Travel reward credit cards can be a good investment, if you know a few tips and tricks for maximizing their use. Most of these cards do charge a slightly higher interest rate.
Some do offer competitive rates. To make the biggest difference in the benefits you earn from these cards, compare offers and choose only the best travel rewards credit card. Features and benefits change drastically from one company to the next.
To maximize the amount of money you can save for your next big trip, consider these tips. You can save money and even make money by using travel rewards credit cards wisely.
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If you are looking for a credit card with excellent travel rewards, consider the benefits of the Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card offered to you by American Express.
There are numerous types of travel credit cards available but some are simply a better option because they give you more for your investment.
Important Features: These are some of the most important features of this credit card. Do check the terms to ensure that these details remain the same.
No annual fee for the first year. After the first year, pay just $65 per year.
Take advantage of the introductory APR of 2.9 percent that is good for six months. After that, the APR is variable, and about 15.24 percent.
You can pay your charges over time, unlike other types of American Express credit cards.
You can apply and learn if you qualify right online. Get an answer in as short as a minute.
These basic details are important, since they should that this travel rewards card is quite competitive in terms of what it offers. The cost of using this card remains low.
Rewards Program
The Starwood Preferred Guest Rewards Program offers a number of benefits to consumers. These are the features of this lucrative offer.
Earn up to 25,000 Starpoints right away. To do this, you will receive 10,000 Starpoints when you make your first purchase. Earn an additional 15,000 Starpoints when you spend $15,000 on your account within the first six months of ownership. This equals up to six free nights in a category 1 or a category 2 hotel.
Choose the type of reward you want. You can choose free nights in top hotels (the company has more than 1000 you can choose from in more than 100 countries.) The other option is to choose free airline flights. You can choose from more than 350 airlines and there are no blackout dates associated with the process.
You earn additional points when you stay at any of the Starwood Preferred Guest hotels and resorts. You will earn up to five Starpoints per dollar spent at these locations.
You can then earn two Starpoints for each dollar you spend using your card. You also get two Starpoints just for being an SPG member.
If you earn Gold or Platinum status with your SPG account, you will earn one additional Starpoint per dollar spent using your card.
You can also earn a free third night's stay at a participating Sheraton hotel or resort when you use your card to purchase two consecutive nights at one of these facilities.
You can stay at some of the top hotels in the destinations you plan to travel to. This includes big names such as The Luxury Collection, Westin Hotels, W Hotels, St. Regis, Four Points by Sheraton and ElementSM, just to name a few.
Other benefits include:
Exclusive ability to save on hot tickets for popular entertainment through Ticketmaster or American Express Entertainment
American Express Presents Broadway discounts
Shopping protection
In addition, you can redeem just some of your points and pay cash for the rest of your purchase. This is an easy way for you to take advantage of lower point balances.
Earn up to 25,000 Starpoints® - Receive 10,000 Starpoints after your first purchase, and another 15,000 bonus Starpoints when you spend $5,000 in 6 months - enough for up to 6 free nights at a Category 1 or 2 hotel.
Redeem Starpoints at over 1,000 hotels and resorts in nearly 100 countries, and for flights on more than 350 airlines through SPG Flights. No blackout dates.
$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $65
Starpoints(R) Bonus: 10K with your first purchase and another 15K when you spend $5k within 6 months - enough for up to 6 free nights at a Category 1 or 2 hotel
Free nights, free flights: Redeem Starpoints with over 350 airlines through SPG Flights and more than 1,000 hotels and resorts worldwide. No blackout dates
2011 SmarterTravel(R) Award for "Best Travel Rewards Card"
$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $65
Intro Offer
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Category
Credit Type
None for
15.24% - 19.24% Variable
$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $65
The Citi Hilton HHonors Visa Signature Card is one of the best available for those who want an easy to use, lucrative travel rewards credit card. Take a look at the details of this card. Be sure to read the updated terms and conditions when you apply.
The Rewards Program:
This travel credit card offers a significant rewards program for users. If you have the Citi Hilton HHonors Visa Signature Card, you will earn points through HHonors Bonus Points program. Here are some of the details.
Once you open the account, and spend $600 within the first four months, you will earn 30,000 Bonus Points. That is enough for you to book a free night at the participating hotels, in a standard room with double occupancy.
The company uses the Hilton Worldwide portfolio. This is a grouping of associated and participating hotels. When you use your card to book a stay at any of these participating hotels, you will earn six Hilton HHonors Bonus Points for every $1 you spend.
Some purchases earn you more Bonus Points than others do. For example, the purchases you make at supermarkets, gas stations and drugstores all earn you three bonus points for each dollar your spend.
For all other purchases you make using your card, you earn two bonus points per dollar you spend.
Earning points is easy enough but spending them is even easier. Take a look at a few of the benefits for using these Hilton HHonors Bonus Points.
There are no blackout dates to worry about.
Choose from over 3600 Hilton Worldwide hotels to use your bonus points at. These are located throughout the world in the most popular destinations.
Redeem your bonus points for other benefits, too, including car rentals.
You can exchange your bonus points for airline miles if you do so through participating airline partners.
You can also cash in your bonus points for Experience Rewards, which offer you discounts and options for numerous entertainment products.
These rewards programs provide you with the ability to achieve the long term benefits consumers are looking for in a travel rewards card. You can save up your points to earn free stays at hotels or use the points for airline discounts. You can cash in some rewards and use cash to fund the rest of your stay.
Card Details
The following are some of the most important details of this card you should know about.
If you do not qualify for the Citi Hilton HHonors Visa Signature Card, the company will automatically determine if you qualify for the Citi Hilton HHonors Visa Gold Card. This card does not offer the same level of rewards.
The card does not have an annual fee.
The card has a variable APR which is set at 14.24 percent for purchases on the Visa Signature card or 16.24 percent variable for those with the Visa Gold card.
The card does not have a pre-set spending limit (Signature Card only) spend as you want and need to.
The Citi Hilton HHonors Visa Signature Card can be an excellent choice for consumers looking for the flexibility of a travel rewards card, no annual fee and a competitive low interest rate.
The Marriott Rewards® Premier Credit Card is the travel rewards credit card that brings a slice of paradise closer to you with a waived annual fee for the first year, FREE hotel night stays, and instant BONUS points.
Sign up for the Marriott Rewards® Premier Credit Card and receive 50,000 BONUS points after your first purchase or balance transfer. You'll also receive 1 FREE hotel night stay at any Category 1-4 location you desire upon account approval. All of this just for becoming a Marriott Rewards® Premier Credit Card cardholder!
More than 3,000 participating hotel properties worldwide
Several participating Airline partners
Wide assortment of awards available
Points can be transferred to other Marriot Rewards members
E-rewards certificate sent directly to the hotelThe Marriott Rewards® Premier Credit Card is the travel rewards credit card that brings a slice of paradise closer to you with a waived annual fee for the first year, FREE hotel night stays, and instant BONUS points.
Sign up for the Marriott Rewards® Premier Credit Card and receive 50,000 BONUS points after your first purchase or balance transfer. You'll also receive 1 FREE hotel night stay at any Category 1-4 location you desire upon account approval. All of this just for becoming a Marriott Rewards® Premier Credit Card cardholder!
Stockpile your rewards points with 5 points for every $1 spent at Marriott® locations, 2 points for every $1 spent on eligible restaurant, plane tickets and rental car purchases, and 1 point for every $1 spent on every other purchase.
Make your way to Elite Status faster by earning 1 Elite Night Credit for every $3,000 you spend. You will also earn 15 Elite Night Credits every year on your membership anniversary. With frequent purchases and an active premier credit card account, you'll quickly achieve exclusive Elite Status.
Travel worldwide to various Marriott locations and enjoy no foreign transaction fees. Use your Marriott Rewards® Premier Credit Card as much as you like with the added perk of NO annual fee –waived for the first year.
On your membership anniversary, you'll receive an extra BONUS free night stay at any participating Category 1-5 Marriott® of your choice.
The Marriott Rewards® Premier Credit Card makes every vacation a dream! Enjoy exclusive benefits such as a waived annual fee for the first year and BONUS points that are good towards hotel stays, airline miles and more. Apply for the Marriott Rewards® Premier Credit Card today, and start packing!
Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after your first use, redeemable for up to 4 free nights; plus receive 2 free night stay e-certificates upon account approval, that's enough up to 6 free nights at a category 1 hotel
No Annual fee for your first year - that's a $45 value*
Earn 3 points for every $1 spent at Marriott® locations
Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on other purchases
Cardmembers achieve Silver elite status with 10 nights credit toward Elite status
Redeem Marriott Rewards® points at Marriott properties including Renaissance Hotels, Courtyard, Residence Inn, and Fairfield Inn & Suites
Intro Offer
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Category
Credit Type
No Introductory Rate Available for
14.24%
$45*
Reward - Hotel
Excellent / Good
How to Get the Best Travel Card (continued)
Choose a card with a lucrative introductory offer. For example, some companies allow you to earn a huge bonus point payout by making a set number of purchases in your first few months. Make those purchases and take advantage of free hotel stays, airline tickets or other bonuses.
Use your travel rewards card for any purchase you may make. Be sure to pay it off each month to keep the finance charges low or at zero. If you carry a balance, this cuts into what you are earning for free.
Find out if the card offers any additional points for some types of purchases. For example, if you use the card for purchases at a grocery store, this may earn you more points than other purchases. These offers are not available at through all travel card lenders.
Always charge your airline, accommodation or other travel related costs on your travel rewards card. In most cases, if you use the company's travel service, you earn more points for your purchase. The costs associated with those ticket purchases are often very competitive with other travel services.
Choose a no-annual fee card if possible. Annual fees can add up over the lifetime of the card. Choose the company that offers no annual fee or a lower fee. Some cards charge upfront membership fees or other origination fees. These add up and can be very expensive. Look for a card that keeps costs lower.
Be careful with balance transfers and cash advances using the card. These may not qualify for travel rewards. They may also cost more in interest charges.
Perhaps the most important thing to do to get the lowest possible cost for these rewards is to compare the offers of several companies. There is no "normal" when it comes to travel rewards credit cards. They range from huge bonus point programs to travel savings programs. Interest rates, annual fees, other charges and membership fees also range widely.
Compare several travel credit reward programs to find the most affordable product for you. Then, read through the terms and conditions. Look specifically for any cap on the number of points you can earn each year. Look at the grace period to determine if it is long enough for you to pay off all charges without paying finance charges.
The travel credit card reward programs available today can help you to save money on virtually all of the purchases you make. Take the time to compare companies and products to find the best credit card for your needs.
5 Ways to Cut Costs on Travel Cards
Travel reward credit cards are an ideal way for you to cut down the cost of airline tickets, hotel stays and even car rentals. However, some offers are less than ideal because they incorporate far higher fees than you would pay with a traditional credit card.
Keeping this in mind, remember that it is up to you to find low cost rewards programs that focus on the options you want. In fact, the following are the best ways for you to see lower costs associated with these credit cards.
#1: Know the Interest Rate
Interest rate costs will vary by company. If you are a good company, you should qualify for a decent interest rate. Traditionally, even the best travel cards hsve higher interest rates than non-reward programs. Compare several companies to find out which one offers the lowest fee for borrowing.
#2: The Annual Fee
Many travel rewards cards do carry annual fees. These fees can range from just $40 up to several hundred dollars. The terms and conditions will tell you if there is an annual fee prior to you applying. Some travel rewards cards do not come with any fee. Others offer no annual fee for the first year and then charge an annual fee for the years after.
#3: Have a Good Credit Score
If you have a good credit score, you may qualify for the more lucrative rewards program that some lenders offer. Many of the biggest companies offering travel rewards will qualify you for a stepped offer. For example, a Signature card may offer you the best rewards over the Gold card. If you do not qualify for the Signature card due to a lower credit score, you may get the Gold instead. The Gold card may have more fees, fewer rewards or additional limitations.
#4: Know You Can Actually Use the Rewards
There is no benefit to you in obtaining a travel rewards card you cannot use. Know:
Which airlines are a part of the program
Which hotels are a part of the program
Are there blackout dates or other limitations
Be sure these are benefits you will use. If not, look for a card that offers better travel rewards for your particular needs.
#5: Maximize Rewards Points
From introductory offers to long term earning, be sure you take full advantage of the bonus points the company offers. Many companies offer a stepped rewards program where you will earn more points for some types of purchases than others. Use the card to fund your everyday purchases, too. Even earning just one point per dollar adds up over the course of the month. However, do pay down your debt to avoid costly finance charges.
By taking these steps, you can reduce the amount of money you pay out to get travel rewards. The first step is to read through the terms and conditions and to know what they actually offer. Find out if there are restrictions or limitations on the bonus. The company must provide you with this information before you apply, but they also have the ability to change those terms later on, with proper warning for you.
How Travel Cards Save You Money
No matter how much you travel, using travel cards could help cut down on the amount of money you are spending on travel costs. New credit card offers are even more lucrative than previous offers. If you are planning a trip in a few months, or just looking for an opportunity to save up for that special getaway, use these cards to help you to accomplish just that.
Earn Points
Each of the travel card offers differ. Each one offers a unique product for customers. However, here are the basics of how many cards work.
You earn points from the purchases you make. These may be reward points or miles. In any case, the goal is to earn enough to cash in for discount travel benefits or even free travel.
Some companies give you bonus miles just for signing up or for making specific dollar amount purchases within a limited amount of time.
Most companies allow you to earn more points if you purchase airline tickets, hotel accommodations or other travel-related expenses on them. The amount you can earn will differ from one company to the next.
Some cards allow you to earn points for any type of purchase you may, including regular purchases at the grocery store or for the things you normally buy. You may receive fewer rewards for these types of purchases.
Once you earn enough points, you choose how to spend them. The details of the credit card allow you to pick and choose the types of ways you can redeem these earned points. Remember, you can save them up and use them for free travel benefits in many situations.
How These Cards Save You Money
Travel cards save you money in various ways. In most cases, they offer a way for you to cut back on the costs associated with travel related expenses. You may:
Get savings for buying your travel expenses using the card
Save money by getting discounts for purchasing airline tickets using your points
Get free air travel, hotel accommodations or other benefits by redeeming your points
Get discounts on car rental costs
Do take the time to look at all of the options in cards before choosing one to sign up with to earn these travel benefits. Some credit cards are associated with major hotel chains or airlines. Other cards are from major credit card companies. The options really can be numerous in terms of who you get these cards from, but it is more important to look at the details of the card including:
Introductory offers that may be available
The number of points you earn
The type of purchases that earn you points
The ways you can spend those points
The interest rate for purchases and cash advances, including balance transfers
Associated fees for using the cards
The more you know about the card, the more likely you are to find the best travel card for your particular needs. Take the time to invest in these cards so that you can earn free travel easily. Why pay more to travel if you do not have to do so?
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Tips for Finding the Best Travel Card
