For individuals comparing no-fee travel rewards credit cards, some may be wondering, “Is the Orbitz Rewards® Visa® Card worth it?” There are many cards out there without annual fees, but they’re not created equally, and they don’t all carry a lot of value or the same perks. The Orbitz Rewards® Visa® Card can be a worthwhile option as long as the cardmember fully understands its benefits.
Here’s what you need to know about the card to decide if it’s the right fit for your needs.
Valuable perks of the Orbitz Rewards® Visa® Card
Compared to other no-fee travel credit cards, the Orbitz Rewards® Visa® Card offers potentially more value, especially for individuals who frequently book hotel stays through Orbitz.
Here are some of the top perks of this card:
-
A $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees.
-
Earn Orbucks on all purchases made through Orbitz.
-
As an Orbitz Rewards Program member, earn up to 9% on hotel stays booked through the Orbitz mobile app.
-
Included $3,000 lost and stolen baggage coverage when booking with this card.
-
Included accident coverage for death and dismemberment.
-
Get a replacement card or emergency cash advance if your card is lost or stolen.
-
Complimentary Orbitz Rewards Gold status.
The more you use your card to book Orbitz hotel stays, the more Orbucks you’ll earn, and the more you can redeem your collected Orbucks. The redeeming ratio is 1 Orbuck = $1 off a future hotel stay.
A note on the welcome bonus
It’s important to highlight that this card doesn’t offer an impressive sign-up bonus: Receive a $100 statement credit when you spend $1,500 with your Orbitz Rewards® Visa® in the first 90 days of account opening. That low bonus amount is normal for a no-fee card with such a low minimum spend requirement.
Take these steps to get even more value
Using your Orbitz Rewards® Visa® Card strategically by taking steps like these will allow you to maximize its value.
Join the Orbitz Rewards program
If you’re not already a member, join the Orbitz Rewards Program. As you spend and earn Orbucks, you’ll simultaneously be pursuing the next level of elite status, Platinum. It only takes stays for 12 nights in a year to reach this tier. At the Platinum level, you’ll have access to perks like $50 Orbucks reimbursement on expenses like seat upgrades or bag fees, the ability to apply for TSA Precheck for free, and free room upgrades and early check-in (when available) at VIP Access properties.
Use the app
Always book your stays through the Orbitz app instead of the website to get a higher rate back. As an Orbitz Rewards Program member, you’ll earn 9% back in Orbucks by booking through the app, versus 8% when booked on orbitz.com. That difference can add up, especially on expensive stays.
Spend primarily on hotel stays and activities
Focus on using your card for hotel stays and activities booked through the Orbitz app to get the 9% back. While you will earn Orbucks for flight bookings and travel packages, you’ll earn only 7% on these purchases.
You can also use the Orbitz Rewards® Visa® Card for everyday spending. Using your card to pay for daily expenses rather than using cash or a debit card can earn you 2% back in Orbucks. Spending categories include restaurants, groceries, services and more.
Nerd tip: Consider using other cards in your wallet to cover everyday expenses if they get more points per dollar spent in certain spending categories.
Don’t let your Orbucks expire
Make sure that you use your card for a purchase at least once every 12 months. If you do this, your Orbucks will never expire.
The bottom line: Who is a good candidate for this card?
This card’s earning potential is significant if you’re already used to booking through Orbitz — especially when booking hotels through the app.
It’s a good option for individuals who want a card with earning potential, but don’t want to commit to one with an expensive annual fee. Further, if you’re not loyal to a particular hotel brand/chain and prefer staying in hotels to home rentals, having the Orbitz Rewards® Visa® Card can make sense. Use it to book your hotel stays through the mobile app to get rewarded even more for your hotel purchases.
If you’re looking for a travel rewards card with more perks or value or one that doesn’t require you to book through Orbitz, this may not be the card for you.
How to Maximize Your Rewards
You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2021, including those best for:
Source: nerdwallet.com