Many American families like to go away on vacations. Traveling is fun and relaxing, but sometimes expensive. Fancy a free summer or winter holiday this year? You don't need to win a lottery, become a flight attendant or marry a millionaire. Everything you need is a travel rewards credit card. It will help you take a dream holiday a bit quicker. By making everyday purchases, you can save hundreds of dollars on hotel stays, airfare, car rentals and other expenses. Our article will tell you about the most popular travel rewards credit cards and how they work.
Free Flights
If you want to save money on airfare, consider applying for an airmiles credit card. Every time you make a purchase with the plastic, you will earn miles redeemable for free flights on your favorite carrier and their partners, gift certificates and travel-related merchandise or services.
Typically, you will get 1 mile per $1 spent. Some lenders offer double or triple miles for certain types of purchases. For example, Alaska Airlines Visa Signature card from Bank of America offers 2 miles for every dollar spent on Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air tickets.
Most airmiles credit cards come with generous bonus miles offers. Virgin Atlantic American Express Card (Black) from Bank of America provides 20,000 miles when you make your first retail purchase and additional 15,000 on the date you opened your account. Every time you add a cardholder to your account, you will earn 2,500 bonus miles.
Free Accommodation
If you want to stay in popular hotels for free, than hotel rewards credit cards are your best choice. They work similar to the airmiles plastics. Every time you make a purchase, you will earn points that can be changed for free accommodation at different hotels - from budget one-star hostels to expensive luxury SPA-resorts.
Many hotel credit cards let you earn points towards stays at specific hotel chains. For example, Hilton HHonors Platinum card from American Express, as it follows from its name, mainly provides accommodation in Hilton hotels. You will earn 5 points for each eligible dollar spent at supermarkets, drugstores, gas stations, dining establishments and Hilton hotels.
Starwood Preferred Guest Card from American Express enables you to earn 1 Starpoint for every dollar of eligible spending. Points can be transferred - almost always on a 1:1 basis - to the frequent flyer programs of over 30 major airlines.
Free Cash
An easy way to get some extra cash for holidays is to use a cash back credit card. You will get a percentage rebate on every purchase - from 1 to 5%. The more money you spend, the more rebate you will receive.
Having Chase Freedom Visa Signature card, you will get 3% cash back in your top 3 everyday spending categories and 1% cash back for every dollar spent on all other purchases.
No Hassle Cash Rewards from Capital One offers 2% cash back on purchases at gas stations and major grocery stores and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Discover Open Road Card provides 5% cash back on gas and auto maintenance purchases
and up to 1% rebate on all other purchases.
If you use a cash back credit card for most of your purchases, you can accumulate a significant amount in the long run. Many people order additional plastics for family members to maximize earnings.
Keep in mind that rewards credit cards are targeted at people with good or excellent payment history. So if your credit score is lower than 660, take measures to improve it. This process can take several months, but the aim is worth your efforts. A good credit report from all three credit bureaus is the best guarantee of getting beneficial credit card features and terms in future.
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