TRAVEL CREDIT CARDS - BLOG 2

TRAVEL CREDIT CARDS - BLOG 2

What's In Your Wallet?

How can credit cards benefit your travel?

This section provides an insight into how me and my wife Julia made our sabbatical and honeymoon possible. We share with you a few basic ideas of how to maximize your traveling experience without breaking the bank. Please read the disclaimer before reading on.

Disclaimer: We do not recommend signing up for credit cards if:

1. You spend more than you can pay at the end of each billing cycle;

2. You need to take the APR into consideration.

However, if you spend within your means, treat your credit cards as you would a debit card or a checking account, and can pay your balance in full at the end of each billing cycle, then credit cards can offer a world of opportunities to you as it did to us! Just remember to determine if the benefits offered by the credit cards suit your needs.

The following cards are broken down into three categories, airlines, hotels, and flexible travel credit cards.

Airline Credit Cards:

Why consider an airline credit card? Airline credit cards are great for gathering miles for a specific airline that allows you to use those miles to redeem flights. Getting an airline card is a great way to cut down travel expenses for getting to and from your destinations or for visiting family and friends in other cities or countries. On top of receiving miles, most airlines credit cards allow perks like free checked bags. See the following airline credit cards below and what they currently are offering (note that these offers are subject to change; so please check before you apply).

Bank of America Alaskan Airlines Visa Card

• Why you should consider this card:

1. 30,000 Alaskan Airline Miles after spending $1,000 in 90 days (worth about $540 in Airfares)
2. $75 Annual Fee
3. Alaskan Airlines Buy one get one free Companion Fare (allows for one companion to fly with you for free when booking the tickets together)
4. Free Checked Bag on Alaskan Airlines

Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite MasterCard

• Why you should consider this card:

1. 50,000 American Airline Miles after spending $2,500 in 3 months ( ~ $700 in Airfares)
2. $99 Annual Fee waived the first 12 months
3. Free Checked Bag on American Airlines

American Express Delta Gold Credit Card

• Why you should consider this card:

1. 40,000 Delta Airline Miles after spending $1,500 in 3 months (~ $480 in Airfares)
2. $95 Annual Fee waived the first 12 months
3. Free Checked Bag on American Airlines
4. $50 Statement Credit

American Express Platinum Credit Card

• Why you should consider this card:

1. 50,000 Delta Airline Miles after spending $1,500 in 3 months (~ $600 in Airfares)
2. $195 Annual Fee
3. Delta Airlines Buy one get one free Companion Fare (allows for one companion to fly with you for free when booking the tickets together)
4. Free Checked Bag on American Airlines
5. $100 Statement Credit

American Express Delta Reserve Credit Card

• Why you should consider this card:

1. 40,000 Delta Airline Miles after spending $3,000 in 3 months (~ $480 in Airfares)
2. $450 Annual Fee
3. Delta Airlines Buy one get one free Companion Fare (allows for one companion to fly with you for free when booking the tickets together)
4. Free Checked Bag on American Airlines
5. Access to all Delta SkyMiles Lounges when flying delta

Hotel Credit Cards:

Why consider a hotel credit card? They provide status with different hotel chains, free night certificates, and hotel points that can be used for night stays. See the following hotel credit cards below and what they currently are offering (note that these offers are subject to change; so please check before you apply).

American Express Hilton Honors Aspire Credit Card

• Why you should consider this card:

1. 150,000 Hilton Honors Points after spending $4,000 in 3 months (~ $9000 in Hotel Nights)
2. $450 Annual Fee
3. Annual Free Night Certificate
4. Hilton Honors Diamond Status
5. $250 Statement Credit on Airline Incidentals
6. $250 Resort Credit
7. $100 Hotel Credit

American Express Hilton Honors Ascend Credit Card

• Why you should consider this card:

1. 150,000 Hilton Honors Points after spending $2,000 in 3 months (~ $900 in Hotel Nights)
2. $95 Annual Fee

American Express Hilton Honors Credit Card

• Why you should consider this card:

1. 100,000 Hilton Honors Points after spending $1,000 in 3 months (~ $600 in Hotel Nights)
2. $0 Annual Fee

American Express Bonvoy Brilliant Marriott Card

• Why you should consider this card:

1. 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy Points after spending $5,000 in 3 months (~ $900 in Hotel Nights)
2. $450 Annual Fee
3. Annual Free Night Certificate
4. Marriott Gold Status
5. $300 Statement Credit at Marriott Properties

Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card

• o Why you should consider this card:

1. 75,000 Marriott Hotel Points after spending $3,000 in 3 months (~ $675 in Hotel Nights)
2. $99 Annual Fee
3. Silver Status
4. Annual Free Night Certificate

Chase IHG Premium Credit Card

• o Why you should consider this card:

1. 80,000 IHG Hotel Points after spending $2,000 in 3 months (~ $400 in Hotel Nights)
2. $89 Annual Fee
3. Annual Free Night Certificate

Chase Hyatt Credit Card

• Why you should consider this card:

1. 25,000 Hyatt Hotel Points after spending $3,000 in 3 months (~ $425 in Hotel Nights)
2. An additional 25,000 Hyatt Hotel Points after spending an additional $425 in 6 months (worth about $300 in Hotel Nights)
3. $95 Annual Fee
4. Annual Free Night Certificate

Flexible Travel Credit Cards:

Why consider a Flexible Travel Credit Card? Flexible Travel credit cards provide points with a banks reward program allowing to purchase flights, hotels, car rentals, and other travel items. Flexible travel points also can be transferred to some hotel and airline loyalty programs to be redeemed directly for nights and flights. The following hotel credit cards below for what they currently are offering.

Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit Card

• Why you should consider this card:

1. 50,000 Chase Ultimate Reward Points after spending $4,000 in 3 months (~ $1,000 in Travel Spend)
2. $450
3. $300 Annual Travel Credit
4. $100 Global Entry of TSA Pre-check Application Credit
5. Priority Pass Access (Airport Lounges)

Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card

• Why you should consider this card:

1. 50,000 Chase Ultimate Reward Points after spending $4,000 in 3 months (~ $1,000 in Travel Spend)
2. $95 Annual Fee waived the first 12 months

Chase Freedom unlimited

• Why you should consider this card:

1. $150 Cashback after spending $500 in 3 months
2. $0 Annual Fee waived
3. This card gets 1.5% cashback on all purchases, making it easy for every day use if you’re not interested in most travel cards, for $0 in fees.

· American Express Platinum Charge Card

• Why you should consider this card:

1. 60,000 American Express Membership Reward Points after spending $5,000 in 3 months (~ $700 in Airfares)
2. $550 Annual Fee waived the first 12 months
3. $200 Annual Uber Credit ($15 per month, $35 in December)
4. $200 Annual Airline Credit
5. $100 Global Entry of TSA Pre-check Application Credit
6. Centurion Lounge Access (Airline Lounges)

American Express Gold Charge Card

• Why you should consider this card:

1. 40,000 American Express Membership Reward Points after spending $2,000 in 3 months (~ $700 in Airfares)
2. $250 Annual Fee waived the first 12 months
3. $120 Annual Dining Credit ($10 per month at Grubhub and Seamless)
4. $100 Annual Airline Credit

Citi Prestige Credit Card

• Why you should consider this card:

1. 50,000 Citi Thank You Points after spending $4,000 in 3 months (worth about $850 in Travel Spend)
2. $495 Annual Fee
3. Complimentary 4th Night Free on Hotel Stays booked with Citi
4. $250 Annual Travel Credit

Citi Premier Credit Card

• Why you should consider this card:

1. 50,000 Citi Thank You Points after spending $4,00 in 3 months (~ $850 in Travel Spend)
2. $95 Annual Fee waived the first 12 months

Additional Benefits:

Some of the cards listed above have additional benefits that you can find under there terms and conditions on there respective web pages. Other benefits vary from card to card but may include:

• Receive additional points for specific purchases (i.e. groceries, gas, restaurants, office supplies, airlines, hotels). This should be considered based on where your everyday expenses come from.
• Car rental loss and damage insurance
• Roadside assistance
• Discounts for specific places, purchases, or events
• Free WIFI hotspots when traveling (Boingo)
• Access to VIP selections
• Travel insurance
• No foreign transaction fees

Summary:

The goal is not to change your spending habits but to make your spending habits work for you. If you decide that a travel rewards credit card is right for you, decide how you want to travel and with what brands. Consider which airlines fly out of your local airport and what hotel brands are in the areas you wish to travel. Research the cards and decide on what works best for you. Also keep in mind there are other credit cards not listed here that provide cashback and/or loyalty points.

Disclaimer: We do not recommend signing up for credit cards if:

1. You spend more than you can pay at the end of each billing cycle;

2. You need to take the APR into consideration.

However, if you spend within your means, treat your credit cards as you would a debit card or a checking account, and can pay your balance in full at the end of each billing cycle, then credit cards can offer a world of opportunities to you as it did to us! Just remember to determine if the benefits offered by the credit cards suit your