@Anonymous wrote:Living around a city where the airport is small, and the lines are 10 minutes max, TSA pre-check wouldn't be a useful perk to me. Although it might be a useful feature if I'm traveling internationally? Correct? I don't know a whole lot about international traveling, as I've never done it, but plan to do so in the future.
Overall, I don't like the idea of a card being tied to a particular or "partner" airline. I'd like the flexibility of using my card at any airline I choose, whether it's Jet Blue, Delta, American Airlines, etc. I'd also like to be able to get perks at staying at hotels, but those don't really have to be "partner" either, and I actually prefer MORE flexibility with hotels rather than flights. It does seem like, however, that many cards provide benefits at luxury hotels only rather than ones for the average Joe.
I believe any card with travel perks has an annual fee though.
Orbitz than? It has no AF and the card is decent if you rather look for a deal over which hotel/airline you want to use... No travel perks but is a 10% CB card when you use Orbitz and 2% everywhere else and has no FTF as well.... IF you want perks you should see what airlines and hotels you prefer generally and choose the card that matches with the partners. Citi, Chase and Amex have good cards but they all partner with certain airlines and hotels. Other than those you also have the Capital One Venture which isn't that great IMHO and Bank of America along with Discover both have travel cards but I am not sure what they offer.
@Anonymous wrote:
As with most things in the credit world, there is no single universal "best" for all situations.
It sounds like you want something with points that transfer to hotels as well as airlines and still give perks but don't want to pay for Amex Platinum or Citi Thankyou Prestige.
With those limitations, the only cards that come to mind are Chase Sapphire Preferred and Citi Thankyou Premier, or you could forego perks and get a "redeemable against travel purchases" card like Barclays Arrival or Arrival+, CapitalOne Venture or Venture One, or Bank of America Travel Rewards.
Meh barclay's and Capital one offerings are pretty Meh specially the Capital one offerings.
@Anonymous wrote:Does the Orbitz card even have an EMV chip?
IDK since I don't have any interest in the card...
Oh its not a 10%CB but 10% in rewards.
@Anonymous wrote:Living around a city where the airport is small, and the lines are 10 minutes max, TSA pre-check wouldn't be a useful perk to me. Although it might be a useful feature if I'm traveling internationally? Correct? I don't know a whole lot about international traveling, as I've never done it, but plan to do so in the future.
Overall, I don't like the idea of a card being tied to a particular or "partner" airline. I'd like the flexibility of using my card at any airline I choose, whether it's Jet Blue, Delta, American Airlines, etc. I'd also like to be able to get perks at staying at hotels, but those don't really have to be "partner" either, and I actually prefer MORE flexibility with hotels rather than flights. It does seem like, however, that many cards provide benefits at luxury hotels only rather than ones for the average Joe.
I believe any card with travel perks has an annual fee though.
You are correct about the AF but you get what you pay for. Amex plat gives you SPG (it would be a HR if Marriot gold after merger) and Hilton gold status, along with FHR (fine hotel & resorts) and Hotel Collection benefits, rental car status, airport lounges (delta, centurion and priorty pass) to name a few for a net cost of $250 after a $200 airline credit. I would mention Prestige but it's getting the s*%* kicked out of in July 2017 with benefits being nerfed.
So in the long run I think you can get well over $250 on travel benefits and not be stuck with one Hotel Chain, Car Rental Chain or Airline.
At the end of the day if you go cheap you get nothing also. Plus you don't need the swipes for points and you still get all the benefits.
Personal Cards: Amex Plat | Amex Delta Res | CSR | Citi AA Exec Business Cards: Ink+ | Amex BGR