Traveling | Credit Card Topics | CardRates.com

HomeExchange Allows Travelers to Live Like Locals and Save on Lodging by Exchanging Their Own Home with Vacationers

By: Adam West, 2/14/2018

In a Nutshell: Lodging expenses are one of the biggest hurdles travelers face when planning a vacation. Hotels or rental homes in popular destinations can cost hundreds of dollars each night and are often located in cramped tourist-trap areas. HomeExchange was designed for the traveler who wants to live like a local and experience the hidden beauty each city holds. For $150 per year, members can set up home exchanges with other members for no additional cost. The newly revamped... read more »

JohnnyJet Contributor Geoff Whitmore Shares Expert Advice and Tips to Help Vacationers Maximize Their Credit Card Travel Rewards & Perks

By: Ashley Dull, 1/30/2018

Geoff Whitmore is a contributor at JohnnyJet.com. Travel rewards have grown in popularity over the last five years as millennial consumers focus more on experiences over tangible possessions. JohnnyJet.com is among the leaders in online tips and advice for travelers seeking to maximize travel rewards and find ways to enjoy any trip — whether for business or pleasure. Johnny Jet also regularly contributes to publications like Forbes with timely, concise information on improving... read more »

15 Best Credit Cards for Travel Rewards in 2021

By: Brittney Mayer, 1/24/2018

The best credit cards for travel rewards can save travelers big bucks and come with that satisfying feeling that comes with knowing you've just gotten a great bargain on a flight or hotel. The first documented passport wasn't quite a passport at all, but a letter from the Persian king Artaxerxes requesting safe passage for a court official around 450 BCE. Through the mid-1500s, the passe porte allowed European travelers passage through the city gates (called portes). The first US... read more »

6 Best Travel Credit Cards for Students (2021)

By: Adam West, 1/10/2018

Finding the best travel credit cards for students may seem like a daunting task with all the cards out there these days, but we've narrowed it down to some of our favorites. No matter who you talk to, it seems that just about everyone simply loves to travel (though few of us seem to have the time for it). In fact, according to one study, we don't just love traveling, we like it — social media "likes," that is. And not only do we love to like travel-inspired social media posts,... read more »

16 Best Credit Cards for International Travel 2021

By: Ray FitzGerald, 11/17/2017

International travel can be an awakening experience — or a test in how much inconvenience you’re able to put up with. Juggling passports, exchanging money to the local currency (for a fee each time), and language barriers are some of the hurdles that can be either exciting or exhausting, depending on your temperament. My go-to currency on trips is plastic, but not all credit cards are equal internationally. Foreign transaction fees, usually 3% to convert your funds into local... read more »

Personal Shoppers of Travel: How ASTA-Certified Travel Agents Help You Get More Out of Your Vacation Budget

By: Kristine Crane, 11/15/2017

In a Nutshell: While the proliferation of travel websites has made booking vacations online easy, many people are unaware of the advantages of planning travel accommodations through travel agents. Turning to an expert often results in significant savings and better-quality trips, which makes sense when you consider the experience travel agents bring to coordinating memorable vacations. The American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA), the industry’s leading advocate, trains and certifies... read more »

9 Best Airline Rewards Programs (Frequent Flyer Guide 2021)

By: Ashley Dull, 10/13/2017

Although it may be hard to pinpoint when, somewhere along the line, flying turned from an experience into an ordeal. Yes, the fact is, between the magically shrinking seats, ever-growing list of security hoops to jump through, and apparent collective decision to adopt yoga pants as the official passenger uniform, flying simply isn't as special as it used to be. But some of the magic of yore can be regained if you know where to find the best airline rewards programs. With the help of... read more »

Hilton Honors Card from American Express Wins Our Editor’s Choice™ Award for Best Hotel Rewards Card

By: Mike Randall, 10/12/2017

In a Nutshell: For those who love to travel — and do it often — it can pay off to invest in a quality hotel rewards card. Among hotel chains with a branded credit card, we found the Hilton Honors Card from American Express to be a real standout. Boasting a generous rewards structure that returns Points up to 7X for every dollar spent at hotels within the Hilton portfolio, a generous introductory Points offer, access to the latest mobile technology, and no annual fees, the Hilton... read more »

3 Secrets — How to Get Frequent Flyer Miles Without Flying

By: Brittney Mayer, 10/5/2017

No matter how much you love your job -- because we all do, of course -- often one of the best parts of a great vacation is that your destination is far, far (far) away from the stress and bustle of your everyday life. Unfortunately, as soon as you start adding airfare and hotel rooms to your vacation expenses, those happy little palm trees can turn into mean little dollar signs right before your eyes. Designed for those who spend more time in the air than on the ground, frequent... read more »

Vacations are in the Cards — MileCards.com Adds Transparency to the Process of Choosing Travel Rewards Cards for Your Next Trip

By: Aaron Lay, 9/5/2017

In a Nutshell: Today’s credit card rewards programs are almost as numerous as the cards themselves. From introductory offers and annual fees to rewards based on categories, each card has its advantages and drawbacks for specific users. Launched to add transparency to an often confusing process, MileCards.com profiles hundreds of credit card rewards programs and matches them to your spending habits and travel goals, helping you get a little closer to your next destination. // ... read more »

12 Best Travel Rewards Credit Cards of 2021

By: Brittney Mayer, 8/3/2017

Travel rewards credit cards can provide consumers with an array of benefits, saving major bucks on flights, hotels, restaurants, and other travel-related expenses. In the article below, we've highlighted some of our favorite travel rewards credit cards available today. In 2016 alone, almost 13 million Americans traveled abroad for either business or leisure. And for every trip abroad the average American took in 2016, more than six domestic trips were taken somewhere in the country.... read more »

Any Flight, Any Time: Why CIBC’s Aventura® Visa Infinite is One of Canada’s Best Travel Credit Cards

By: Brittney Mayer, 7/25/2017

In a Nutshell: Between the planning, the packing, and the planes, traveling can be a pain. Thankfully, the right travel credit card can make traveling a little easier -- and more affordable -- with great rewards and stress-saving travel perks. In fact, one of the best travel cards in Canada, CIBC's Aventura® Visa Infinite Card can help you save right away with flights as low as 10,000 points and a significant 15,000-point welcome bonus. Your Aventura card can also help ease the stress... read more »

10 Best No Foreign Transaction Fee Credit Cards for Travel

By: Brittney Mayer, 7/3/2017

Planning a trip to another country can often be an involved process as dealing with passports, new languages, and unfamiliar customs can add layers of complexity to any journey. And, of course, there is the fact that currencies tend to change at the border, meaning your money will have to change, even if your language doesn't. In an age where fewer Americans are carrying cash each year, the first thought on many minds is to turn to their trusty credit card while abroad. But while... read more »

Adventure Life Tours and Cruises Create Authentic Travel Experiences & Inspire Travelers to Give Back to Destination Communities

By: Brittney Mayer, 5/30/2017

In a Nutshell: Traveling the world is a dream many share, but not everyone's idea of the dream travel experience is the same. With a focus on small-scale travel experiences, Adventure Life creates custom, authentic trips designed to immerse travelers in unique places and cultures. Adventure Life trips lead off the beaten path, exploring dozens of countries and reaching the corners of all seven continents. Adventurers can sail the seas around the Galapagos Islands, hike across the snows... read more »

Travel the World on a College Budget: StudentUniverse Saves Students Up to 40% on Flights & Accommodations

By: Sean Garrity, 5/1/2017

In a Nutshell: Jetting across the globe is an enriching experience for anyone. For college students who are still forming their opinions on the world, traveling abroad can be life changing. The only drawback, however, is that it can be very expensive, and most people on a collegiate budget have modest financial reserves at best. StudentUniverse is an online travel-booking service that provides students with access to specialty pricing on flights, hotels, and tours, saving them up to... read more »

12 Best Chip-and-PIN Credit Cards in the U.S.A. (No Foreign Transaction Fees)

By: Linsey Knerl, 3/15/2017

Credit cards haven’t had a makeover in years, but all that changed with the introduction of EMV (Europay, MasterCard, and Visa) technology. EMV offers a much more secure shopping experience in that every time the card is inserted into a chip-enabled checkout device, the purchase generates a unique transaction code that cannot be used again. There is an important difference between chip-and-PIN and chip-and-signature transactions, both of which are offered with EMV. Most of us will... read more »

7 Best Hotel Credit Cards 2021 (Compare Rewards, Offers, Bonuses)

By: Eric Bank, 2/1/2017

A number of factors influence how much you enjoy a trip, whether traveling on business or vacation. For many, a good hotel experience is key to happy travel, since it’s very hard to overcome a disappointing hotel stay. Often, it’s the perks -- or lack thereof -- that color your opinion of your lodgings. That’s where a hotel rewards credit card can help. The best hotel credit cards not only earn you points toward a free hotel stay, but many come with additional perks such as... read more »

The Stash Hotel Rewards® Visa® — Best Rewards Credit Card for Staying at Unique, Independently Owned Hotels

By: Sean Garrity, 12/21/2016

In a Nutshell: When you dream of your perfect getaway, that ideal destination, what do you picture? Is it a cookie-cutter chain hotel that makes you feel like you're in Generic City, U.S.A. -- or a one-of-a-kind independent hotel that makes you feel like a local? For those travelers who prefer an authentic hotel experience, there is the Stash Hotel Rewards program. Stash's philosophy is simple: think about what the chain hotel programs would do -- then do the opposite. Bringing... read more »

Scott Grimmer’s MileValue Blog Demonstrates How a Little Simple Arithmetic Can Maximize Your Miles

By: Brittney Mayer, 11/10/2016

In a Nutshell: Almost anyone who has tried to redeem their airline miles has likely found the experience... less than intuitive. Effectively using points while dodging blackout dates can involve navigating a web of partners and transfers. In his blog, MileValue, Scott Grimmer shows readers the best ways to maneuver around the obstacles, breaking down the complicated system of airline partners and point transfers that has made it possible for him to visit over 75 countries (for... read more »

15 Best Travel Credit Cards of 2021

By: Ashley Dull, 7/16/2016

Traveling is something most everyone loves to do – whether it’s hitting the open road, flying the friendly skies, or cruising the ocean blue – it’s always a welcome break in our normal day-to-day routines. The obvious problem, of course, is that vacationing can be expensive, so many of us don’t get to do it as often as we’d like to. Finding the best travel credit cards can be extremely valuable when you're establishing your next vacation budget. Simply use the card to... read more »

How Credit Cards Can Upgrade Your Travel: Ben Schlappig Shares his Tricks for Flying 400,000 Miles a Year

By: Amber Brooks, 7/8/2016

In a Nutshell: Ben Schlappig goes by the name "Lucky," and it's not hard to guess why. He's made traveling around the world his life, having visited 65 countries and counting and earning more than 20 million frequent flyer miles along the way -- and he's not even 30. He blogs about his self-funded excursions in One Mile at a Time, a project he began in 2008. On this blog, he offers tips to readers on how to use points from credit cards to upgrade their getaways. More often than not,... read more »

Million Mile Secrets: Co-Founder Daraius Dubash Shares His Simple Advice for Using Travel Credit Cards

By: Ashley Dull, 2/19/2016

We’ve all heard the stories of people who’ve gone on exotic trips around the world for little to no money thanks to their credit card rewards points. And for a lot of people, that story is often followed up with a personal thought somewhere along the lines of, Yeah, right. Even Daraius Dubash, the man behind Million Mile Secrets, was skeptical of the idea at first — but soon learned of its legitimacy. Million Mile Secrets is a website he co-founded in 2011 with his... read more »

What’s the Best Credit Card for Airline Miles?

By: Ashley Dull, 11/4/2015

If you’re a frequent flyer, or anyone who just likes to travel on the cheap, you may be wondering, "What's the best credit card for airline miles?" Identifying this can deliver some serious benefits in the long run. These cards provide the opportunity to fly around the world for little to no money, with perks like priority boarding, airport lounge access, free checked baggage, and in-flight wifi. Air miles work just like rewards points on other credit cards: points accumulate by... read more »

“Can I Use My Credit Card Overseas?” 9 Things To Know

By: Logan Ladnyk, 9/25/2015

It doesn't matter if you're a first-time traveler or frequent flyer — having the right plastic in your pocket is an important component of having an amazing vacation. Our experts have hand-selected the best credit cards to rack-up air miles and rewards points redeemable for free flights, hotel stays, and more. Before you book, check out 2015's Best Travel Reward Cards. But you can't go on autopilot just yet: There are some things you should know in regards to credit... read more »

10 Best Credit Card Rewards Blogs of 2015

By: Alexandra Leslie, 3/4/2015

International travel can offer the experiences of a lifetime. The trick is to develop a strategy to avoid the expenses that'll last a lifetime. How can you experience life abroad without being overwhelmed by airline fares and travel costs? With methodical use of airline miles, credit card rewards and exclusive offers, you can reach any destination for dimes on the dollar. To help you master frugal adventure-seeking, we found the leading experts in credit card rewards... read more »

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