In todays challenging economic times cheap fares, whether cheap airplane tickets, discount hotel rooms, or cheap vacation packages are more important than ever to frequent travelers. People who want to get the most out of their travel dollars need to examine whether their current credit cards give them the greatest possible travel benefits.
Unfortunately many credit card companies have recently increased their annual percentage rates, added mysterious fees, and charge their customers to make foreign transactions. The following are some of the most travel friendly credit cards available today:
Citi Gold/AAdvantage Visa Signature card is attractive to domestic travelers who usually fly on routes served by American Airlines (AA). This card comes with a Reduced Mileage Awards program that permits cardholders to redeem miles (using 7,500 fewer miles) for AA round trip tickets. Customers who spend $750 on the card within four months of first receiving the card earn 20,000 bonus miles. Credit card holders receive one AAdvantage mile for every dollar spent, with no blackout travel dates. Annual fee after the first year is $50.
Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card is attractive for people who travel abroad because it does not charge any foreign transaction fees. This card lets you exchange your points into miles on United Airlines and British Airlines frequent flier programs. New credit card holders will earn 50,000 points if they spend $3,000 in the first three months. Annual fee after the first year is $95.
Starwood Preferred Guest/American Express card benefits frequent hotel guests and travelers to Latin America. Starpoints earned on this card can be redeemed for stays at over 1,000 hotels in almost 100 countries. First time use of the card earns 10,000 Starpoints, enough for a free night at a 4 star hotel. Starpoints can be transferred into over 30 frequent flier programs. This card is particularly attractive to Central and South America travelers since Starpoints are doubled when transferred into LANs frequent flier program. Annual fee after the first year is $65.
American Express Premier Reward Gold card appeals to travelers who spend over $2,000 a month on their credit cards. Users earn triple points when purchasing plane tickets, and double points on gas and groceries. Because of its high annual fee after the first year, $175, it only makes financial sense to travelers who put a lot of charges on their credit cards. Earned points never expire, can be used on any airline, anytime.
Continental Airlines OnePass Plus Chase MasterCard is well suited for Continental/United frequent fliers. Card holders are allowed a free checked bag on any United flight and may change their reward travel dates for free up to 21 days in advance of travel. The first purchase on this card earns a 25,000 mile bonus. The annual fee after the first year is $95. www.cheapfares.com