Traveling with cash can be risky. It’s wise to keep a few bucks on hand, but the safest way to travel is with a credit card.
It doesn’t matter if you are traveling to look for Vancouver real estate or for pleasure. The right credit card in your wallet can make all the difference.
With so many perks, promotions, and options, what makes a credit card beneficial for the traveler? Let’s look at the best travel credit cards.
The Platinum Card by American Express
Don’t let the $550 annual fee scare you away from this card. First of all, if you are active-duty military or the spouse of active-duty military, American Express will waive the fee.
The travel perks for this card top the charts. To start, you get 60,000 bonus points just for signing up. The list of perks for this card is long.
- 5x’s points for flights that are booked directly with airlines
- $200 annual airline credit
- $200 annual Uber credit
- $100 statement credit at Saks 5th Ave
Chase Sapphire Preferred
The Chase Sapphire Preferred card has an awesome bonus rewards program for new cardholders. If you spend $4,000 in the first three months, you can earn 50,000 bonus points. Used wisely, those points can add up to close to $750 in savings.
The annual fee for this card is $550, but the rewards you can earn easily offset the cost.
The Gold Card by American Express
The annual fee for the Gold Card will run you $250. But like the other cards, the perks outweigh the expenses. Gold cardholders can earn points in several different ways.
- Four times the bonus at restaurants
- Three times the bonus points on flights booked directly through airlines
- One point/ $1 spent on purchases
- $100 in statement credit yearly to cover airline incidentals like baggage fees
Capital One Venture
The Capital One Venture Card is a favorite of many travelers. Its low annual fee is what attracts most. The price is $0 the first year, then $95 a year after that. If you spend $3,000 in the first three months, you can earn 50,000 bonus points.
The biggest perk with this card is the airline miles. For every dollar you spend, you are 2 miles. If you let these miles pile up, you can take a few enjoyable trips. If you don’t like to fly, you can use the miles to book hotel rooms or rental cars. The card has mastered ways to cater to travelers.
Chase Sapphire Reserve
Last on the list is the Chase Sapphire Reserve card. While the annual fee is a bit high at $550, the rewards make it worth it.
Like the others, the Sapphire card offers 50,000 bonus points if you spend $4,000 in the first three months. Cardholders are awarded a $300 travel credit each year. Also, you can earn 3 points for every $1 you spend on travel and dining and one point for every dollar spent on everything else.
One of the best features of the Sapphire card is luxury perks. The card grants you access to over 1,000 different luxury airline lounges along with concierge services and unique benefits at hotels across the globe.
Conclusion
When you travel, you want to be safe and prepared. The right credit card is essential. Just make sure you understand the benefits the card has to offer. Pay attention to the annual fees, the interest rates, and the fine print to maximize the benefits.
