Do you find yourself wondering “Are travel credit cards worth it?” In our article below, we will talk you through all of the Travel Credit Card best perks and benefits which make applying worth your time!
Premium travel cards will allow you to access the best credit card travel perks through every aspect of your journey. From access to baggage, travel, and car rental insurance, to accessing airport lounges and priority booking – a travel credit card has become an essential tool for frequent travelers looking for smooth and easy flights around the world.
But exactly what are the best credit card benefits that you can take advantage of to help you with travel bookings and your journey experience? We have pulled together a breakdown of the best perks below to help you learn how your travel experiences can be elevated by applying for a travel partner credit card.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Experienced Users
80,000 Points
What Are The Best Credit Card Travel Perks?
Here are the travel credit card best benefits that you may be able to enjoy depending on which card provider and option you decide to go with. Premium cards will offer the most benefits to make their annual fee worth it, whereas no annual fee travel cards still have perks to consider.
1. Airport Lounge Access
One of the most popular benefits of owning a premium travel card is complimentary airport lounge access. If you travel often and frequently have connecting flights, a lounge to escape to in between departures can be a luxurious and relaxing experience.
Several premium cards will allow you to access complimentary access to lounges, and even bring guests along too. Here are two of the best credit card travel perks if you are looking for this benefit.
The American Express Platinum Credit Card
With the Amex Platinum card, you will be able to access thousands of airport lounges within the American Express Global Lounge Collection. This includes Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, and Delta Sky Club when traveling with Delta.
Other perks include 125,000 Amex points after you spend $8,000 within the first six months of opening your account, and an annual statement credit of $1,500.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Card
One of this Capital One Travel credit card's best perks is complimentary access to Capital One Lounges for authorized card users, and up to two guests.
Other user benefits include 75,000 miles when you spend $4,000 within the first three months of opening your account and 10,000 miles for every renewal anniversary of your card.
2. Credit for Global Entry or TSA Precheck
If you fly frequently, then waiting in line at airport security and immigration desks can become a real-time and energy drain. The Global Entry and TSA Precheck services allow travelers to skip the lines by providing expedited screenings that last for five years.
Membership for TSA Precheck is currently $78, and Global Entry is $100. However, you may be able to bypass these costs by using a travel credit card.
If you have been wondering are travel credit cards worth it when it comes to fees? The savings you make for these TSA memberships can go a long way to making applying for a card a valuable option.
Here are some of the Travel Credit Card Best TSA Precheck perks for you to consider:
Bank of American Premium Rewards Card
When you use this travel credit card you will be rewarded with a $100 statement credit for either Global Entry or TSA Precheck every four years.
You’ll also benefit from a 60,000 points bonus offer after you spend $4,000 with your card within the first 90 days of opening your account. You’ll also earn between 25-75% bonuses on your card purchases!
Capital One Venture Rewards Card
This Capital One Venture card will reward you with a $100 statement credit for TSA Precheck and Global Entry saving you the cost of membership every four years.
Other examples of this travel credit card's best perks include 2x miles for each dollar you spend with the card. And 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 within the first three months of card ownership.
3. Car Rental Insurance On Travel Credit Cards
Another cost that the best credit card travel perks will take care of is car rental insurance. Some travel credit card benefits include insurance you can use to waive the car rental company’s extra insurance costs. Here are two of the travel credit card best options in this regard:
Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit Cards
Both of these Chase travel credit cards offer primary car rental insurance on the majority of rentals. As well as this valuable benefit, they both offer some of the best value travel benefits on the market. These include an annual travel credit of $300 on the Reserve card, and a $50 hotel credit when you book on the Chase Travel Portal using your Sapphire Preferred card.
4. Avoid Foreign Transaction Fees for International Travel
If your job or leisure travel often involves global flights, then having a card with no foreign transaction fees in your wallet is essential. Cards such as the Venture Rewards, Sapphire Preferred, and Amex Platinum allow card spending abroad with no extra fees.
If you will be spending on a business card abroad, then one of the travel credit card best options is the Chase Ink Business Preferred Card. Added perks include 100,000 Chase rewards points after you spend $8,000 within the first three months of card ownership, and an affordable annual fee of $95.
5. Travel credit Card Best Insurance Perks
Although in most cases, your planned travel will go smoothly, an interruption or cancellation can result in major costs and inconvenience. Travel insurance can help you to cover unexpected costs related to food, accommodation, and even replacement items if required.
Both the Sapphire Reserve and American Express Platinum cards detailed above offer travel insurance for cancellation and lost baggage.
United Club Infinite Credit Card
Another option is this United Club travel card, which offers travel insurance as a card benefit. Other options for best credit card travel perks include statement credit of $100 for TSA Precheck or Global Entry, and United Club Lounge Membership.
Takeaway: Are Travel Credit Cards Worth It?
If you want to save money on future travel and cut costs on TSA Precheck, travel insurance, and airport lounge access – then owning a travel card can be a valuable asset.
The best credit card travel perks we have highlighted above will help you cut costs on memberships and enjoy smooth and seamless travel from the moment you arrive at the airport. And if you face vehicle damage or flight cancellations then the travel credit card best insurance perks can keep you covered on financial fallout.
How to Choose the Right Travel Credit Card for You
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