Is It a Good Time to Apply for a Travel Credit Card?

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Last updated on August 23rd, 2023

Travel credit cards are a great option if you vacation or travel for work frequently. With the chaos that often comes with holiday travel, these cards offer several benefits and protections that can make flying, driving, and hotel life more manageable. Is this the year you should give in and finally get a travel rewards credit card? Here are a few reasons why the answer may be “yes.”

Should You Apply for a Travel Credit Card?

Holiday travel is never fun. Often, the process involves either long car trips, crowded airports, layovers, or sometimes a combination of the two. Given the continued chaos at airports worldwide, is now the right time for you to consider applying for a travel credit card? These rewards credit cards offer several attractive perks, many of which can save you time, money, and headaches.

Here are some circumstances in why it might be a good time to consider applying for a new travel credit card:

You Travel Often

Many travel credit cards offer rewards for points or miles that can be redeemed for flights, hotel stays, and other travel-related purchases. Suppose you frequently travel for work or leisure. In that case, a travel credit card can be a great republish)y to earn rewards on travel-related expenses.

Many premium airline credit cards offer free flights or companion discounts on every cardmember anniversary. These cards frequently feature an annual fee of $95+ and require a spending minimum to reach the free travel – either as an award flight, a companion fare, or even lounge visit vouchers.

You Prefer to Use Points for Trips

In addition to earning rewards on flights and hotel stays, many travel credit cards offer bonus points or miles on other travel-related purchases, such as car rentals, cruises, and even dining out at restaurants.

Many of these cards also provide exceptional travel value thanks to 1:1 point transfers to leading airlines, hotel chains, and more. Most major banks offer transfers to leading carriers like JetBlue, Southwest, Delta, Air France, and more.

You Want Protections and Perks

Many travel credit cards offer added protections and perks that can be valuable on the road. These may include travel insurance, interruption and cancellation coverage, and concierge services. Some travel credit cards offer access to airport lounges and other exclusive perks.

Beyond perks, most travel cards come with a sign-up bonus. Several of these bonuses are equal in value to a free roundtrip flight. Plus, you will amass additional miles or points from your purchases to meet the threshold. Combine that with other purchases made during the current circumstances, and you’ll eventually have a significant stockpile of rewards ready for redemption.

American Express is currently providing some of the most lucrative sign-up bonuses in the credit card industry.

Things to Consider

A few things to consider before applying for a travel credit card include the annual fee and the interest rate. It’s essential to read the fine print and understand the terms and conditions of the card before applying. Additionally, compare different travel credit card options to find the one best fits your needs and spending habits.

A travel credit card can be an excellent option for individuals who travel frequently or want rewards on travel-related purchases. It’s critical to research and compares different options to find the card that best fits your needs.

Related Article: The Benefits of Using a Credit Card for Holiday Travel

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About: Cory Santos
Cory Santos

Cory is the senior credit card editor at BestCards, specializing in everything credit card-related. He’s worked extensively with credit cards and other personal finance topics, including nearly five years at BestCards. Cory’s extensive knowledge is an essential part of the BestCards experience, helping readers to live their best financial lives with up-to-date insights and comprehensive coverage of all facets of the credit card space, including market trends, rewards guides, credit advice, and comprehensive credit card reviews.

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