Pamela Travel Journal » Travel Rewards

Travel Rewards Credit Cards

NailaIntan — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 18:39:15 +0000

Whether you travel for business or pleasure, a travel rewards credit card can be used to your advantage. Owning a credit card that offers travel rewards is a great way for you to earn points for using that card for all of your normal travel expenses. These types of credit cards allow users to earn rewards for purchase such as hotels, flights, dining, shopping and auto rentals to name a few. Another advantage of using a credit card while traveling is that it eliminates the need to travel with a lot of cash or having to withdraw money from your debit card and occurring fees for those transactions. If you travel often, then why not benefit from using a travel rewards credit card for all of your expenses.

Below are reviews of 2 travel rewards credit card offers:

Bank of America – TripRewards MasterCard

If you are a current or soon to be member of the TripRewards program then the TripRewards MasterCard credit card is ideal for you. This card, issued by FIA Card Services, allows it’s users to earn 2 points for every dollar spent on general purchases and 13 points for every dollar spent at participating hotels. Some of the hotels that are part of the rewards program are AmeriHost Inn, Days Inn, Howard Johnson, Knights Inn, Ramada Inn, Super 8, Travelodge, Wingate Inn and Wyndham Hotels. The TripRewards program is fee to join and allows it’s members to earn additional points that can be combined with points earned from the card. The TripRewards MasterCard offers a 0% introductory rate for balance transfers and cash advances for the first 12 months, a low fixed interest rate and no annual fees.

Miles Card from Discover

Take advantage of the travel rewards program offered by the Miles Card from Discover were users can earn one mile for every dollar spent on general purchases. You can also earn 1,000 bonus miles for every month that a purchase is made with the card for the first year. A maximum of 60,000 miles can be earned per year and as long as the account is active the miles never expire. Miles that are earned can be used towards reduced airfare on most major U.S. airlines with no blackout dates. This card offers platinum benefits, a 0% introductory rate on purchases and balance transfers for the first year, no annual fees and a reasonably low APR for those who qualify.

Enjoying the Perks of Travel Rewards Credit Cards

NailaIntan — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 22:36:34 +0000

Like to travel? Why not use your credit cards to be able to do a lot more of it? There are plenty of people out there that have learned to use their credit cards as a doorway to the world. Why aren’t you among them?

How To Do It

Start by understanding how many people are using their credit cards to travel. There are a few kinds of credit cards that can help you do this.

Travel Rewards Credit Cards

There are some general purpose travel rewards credit cards that will allow you to earn points to use in a number of travel related ways from airline tickets to hotel stays and even rental cars.

Hotel Rewards Credit Cards

If you like a particular hotel, you may be able to speed up the time you get free room stays by using hotel rewards credit cards. These cards let you earn points towards extra stays there.

Airline Miles Credit Cards

Airline miles credit cards will give you airline miles every time you spend a dollar on the card. While you may think saving up 20,000 miles for a flight is a lot of miles, you may be amazed at how quickly you can be taking off to a new destination.

Many airline miles credit cards work for just one particular airline, but if you are not loyal, you may want to look for a card that will let you redeem your miles for any airline you wish.

Make a List

Now it’s time to plan your travel. Make a list of places you want to travel. While I know you’re not going tomorrow, it’s nice to have a list of places you are looking forward to seeing.

Start Spending

The fastest way to travel rewards credit cards perks is to make sure you use that card as much as you can. This does not mean to go out and spend recklessly. Instead, you should think about all the things that you already have to pay for in an average month and make sure you put those items on this card.

You can pay it off within the month and not only pay your bills, with no interest, but also earn those points you want for free travel perks in the future.

Also keep in mind that many travel rewards credit cards give bonus points for any travel related spending. So, for the next time you travel, make sure you pull out that card for any traveling expenses like hotels, rental cars or airline tickets and enjoy the rewards.

Find the Best Travel Rewards Card and Spend Toward a Vacation

NailaIntan — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 04:42:38 +0000

Have money! Will fly! Those of us bitten by the travel bug can use a travel rewards credit card to make all those plans come true. The reputed ones usually have tie-ups with airlines and hotels. Their relationship can benefit you in many ways. Here is how it works.

Understanding The Benefits Of Your Credit Card

Before you get a travel rewards credit card, see that they match your travel plans. Do you, for example, travel only by a particular airline or is there a particular hotel chain that you usually patronize? Your credit card should have a relationship with them. If you like roaming the four corners of the world, your credit card should cover the maximum destinations possible or have tie-ups with local credit card companies.

Find out the reward programs the credit card offer. It could be additional frequent flyer points, hotel discounts, gift vouchers, free upgrade to a better card or best of all, all of this and then some more.

Understanding The Drawbacks Of Your Credit Card

All benefits come with some riders and this is particularly true of credit cards. Travel reward credit cards usually have higher annual fee charges than regular credit cards. So calculate if the benefits cost more or less than that fee.

The rewards program should also be in tandem with your travel plans. It is pointless if the rewards can be reaped in snow-bound areas if you are a sun worshipper or covers your stay in a hotel when you like camping outdoors. The credit card points should also be easily converted to the promised rewards. This is possible if it can be activated online rather than with a written application, have a short waiting period and be valid for a long time before they expire. Note that some credit cards also give further rewards for frequent travels. The more you travel, the more the rewards.

So find a travel rewards credit card that suits your needs. Grill the sales representative or ask for references from existing customers before selecting one. Then just pack your bags and set off.