How to choose a credit card for travel
Quick insights
- Identifying your travel habits and spending patterns can help you determine which type of card provides you with more value.
- Comparing travel benefits like trip protection and airport lounge access may help you find a card that fits your lifestyle.
- Evaluating annual fees against the value of rewards and credits can be a helpful way to choose a travel credit card.
Whether you're planning a weekend road trip or a long-haul flight overseas, having a credit card for travel in your wallet may help you reach your goals.
By focusing on how you spend money and how you prefer to travel, you can find a card that matches your needs. We're here to help you understand the different types of travel cards and the features that might matter most to you as you prepare to apply.
How do you choose a travel credit card?
Approaches to choosing a travel credit card may include looking at your spending patterns and future travel plans. While Chase offers various types of travel credit cards, additional factors to consider may be your loyalty to specific brands and how you prefer to earn and redeem your rewards. Each type of travel credit card typically includes its own terms, benefits and fees:
- General travel rewards cards: These typically earn flexible points or miles that can be redeemed for various travel expenses or transferred to airline and hotel partners. Chase offers several flexible travel credit cards, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Credit Card, designed for those who want versatility in their redemptions.
- Co-branded cards: Co-branded cards are associated with a specific airline or hotel group and typically include brand-specific perks like checked baggage allowance or possible room upgrades.
- Premium travel cards: These typically charge a higher annual fee but deliver premium benefits such as airport lounge access, travel credits and elevated trip protections. The Chase Sapphire Reserve® and Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ fall into this category.
When evaluating card types, you may want to look at where you spend the most money day-to-day. Some cards offer higher reward rates for dining or groceries, which can help you earn rewards even when you're close to home. Additionally, new cardmembers may be eligible for a welcome bonus offer after meeting a spending requirement. A welcome bonus offer may provide some points to jumpstart your travel savings.
Travel card perks and benefits
The value of a travel credit card often goes beyond the points you earn on purchases. Some cards include a broad array of travel benefits that may save you money or provide comfort during your trip. For example, some cards offer statement credits that you can use toward Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® application fees. Here are some other features travel credit cards may offer:
- Foreign transaction fees: Some travel cards feature low foreign transaction fees. These are charges that some banks apply to purchases made outside of the U.S., often around 3% of the transaction.
- Annual credits: You may consider cards that offer annual statement credits for travel-related purchases, where the issuer reimburses you for specific costs you've already paid.
- Hotel elite status: Some travel cards may grant you elite status with hotel loyalty programs, unlocking upgrades and late checkout.
Comparing travel protection benefits
Beyond everyday rewards and perks, travel protection benefits are designed to provide a safety net if your plans change unexpectedly. Types of protection may include:
- Trip cancellation and insurance: This may include reimbursement if a covered trip is canceled or cut short by a covered reason, such as non-refundable airfare.
- Auto rental coverage: This protection may provide reimbursement for damage due to collision or theft. You typically must decline the car rental company’s collision damage waiver to use this coverage. ,
- Baggage delay insurance: If your checked bags are delayed by a carrier for a certain number of hours, this may reimburse you for essential purchases like toiletries.
In conclusion
Finding a travel rewards credit card may involve balancing your travel goals with your everyday spending habits. Taking the time to compare fees and protection benefits may help you get the most value from your spending, whether you prioritize perks or simple rewards that help you travel more comfortably.
