Whether you’re planning the perfect dream vacation or a quick weekend getaway, travel credit cards can help stretch your vacation budget further than you might expect. The best credit cards for travel benefits don’t just reward you with points or miles. Top travel rewards credit cards can also unlock valuable perks and protections that can save you real money trip after trip.
Below are some of the smartest ways a travel credit card can help you save, both before your trip starts and along the journey.
Start saving before you even pack a bag
Most rewards enthusiasts agree on at least one important strategy. You need to start saving credit card points long before your vacation countdown begins. No matter which offers you believe are the best rewards credit cards for travel or your preferred redemption options, building a stash of points and miles early can make a big difference when it’s time to book.
You can stockpile rewards in several ways. First, the best rewards credit cards for travel let you earn points or miles on purchases you already need to make like groceries, gas, or dining. Later, you can redeem those rewards for flights, hotel stays, experiences, or upgrades on upcoming trips. Some of the top credit cards for travel even offer bonus categories, like 3X points on dining or grocery purchases, that may help you earn rewards even faster.
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Another way to save is by taking advantage of welcome bonus offers. Many of the best travel rewards credit card offers feature generous welcome bonuses you can earn if you can satisfy a spending threshold within your first few months from account opening. In some cases, these welcome bonuses could be worth $500 to $1,000 (or more) in travel rewards, giving you a nice head start on your next trip. Just make sure that any credit card offer makes sense for both your budget and credit profile before you apply.
➤ SEE MORE:What are the best credit card bonus offers?
Finally, some of the best rewards credit cards for travel come with statement credits and benefits that can help offset common travel expenses on your next trip. Common perks include reimbursement for the cost of hotel stays, checked baggage, in-flight purchases, rideshares, and more. Other travel cards offer benefits like free award nights, airfare credits, etc. These types of travel credits and perks can add up to big savings over time.
Perks that upgrade your airport experience
Many travelers understandably focus on points and miles when evaluating the benefits that travel credit cards have to offer. Yet some travel credit cards also feature airport perks that can deliver serious value (and make your trip feel a little more first-class).
Some of the best airport benefits to look for in a travel credit card include:
Free checked bags
With co-branded airline credit cards, it’s common to receive at least one free checked bag for the primary cardholder as a benefit. Sometimes, companions may receive a free checked bag as well. When you consider the fact that checked baggage fees for flights often run $30-$40 each way, this perk can easily save a family over $100 per trip.
➤ SEE MORE:The travel credit card perk that saves me hundreds each year: Free checked bags
TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credits
Some of the best credit cards for travel benefits may come with credits to reimburse you for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fees. This benefit can be worth up to $100 every four or five years. But even better than the money saved, you typically get to save time before each flight you take by breezing through security lines.
➤ SEE MORE:Best credit cards for Global Entry and TSA PreCheck
Airport lounge access
If you really want to elevate your airport experience, premium credit cards for travel often give you access to airport lounges. Lounges can be great places to relax during busy travel days—offering access to free snacks, drinks, Wi-Fi, and quieter spaces to relax before your flight. This perk could help you save if you’d otherwise pay for airport meals or lounge day passes.
➤ SEE MORE:Best airport lounge access credit cards
Protection that pays you back when things go wrong
Of course, some of the best benefits that travel credit cards have to offer aren’t traditional points and miles, they’re the protections you can rely on if your trip hits a snag. These perks have the potential to save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars, depending on the situation.
Here are the top travel protections that the best rewards credit cards for travel may offer.
Trip delay or cancellation coverage
For flight delays or canceled trips, your travel credit card may reimburse you for expenses like meals, lodging, or prepaid bookings you can’t reschedule—provided the delay or cancellation is for a covered reason. These benefits can be valuable since even short delays can add up quickly when you’re paying for unplanned food or accommodations out of pocket.
Baggage delay or lost luggage protection
With travel, especially when baggage is involved, things don’t always go according to plan. But if you have the right travel credit card, you may receive reimbursement for essentials like new clothing or toiletries if your bags don’t arrive at your destination on time.
➤ SEE MORE:Guide to credit card travel insurance
Car rental insurance
Another popular perk that some of the best travel rewards credit cards offer is rental car collision coverage or loss damage waiver (when you pay with your card). These benefits might save you from having to purchase expensive insurance at the rental counter, and could offer added protection if your rental vehicle is damaged or stolen.
➤ SEE MORE:What does credit card rental car insurance cover?
Purchase protection and extended warranty
Travel and souvenir purchases often go hand in hand, and so do travel gear purchases depending on your vacation plans. Therefore, having a credit card that offers purchase protection benefits (or a card that extends the manufacturer’s warranty) could provide added peace of mind and coverage in case of theft, damage, or manufacturer defects.
Bottom line
Travel credit cards can offer high-value benefits that make it possible to save money on flights, hotels, experiences, and more. You can think of them as tools with the potential to reward you for travel purchases and daily spending. (Just be sure to manage them wisely to avoid debt and protect your credit score along the way.)
When you pick a travel credit card that matches your travel style and spending habits, you can unlock benefits that make every trip smoother and less expensive. The right travel credit card combination can make a meaningful difference in your next getaway, and every trip after that.
Frequently asked questions
Are travel credit cards worth it?
For frequent travelers and even people who take a couple of trips per year, travel credit cards are often worth it. Even if you choose a travel credit card with an annual fee, the cost may still be worthwhile as long as you select a card with benefits that offset the yearly expense.
Do travel cards save you money?
The best rewards credit cards for travel have the potential to save you money when you use them strategically. Between the rewards you can earn on everyday purchases (points, miles, or cash back), savings from perks like free checked bags, and protection benefits like trip delay coverage, a good travel credit card could easily save you hundreds of dollars per trip—often more.
Can I use a travel credit card for everyday purchases?
Yes, you can use a travel credit card to pay for everyday purchases. Many credit card rewards experts recommend using a travel credit card for gas, groceries, dining, and other regular expenses so you can earn as many points and miles as possible throughout the year. Just be sure to pay off your full credit card balance each month so you don’t offset the value of the rewards you earn with expensive interest charges.
