Summer travel season can be stressful and expensive, but it’s a must for most people. School calendars show that most families decide to travel in the summer and prices rise. It also leads to long lines, delays and stressful travel experiences.
As a long-standing point maximiser, I try to avoid travel in the summer, but that’s not always possible. With some trips scheduled this summer, I’m preparing to save money and have some hassle Right travel credit card line up.
This shows you five different credit cards I pack this summer to save money and enhance your travel experience.
1. Cards that earn bonus points when traveling or eating
Did you say travel is expensive this summer? When you are unable to redeem points for your trip, you will try to use a credit card that will earn you a high reward for these types of purchases. Chase Sapphire Reserve® and American Express® Gold Card Perfect for maximizing travel and food purchases. Travel and food are two of my biggest spending categories, and the more I can maximize all the dollars I have to spend, the more I save on future trips.
Chase Sapphire Reserve earns the next reward on your trip.
- When you purchase a Chase Travel trip, you will earn 10x points in your hotel and car rentals.
- Earn 5x points total on flights via Chase Travel.
- Earn 3x points on other travel and meals.
- Earn 1 point for every dollar on all other purchases.
The Sapphire Reserve comes with a solid welcome offer and a travel statement credit of $300 each year.
Amex Gold earns higher pay for meals, but includes some spending caps.
- Earn 4x Membership Rewards® Points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants around the world, earning up to $50,000 per calendar year and 1x Points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4x membership reward points per dollar spent in US supermarkets, purchases up to $25,000 per calendar year, and 1x points for the remaining year.
- Earn 3x membership reward points per dollar spent on flights booked directly through airlines or amextravel.com.
- Earn double Membership Rewards® Points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on Amextravel.com.
- Earn 1x Membership Reward Points per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
I travel within the US, so $10 on Amex Gold’s monthly Uber Cash helps offset my ground transportation costs. This card also includes a $100 Resy credit. This was previously eating at hot spots like Carbone’s in New York City.
Additionally, both cards will be abandoned Foreign transaction feesso you don’t have to pay any additional fees to use your overseas card.
2. Hotel credit cards that offer additional perks
Pent-up travel demand has caused hotel prices to skyrocket, and even hotel stays are more expensive than usual this summer. I can’t do anything about the high hotel rates, but I can Use your hotel credit card I earn more points for every dollar I spend to save money between my hotels.
Hilton honors the American Express Aspire Card*It’s been a staple food in my wallet for many years, but recently it’s been downgraded Hilton honors the American Express SaruPas® Card If it’s low $150 Annual fees while maintaining exceptional perks.
Hilton on the card will honor Gold Elite status and get a free breakfast at Hilton Hotels, with $50 in quarterly Hilton credits offering an additional savings on direct bookings.
The Hilton Surpass card has won a free night award in addition to generous rewards for spending after spending $15,000 in a calendar year. The reward rate for this card is as follows:
- Earn 12x Hilton Honors bonus points for every dollar of eligible purchases charged directly to your card at a hotel or resort in your Hilton Portfolio.
- Earn 6x points for every dollar purchase with your card at US restaurants, US supermarkets, and US gas stations.
- Earn 4x points for every dollar on online retail purchases in the US.
- Earn 3x points for all other eligible purchases on your card.
3. Travel insurance card
Travel insurance It’s important at any time of the year, but especially during busy summer months. With airports packed and airlines growing thin, more could go wrong. If you are dealing with trip delays, it can be difficult to reach a customer service representative who can fix it. That’s where travel insurance can step in and help you solve your problems faster.
If your flight is delayed and costs are incurred as a result, Credit card travel delay insurance A certain amount can be refunded for each ticket. And if the airline cancels your flight and the hotel’s voucher line is too long, you may be able to pay it with your credit card.
This is why I always bring my credit card Travel Cancellation and Disruption Coveragelike American Express Platinum Card.
A few years ago, my brother got a Covid before a family trip to England. Tickets were non-refundable and the airline had no intention of making an exception. Luckily I’m using an Amex Platinum Card and managed to get a refund cost for airfares (well above $1,000). I’m not sleeping with this profit right away!
4. Primary car rental insurance card
I always use a credit card with a primary Car Rental Insurance When renting a car. This way, if you get involved in an accident, you don’t need to file a claim with your insurance company. My Sapphire Reserve offers major car rental coverage up to the cash value of your rental vehicle (due to eligible theft and collision damage). This is very generous.
Amex’s premium car rental protection was worth the cost, but my Chase Sapphire Reserve offers major car rental coverage as an advantage of built-in cards. Whether I travel to or plan to rent a car, bring your card with Primary Auto Rental Insurance just in case.
5. Cards that allow access to the airport lounge
Access to the airport lounge is extremely convenient during busy summer travel season. Airport terminals are often packed with travelers, making it difficult to find a place to sit, relax, or have a decent meal. Plus, everything can be too expensive at the airport, and if you travel with your family, the costs can really increase. Solution? Airport lounge.
The airport lounge offers a quiet space to relax and enjoy complimentary meals and snacks before your flight. Several lounges offer showers and meditation rooms. There, guests can refresh and recover from long travel days. Some lounges restrict access to passengers traveling through certain airlines, but most airports had no issues getting into the lounge.
Instead of paying more than $50 per visit, leverage Credit card for free airport lounge access. My Chase Sapphire Reserve has access to over 1,400 priority pass lounges around the world, and is a new development in its own right Sapphire Lounge Network. The Amex Platinum Card is another great contender to provide access to priority pass lounges, Delta Sky Club, Centurion Lounge and more.
Conclusion
Summer travel season is an exciting time and can still be fun Without breaking the bank. The best travel credit card will save you money, please help you Maximize all the dollars you spend And you can even provide important travel insurance you have to pay otherwise.
Pack essential cards such as Amex Gold, Hilton Surpass, Chase Sapphire Reserve, and Amex Platinum to prepare you for the summer travel season. I hope the above tips will help you when choosing your own credit card lineup in the summer.
*Information about the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is collected independently by Bankrate.com. Card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.
