If you are a frequent flyer, having a credit card that gives you back travel rewards for money you spend can really help cut travel costs. CNN has done their research on the best travel credit cards currently out there to help you decide which one may fit your lifestyle best. The key to owning any credit card is to keep the balance paid down every month so you do not go into debt or have to pay interest. Just stay within you monthly spending budget, but rather than using a debit card or a check, use your rewards earning credit card and pay the balance in full each month. It takes discipline, but if you can do it, there are benefits to having one.If you are a domestic traveler who flys to the same destination frequently, the Citi Gold/AAdvantage Visa Signature Card is a good card to use. The annual fee is $50.00 a year after the first year, but if you spend $750.00 in the first four months, American Airlines will award you 20,000 bonus miles right away. After that, you earn one AAdvantage mile for every dollar spent, and there are no blackout vacation dates for travel. This card also offers a ‘Reduced Mileage Awards’ program that allows flights to select AA destinations for 7,500 fewer miles on a round trip ticket. If you haven’t stayed at a Bluegreen resort yet, they are great resorts located all over the United States.
If you are a frequent international flyer, The Chase Sapphire Preferred card has an introductory offer of spending $3000.00 in the first three months and earn 50,000 miles. The main benefit to owning this card is that there are no foreign transaction fees when you use your card anywhere overseas. You can also turn your points into miles with a 1:1 exchange into Continental/United Airlines and British Airways. The annual fee is $95.00 a year after the first year.
The American Express Premier Awards Gold Card is great for people that normally charge more than $2,000 a month on their credit card. This program triples your points when you buy a plane ticket and doubles your points when you use it for gas and groceries. You can use your points on any airline through American Express Travel, or transfer them into your preferred frequent flyer program. The annual fee is $175.00 a year, so make sure you take advantage of the flight rewards.
If you are in the market for a better credit card than you have now, go to CNN Travel for more information on these credit cards and more. Just remember to keep your balance low to be a responsible spender, and traveling could become a lot more affordable!
