Benefit From the Latest Credit Card Bonuses Before You Travel
This is a feature of travel after the pandemic: Companies are raising prices for flights and hotels due to pent-up demand, but they are also offering record sign-up bonuses for their loyalty credit cards. Because these bonuses can offset increased travel costs, you may want to consider taking an airline ticket or hotel credit card before booking your next flight or hotel. Here are some of the best welcome deals available right now.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Card
Cardholders can earn 65,000 points (which is $ 975 per member ) by spending $ 2,000 on purchases within three months of receiving the Priority, Premier, or Plus versions of the card (Priority is a high-end card with an annual fee of $ 149, but it comes with additional perks such as four free seat upgrades per year).
This is just 35,000 points until you earn the Companion Pass, which allows you to take a travel companion with you on your flights free of charge (excluding taxes and fees), and is valid for the remainder of the calendar year and for the next year.
Premier IHG Rewards Club Credit Card
IHG stands for International Hotel Group, which includes the Holiday Inn, Intercontinental, Crowne Plaza, Regent Hotels and Kimpton hotel chains. You can earn a welcome bonus of 150,000 points (of which $ 750 for each The Points Guy ) if you spend $ 3,000 on purchases within the first three months. In addition, you will receive a free night at IHG hotels each year on the anniversary of your account. Another great benefit of this card is that you earn a total of 25 points for every dollar spent on IHG hotels, so this is ideal if you travel regularly for business.
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card
Earn a total of up to 200,000 Points ($ 1,200 per member ) by spending $ 2,000 in the first three months (150,000 Points) and then spending $ 8,000 in the first six months (50,000 Points). If you spend more than $ 15,000 on your calendar, you also get a free weekend night that can be redeemed at any Hilton hotel (such as the Waldorf Astoria in New York). The card is worth 12 points per dollar spent on Hilton hotels and resorts, as well as a good six points per dollar multiplier for gas and food. Again, with hotel cards, you’ll only want to check in if you’re a regular patron of the hotel chain. The annual fee is $ 95.
Chase Sapphire Preference
Chase Sapphire Preferred adds a new record-breaking welcome offer of 80,000 points ($ 1,000 per The Points Guy ) that can be used to book flights and hotels through the Ultimate Rewards Chase portal. To receive an offer, you must spend $ 4,000 within the first three months after opening an account. The card has many benefits, including two points per dollar spent on travel and dining. The annual fee is $ 95.
Just sign up for redeemable bonuses
Welcome bonuses are a great way to get discounts on flights and hotels, but it’s generally a good idea to only spend what you can afford to pay right away, otherwise the high interest on the thousands of dollars in debt will quickly negate the welcome bonus. …