Lesser known travel credit
card perks
Travel credit cards are well-known for their signup bonuses and travel rewards points that can help cardholders earn free flights and hotel stays, as well as other rewards. But these cards also offer several less obvious, yet still valuable, perks and benefits you may not know about.
Credit cards with travel perks can often help elevate a flight or hotel experience with features like exclusive lounge access, priority check-in, and room upgrades. Some travel credit cards provide travel booking discounts or unlock access to benefits like global dining programs. You may also be able to receive unique travel insurance perks, including trip delay reimbursement, lost luggage insurance, and emergency medical coverage.
Travel credit card benefits vary from card to card, but in general, the premium and higher-tier cards come with a more extensive list of valuable perks. Premium cards also typically have an annual fee, but even no annual fee travel cards may have useful add-ons to consider.
Learn more about the lesser-known travel credit card perks, and how they can make these cards even more valuable.
Travel credit cards and their perks
Travel credit cards often have various perks and benefits on top of their rewards programs and welcome offers. Different types of travel cards may come with different perks. Some benefits appeal to a broad group of travelers, such as waiving foreign transaction fees or providing a statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. In contrast, some cards may cater to a particular travel style.
For example, with a co-branded airline card, you can expect an airline-focused suite of benefits, including companion ticket benefits, a free checked bag, in-flight discounts, airline incidental fee credits, or priority boarding. Co-branded hotel cards often include perks like free anniversary stays, late check-out, premium Wi-Fi, and on-property discounts.
Elite travel credit cards, which usually have high annual fees, may have more exclusive benefits, such as airline lounge access, car rental elite membership status, and various statement credit opportunities. These cards may also offer automatic higher tiers within certain airline or hotel chain loyalty programs.
Travel credit cards websites typically list out each card’s main benefits. If you become a cardholder, you should also receive a “Guide to Benefits” that outlines all the specific terms and conditions of the benefits program. Some perks may require activation or have a specific eligibility requirement or expiration date.
Companion tickets
One of the most rewarding benefits of airline credit cards with travel perks is companion tickets. A companion ticket is a ticket for a person who is traveling with you on the same reservation. Note that you will usually need to pay taxes and fees but not the full price of the ticket.
Some airline cards will give you a companion ticket or certificate each year on your membership anniversary. You may also need to meet a certain minimum spending requirement to receive it. Depending on the card, a companion ticket may be good for one-time use (one flight), or you may be able to use it for any flight you take with a companion throughout the year. Note that companion tickets may be limited to main cabin seating or domestic flights. As with any benefit, the terms vary by card.
A companion ticket is a high-level perk, and it’s usually found on cards that have an annual fee. If you’re unsure if an annual fee card is worth it, a companion ticket benefit alone could justify the fee. When you’re comparing cards, it can be a good strategy to look over all of the benefits carefully, to see which ones you’re likely to use. Then, decide which card has the most valuable perks for you.
Free hotel nights
Hotel credit cards with free nights are also popular with travel cardholders. This type of card typically provides cardholders with a few different ways to earn free nights. The most common is to accumulate enough rewards points to cover one or more free nights when you book a hotel stay. In addition, some cards provide an automatic free night’s stay as a cardholder perk.
Like other high-value benefits, free hotel nights are usually found on premium travel credit cards with annual fees. In some cases, cardholders may have to meet an eligibility requirement to earn the free night. In others, free nights are awarded automatically when you reach your card membership anniversary.
There are also hotel cards that may offer a free night when you book a certain number of consecutive nights. For example, you may book three nights and get a fourth night for free.
You may find that earning one or more guaranteed free hotel nights makes paying an annual fee worthwhile. As with other benefits, it’s important to understand the terms and exclusions of the free night offer, so you can know what you’re getting from a travel card.
Free anniversary nights or annual free nights
One of the most popular travel credit card perks is the free hotel night(s) awarded every year on your membership anniversary. When you consider the average cost of a hotel night, this perk provides real value. Also, it’s applied at each card anniversary, so it’s not a fleeting or single- use benefit.
Cardholders typically have to keep the card account in good standing in order to qualify for the annual free night. In some cases, you may have to meet a spending minimum for the year or fulfill other requirements. Keep in mind that free night awards usually have limitations. For example, you may receive a set amount of bonus points that can cover the cost of a free night in a standard room at a mid-level property.
Summary
Travel credit card perks and benefits may not get all the attention, but in some cases, they can be the most valuable features for cardholders. Credit cards with travel perks can help you reduce costs or improve your travel experience, so don’t overlook those features when deciding if a particular card is the best match for you.
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