Below are the travel credit cards that I use to maximize my rewards and luxury perks when I travel. Each purchase earns points or miles that I can redeem for travel expenses. All the points and miles that I earned have allowed me to travel the world on the cheap. They can do that for you too! It is important for you to sign up for a travel credit cards as it’s your gateway to free travel. I appreciate it if you could use my links below to apply. I may receive bonus points when you click on links to the products.
Chase World of Hyatt Credit Card
- 1 anniversary free night on your card member anniversary plus a second free night after you spend $15,000 during your anniversary year (from the date that you open to the next 12 billing cycles)
- Automatically Discoverist status with Hyatt (read more about benefits here)
- 25,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 during the first 3 months and another 25,000 bonus points after you spend a total of $6,000 during the first 6 months.
- $95 annual fee
- Apply Chase Hyatt Now
Why I like this card: I redeemed my two anniversary free night certificates at the beautiful Andaz Penisula Papagayo resort in Costa Rica, which costs around $700 per night with cash. I count the annual fee as a cost for redeeming the anniversary free nights. Therefore, I paid $95 (annual fee) to stay at a resort that would have cost me $1,400. In addition, I got upgraded to a one bedroom suite. Great deal, isn’t it? I also enjoy early check-in at 12 PM, late checkout at 2:00 PM, daily water bottle, upgrade to preferred room as part of having Discoverist status. For the sign up bonus, I redeemed 2 free nights at the Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa and it was the perfect getaway for me (2 free nights sign up bonus are no longer available).
Chase IHG Rewards Club Premier Credit Card
- 1 free anniversary free night on your card member anniversary
- Free reward night when you redeem points for any stay of 4 or more nights!
- Automatically Platinum elite status with IHG
- 125,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- $89 annual fee
- Apply Chase IHG Now
Why I like this card: I redeemed my anniversary free night certificate at the InterContinental Athenaeum Athens, which costs over $200 a night. I also enjoy receiving complimentary room upgrade, extended check-out and welcome amenity as part of having Platinum elite status.
Chase Ink Business Preferred Credit Card
- 80,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 during the first 3 months of opening account
- 1:1 points transfer to airline travel partners and hotel travel partners (can redeem for flights including first class and business)
- 25% more in travel redemption when redeeming points for hotels and flights
- No foregin transacion fee
- $95 annual fee
- Apply Chase Ink Now
Why I like this card: You don’t have to own a big business to open a business credit card. Read here more for details on how to get one. I was able to transfer 300,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club and booked five Delta One Suites award seats from Los Angeles to Shanghai for 60,000 miles per ticket. That’s a saving $18,243.50 for five one-way tickets to Shanghai. Points do add up fast and I saved my points to splurge on business seat such as the one in Shanghai.
The Ritz-Carlton Credit Card
- 1 free anniversary free night on your card member anniversary
- $300 Annual Travel Credit
- Access airport lounges worldwide
- Save $100 domestic companion airfare discount
- No foreign transaction fees
- Global entry application fee statement of $100
- Automatically Gold Elite status
- Platinum Elite Status when you spend $75,000 on your card in an account year
- Lost Luggage Reimbursement, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Trip Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance
- $450 annual fee
Why I like this card: Even thought the fee is $450 annually, I get $300 annual travel credit so I end up paying $150 annually to have access to airport lounges, receive $100 off every time when I book companion airfare and priority late checkout at hotel up to 4:00 PM. I redeemed 145,000 points to book 5 nights stay at Marriott hotel in Peru and saved $2,140.71. I got upgraded to spacious one bedroom suite. Overall, the Ritz-Carlton has a lot of perks that makes this card my favorite card. At this time, the Ritz-Carlton is no longer accepting new applicants. However, you can apply for the Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless credit card and upgrade to the Chase Ritz-Carlton credit card after your first anniversary.
Do you have any of the above travel credit cards? If so, which one is your favorite?
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