Free travel is at your disposal
You've sent in your passport application, right?
My second basic requirement for North Idahoans filled with wanderlust is a credit card with a stellar travel rewards program. My goal is to help you travel on any budget, and the easiest way to do that is to get flights, hotels, and excursions for free.
Yes, for free.
I'm sure you've gotten those pre-approved cards in the mail, or seen the commercials for cards that offer cash back or air miles. There are so many choices that the research can be overwhelming. Here's what you're looking for: a card by a reputable company that has a low annual fee which racks up rewards in the form of points to be used for travel.
However, having "travel points" is a bit of a misnomer. In reality, they are points that can really be redeemed for a whole host of rewards including items, cash, or account credit. The reason they're marketed as travel cards is because the points-to-dollars conversion rate is much higher for travel-related purchases. For example on my card, 10,000 points are worth $100 for travel, but only $50 for other expenses.
Most also include some great features like extended travel protection, immediate customer service, and even priority treatment at airports and hotels. You'll notice that some cards have chips embedded in the front. Generally, European locales use chip scanning instead of a magnetic strip because they are more secure. If you'll be doing a lot of European travel, the cards with an embedded chip are your best bet.
A word on annual fees: some cards advertise no annual fee. I've found in my experience that those cards have very limited rewards and most of the time even more limited customer service. You get what you pay for. The good news is that most quality cards waive the annual fee for the first year, and cost less than a hundred dollars for each year after.
You may not be able to afford a cruise to the Caribbean right now, but you may very well be able to in about 4 months. The best feature of any travel card is their bonus miles program. Essentially, if you spend a certain amount on the card in 90 days (most boil down to about $1,000 a month for 3 months), they will give you a huge bonus of miles - mine gave me 40,000. Plus the 3,000 I had already earned from using the card, I had 400 bonus dollars to use for travel. Guess what I booked with the bonus miles? That's right, a free cruise to the Caribbean.
Ultimately I cannot guide you to the one perfect travel credit card. You know your financial situation better than anyone else, and each person will find a different card that's perfect for them. I will say that the majority of voices in the industry agree on four top cards: the Capital One Venture Rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, the American Express Platinum card, and the BankAmericard Travel Rewards card. Start there and do your own research, and you're sure to find the card that's perfect for you.
Basics #2: Completed. Where will you go?
Note: All of the cards I recommend require good, or excellent credit. If you have poor or recovering credit, you may still be approved for one of these cards with a higher interest rate or lower spending limit. You'll have to check the fine print for your specific case, or contact me and I can help you find a card that works for you. Additionally, these cards only work well if you pay off the balance every month and do not accrue interest. The opinions expressed in this article are my own, and I am not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned.
Next time: Technology you should be embracing if you want to be a savvy traveler.
Julianna Satterly is a Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy graduate who worked as the Editor in Chief of her college newspaper at Washington and Lee University for 3 years. She's lived in three states, visited 28 others, and has toured 13 countries. Contact her at [email protected], or on Facebook or Twitter at @jsattz.