Travel reward credit cards might be a desirable option for frequent travelers or those who plan to take numerous annual vacations. As you fly or spend on your travel credit card, you earn miles or points. But here’s the thing: there is no one card that fits all. The key is to choose the card that offers perks that reflect the way you actually travel. Among the many travel reward credit cards in the market today, here are my favorites.
American Express Business Gold Rewards Card
The American Express Business Gold Rewards Card offers rewards in several categories. However, as a traveling small business owner, it will interest you to know that it offers multiple rewards whenever you purchase airline tickets directly through an airline. The annual fee is $199 and you can earn up to 110,000 points as a card holder. Earn a welcome bonus of 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $5,000 in purchases within the first three months of Cardmembership. Earn an additional 10,000 Membership Rewards points when you purchase your 14-month Card anniversary date. Plus, earn 10,000 bonus points when you charge $20,000 in net purchases to your Card account each calendar quarter. That’s a total of up to 40,000 points every year. If you redeem it for a statement credit, this is $1,100 that you can reinvest in your business.
MBNA Alaska Airlines World Elite® Mastercard® credit card
If you’re a fan of Alaska Airlines, MBNA Alaska Airlines World Elite® Mastercard® credit card will reward you for your loyalty. The annual fee is $99 and you can earn 30,000 bonus miles. You also earn an Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare from $121 (USD) after you make $1,000 or more in eligible purchases within the first 90 days of your account opening. That’s not all, earn 3 miles for every $1 charged to your Alaska Airlines Mastercard credit card on tickets, vacation packages, and cargo services from Alaska Airlines. And 1 mile for every $1 spent on other eligible purchases.
The Platinum Card by American Express
New Platinum by American Express Cardmembers earn 80,000 Welcome Bonus points after you charge $6,000 in net purchases to your Card in your first three months of Cardmembership. This is enough to redeem for an $800 credit towards eligible purchases. Earn 3 points for every $1 in Card purchases on eligible dining in Canada. 2 points for every $1 in Card purchases on eligible travel. And 1 point for every $1 in all other Card purchases. You will also have access to many leading hotel and car rental companies’ loyalty programs. Their partners include Marriott International, Hilton Hotels and Resorts, Radisson Hotel Group Americas, Hertz, and Avis. The annual fee is $699.
American Express Aeroplan Card
As a new American Express® Aeroplan®* cardmember, you can earn up to $1,200 in value within your first year. Spend applies to bonus point offers valued at up to $800. Eligible cardmembers get a FREE Uber Pass membership for six months. Including an unlimited $0 delivery fee on eligible restaurant orders of $15 or more. And 5% off eligible restaurant orders over $15, and exclusive Rides Perks. Earn 2x the points on eligible purchases made directly with Air Canada®* and Air Canada vacations®. That’s not all. You also earn 1.5x the points on eligible Dining and Food Delivery purchases in Canada.
In addition, you can often book flight rewards for even fewer points with preferred pricing. You also stand to enjoy an array of travel-related insurance benefits such as Lost or Stolen Baggage Insurance and up to $500,000 in Travel Accident Insurance. The annual fee is $120.
In conclusion
You should only use travel reward credit cards if you always pay your bills in full and never incur interest. If not, then you should look for a low-interest credit card. However, if you are a frequent traveler and pay off your balance every month, you can benefit greatly from applying and using one of these four travel reward credit cards.