I have always loved to travel and have been fortunate enough to visit 30 countries and most states in the US, however, travel can be expensive. So I found that my budget often held me back.
Five years ago I started travel hacking; the process of collecting points from premium travel credit cards and using them to purchase airline tickets and accommodation. Just a quick explanation of things; awarded for every dollar spent. Cards can award more points per dollar in certain spending categories such as travel and dining.
For five years I took our family of four to Europe and secured all airfare with points, traveled to Italy for two weeks and didn’t pay a dime for our hotel rooms, and spent a week in Hong Kong with both our airfare and hotels covered.
Along the way, I found out that these cards have benefits in addition to points; airport lounge passes, premium hotel benefits, travel insurance and more. While the points alone make these cards worthwhile, the added perks have made me a repeat customer, happily paying the annual fee each year so I can access the perks that have made traveling so much more enjoyable.
A few caveats about travel hacking. First, you should only do this if you can pay off the balance on your cards each month. Second, you should be clear that the annual fee is less than the cost of the benefits you will use.
Over the years we have acquired many different cards, and most of them do not live up to the hype. These are the three cards we preferred for the combination of points received and benefits used. While they are all good, there is definitely one that stands out.
1. American Express Platinum
Like all three cards I’ll be reviewing, I bought the American Express Platinum card during a promotional period when it offered 100,000 points for signing up. The fine print predicts a minimum amount of spending in a given time, so make sure you can meet these minimums in order for your points to be awarded. On the same subject : Travel points count as marital assets. Unfortunately, AMEX Platinum also has the highest annual fee of $695.
Currently, these are the travel benefits associated with this card:
Our favorite benefit of the American Express Platinum Card is without a doubt access to Centurion lounges. These are premium airport lounges found in only a few airports around the world. On our trip home to Hong Kong, we spent almost four hours in the Centurion Lounge enjoying free food, drinks and a very comfortable workspace.
We also enjoyed using the $200 credit for our stay in Bath, England in 2019. The Fine Hotels & The resort we chose included daily breakfast for two, early check-in, late check-out and access to the thermal baths in the evening.
Automatic Gold status at both Marriott and Hilton is especially useful if, like us, you don’t stay at these hotels often. I regularly requested, received and upgraded rooms based on these status levels.
My criticism of this card is the fine print for some of these benefits. In particular, the $200 Uber and airline credits have many limitations. In addition, the points awarded are minimal compared to the other two cards.
2. Capital One Venture X
The Capital One Venture X card is new on the block, launching in late 2021. I was one of the first to sign up, meet the minimum spend and claim the 100,000 point bonus. See the article : New high-tech collaboration stations Students for Success. My husband, Jason, did the same a few months later. The Venture X has the lowest annual fee of $395.
Currently, these are the travel benefits associated with this card:
Since I’ve had this card for less than a year, we haven’t had a chance to use all the benefits. First of all, I appreciated the $300 travel credit and two points per dollar spent. Between the sign-up bonus and accumulated points, I’ve already booked round-trip flights to the US and several nights in hotels.
Last month I was also able to renew my Global Entry card with a $100 credit. This is a benefit that all three cards offer and I encourage everyone to use it if you don’t already have Global Entry.
The next perk I’m looking forward to is the 10,000 points awarded on my anniversary.
3. Chase Reserve
The Chase Reserve is the premium card we’ve had the longest, and for good reason. Jason and I both received a 100,000 point signup bonus in 2018. See the article : The United States dominates Scotland, Canada take their first win and other Day 3 action. We’ve also learned to maximize the points we earn by booking most trips with this card. Over time, the annual fee increased to $550, which is certainly increasing.
Currently, these are the travel benefits associated with this card:
Like Venture X, I appreciate the $300 annual credit each year. Also, three points earned for dining and travel have meant many free hotel nights and airline tickets over the years.
The first time I applied for Global Entry, I used a $100 credit on this card. A few months later my husband did the same using his card.
This is the only card on which I have applied for travel insurance. While I was traveling to Iceland with my family, my son got sick and we had to cut the trip short and return home. I was able to file a claim and received $1,800 in reimbursement. This alone paid for several years of annual fees.
Each of these cards has the ability to use points to purchase airline tickets and hotels directly on their websites. Of the three, the Chase Reserve booking platform is by far the most powerful with an excellent selection of hotels and flights.
The Chase Reserve card is the one we most often recommend to our friends and family. Generous points, rewards, ongoing and useful benefits, and an easy-to-use booking portal make this our favorite.
For more information on travel credit cards, see this article:
Does Capital One Venture card have annual fee?
The Venture card has a $95 annual fee, while the VentureOne card has no annual fee. Before choosing a card, it’s important to do the math to see which card makes the most financial sense for your lifestyle.
Is the Capital One Venture Card free? No Annual Fee The VentureOne Card does not charge an annual fee. Turn everyday purchases into travel dollars with your Capital One card.
Does Capital One Venture waive annual fee?
You will not be able to get the annual fee waived for the first year, but you can always request that your subsequent annual fees be waived. In fact, I did just that when my annual fee for the Venture card came due last month. After talking to a Capital One representative for five minutes, they agreed to waive my fee as a one-time courtesy.
Is Capital One Venture free for the first year?
Capital One is no longer waiving the first annual fee for new Venture Rewards credit card users, according to the bank’s website and terms and conditions. This means that new cardholders who are approved for a card will have to pay $95 for the first year and every year after that.
Is platinum higher than gold credit card?
Platinum cards offer higher minimum credit limits than gold cards, which can be a bonus if you spend a lot on credit and manage your credit card payments responsibly. Platinum cards charge higher annual fees than gold cards offered by the same provider.
Which credit card is the most colored? 1. American Express Centurion Card. The American Express Centurion Card is the most exclusive credit card in the world and is commonly known as the “Amex Black Card.†Launched in 1999, American Express kept it under wraps, giving it a very high level of status in the minds of consumers.
Is platinum Better Than gold status?
Is platinum better than gold? No, platinum is not better than gold, because platinum looks almost identical to white gold, but costs significantly more. Both 14K and 18K white gold are durable enough for everyday wear, so platinum jewelry is not necessary. Platinum also scratches more easily and requires more maintenance.
Is a gold card higher than platinum?
Platinum cards usually have a higher annual fee compared to gold cards.
What credit card is higher than platinum?
Both the titanium and platinum cards charge an annual membership fee for the rewards and benefits they offer. The annual membership fee charged on a titanium card is usually higher than a platinum card.
What is a premium card Evite?
In addition to our beautiful Premium Invitation designs, we also offer Premium Correspondence Cards. These cards are designed to provide correspondence for events such as Save the Dates, Thank You’s, Professional Events, Graduations, Holidays and more!
How much does an Evite card cost?
What does premium mean for Evite?
Evite Premium is Evite’s paid option, and you can learn more about it HERE. In addition to a more professional and elegant experience for hosts and guests, Evite Premium invitations are ad-free and offer users many additional features that are sure to complement the planning and execution of any event.
What are Evite premium invitations?
Premium (paid) option In addition to a more professional and elegant experience for hosts and guests, Evite Premium invitations are ad-free and offer users many additional features that are sure to complement the planning and execution of any event.
Are Chase points good for travel?
Popular Chase cards, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, earn coveted Chase Ultimate Rewards points. You can use these points to book travel – including car rentals, hotels, flights, tours and activities – through an easy-to-use portal.
Is it better to use Chase points for travel or cash back? It’s relatively easy to earn travel points with cards that have broad all-inclusive bonus categories like travel and dining, and you’ll get more value from them when you use those points for travel than for cash back.
How much are Chase points worth towards travel?
How much is a Chase point worth? The value of Chase Ultimate Rewards® points depends on the card you have and how you redeem it. When redeemed for cash back, they are worth 1 cent each. Paid for travel booked through Chase, they are worth 1 to 1.5 cents each.
How much is 50000 Chase points worth?
50,000 points worth $750 in eligible food. Thanks to Pay Yourself Back, I was able to use my points to pay for many takeout orders and weekly grocery trips.
