Updated: June 23, 2024 Information may change from the time of this post.
Just thinking about picking out a credit card can be overwhelming. There are hundreds of cards to choose from. Here is my list of best travel hacking credit cards.
Do you want to be loyal to a certain airline or hotel? Do you want Chase, American Express, Citi, Bank of America?
What do you want out of your travel credit card? Do you want a card you can use for everyday expenses? Do you want a cash back card? Do you want one you can transfer points to travel partners?
The best travel cards do have annual fees, but with the perks that you can get it can offset the yearly fees of the card.
No foreign transaction fees is another feature that you want to look for if you’re going abroad.
What is travel hacking?
Credit card travel hacking is a strategy used to earn free or heavily discounted travel rewards, such as flights, hotel stays, and other travel-related perks.
By maximizing the benefits offered by credit cards. This practice involves several key tactics:
Sign-Up Bonuses:
Applying for credit cards that offer substantial sign-up bonuses in the form of points or miles after meeting a minimum spending requirement within a specified period.
Earning Points and Miles:
Using credit cards strategically to earn points or miles on everyday purchases. Many travel credit cards offer bonus points for specific categories like dining, groceries, or travel-related expenses.
Maximizing Reward Categories:
Using different credit cards for different types of purchases to take advantage of category bonuses and earn more points or miles.
Transferring Points:
Transferring points between loyalty programs or using flexible points that can be transferred to various airline or hotel partners to maximize their value.
Utilizing Annual Benefits:
Taking advantage of annual perks offered by some credit cards, such as free hotel nights, travel credits, priority boarding, or airport lounge access.
Meeting Minimum Spend Requirements:
Planning larger purchases or timing expenses to meet the minimum spending requirements needed to earn sign-up bonuses without overspending.
Applying for new cards:
Applying for new credit cards periodically to earn additional sign-up bonuses, although this practice requires careful management to avoid negatively impacting your credit score.
Staying Informed:
Keeping up with changes in credit card offers, loyalty programs, and promotional deals to continually optimize your strategy.
While credit card travel hacking can be highly rewarding, it requires discipline and financial responsibility.
It’s important to pay off credit card balances in full each month to avoid interest charges, track multiple accounts, and be mindful of the impact on your credit score.
When done correctly, travel hacking can significantly reduce the cost of travel and open up opportunities for experiences that might otherwise be out of reach.
How do you use credit cards for travel hacking?
Credit card travel hacking involves several strategic steps to maximize travel rewards from credit card offers. Here’s a step-by-step guide to get started:
Assess Your Financial Situation
- Credit Score: Ensure your credit score is high enough to qualify for premium travel credit cards. Generally, a score of 700 or above is recommended.
- Debt Management: Be confident in your ability to pay off credit card balances in full each month to avoid interest charges and debt accumulation.
Research and Choose the Right Cards
- Sign-Up Bonuses: Look for cards with lucrative sign-up bonuses. Compare the points or miles offered and the spending requirement needed to earn the bonus.
- Rewards Structure: Choose cards that offer high rewards rates in categories where you spend the most, such as travel, dining, groceries, or gas.
- Annual Fees: Consider whether the card’s annual fee is justified by the rewards and benefits it offers.
Apply for Credit Cards Strategically
- Timing: Apply for new cards when you have upcoming planned expenses that can help you meet the minimum spend requirement.
- Multiple Applications: Space out your credit card applications to avoid multiple hard inquiries on your credit report at once, which can negatively impact your credit score.
Meet Minimum Spending Requirements
- Plan Purchases: Use your new card for all eligible purchases to quickly meet the minimum spending requirement without overspending.
- Bill Payments: Use your card to pay for recurring expenses like utilities, insurance, and subscriptions.
- Big-Ticket Items: Time larger purchases, such as electronics or home improvements, to align with your new card’s spending requirements.
Maximize Everyday Spending
- Category Bonuses: Use the card that offers the highest rewards for each type of purchase (e.g., use a card with dining bonuses for restaurant bills).
- Online Shopping Portals: Shop through credit card or airline shopping portals to earn additional points or miles on your purchases.
Leverage Card Benefits
- Travel Credits: Use any travel credits or reimbursements offered by your card.
- Lounge Access: Take advantage of complimentary airport lounge access to enhance your travel experience.
- Free Nights and Upgrades: Use annual free night certificates and elite status perks to save on hotel stays.
Transfer and Redeem Points Wisely
- Transfer Partners: Transfer points to airline or hotel loyalty programs where they can be redeemed for higher value.
- Promotions: Watch for special promotions that offer bonus points or miles for transferring points to specific partners.
- Book Award Travel: Use points or miles to book flights and hotel stays, looking for opportunities to maximize value (e.g., booking off-peak times or using points for premium cabins).
Stay Organized and Informed
- Track Cards and Rewards: Use spreadsheets or apps to keep track of your credit card accounts, spending requirements, and rewards balances.
- Monitor Offers: Stay updated on new credit card offers, promotions, and changes to loyalty programs.
- Review and Adjust: Periodically review your strategy to ensure it’s still aligned with your travel goals and spending patterns.
Manage Your Credit Responsibly
- Pay on Time: Always pay your credit card bills on time to avoid late fees and interest charges.
- Avoid Debt: Don’t spend more than you can afford to pay off in full each month.
- Monitor Credit Score: Regularly check your credit score and report to ensure your travel hacking activities aren’t negatively impacting your credit health.
By following these steps, you can effectively engage in credit card travel hacking, earning substantial travel rewards and enjoying free or discounted trips around the world.
What are the best credit cards for travel hacking?
The best travel credit cards for travel hacking typically offer generous sign-up bonuses, high rewards rates on travel and everyday purchases, and valuable perks like travel credits, lounge access, and elite status. Here are some of the top travel credit cards for travel hacking:
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- Sign-Up Bonus: 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.
- Rewards: 2x points on travel and dining, 1x point on all other purchases.
- Annual Fee: $95.
- Perks: Points transfer to multiple airline and hotel partners, no foreign transaction fees, travel protection benefits.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Sign-Up Bonus: 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.
- Rewards: 3x points on travel and dining, 1x point on all other purchases.
- Annual Fee: $550.
- Perks: $300 annual travel credit, Priority Pass lounge access, points transfer to travel partners, comprehensive travel insurance.
American Express® Gold Card
- Sign-Up Bonus: 60,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $4,000 in the first 6 months.
- Rewards: 4x points at restaurants, 4x points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per year), 3x points on flights, 1x point on other purchases.
- Annual Fee: $250.
- Perks: Monthly dining credits, airline fee credits, points transfer to airline and hotel partners.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
- Sign-Up Bonus: 80,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 in the first 6 months.
- Rewards: 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel, 5x points on prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel, 1x point on other purchases.
- Annual Fee: $695.
- Perks: $200 annual airline fee credit, $200 Uber credit, $100 Saks Fifth Avenue credit, access to Centurion Lounges and Priority Pass lounges, elite status with Hilton and Marriott.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Sign-Up Bonus: 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.
- Rewards: 2x miles on all purchases.
- Annual Fee: $95.
- Perks: Transfer miles to airline and hotel partners, up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, no foreign transaction fees.
Citi Premier® Card
- Sign-Up Bonus: 60,000 ThankYou Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.
- Rewards: 3x points on air travel, hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations; 1x point on other purchases.
- Annual Fee: $95.
- Perks: Points transfer to airline partners, no foreign transaction fees, access to the Citi ThankYou Rewards program.
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
- Sign-Up Bonus: 150,000 Hilton Honors points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.
- Rewards: 14x points at Hilton properties, 7x points on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel, car rentals, and U.S. restaurants, 3x points on other purchases.
- Annual Fee: $450.
- Perks: Complimentary Hilton Diamond status, free weekend night reward, $250 Hilton resort credit, $250 airline fee credit, Priority Pass lounge access.
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
- Sign-Up Bonus: 75,000 Marriott Bonvoy points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months.
- Rewards: 6x points at Marriott hotels, 3x points on U.S. restaurants and flights booked directly with airlines, 2x points on other purchases.
- Annual Fee: $450.
- Perks: $300 annual Marriott credit, free night award (up to 50,000 points), Priority Pass lounge access, complimentary Gold Elite status.
Each of these cards offers strong benefits for travel hacking, but the best one for you will depend on your specific travel habits, spending patterns, and the value you place on different perks and rewards.
What travel credit cards have no fees?
There are several travel credit cards with no annual fee that still offer valuable rewards and benefits. Here are some popular options:
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
- Rewards: Unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases, 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3% on dining and drugstore purchases.
- Sign-Up Bonus: $200 bonus after spending $500 in the first 3 months.
- Perks: No annual fee, points can be combined with Chase Sapphire cards for greater value when redeemed for travel.
Wells Fargo Propel American Express® Card
- Rewards: 3x points on dining, travel, gas stations, and select streaming services; 1x point on other purchases.
- Sign-Up Bonus: 20,000 points after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months.
- Perks: No annual fee, cell phone protection, no foreign transaction fees.
Discover it® Miles
- Rewards: 1.5x miles on all purchases.
- Sign-Up Bonus: Discover matches all miles earned in the first year.
- Perks: No annual fee, miles can be redeemed for travel or cash back, no foreign transaction fees.
Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card
- Rewards: 1.5 points per dollar on all purchases.
- Sign-Up Bonus: 25,000 online bonus points after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days.
- Perks: No annual fee, no foreign transaction fees, flexible point redemption for travel expenses.
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
- Rewards: 1.25 miles per dollar on all purchases.
- Sign-Up Bonus: 20,000 miles after spending $500 in the first 3 months.
- Perks: No annual fee, no foreign transaction fees, miles can be transferred to over 15 travel loyalty programs.
American Express® Blue Business® Plus Credit Card
- Rewards: 2x Membership Rewards points on the first $50,000 spent each year, 1x point thereafter.
- Perks: No annual fee, access to Amex Offers for additional discounts and rewards.
Hilton Honors American Express Card
- Rewards: 7x points on Hilton hotel purchases, 5x points at U.S. restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations, 3x points on all other purchases.
- Sign-Up Bonus: 70,000 Hilton Honors points after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months.
- Perks: No annual fee, complimentary Silver status with Hilton Honors.
These no-annual-fee travel credit cards can be excellent options for travelers who want to earn rewards without the cost of an annual fee.
They offer a variety of benefits and rewards structures, allowing you to choose the one that best fits your spending habits and travel preferences.
conclusion
This concluded my list of the best travel hacking credit cards. All of these cards have great perks, you just have to pick the one that fits your lifestyle and price point.