend to be higher.
Annual fee. Once you know the perks and annual fee amount, you can determine if you’re going to be getting enough value out of that particular card to justify the fee.
Kelly’s top picks for the best cards on the market right now include:
Chase Sapphire Preferred.
Right now, you can get 100,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of opening the account. Plus, you’ll get 2x points at restaurants, 2x points on travel, a complimentary DoorDash subscription, and 5x points on Lyft rides. The annual fee is $95. The offer is open to anyone who hasn’t had any Sapphire card in the last 48 months.American Express Gold.
Are you a foodie who spends a lot on culinary experiences? The Amex Gold card — which currently comes with a 75,000 points bonus — offers 4x reward points at restaurants worldwide and supermarkets in the U.S. You’ll also earn 3x reward points for flights booked directly with airlines or on Amextravel.com and 1x points on other eligible purchases.Capital One Venture Rewards.
If your purchases are all over the board, this general card may be your best bet. You’ll pay $95 annually, and you can earn 100,000 bonus miles, but only after you spend $20,000 on purchases in the first 12 months after opening the account. Alternatively, you’ll earn 50,000 miles by spending just $3,000 in three months.You’ll receive 2x unlimited miles on every purchase, up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, $0 liability if your card is lost or stolen, and no foreign transaction fees when traveling abroad.
Capital One VentureOne Rewards.
Like the idea of a travel credit card, but aren’t sold on the annual fee? The Capital One VentureOne Rewards card earns unlimited 1.25 miles per dollar spent on every purchase without an annual fee commitment. Plus, if you spend $500 within the first three months, and you’ll receive 20,000 bonus miles.Hotels.com Rewards Visa.
If you are mostly interested in hotel stays, the Hotels.com Rewards Visa will meet your needs without an annual fee. You’ll collect one stamp for every night you stay at an eligible property booked on Hotels.com and collect one stamp each time you spend $500 on purchases with your card.You can redeem your reward nights at over 500,000 properties (you only pay taxes and fees) and there are no blackout dates. Plus, you’ll get Silver membership status for the first year, which means free breakfast and airport transfers.
IF YOU WANT ADVICE ON ANYTHING IN THIS ARTICLE OR IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS GIVE US A CALL TO DISCUSS YOUR SITUATION ON 866-860-3880.
Are you looking to pay less taxes, legally, legitimately, and ethically? Sign up here for our series of well-researched and defensible strategies grounded in IRS code.