To ensure you receive the best service possible,
please enter your zip code below:
A good credit card can be more than just a way to pay the bills. When used responsibly, the right card can make your travels even better, giving you extra perks and additional security. When searching for the best travel credit card, look for these features and membership rewards to get the most from your trips.
Many cards let users earn bonus points, merchandise or cash for every purchase, but those aimed at travelers often offer rewards based on types of purchases—usually more for travel-related transactions. For example, buying cruise tickets might earn three points for each dollar spent, while other transactions would earn one point per dollar. Many cards, like the AAA Cashback Visa Signature Card®, also offer additional rewards on common expenses you’d shop for anyway, like gas or groceries. The rewards points add up quickly, providing you with easy savings.
For new customers who meet certain spending habits during the first few months, some travel credit cards offer extra incentives—in the form of points, airline miles for general travel or cash beyond standard rewards. In addition, some annual travel credit cards provide a welcome offer (or welcome bonus or signup bonus), statement credit, and even extra bonus categories, too. These cards usually require excellent credit (and credit score), but the payoffs can add up quickly. For example, new AAA card members can get a $100 statement credit when they spend $1,500 in qualifying purchases*.
When you consider the expenses for a vacation—airfare, hotel stays, rental cars, dining purchases or even the requirements for international travel—it’s easy to meet the qualifying purchase limit.
Look for travel protections such as rental car insurance, travel and emergency assistance and lost-luggage coverage. If you travel abroad, you’ll want a card that waives foreign transaction fees on purchases you make with your credit card, which usually range from 1% to 4%. These international travel fees can become costly quickly. Some cards offer additional perks, like concierge services, free checked bags and priority boarding. Before booking, look for any blackout dates during your given calendar year.
Chip-enabled cards are relatively new in the United States, but they’re standard overseas, where traditional “swipe” cards often are declined. To avoid inconvenience during your international travels, and to frustrate would-be thieves, be sure your travel rewards credit card has the latest safety technology.
Travel rewards credit cards often have higher interest rates than regular cards, so if you carry a monthly balance, you might pay more in interest than you earn in rewards.
Also, be sure the travel credit card’s annual fee doesn’t offset its benefits. (Some cards come with a high annual fee—even for a frequent flyer.) And if you’re considering a card for travel expenses—or even if you already have a card with a rewards program—compare multiple offers to find those that best fit your travel needs and offers the best travel rewards and travel perks.
Also look to see what types of travel are covered by the card, as well as the rewards rate, intro APR and if there’s a fee for balance transfers.
With plenty of credit card issuers available, you should have your choice of offers.
The AAA Cashback Visa Signature® is the fastest way to earn the best travel rewards and AAA Dollars on qualifying net purchases.
Banking Products are offered by Grasshopper Bank, N.A. Member FDIC Equal Credit Opportunity Lender. Member FDIC logo AAA-Member Verification & Product Eligibility By applying for a AAA Banking deposit account, you acknowledge and agree that if you select a AAA-member product, your AAA membership status with Auto Club Group (ACG) will be validated at the time of account opening and periodically thereafter. If your AAA membership cannot be validated or your membership status changes, your account may be moved to a non-member product with different terms, including but not limited to a lower Annual Percentage Yield (APY) and the removal of other AAA member-only benefits. If this occurs, you will receive a notification regarding the change in the product and applicable terms. If you believe your AAA Membership status was incorrectly validated or that you have been placed in the incorrect product, please contact us to review and correct your status. AAA Cashback Visa Signature® Card is issued by U.S. Bank NA dba ACG Card Services, pursuant to a license from Visa USA Inc. Equal Credit Opportunity Lender Will need L&C final approval.
