In the United States, people use credit cards for almost everything from everyday purchases to major purchases, being essential credit cards for low-cost travel.
The use of credit cards has become so common that many people have more than one credit card. With the COVID-19 pandemic, many Americans started using credit cards as a way to accumulate points and miles for future travel.
With globalization, travel has become an increasingly frequent necessity for many people. Whether for business or pleasure, travel can be an enriching experience, but it can also be expensive.
Fortunately, there are several ways to save money on travel, one of which is through the use of credit cards with travel rewards programs.
See the Best credit cards for low-cost travel
Credit cards with travel rewards offer the ability to accumulate points and miles that can be redeemed for airfare, lodging, car rentals, and other travel-related expenses.
In addition, some cards also offer benefits such as airport lounge access, travel insurance protection, and exemption from checked baggage fees.
However, with so many options available, it can be difficult to decide which card to choose. In this article, we will present the 8 best credit cards for low-cost travel in the United States.
1- Chase Sapphire Preferred / credit cards for low-cost travel
The Chase Sapphire Preferred is one of the most popular credit cards for travel in the United States. It offers a reward rate of 2 points per dollar spent on travel and dining, and 1 point per dollar on other purchases.
The accumulated points can be transferred to loyalty program partners such as United Airlines and Marriott Bonvoy. The card has a $95 annual fee, but is exempt from the foreign transaction fee.
2 – Capital One Venture Rewards / credit cards for low-cost travel
Capital One Venture Rewards is one of the simplest credit cards for those who want to accumulate points for travel. It offers a reward rate of 2 points per dollar on all purchases.
The accumulated points can be used to reimburse travel expenses, such as airfare and lodging. The card has an annual fee of $95, but is exempt from the foreign transaction fee.
3 – American Express Gold / credit cards for low-cost travel
American Express Gold is a premium credit card that offers a reward rate of 4 points per dollar spent at restaurants and on supermarket purchases. It also offers 3 points per dollar spent on travel purchases.
The points accumulated can be transferred to loyalty program partners such as Delta Air Lines and Hilton Hotels.
The card has an annual fee of $250, but offers up to $120 in annual credits for food purchases at select restaurants and up to $100 in global passenger fee credits.
4 – Citi Premier / credit cards for low-cost travel
The Citi Premier is a credit card that offers a reward rate of 3 points per dollar spent on travel, including airfare, hotels, and rental cars.
It also offers 2 points per dollar spent on dining and entertainment. The accumulated points can be transferred to loyalty program partners such as Turkish Airlines and JetBlue.
The card has a $95 annual fee, but is exempt from the foreign transaction fee.
5 – Bank of America Travel Rewards / credit cards for low-cost travel
Bank of America Travel Rewards is a credit card with a reward rate of 1.5 points per dollar spent on all purchases.
The accumulated points can be used to reimburse travel expenses, such as airfare and lodging. The card has no annual fee and is exempt from the foreign transaction fee.
6 – Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express / credit cards for low-cost travel
The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express is a credit card that offers a reward rate of 2 points per dollar spent on purchases with Delta Airlines and 1 point per dollar on other purchases.
The accumulated points can be used to redeem airline tickets, seat upgrades, and other travel options. The card has a $99 annual fee, but offers a free annual boarding certificate for one companion and checked baggage fee waiver for the cardholder and up to 8 companions on Delta flights.
7 – Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus / credit cards for low-cost travel
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus is a credit card that offers a reward rate of 2 points per dollar spent on purchases with Southwest Airlines and 1 point per dollar on other purchases.
The accumulated points can be used to redeem airline tickets and other travel options with Southwest. The card has an annual fee of $69, but offers a sign-up bonus of 40,000 points after making $1,000 worth of purchases in the first 3 months and a $75 annual credit for purchases with Southwest.
8 – Discover it Miles / credit cards for low-cost travel
Discover it Miles is a credit card with a reward rate of 1.5 points per dollar spent on all purchases. The points accumulated can be used to reimburse travel expenses, such as airfare and lodging.
The card has no annual fee and offers a welcome bonus promotion in which all points accumulated in the first year are doubled.
Importance of choosing the right credit cards for low-cost travel
Choosing the right credit card for your travel needs is essential to maximizing your benefits and saving money.
Each card has different reward rates, annual fees and benefits, so it’s important to consider which card best suits your needs.
In addition, it’s important to consider the card’s consumer protection policies, such as fraud protection and travel insurance coverage.
In short, credit cards are an excellent way to accumulate points and miles for low-cost travel in the United States. With so many options available, it is important to choose the right card for your travel needs.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, Capital One Venture Rewards Card, American Express Gold Card, Citi Premier Card, Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card, Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card, Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card, and Discover it Miles Card are some of the best options available today.
Be sure to carefully consider the reward rates, annual fees, and benefits of each card before making your final choice.
With a little planning and research, you can save a lot of money on your travels by using a credit card with the right rewards rate for your needs.
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