I currently use two travel credit cards to help offset the cost of travel. The two cards I use are American Express Delta Skymiles and Chase Sapphire Preferred. Why would someone want to get a travel credit card? If traveling is something that you have a passion for or want to do, then I highly recommend a travel credit card. You can earn travel points for every purchase that can be used to book flights, accommodation or transportation. In my opinion, if your going to spend the money, you might as well get travel benefits for it!
The current sign up offer for this card is 50,000 bonus points if you spend $4,000 in purchases in the first 3 months of opening the account. This card does have an annual fee (most reward cards do) of $95. However, the annual fee is waived for the first year. The APR for this card is 16.25% to 23% depending on your credit rating.
What are the benefits of having this card?
This card offers the following benefits:
- Auto Collision Damage Waiver on Rental Cars
- Roadside Dispatch
- 24 hour Travel & Emergency Assistance Services
- Purchase Protections on items bought with this card
- Trip Cancellation Protection
- Lost Luggage Benefits: – Covers physical loss or damage of carry-on or checked baggage for yourself and immediate family members up to $3,000; and up to $500 for jewelry, cameras and other electronic equipment.
- Baggage Delay Benefit: if baggage is delayed more than 6 hours for yourself or immediate family members. Benefit covers up $100/day for a maximum of five days
- No Foreign Transaction fees!
For complete information on benefits click here.
How do I earn points with this card?
I love that this card is so versatile, and so easy to earn points with!
You can earn points by:
-Purchasing anything! Every time you swipe your card you earn 1 point for every dollar spent
-Book travel! You earn 2 points for every dollar spent on travel. This includes flights, accommodation, car rentals, attractions, ect.
-Eat out! You also earn 2 points for every dollar spent at restaurants. This is a big earner when you are traveling.
-Shop through Chase’s online shopping portal (Ultimate Rewards). If you are doing any shopping online I always recommend using the links through your favorite airlines or hotel shopping portal, in order to build points faster. I always do my shopping and put everything into my cart. Then I go into the shopping portal and click on the link to the site I’m purchasing through. It doesn’t cost you anything extra, but you can earn upwards of 6+ points per dollar spent.
example of extra points that can be earned through Ultimate Rewards
What can I do with the points I earn?
You have several options in how to redeem points. You can choose from the following:
-Cash Back option. You can choose to have your points transferred to cash, and have a check for the amount mailed to you.
– You can shop through the gift cards available, and purchase gift cards in the amount of points you have available.
-You can shop and purchase products through your points.
-You can book your travels with your points through the Ultimate Rewards Portal.
-You can transfer your points to your hotel or airline frequent flyer program that partners with chase.
What Travels can book with my points through Ultimate Rewards?
You can book the following travels through Chase’s Ultimate Rewards Portal:
-Getaways. Chase has complete getaways you can book through them.
-Hotels. You can book your accommodations through the Ultimate Rewards.
-Flights. They have a flight searches available through Ultimate Rewards that you can book with your points.
-Cruises. They have special discounts through multiple cruise lines that you can use your points to book.
-Car Rentals. You can use your points to book any car rentals you may need.
-Attractions and activities. You can search by destination and book attractions and activities with you points.
If you don’t have enough points to cover the cost, you can pay the remainder with your card.
What Travel Frequent Programs can I transfer my points to?
Airlines:
-British Airways
-Korean Air Skypass
-Singapore Airlines Krisflyer
-Southwest Rapid Rewards
-United Mileage Plus
-Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
Hotels:
-Hyatt Gold Passport
-IHG Rewards Club
-Marriott Rewards
-The Ritz-Carlton Rewards
Points transfer 1:1 to any of chase’s airline and hotel travel partners.
I love this card, despite the annual fee. I love how easy it is to build points up on this card, and I recommend it for anyone who is looking for a good travel card. If you would like to sign up for this card you can use our referral link.
I have been wanting to get a new card since Costco is going to stop accepting American Express. I am going to share this post too because it is very thorough and helpful– maybe one of the best on the topic i have seen!
~ Via Bella
http://viabella-thebeautifullife.blogspot.com/
Thank you so much! Its a great card even if you aren’t a traveler and the points build up fast!
This look like a great card for a traveler. I love that there is a cash back option too.
It’s a great card for people who don’t travel, also! The points build up fast and the cash back option is great!
This was very helpful! Thank you 🙂
http://www.maggiealamode.com
Thank you!
Awesome info! Have been wondering about how these work.
I use the Chase Sapphire Preferred card and did not even know about the Baggage Delay allowance. Then again, I never check bags so it is not on my radar. Great analysis of the benefits, including the transfer partners. Well done.
Thank you! I didn’t know about the Baggage delay allowance either! I found out when I was on my way to Peru and notified them I would be using it internationally. They just offered it up while I was talking to them!
Yep, totally agree! We’re already second year into holding this card!