Top three travel credit cards rated by users
A great traveler needs good finances, and not to forget getting benefits out of the bargain apart from the free-spirit of traveling. When you search for a hotel credit card, you can validate the advantages of picking the card by factoring in the different reward benefits that you can get. Are there any free night offer eligibility? Are there any added perks that you could get for being a loyal customer of the hotel credit card? Here are some of the best travel credit cards vetted by users –
- Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express
In order to qualify for this hotel credit card, you only need a credit score of above 690. The many features that make this hotel credit card a favorite among travelers is its high rate of rewards, flexibility in redemption of rewards, a huge sign-up bonus, and the absence of foreign transaction fee. The downsides, or rather restraints noted by customers, is that there is no annual fee for the first year but is charged at $95 from the second year, and you cannot qualify unless you fall within the good or excellent credit category (a small price to pay for a good credit card). The general APR rates are variable for this hotel credit card and are usually between 16.24% to 20.74%, the cash advance APR is 26.74%, and the penalty charges are variable at 29.99%. The notable bonus on sign up is that you receive an easy 250,000 reward points if you use this hotel credit card for purchases worth $3000, within three months from the date of acquiring the credit card. While you get the standard 1 point per dollar purchase as reward, specific purchases relating to hotels in tie with American Express make you eligible for 2 points per dollar. The points that you accumulate can be redeemed at more than 13000 hotels and resorts in about 100 countries, and there are more than 150 airline brands in tie with American Express without any restrictions such as blackout dates. - Marriott Rewards® Premier Credit Card
The credit score rating required for this card is between 690 and 850, and the annual fee on this card is $85 but the fee is waived off for the first year. The great advantage of getting a Marriott Rewards® Premier Credit Card is that it does not apply a foreign transaction fee. The card bears a variable APR at the rates between 17.24% to 24.24%, and the cash advance is also variable at 26.24% APR. There is a bonus reward of 75,000 points allowed for the cardholder if he/she spends $3000 for carrying out purchases or transactions within three months from the date of acquiring the credit card, and the cardholder is entitled to a free 1-night stay at a category 1-5 hotel on the date of their joining anniversary. The acquiring of rewards points is unlimited and can be redeemed for free night stays at the allowed hotels. The perks of participating in the Marriott Rewards® program is that it entitles you to an easy 5 points for each dollar that is spent at the Marriott listed hotels. While the flat allowance of points is at 1 point per dollar, transactions involving airline tickets, restaurants, and rental agencies allows for 2 reward points for each dollar spent. If you meet the requirements of 15 Elite Credits, then you would be upgraded with a Silver Elite status or higher and it is the best way to fast-track into the Marriott’s Elite Status Program. The only catch with this specific credit card is that you have to be a cardholder who uses Marriott properties regularly to enjoy the benefits granted by this card. - Chase Sapphire Preferred® credit card
The eligibility of this hotel credit card is limited to customers who have a credit score of 690 and above. The perks of getting a Chase Sapphire Preferred® credit card is the captivating bonus, absence of foreign transaction fees, more weightage of 2 times the reward points for travel and restaurant transactions, travel protection benefits of the premium category, and the very cool credit card made of metal. While there is no annual fee for the first year as an incentive to signing up for the card, the fee from the second year onwards is charged at $95. The APR rate is variable at 17.24% to 24.24%, and the cash advance APR is variable at 26.24%. The bonus of 50,000 points that you get out of spending $4000 on transactions within three months from the date of account acquiring is worth about $625 exclusively toward travel when redeemed via the Ultimate Rewards® program of Chase. The flat rate of reward points per dollar spent on normal non qualifying purchases is 1.