4 Travel Credit Cards for Upgrading Your Lifestyle

I remember once going to a dinner with a small group of colleagues from my former office and when it was time for the check, one guy volunteered to put the bill on his credit card and have everyone pay him back. “I want the points!” he said, and then went on to talk about how he and his fiancé had flown all across southeast Asia in first class on a two week trip using point redemption from their credit cards. I was floored at the thought of being able to do that – at 22 and fresh out of college, I had no credit cards because I was deathly afraid of them. 

 Investments and retirement savings are not the only way to make money while you sleep. You can make your bills and everyday expenses, as well as your hobbies and those occasional indulgent shopping sprees, work to your benefit! My life has been forever changed by familiarizing myself with credit and how to use it responsibly, as well as how to reap rewards from my spending.

The best travel companion (besides myself, of course) is one you carry in your wallet: a good credit card can go the distance in making your trip, or salvaging it in case of an emergency. If you add one of these in your wallet, you may just end up putting your card down at the next group dinner and slicing up the check among friends afterwards… then, when you’re on your next flight, it’ll feel like you got paid twice!

Chase Sapphire Reserve/Preferred

• Annual Fee:  $450/$95
• APR: variable 17.99 – 25.99%

Both of Chase’s Sapphire credit cards offer benefits and perks that make either a welcome addition to anyone’s wallet. Having a Sapphire card should provide an incredible peace of mind when making travel plans, as Chase and Visa Signature provide multiple assurances that you’ll be (financially) okay in the event things get a little crazy out there. You receive primary rental insurance coverage on rental cars, roadside assistance perks, up to $10,000 in trip cancellation insurance, $100 in baggage delays insurance or $3,000 in lost luggage reimbursements, and up to $500 on trip delays when travel plans are made using a Chase Sapphire card. You’ll also enjoy purchase protection up to $50,000. 

You can’t have both the Preferred and the Reserve – nor do you really want to, in my opinion – so you’ll have to choose one. 

The Chase Sapphire Reserve is the more premium of the two Sapphire cards, so additional perks are included. Having the Reserve card allows you to receive 3x points on travel and dining expenses (1% on everything else), and includes $300 in travel credit each year. The Reserve also includes access to Priority Pass lounges in airports across the globe and a Global Entry/TSA Pre-Check application fee credit every four years.

Even still, the Chase Sapphire Preferred holds its own in terms of being a great choice for any traveler. You will still be able to use your card worldwide, with no foreign transaction fees, while enjoying 2x points on travel and dining or 1% on everything else. 

One of the best things about both of these cards is that Chase is fairly generous in their interpretation of “travel and dining” – even electric scooter rides and parking meters are considered eligible for this benefit. That means this card should be the one you reach for everytime you are buying a coffee, ordering delivery, reloading your metro card, using rideshare apps, or booking an AirBnb stay.

Points earned on your spending can be used in Chase’s Ultimate Rewards (UR) portal. Chase’s rewards program is very competitive in its value and flexibility. UR points can be redeemed for cashback, used to purchase travel (airfare, hotels, car rentals, cruises, and even activities on your trip), cover your cart at Amazon.com, or transferred at a 1:1 ratio to partner hotels and airlines – like Singapore Airlines, United, Hyatt, and Marriott.

• Best for: Frequent travelers who like a mixture of travel perks and rewards redemption flexibility. If you have one of the Chase Freedom or Chase Ink credit cards already, you should definitely consider a Chase Sapphire card, since you can combine points within your most valuable account and maximize your point potential. The points earned on the Chase Sapphire Reserve hold a higher value in UR than the Chase Sapphire Preferred, at 1.5 vs 1.25. 

• How to apply: Keep in mind Chase seems to have an unspoken 5/24 rule for credit card applications. If you’ve applied for 5 or more cards within the last 2 years, you probably won’t be approved for this card. For the Chase Sapphire Reserve, you need good or excellent credit. For the Chase Sapphire Preferred, you need fair or good credit; you can always upgrade your Preferred card to the Reserve card! Apply on the Chase website.

American Express Platinum Card

• Annual Fee: Yes, $550
• APR: Your balance is due in full each month, since the Amex Platinum is a charge card.

The $550 annual fee for a charge card might be off-piutting for many, but the value in benefits will easily surpass that dollar amount. Some of the perks require absolutely no spending whatsoever, like the complimentary Hilton Honors Gold and Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status, $200 in Uber credits every year, and access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection (which includes Delta Sky Clubs when traveling on Delta Airlines, Priority Pass, Centurion Lounges, and others).

When you’re ready to put your shiny new card to use, the first purchase you make should be Global Entry: the card comes with a $100 Global Entry credit that can be used every five years, which means your application to the program is free. Alternatively, you can use the $85 TSA Pre-Check credit every four years.

From there, it’s only up… and across the globe! Wherever you are in the world, you won’t have to worry about foreign transaction fees when you swipe. Allow the American Express Concierge to help you make plans for dinner at the most exclusive restaurants or attend some of the card-member only experiences. American Express unlocks a whole new cachet of travel at some of the world’s best places to stay with its Fine Hotels and Resorts program. These select hotels allow for 12pm early check in, guaranteed 4pm check-out, complimentary breakfast for two, and a unique property amenity which varies (running the gamut from a $100 property credit to airport transfers). If you pre-pay for your stay or book airline travel through the Amex Travel portal, you receive 5x the points on your spending.

No matter where you decide to go with this card, getting there shouldn’t be a problem –  select your favorite airline and use the $200 statement credit for checked bags, incidental fees, and inflight food and entertainment.

• Best for: Frequent travelers, who need a card almost exclusively for travel perks and purchases. Remember that this is a charge card, so very good financial habits are necessary because your bill must be paid in full each month!

• How to apply: Recommend good to excellent credit, then apply on the American Express website.

Capitol One Venture Rewards

• Annual Fee:  Yes. After the first year, there is a $95 annual fee.
• APR: 17.49 – 24.74%

Capital One may not offer the prestige that comes with big consumer credit card companies like American Express or Chase, but their Venture Rewards credit card offers earning benefits that are the same, similar, or just as competitive as other cards.

Capital One waives the annual fee for this card in the first year, and continues to enhance its value in other ways. The Venture Rewards card includes Visa Signature benefits, which means you have access to a 24/7 travel concierge in case of a travel emergency. You’re covered for up to $3,000 if your luggage is lost; if your card is stolen, you have $0 fraud liability and Visa will also wire money to the closest Western Union or other participating bank for you to have some cash on hand to buy essential goods. Additionally, when you book a stay within the Luxury Hotel Collection, you’ll enjoy VIP guest status and daily continental breakfast, among other perks. 

Capital One is one of few companies to offer a card that allows you to pay for online purchases with virtual card numbers, to help prevent unauthorized purchases against your credit card. Offline, you can make purchases anywhere in the world with no foreign transaction fees.

Points earned on your spending can be used in Chase’s Ultimate Rewards (UR) portal. Chase’s rewards program is very competitive in its value and flexibility. UR points can be redeemed for cashback, used to purchase travel (airfare, hotels, car rentals, cruises, and even activities on your trip), cover your cart at Amazon.com, or transferred at a 1:1 ratio to partner hotels and airlines – like Singapore Airlines, United, Hyatt, and Marriott.

• Best for: Frequent travelers who like a mixture of travel perks and rewards redemption flexibility. If you have one of the Chase Freedom or Chase Ink credit cards already, you should definitely consider a Chase Sapphire card, since you can combine points within your most valuable account and maximize your point potential. The points earned on the Chase Sapphire Reserve hold a higher value in UR than the Chase Sapphire Preferred, at 1.5 vs 1.25. 

• How to apply: Keep in mind Chase seems to have an unspoken 5/24 rule for credit card applications. If you’ve applied for 5 or more cards within the last 2 years, you probably won’t be approved for this card. For the Chase Sapphire Reserve, you need good or excellent credit. For the Chase Sapphire Preferred, you need fair or good credit; you can always upgrade your Preferred card to the Reserve card! Apply on the Chase website.

American Express Platinum Card

• Annual Fee: Yes, $550
• APR: Your balance is due in full each month, since the Amex Platinum is a charge card.

The $550 annual fee for a charge card might be off-piutting for many, but the value in benefits will easily surpass that dollar amount. Some of the perks require absolutely no spending whatsoever, like the complimentary Hilton Honors Gold and Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status, $200 in Uber credits every year, and access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection (which includes Delta Sky Clubs when traveling on Delta Airlines, Priority Pass, Centurion Lounges, and others).

When you’re ready to put your shiny new card to use, the first purchase you make should be Global Entry: the card comes with a $100 Global Entry credit that can be used every five years, which means your application to the program is free. Alternatively, you can use the $85 TSA Pre-Check credit every four years.

From there, it’s only up… and across the globe! Wherever you are in the world, you won’t have to worry about foreign transaction fees when you swipe. Allow the American Express Concierge to help you make plans for dinner at the most exclusive restaurants or attend some of the card-member only experiences. American Express unlocks a whole new cachet of travel at some of the world’s best places to stay with its Fine Hotels and Resorts program. These select hotels allow for 12pm early check in, guaranteed 4pm check-out, complimentary breakfast for two, and a unique property amenity which varies (running the gamut from a $100 property credit to airport transfers). If you pre-pay for your stay or book airline travel through the Amex Travel portal, you receive 5x the points on your spending.

No matter where you decide to go with this card, getting there shouldn’t be a problem –  select your favorite airline and use the $200 statement credit for checked bags, incidental fees, and inflight food and entertainment.

• Best for: Frequent travelers, who need a card almost exclusively for travel perks and purchases. Remember that this is a charge card, so very good financial habits are necessary because your bill must be paid in full each month!

• How to apply: Recommend good to excellent credit, then apply on the American Express website.

Capitol One Venture Rewards

• Annual Fee:  Yes. After the first year, there is a $95 annual fee.
• APR: 17.49 – 24.74%

Capital One may not offer the prestige that comes with big consumer credit card companies like American Express or Chase, but their Venture Rewards credit card offers earning benefits that are the same, similar, or just as competitive as other cards.

Capital One waives the annual fee for this card in the first year, and continues to enhance its value in other ways. The Venture Rewards card includes Visa Signature benefits, which means you have access to a 24/7 travel concierge in case of a travel emergency. You’re covered for up to $3,000 if your luggage is lost; if your card is stolen, you have $0 fraud liability and Visa will also wire money to the closest Western Union or other participating bank for you to have some cash on hand to buy essential goods. Additionally, when you book a stay within the Luxury Hotel Collection, you’ll enjoy VIP guest status and daily continental breakfast, among other perks. 

Capital One is one of few companies to offer a card that allows you to pay for online purchases with virtual card numbers, to help prevent unauthorized purchases against your credit card. Offline, you can make purchases anywhere in the world with no foreign transaction fees.

The hallmark feature of this card is how well it pairs with hotel stays booked through hotels.com – you get 10x the miles when you pay for your stay using the Venture Rewards card, and you can still earn towards the website’s reward for a free night for every 10 paid nights. On everyday purchase, you’ll enjoy 2x the miles per dollar spent. The miles earned through card purchases can be used as a statement credit against travel purchases made within the last 90 days. Alternatively, you can transfer your miles to select airline partners like JetBlue, Emirates, and Singapore Airlines.

• Best for: Anyone new to credit cards; those who frequently book on Hotels.com

• How to apply: You can apply on Capital One’s website. It is recommended that you have good to excellent credit!

Citi Double Cash

• Annual Fee:  None.
• APR: 0% APR for the first 18 months on balance transfers, then 15.4 – 25.74% 

Diversity is extremely important not only when it comes to financial investments, but also in regards to what’s in your wallet. While the Citi Double Cash card is not a travel card, it may still come in handy on your next trip.

The main draw of the Citi Double Cash card is that it has no annual fee and a very straightforward cash back earning structure: you get 1% cash back when you buy and another 1% when you pay your bill. If you already have a dedicated travel credit card for use abroad and for travel related expenses, consider using this card as a companion. Since travel credit cards often have a high APR, a secondary card might be what you want to use to take care of your non-bonus category purchases so that you can optimize cashback earnings. 

This is the card to put all your bills on, and even your taxes and health insurance. Your new luggage, toiletries, sunglasses, swimwear, and that PADI certification course should also be taken care of using this card. While you run around town, enlist the help of Citi Concierge to take care of your travel, dining, and entertainment itinerary. With Citi Private Pass, you may even get card-holder exclusive access to special events! 

Before you jet out on your adventure, the cashback rewards can be redeemed as a gift card, check, deposit into your bank account, or statement credit.  You’ll have some extra cash on hand for food, souvenirs, and a generous tip in the envelope for your beautiful travel companion. If you lose your card on your trip, Citi can usually replace it within 24 hours and provide emergency cash. 

Just one thing to note – since this is not a travel credit card, be wary of using it abroad. There’s a 3% foreign transaction fee. 

• Best for: Anyone new to credit cards – this can be your one and only card to help you earn while developing healthy spending habits; People who travel a lot within the U.S. and like the simple, flexible cash rewards.

• How to apply: You should have good-excellent credit before applying for this card. Use the Citi website to submit your application.

Think twice before you spend, but don’t feel guilty! Using any one of these credit cards means you are earning towards your next trip. I can’t wait to see where you go – better yet, where we’ll go!