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Travel rewards credit cards compilation

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HiLine
Blogger

Re: Travel rewards credit cards compilation

As far as I know, the purchase category is based on the merchant code, not on specific products. Theme park tickets aren't a major deviation from the traditional types of travel purchases.

Message 31 of 44
FutureBillionaire
Established Contributor

Re: Travel rewards credit cards compilation


@HiLine wrote:

I thought I'd start a thread where we can compare the pros and cons of the most popular travel rewards cards so those looking into these can decide on their own which card would best fit their plans.

 

Category 1: cards that offer travel rewards points that can be used to redeem against travel purchases, at a rate of 1 cent per point unless noted otherwise.

 

1. American Express Blue Sky

-Point earning rate: 1 point, worth 1.33 cents, everywhere

-Travel defined as: airlines, hotels, car rental companies, cruise lines, travel agencies, tour operators, commuter railways & trains and online travel sites

-60 days window from travel purchase date to redeem points
-No annual fee

-2.7% foreign transaction fee

-7.5k points bonus, worth $100, after $1000 spend in 90 days

-No EMV chips

 

2. American Express Blue Sky Preferred, or BSP

-Point earning rate: 2 points, worth 2.66 cents, at US restaurants, hotels, and car rentals; 1 point, worth 1.33 cents, everywhere else

-Travel defined as: airlines, hotels, car rental companies, cruise lines, travel agencies, tour operators, commuter railways & trains and online travel sites

-60 days window from travel purchase date to redeem points
-$75 annual fee

-$100 annual airline allowance

-2.7% foreign transaction fee

-7.5k points bonus, worth $100, after $1000 spend in 90 days

-No EMV chips

 

3. Barclays Arrival no annual fee:

-Point earning rate: 2.22 points on dining and travel and 1.11 point on everything else

-Travel defined as: Airlines, Travel Agencies & Tour Operators, Hotels, Motels & Resorts, Cruise Lines, Passenger Railways and Car Rental Agencies

-90 days window from travel purchase date to redeem points
-No annual fee

-No foreign transaction fees

-20k bonus points after $1000 spend in 90 days

-No EMV chips

-Mastercard only

 

4. Barclays Arrival with annual fee:

-Point earning rate: 2.22 points on everything 

-Travel defined as: Airlines, Travel Agencies & Tour Operators, Hotels, Motels & Resorts, Cruise Lines, Passenger Railways and Car Rental Agencies

-90 days window from travel purchase date to redeem points
-Annual fee: $89

-No foreign transaction fees

-40k bonus points after $1000 spend in 90 days

-No EMV chip

-Mastercard only

 

5. Bank of America BankAmericard Travel Rewards:

-Point earning rate: 1.5 points on everything, 1.65 points if BofA banking customer

-Travel defined as: Airlines, air carriers; Lodging-Hotels, Motels, Resorts; Car Rental Agencies; Cruise Lines or Travel Agencies and Tour Operators; Passenger Railways; Transportation-Suburban and Local Commuter Passenger, including Ferries; Bus Lines; Transportation Services; Real Estate Agents and Managers—Rentals or Timeshares; Campgrounds and Trailer Parks; Motor Home and Recreational Vehicle Rental; Tourist Attractions and Exhibits; Amusement Parks, Carnivals, Circuses, Fortune Tellers; Aquariums, Dolphinariums, Zoos, and Seaquariums; Boat Leases and Boat Rentals; and Recreation Services-not elsewhere classified

-12 months window from travel purchase date to redeem points

-No annual fee

-No foreign transaction fees

-10k bonus points after $500 spend in 90 days and 12 months of 0% APR

-EMV chip

-Mastercard or Visa

 

6. Capital One VentureOne

-Point earning rate: 1.25 points on everything

-Travel defined as: plane tickets, cruises, hotel stays, car rentals, taxi rides, baggage fees, and more (can someone chime in on what "more" entails?)

-90 days window from travel purchase date to redeem points

-No annual fee

-No foreign transaction fees 

-10k bonus points after 1k spend in 90 days and 12 months of 0% APR

-No EMV chip

-Mastercard or Visa

 

7. Capital One Venture

-Point earning rate: 2 points on everything

-Travel defined as: plane tickets, cruises, hotel stays, car rentals, taxi rides, baggage fees, and more (can someone chime in on what "more" entails?)

-90 days window from travel purchase date to redeem points

-$59 annual fee

-No foreign transaction fees 

-10k bonus points after 1k spend in 90 days

-No EMV chip

-Mastercard or Visa

 

8. Citi Thank You Premier

-Point earning rate: 1.2 points, worth 1.6 cents, at supermarkets, gas stations, drugstores, commuter transportation and parking merchants; 1 points, worth 1.33 cents, elsewhere. 1 point, or 1.33 cents, per mile flown on tickets booked using card.

-Anniversary bonus: up to 5% of earned points

-Travel defined as: plane tickets

-Redeem points by booking reward flights

-15% discount on airfare booked through Travel Center

-Free annual economy class companion ticket

-$125 annual fee

-No foreign transaction fees 

-25k bonus points, worth $333, after 2k spend in 3 months

-EMV chip

-Mastercard or Visa

 

9. Discover Miles

-Point earning rate: 2 points on travel and restaurant purchases for the first $3k  each year; 1 points otherwise

-Travel defined as: airline, cruise, vacation package, hotel, and car rental.

-60 days window from travel purchase date to redeem points

-No annual fee

-No foreign transaction fees 

-12k bonus points after 12 months of monthly use, and 6 months of 0% APR

-EMV chip

 

10. US Bank FlexPerks

 

-Point earning rate: 3 points on charitable donations, 2 points on (the greatest of gas, groceries, and airline each month) and cell phone bills, 1 point on everything else; 3.5k annual bonus for 24k spend

-Travel defined as: air travel

-90 days window from travel purchase date to redeem points, each point worth 1-2 cents

-$49 annual fee

-Foreign transaction fee: 2%

-17.5k bonus points after 2.5k spend in 5 months

-EMV chip

-Visa only

 

Category 2: cards that offer points transferable to loyalty programs

 

1. Amex Starwood Preferred Guest, or SPG

-Point earning rate: 1 point on everything; 2 points on SPG properties

-Transfer partners: 31 airlines

-Transfer rate: 1 point for 1.25 miles for most airlines; 2 points for 1 mile for United

-$65 annual fee

-Foreign transaction fee: 2.7%

-25k bonus points after 5k spend in 6 months

-No EMV chip

 

2. Amex Premier Rewards Gold, or PRG

-Point earning rate: 3 points on airfare, 2 points on gas and groceries, 1 point on everything else; 15k annual bonus for 30k spend

-Transfer partners: (how many?) airlines

-Transfer rate: 1:1; often has transfer bonus to one airline partner at a time

-$175 annual fee

-Foreign transaction fee: 2.7%
-50k bonus points after 1k spend in 3 months

-No EMV chip

 

3. Amex Platinum

-Point earning rate: 1 point on everything 

-Transfer partners: (how many?) airlines

-Transfer rate: 1:1; often has transfer bonus to one airline partner at a time

-$450 annual fee

-$200 annual allowance on selected airline

-Lounge access for (how many?) airlines

-No foreign transaction fees
-25k bonus points after 2k spend in 3 months

-EMV chip

 

4. Chase Sapphire Preferred, or CSP

-Point earning rate: 1.07 points on everything; 2.14 points on dining and travel

-Transfer partners: (how many?) airlines

-Transfer rate: 1:1

-$95 annual fee

-No foreign transaction fees

-40k bonus points after 3k spend in 3 months

-No EMV chip

-Mastercard or Visa

 

I left many fields blank and a lot of space for other popular cards. Any addition/enhancement/correction is welcome! Smiley Happy


Nice list.  I wonder if BOA included parking. I need to do my research.

 

Also, there is an annual fee version of the Miles card by Discover called the Escape. Double miles on everything. Me and my gf have it.  

Gas: Discover It, Penfed Platinum Rewards x2, Chase freedom, Citi TYP
Plane tickets: CSP
Groceries: AMEX BCP, Penfed Platinum Rewards,Citi TYP
Clothes: Express, Amex BCP, Discover IT
Amazon: Citi Forward, Cash +
Restaurants: Citi Forward, Chase Freedom, Discover IT, CSP
Hotels and other travel: Discover Escape, CSP
Movies: BofA travel rewards visa signature(fandango), Discover IT, Citi Forward, Freedom
Bars, clubs, tomfoolery: CSP, Citi Forward, Discover IT, Freedom
Balance transfers: Kroger 123 rewards
Bill Pay: Chase Ink Plus, Citi Forward,
Everyday spending: Bofa Accelerated cash rewards amex, Discover Escape
Message 32 of 44
HiLine
Blogger

Re: Travel rewards credit cards compilation

Will add the Discover Escape. Since you actually have the card, would you mind sharing the point redemption method? Do you have to use points to book travel or can you redeem points toward past travel purchases?

Message 33 of 44
FutureBillionaire
Established Contributor

Re: Travel rewards credit cards compilation


@HiLine wrote:

Will add the Discover Escape. Since you actually have the card, would you mind sharing the point redemption method? Do you have to use points to book travel or can you redeem points toward past travel purchases?


It's the latter. You redeem towards purchases.  I need to check the redemption window. I'm sure it is the same as the Miles. I had the Miles and upgraded to the Escape.

 

Also, don't forget the Penfed Amex. That's a pretty good travel card as well.

 

This is an excellent thread.

Gas: Discover It, Penfed Platinum Rewards x2, Chase freedom, Citi TYP
Plane tickets: CSP
Groceries: AMEX BCP, Penfed Platinum Rewards,Citi TYP
Clothes: Express, Amex BCP, Discover IT
Amazon: Citi Forward, Cash +
Restaurants: Citi Forward, Chase Freedom, Discover IT, CSP
Hotels and other travel: Discover Escape, CSP
Movies: BofA travel rewards visa signature(fandango), Discover IT, Citi Forward, Freedom
Bars, clubs, tomfoolery: CSP, Citi Forward, Discover IT, Freedom
Balance transfers: Kroger 123 rewards
Bill Pay: Chase Ink Plus, Citi Forward,
Everyday spending: Bofa Accelerated cash rewards amex, Discover Escape
Message 34 of 44
enharu
Super Contributor

Re: Travel rewards credit cards compilation

https://www.discover.com/credit-cards/get-discover/escape-card/

 

Key differences between the Escape and Miles are

1. Sign up bonus. 25k vs. 12k miles. Both are given at 1k miles a month.

2. Rewards. Double miles for everything vs. first $3,000 in travel and restaurant purchases each year, plus1 Mile for Every $1 you spend on all other purchases

 

Kinda like Barclays Arrival AF and Barrivals Arrival no AF.

Discover works the same way as Barclays Arrival / CapOne Venture it seems.

 

JPMorgan Palladium (100k), AmEx Platinum (NPSL), AmEx SPG (46k), AmEx BCP (42k), Chase Sapphire Preferred (47k), Citi Prestige (31k), Citi Thank You Preferred (27k), Citi Executive AAdvantage (25k), JPMorgan Ritz-Carlton (21k), Merrill+ (15k), US Bank Cash+ (22.5k), Wells Fargo (12k), Bloomingdale’s (12.4k), Chase Freedom (5k), Discover IT (5k).
Message 35 of 44
HiLine
Blogger

Re: Travel rewards credit cards compilation


@enharu wrote:

https://www.discover.com/credit-cards/get-discover/escape-card/

 

Key differences between the Escape and Miles are

1. Sign up bonus. 25k vs. 12k miles. Both are given at 1k miles a month.

2. Rewards. Double miles for everything vs. first $3,000 in travel and restaurant purchases each year, plus1 Mile for Every $1 you spend on all other purchases

 

Kinda like Barclays Arrival AF and Barrivals Arrival no AF.

Discover works the same way as Barclays Arrival / CapOne Venture it seems.

 


Perhaps, but I couldn't find on that page redemption info. 

 


@FutureBillionaire wrote:

@HiLine wrote:

Will add the Discover Escape. Since you actually have the card, would you mind sharing the point redemption method? Do you have to use points to book travel or can you redeem points toward past travel purchases?


It's the latter. You redeem towards purchases.  I need to check the redemption window. I'm sure it is the same as the Miles. I had the Miles and upgraded to the Escape.

 

Also, don't forget the Penfed Amex. That's a pretty good travel card as well.

 

This is an excellent thread.


Thanks! If you figure out the redemption window please inform us!

 

Regarding the PenFed Amex, it sounds like redemption options are quite obscure. Can someone who has the card describe how to redeem reward points for travel and how much reward points are worth? 

Message 36 of 44
Mike1inTX
Valued Member

Re: Travel rewards credit cards compilation

Barclays also has the Travelocity Rewards American Express Co-branded card.  This card may be an option for those folks that may not meet the approval criteria for issuers that are not BK friendly.  I was able to be approved for this card soon after a BK and declined by most of the other issuers listed as Travel Rewards type cards.

ScoresSmiley Embarassed
EX 820
EQ 823
TU 819
BK 08/08
Message 37 of 44
HiLine
Blogger

Re: Travel rewards credit cards compilation

Barclays Travelocity is not really a travel rewards credit card, in my opinion. If you earn extra points only when you purchase from a particular vendor, and can redeem points at maximum value only at that vendor, then the card behaves more like a store card. I don't think the card waives foreign transaction fees either.

Message 38 of 44
DaveSignal
Valued Contributor

Re: Travel rewards credit cards compilation

I think it should be mentioned that the CU cards from Andrews Air Force Base and State Department are excellent rewards cards for people who travel.  They may not belong on the list of "travel rewards" cards, because they don't apply points to travel purchases like the others on the list do, but they sure do make things easy for people who are travelling with EMV, chip+PIN, astonishingly low interest rates, and NO FEES, including no foreign transaction fee.  This isn't just because they are forward-looking for EMV in the United States.  Andrews Air Force Base is responsible for flying government planes, including Air Force One, all over the world.  The US State Department is responsible for foreign relations.  These credit unions are founded by members with a need for cards that are easy to use in other nations.

EX:694 TU:744 EQ:777
Amex ED $19.5k - BoA Travel Rewards $15k - CSP $5k - SDFCU EMV $15k - NFCU goRewards $20k - Barclays Arrival $6.5k
Message 39 of 44
HiLine
Blogger

Re: Travel rewards credit cards compilation

Agreed. CU's are much more forward looking than banks in that regard.

Message 40 of 44
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