Best credit cards for travel perks

[A1Credit]

I am in the process of rebuilding.  As I rebuild I have been thinking about what credit cards I would like to apply for in the future.  I have decided that this go round I will only apply for cards that would actually be benefical to me.  I am most interested in reward points, cash back and travel perks.  With a family and taking lots of family vacations, I would like to have a credit card that would assist with that.  My family and I love just about everything Disney so I was wondering if applying for a Disney credit card would actually be worth it aside from the 0% interest financing on Disney vacations for 6 months.  

You guys have quite a bit of knowledge here so I am hoping you wouldn't mind sharing it with me and assist me in applying for credit cards that would actually help me reach goals and be beneficial to what I would like to do.  TIA

[Anonymous]

I am a lifetime Disney nut - and a certified Disney specialist travel agent - and I will tell you that I closed my Disney Rewards Visa a long time ago.

Why?  The return isn't great.

The park perks are available with a Disney debit card (Chase checking), so those are worth nothing extra to me.

The Visa only earns 1% back, which I can easily beat by 1.5 or 2 or 5 times with other cards.  [The newer "premier version" does earn 2% in certain transactions, but it also has an annual fee to diminish returns.]

The 6-month vacation financing thing doesn't matter to me in the least; never used it even once.  Disney itself will allow you to "finance" (make payments on) your trip before you travel with no cost and no credit impact whatsoever, so this perk would only really benefit someone who wants to travel right away then pay it off for 6 months afterward.  Not my style, but it must work for some folks.

I really liked the card I had, DIsney characters and logo and all, but it wasn't worth keeping.  I just got the Disney debit card and closed the Visa.

For travel perks, I use the Southwest card like crazy, and I also have the Spirit card (being able to travel off-peak means they fly me for almost free a couple of times a year).

I also have an Amex Platinum that I get quite a lot of benefits from, mostly in the hotel or international airfare category. 

The Venture gets good reviews as a travel card as well, but I don't have that one so someone else will have to help you there.

[A1Credit]

Thank you!  You have been very helpful @hmw_75.  I think it may be more benefical to look at cards that will save in airline cost.  And you are right, I was on the Disney webpage and they do allow you to pay for your travel prior to your trip in installment payments.  Thank you for taking the time to respond.

[Anonymous]

$200 down, minimum payments $25 at once, pay as often as much as you want anytime you want until you are paid off, balance due 30 days before your trip.

No cost, no credit/reporting, and no interest.

And they take Disney gift cards, which you can buy at Sam's or Target and get 4-5% off that way...

Welcome to my world lol

[A1Credit]

Wow! That does sound much better.  I need to message you everytime I am planning a vacay @hmw_75. LOL  I'm just kidding...not really lol.

[driftless]

I would look at which airlines that you are likely to fly and then choose a card based off of that determination.  AMEX and Chase cards are good for air flights.  Venture's strength is not in airlines but in non-chain hotels, cabins, etc.  

[A1Credit]

Gotcha!  Any card that will give me points toward airline or hotels would work best for me.  You have been so helpful!

[longtimelurker]

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@A1Credit wrote:

.  I am most interested in reward points, cash back and travel perks.  

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That certainly narrows things down!

[wasCB14]

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@A1Credit wrote:

Gotcha!  Any card that will give me points toward airline or hotels would work best for me.  You have been so helpful!

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Which airlines? Which hotels?

Do you want to focus on earning free nights/flights, or on getting elite status?

[Anonymous]

The AMEX Platinum gives you a nice $200 airline credit (you pick the airline) for costs like upgrades etc.  Their Gold Card provides a $100.

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@A1Credit wrote:

@Thank you!  You have been very helpful @Anonymous.  I think it may be more benefical to look at cards that will save in airline cost.  And you are right, I was on the Disney webpage and they do allow you to pay for your travel prior to your trip in installment payments.  Thank you for taking the time to respond.

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