Traveling | Credit Card Topics

Capital One Changes Airport Lounge Access as Industry Turns Toward Spend-Driven Benefits

By: Andrew Allen, 6/10/2025

Capital One Venture X and Venture X Business primary cardholders will no longer be able to bring guests to airport lounges with them for free unless they meet certain conditions, including spending at least $75,000 per year on their cards. It's a move that reflects the industry's pivot toward spend-driven benefits. Primary cardholders of Capital One's Venture X and Venture X Business credit cards have enjoyed the privilege of accessing the company’s lounges and bringing two guests... read more »

PayPal Launches Physical Credit Card, Sweetens Deal with a Limited-Time, No-Interest Travel Offer

By: Andrew Allen, 6/9/2025

The credit card landscape is a little more crowded today as global financial technology company PayPal has introduced a new physical credit card that comes with a limited-time, no-interest travel offer. The card, known as the PayPal Credit Card, bolsters PayPal’s payment product menu, which also includes digital options. With the summer travel season nearly in full swing, PayPal is offering an introductory deal to help consumers afford their travel expenses. Through January 31,... read more »

64% of Americans Leave Vacation Perks Untapped, Pass on Travel Cards

By: Lynn Cadet, 5/28/2025

While millions prepare to book their summer vacations, few are reaching for their travel cards to do so. Loyalty programs offer a great way for consumers to save money on vacations, but a lack of understanding or fear of risk may be stopping them from taking advantage of the perks. At CardRates.com, we wanted to test a theory: Even if people aren’t talking about it, are points quietly shaping where they travel? Are rewards nudging them to pick certain destinations, airlines, or... read more »

American Express Credit Cards Are Now Accepted by More Merchants in the Caribbean Islands

By: Andrew Allen, 5/22/2025

If you’re having trouble making up your mind about where to take your family on vacation this summer, recent news from American Express may help make that decision easier for you. The company’s credit cards are now accepted in more locations in the Caribbean islands. And the recent announcement of the expanded acceptance comes just in time for you if you’re already headed to the Caribbean this summer and you’d been hoping to use your Amex card to make purchases on the... read more »

A New Barclays Report Reveals How Much Travelers Rely on Rewards Programs

By: Andrew Allen, 5/14/2025

The summer travel season is right around the bend, and a new report from Barclays shows that 79% of travelers depend on loyalty programs when it comes to making the most of their vacation budget — an increase from survey results in 2023 and 2024. We caught up with Doug Villone, Head of US Cards and Partnerships at Barclays US Consumer Bank, to learn more about the study and how personalization can play a key part in a successful credit card program. Villone told us that... read more »

A New Benefit from Frontier Airlines Allows Cardholders to Access Free Companion Travel

By: Andrew Allen, 5/12/2025

The CardRates team was on the ground at CardCon 2025, where Bobby Schroeter, Chief Commercial Officer at Frontier Airlines, took the stage on May 7 to announce a new benefit sure to grab the attention of travel enthusiasts. Frontier’s latest travel program now allows the company’s Elite Platinum and Diamond Status members to bring a companion with them on any Frontier flight for free. The unveiling of this perk comes just in time to bring affordability to eligible members... read more »

Put a Card at the Center of Your Travel and Expense Program to Maximize Visibility and Control

By: Mike Senecal, 11/22/2024

Corporate travel and expense management platforms can't offer employees and teams a comprehensive solution because they can only process the transactions you put into them. Center "recenters" expense management from platforms to its CenterCard, an integrated corporate credit card with software and a mobile app that makes managing holistic company spend simple. Teams are everywhere these days. Employees use their CenterCards wherever and whenever they need to find... read more »

Airport Shopping Habits: 70% of Americans Make Impulse Purchases

By: Jon McDonald, 10/23/2024

If you’ve ever traveled by air, you’ve probably had one experience running through the airport trying to make it to the gate before the boarding doors close. Whether traffic was bad, security was long, or a layover was delayed, chances are you’ve jogged through airports passing by restaurants and stores. But if you’re not dashing through the airport, are you stopping at those stores? A new study from CardRates.com asked 1,000 Americans about their spending and shopping... read more »

What are Credit Card Travel Rewards and How Do They Work?

By: Eric Bank, 9/26/2024

Truth be told, I’m not sure whether I get more satisfaction from collecting credit card travel rewards or spending them. It’s exciting to watch my points pile up month after month as I start anticipating my next vacation. But when I finally redeem them and fly for free, I’m definitely all smiles. So, I think it’s a tie! Credit card travel rewards come in the form of points or miles you can earn on eligible purchases. You can often turn those points into flight tickets,... read more »

What is Global Entry? How Cardholders Can Participate in the Travel Program for Free

By: Jon McDonald, 9/3/2024

Waiting in long lines can put a downer on any travel experience, especially after an international flight. The Global Entry program allows you to skip tedious customs processing and security screening with dedicated kiosks and shorter lines for a much quicker entry process. This could save you hours at the airport. The Global Entry program is a Trusted Traveler Program that provides expedited clearance to low-risk travelers upon their arrival in the U.S. from overseas. The program... read more »

What is a Frequent Flyer Program? How Rewards Credit Cards Can Enhance the Airline Travel Benefit

By: Eric Bank, 9/4/2024

I remember my first time flying in an airplane. I was a bit hesitant, but it would quickly become my favorite form of travel. To this day, I still feel that same thrill of taking off, followed by the magic feeling once the plane ascended above the clouds. I enjoy seeing new, faraway places, but I also have to watch my budget. That’s why my frequent flyer program is one of my best travel buddies. Frequent flyer programs reward loyal airline customers for racking up... read more »

What Is TSA PreCheck? A Guide to Eligibility, Benefits, and Availability as a Credit Card Perk

By: Mike Senecal, 8/26/2024

No one likes standing in long lines at airport security, removing their shoes, and unpacking their laptops when they're in a rush. At that point, you probably wish you could click your heels together and teleport to your destination, but that's not possible — especially if your heels are going through the X-ray machine. That's why TSA launched the TSA PreCheck program in 2011 to streamline airport security screening and get low-risk U.S. travelers where they need to go faster and... read more »

HiChee Comparison Shops Vacation Rental Listings, Saving Travelers Both Time and Money

By: Andrew Allen, 7/31/2024

Comparing the prices of vacation property rentals can be time-consuming and inefficient. HiChee helps travelers compare the prices of vacation rentals across multiple websites, saving travelers time and money. HiChee’s magic search feature enables users to search for a vacation listing using the property’s images. Users who install HiChee’s browser extension can instantly compare vacation rental prices across alternative sites. HiChee's "Trip Lists" provide daily... read more »

Study Finds 65% of Americans Think Any Travel is a Luxury in 2024

By: Jon McDonald, 7/30/2024

Americans love to travel. Whether exploring within our borders or going abroad to sample different cultures and experiences, we are a nation of wanderlust. As influencers document truly luxurious travel experiences around the globe, we want to know what Americans consider luxury travel—and whether the cost of living is making any travel at all an indulgence in 2024. We surveyed more than 900 Americans about how much they travel, where and how they splurge, and what they consider... read more »

How Travel Reward Blackout Dates Work & How to Avoid Them

By: Eric Bank, 6/19/2024

Credit card travel blackout dates are certain times when you can’t use your credit card rewards for travel. The card issuer or airline sets these dates, often during busy holidays or peak travel times. During a blackout, you typically can’t book flights, hotels, or other travel with your points or miles. Several credit cards offer rewards programs that do not have travel blackouts. Here, I’ll discuss what you need to know about travel reward blackout dates, how to identify... read more »

Survey Reveals Most Desired Locations to Redeem Credit Card Rewards for Luxury Escapes

By: Jon McDonald, 6/6/2024

In a world where travel and luxury are increasingly accessible, credit card holders rich in reward points are finding extravagant ways to spend their hard-earned bonuses. Our recent survey of 3,000 points-rich cardholders sheds light on how these rewards pave the way to some of the world's most indulgent weekend escapes. Credit card points are amassed through everyday purchases, from groceries to gas to utility bills. However, savvy consumers maximize their earnings by using... read more »

Stasher Enables Travelers to Conveniently and Securely Store Their Luggage in Cities Worldwide

By: Andrew Allen, 4/12/2024

Carrying heavy luggage from one attraction to the next can diminish the excitement of sightseeing. Stasher provides options for luggage storage so people can go about their days unencumbered by physical baggage. The company offers its services in nearly 1,000 cities worldwide. Stasher solicits its customers for feedback to ensure its solutions meet their needs. Travelers planning their next vacation may have numerous details to consider, including which... read more »

Find Love & Travel Blog Combines Adventure and Photography to Inspire Rewards Cardholders

By: Mike Senecal, 3/6/2024

Samantha Oppenheimer was born to travel. Her Find Love & Travel blog chronicles her love of adventure and photography, celebrates diverse global destinations, and helps cardholders make the most of their journey. Samantha's blog is packed with stories about the places she's been to, guides to streamline travel planning, and resources to make booking and paying for travel easier. Credit card hacks include always traveling with the right rewards card for the job. Find... read more »

Savannah Taste Experience Offers Card Rewards Enthusiasts a Culinary View of Cultural History

By: Mike Senecal, 11/22/2023

At Savannah Taste Experience, food is more than fuel for getting through the day. It's a window into the cultural history of a place where the past intersects with the present in endlessly entertaining ways. For card rewards enthusiasts, that means guided and private food tour experiences that are as informative — even intellectual — as they are sensory. Visiting Savannah is a way to connect with a vital part of American history. Savannah Taste Experience transforms... read more »

15 Best Travel Credit Cards With Bonus Miles (May 2025)

By: Eric Bank, 5/9/2025

Indiana Jones said it best: “It’s not the years, it’s the miles.” And miles are what some of the best travel cards deliver. Whether you are an occasional tourist or a business-class warrior, these cards can save you money and make flying more pleasant. Below are our top picks for air mile credit cards. You’ll likely find the perfect card for your requirements — consumer or business traveler, brand loyalist, or eclectic opportunist. These rewards cards offer frequent... read more »

20 Best Online Tools for Rewards Travelers in 2023

By: Mike Senecal, 9/20/2023

Those who use credit cards strategically to earn points and cash rewards for travel aren't really travel buffs but aficionados who appreciate the journey and destination enough to make it special. If that sounds like you, you'll absolutely love this list of the 20 best online tools for rewards travelers our team compiled. Dig in and discover tools — chosen strictly on merit — for all sorts of travelers who want to make their experiences more convenient and memorable as well as... read more »

7 Highest-Limit Travel Credit Cards (May 2025)

By: Bob Haegele, 5/9/2025

A high-limit travel credit card can come with many benefits, including the ability to book expensive trips and accumulate a large number of rewards in the process. In addition, travel cards with high limits are often premium travel cards with extra benefits, such as lounge access and travel insurance. But getting a travel card with a high limit isn’t just about signing up for a premium credit card. You must also meet certain requirements, which may include having excellent credit... read more »

7 Best Vacation Rental Credit Cards (June 2025)

By: Bob Haegele, 5/28/2025

A credit card can save you money when booking a vacation rental, but you have to use the right card. That’s because websites that list vacation rentals, including Airbnb and Vrbo, don’t currently have loyalty programs. And these websites don’t have branded credit cards either, which means you have to use general travel credit cards. Even if you want to stay off the beaten path, the cards on this list will help you maximize your rewards to help you save on the cost of your next... read more »

5 Best Travel Credit Cards Reddit Users Love (2024)

By: Zina Kumok, 3/15/2024

When traveling abroad, there’s so much to pack. I always bring my favorite headphones, a guidebook, and of course, my passport. I also never leave behind my travel credit card. The right travel credit card helps me access extra travel perks and benefits and earn points that I can redeem for future trips. But finding the right card can be tricky, especially if you’ve never had a travel card before. Read below to find the best travel credit cards Reddit users love. ... read more »

9 Best Travel Credit Cards For Beginners (June 2025)

By: Eric Bank, 5/28/2025

Maybe you’re entirely new to credit cards. Or perhaps you’ve never owned a travel credit card. Wherever your starting point, you’re now ready to get your first credit card that an issuer specifically crafted for travelers. Wonderful! You are about to take your first step into a larger world (apologies to Obi-Wan). Travel cards come in several flavors. You can get travel cards that reward you with points or miles, cards for students, and even cards for folks who regularly rely... read more »

• About Us »	• Editorial Policy »
• In the Press »	• Media Assets »

All articles tagged Traveling (186)