If you follow along my Instagram stories, you know that I essentially travel for free or really really cheap from utilizing credit cards, specifically travel credit cards. I frequently get asked a lot of questions on which travel credit cards to sign up for, how to use them and how to maximize the benefits. So I've rounded up my Top Travel Credit Card Picks that I highly recommend if you're looking to travel for free.

But first, here are my general tips for using travel credit cards:

• Wait for special introductory bonuses such as (1) 50,000+ points to redeem on flights, hotels or car rentals; (2) free nights at a hotel; or (3) Companion Pass (specifically for Southwest Airlines).
• Try to avoid signing up for credit cards that offer a cash back bonus. In my opinion, they're pretty low (usually between $200-750 only) and not worth it since you can get more out of the points to redeem on travel. 
• Certain credit cards will give you more points on specific purchases such as gas, groceries, restaurants, etc. Know which cards offer what and routinely use the right card for the specific purchase. Therefore, it's actually good to have several credit cards. I have 7+ and counting...
• Stay loyal to ONE hotel brand/chain and to ONE airline. You'll build up points to reach hotel and airline statuses faster.
• STOP using your debit card and use your credit cards for every purchase you make. But please do not max out your credit cards and do pay your balance off every month. I don't even use my debit card anymore, only to withdraw/deposit cash at the bank or atm.

Below are my travel credit card picks in no particular order:

1. Chase Sapphire Preferred 

Pros:

• Introductory Offer of 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards(as of June 28, 2022).
• Automatically receive up to $300 in statement credits as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year
• Receive one statement credit of up to $100 every four years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card
• Rest and revive before your flight at one of the 1,300+ VIP lounges in over 500 cities worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass Select
• You can transfer your points to leading frequent travel programs at 1 to 1 value
• No foreign transaction fees

Cons:

• This card has an annual fee of $550.

3. Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards Airlines (Plus, Premier or Priority)

I'm combining the three personal/consumer Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards together as they're essentially the same but with different annual fees, anniversary points and slightly different benefits. 

Pros:

• Introductory Offer of 75,000 points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.(as of June 28, 2022). It changes from anywhere between 40,000 - 80,000 so 75,000 points is a really good offer right now. 
• Can help reach Companion Pass faster
• 25% back on all in-flight purchases
• Anniversary points (3,000 for Plus, 6,000 points for Premier and 7,500 for Priority)
• Points never expire
• Other benefits listed here

Cons:

• These cards have annual fees ($69 for Plus, $99 for Premier and $149 for Priority)

4. Chase or American Express Marriott Bonvoy (Bold, Boundless or Brilliant)

One of my biggest travel tips is picking one hotel brand/chain to stay loyal to. For me, it's Marriot so it was a no brainer to include their credit cards to my list. There's three options: Bold or Boundless with Chase and Brilliant with American Express depending on what you're looking for. They're both great options if you're a Marriott stan.

Pros:

• Bold: Introductory Offer of 60,000 points after you spend $2,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening (as of June 28, 2022) OR 1 Free Night up to 35,000 point value after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from your account opening (as of June 28, 2022).
• Boundless: Introductory Offer of 5 Free Night Awards after you spend $5,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from your account opening (as of June 28, 2022) OR 3 Free Nights up to 105,000 point value after you spend $1,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from your account opening (as of June 28, 2022).
• Brilliant: Introductory Offer of 75,000 points after you use your new Card to make $3,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
• Automatic Silver Elite Status
• Can help reach member status faster
• No foreign transaction fees

Cons:

• These cards have annual fees ($95 for Boundless and $450 for Brilliant). The Bold has no annual fee. 

5. Chase World of Hyatt

Pros:

• Introductory Offer of up to 60,000 Bonus Points. Plus, up to 30,000 Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. Plus, up to 30,000 More Bonus Points by earning 2 Bonus Points total per $1 spent in the first 6 months from account opening on purchases that normally earn 1 Bonus Point, on up to $15,000 spent (as of June 27, 2022).
• Receive one free night at any Category 1–4 Hyatt hotel or resort every year after your cardmember anniversary.
• Can help reach member status faster
• No foreign transaction fees

Cons:

• This card has an annual fee of $95.

6. American Express Platinum 

Pros:

• Introductory Offer of 100,000 points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership (as of June 28, 2022).
• Access to over 1,400 American Express lounges across 650 cities in 140 countries and counting
• Points can be redeemed for flights, hotels, or car rentals
• $200 statement credit per calendar year on airline incidental fees (baggage check, in-flight wifi, food, refreshments, etc.)
• $200 statement credit per calendar year on select prepaid hotel bookings

Cons:

• This card has an annual fee of $695.

7. American Express Gold 

Pros:

• Introductory Offer of 60,000 points after you spend $4,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership (as of June 28, 2022). 
• Points can be redeemed for flights, hotels, or car rentals
• $120 dining statement credit
• $120 Uber cash to dine or ride

Cons:

• This card has an annual fee of $250.

8. American Express Hilton Honors

Pros:

• Introductory Offer of 100,000 points after you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months of Card Membership (as of June 28, 2022).
• Plus, you can earn up to $100 in Statement Credits on eligible purchases made on the Card at any of the Hilton family hotels in the first 12 months of Card Membership
• Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors Silver status 
• No foreign transaction fees.

Cons:

• This card has no annual fee.

9. Delta American Express (Gold or Platinum)

Pros:

• Gold: Introductory Offer of 70,000 points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months of Card Membership (as of June 28, 2022).
• Platinum: Introductory Offer of 90,000 points after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months of Card Membership (as of June 28, 2022).
• First checked bag free
• Priority boarding (Platinum only)
• Enjoy a domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Delta Platinum American Express Card (Platinum only)
• Enjoy complimentary snacks and beverages, wifi access, private restrooms, and so much more for yourself and up to two guests at an exclusive rate of $39 per person when traveling on a Delta flight (Platinum only)
• Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA Precheck (Platinum only)
• Take up to $50 off the cost of your flight for every 5,000 miles you redeem with Pay with Miles when you book on delta.com
• No foreign transaction fees

Cons:

• These cards have annual fees ($0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $99 for Gold and $250 for Platinum).

10. Capital One Venture X Rewards

Generally, I would recommend sticking with Chase or American Express but another really good option for a premium travel credit card is the Capital One Venture X Rewards card. If you spend a lot of time at airports, access to an airport lounge is a great way to wait for your next flight so I'm more likely to pick a travel credit card that has airport lounge access/benefits. 

Pros:

• Introductory Offer of 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening  (as of June 28, 2022).
• Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
• Receive up to $300 back as statement credits for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you’ll get our best prices on thousands of options
• Enjoy unlimited free visits to Capital One Lounge for Venture X cardholders
• Receive up to a $100 credit on Global Entry or TSA PreCheck

Cons:

• This card has an annual fee of $395.

CHECK OUT MY OTHER TRAVEL TIPS:

HOW TO GET FREE FLIGHTS WITH SOUTHWEST AIRLINES

TRAVEL TIP: Trusted Traveler Programs

TRAVEL TIP: Use These 5 Simple Car Rental Tips To Save Money

TRAVEL TIP: Easy Tip That Can Save You Money When Booking Flights

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I hope this blog post helped you understand the different travel credit cards and decide on which card is best for you. If you would like 1 on 1 help on figuring out which travel credit card you should get, send me a message on Instagram or send me an email at hello@phvongtrvn.com and I'd love to help you out!