KEY POINTS
I just booked my annual summer trip to Montana. Roundtrip from Burbank to Kalispell for $215, including taxes and fees. Not bad, right? Even better: I didn't pay a dime out of pocket. The entire cost was covered by travel credits I earned from my credit card.
Discounted or free travel is a regular thing for me. Because I use the right credit cards and play the points game.
And today, I'm going to show you three cards that not only help you rack up points for everyday spending, they also come with welcome offers worth between $250 and $750 in travel value.
On Bank of America's Secure Website.
On Bank of America's Secure Website.
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases. 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the intro APR offer ends, 18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers will apply. A 3% fee for 60 days from account opening, then 4% fee applies to all balance transfers. Balance transfers may not be used to pay any account provided by Bank of America.
Purchases: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases
Balance Transfers: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days
Regular APR
18.24% - 28.24% (Variable)
Rewards Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open. Earn 3 points per $1 spent on travel purchases booked through the Bank of America Travel Center.
1.5-3 points per dollar
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases
25,000 points
This is a good starter travel card thanks to its simplicity and no annual fee. It offers a strong welcome bonus worth $250, unlimited 1.5X points on all purchases, 3X points on travel booked through Bank of America, and no foreign transaction fee. Simply redeem points as a statement credit for travel or dining purchases. The generous Intro APR on purchases for 15 billing cycles might come in handy if you want to pay off an expensive trip over time without interest. It’s a particularly good fit for Bank of America Preferred Rewards members, who can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase (depending on your tier).
Read Full ReviewThe Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card is one of the best no-annual-fee cards that we've found. It's one you'll likely keep forever.
The welcome offer is super easy to earn. You'll get 25,000 points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening. That can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
As for ongoing rewards, the point system is pretty simple. You earn 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no limit. Once you've racked up a bunch of points, simply pay yourself back with a statement credit towards travel and dining purchases. Easy!
This card is the "easy button" for earning travel rewards. Perfect for folks that want to earn points with zero hassle.
Does this straightforward travel card sound like a good fit for you? Apply for the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card today.
On Chase's Secure Website.
Rates & Fees
On Chase's Secure Website.
Rates & Fees
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
20.49% - 27.49% Variable
Rewards Receive 7,500 anniversary points, 4 upgraded boardings per year when available, and a $75 Southwest® travel credit each year. Enjoy benefits including 3X points on Southwest purchases, 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare, 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming, 10,000 Companion Pass® qualifying points boost each year, and more.
Earn 3X points on Southwest® purchases. Earn 2X points on Rapid Rewards® hotel and car rental partners. Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming. Earn 1X points on all other purchases.
Annual Fee
$149
Welcome Offer Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Earn 50,000 bonus points.
This feature-packed travel credit card for Southwest fans has a solid rewards program as well as Southwest credits and discounts.
If you're a Southwest flyer, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card (see rates and fees) is a no-brainer. The welcome offer alone can easily cover two (maybe even three) return flights, and you only need to spend $1,000 to get it.
New cardmembers can earn 50,000 Rapid Rewards® points after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months. Southwest doesn't play the blackout date game, either -- points are easy to use.
You'll also get these travel-friendly perks included:
If Southwest is your go-to airline, this card can pay for itself fast. There's a $149 annual fee, but the $75 credit and anniversary points help you earn it back.
Ready for free flights and boarding upgrades? Apply now for the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card.
On Chase's Secure Website.
Rates & Fees
On Chase's Secure Website.
Rates & Fees
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR N/A
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
19.99% - 28.24% Variable
Rewards Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining and 2x on all other travel purchases
Annual Fee
$95
Welcome Offer Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
60,000 bonus points
This card easily justifies the (very reasonable) annual fee with benefits that deliver real value. Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months, which we estimate is worth $750 in Chase Travel℠ value. Plus, enjoy bonus travel and dining rewards, a $50 annual hotel credit, and 25% more value when booking through Chase Travel. With added travel protections like rental car insurance and trip reimbursement, we think this card is a game-changer for any traveler.
Read Full ReviewThe Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card's (see rates and fees) welcome offer takes a little more effort, but it can be worth three times as much as many other cards.
The welcome offer: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months after account opening.
If you redeem those points through Chase Travel, they're worth up to $750 in Chase Travel℠ value -- toward flights, hotels, and more.
This card also comes with a stack of valuable perks, including:
Yes, there's a $95 annual fee, but I always make sure to use the perks (especially that $50 hotel credit each year) to get full value.
Get up to $750 in Chase Travel℠ value this summer. Apply now for Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card here.
Personally, I don't open cards I can't maximize. But if the welcome bonus fits my budget and the rewards are easy to use, I'm in. That's how I've booked everything from international flights to summer trips like my upcoming one to Montana.
Just remember: don't overspend by chasing points. But if your regular budget can meet the spending requirement, the rewards are absolutely worth it.
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