If you’re looking for the most affordable way to go to Disney World, Disneyland or on a Disney Cruise, you may have wondered if Disney’s credit card offerings, the Disney Visa Card and the Disney Premier Visa Card, are good options.
Both earn Disney Rewards Dollars that you can use to pay for most things Disney, including trips to the parks or a cruise. And, after all, anything that makes a Disney trip more affordable can be a very good thing to consider.
But the answer to whether or not the cards are worth it is a little more complicated than a simple yes or no. We’ll break down how the cards work and when they are — and aren’t — worth getting in anticipation of an upcoming Disney vacation.
Disney Visa card welcome offers
The Disney Visa is the entry-level product that has no annual fee and currently awards a $150 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in the first three months. The Disney Visa Premier has a $49 annual fee, but currently awards a $300 statement credit after $1,000 in spending in the first three months. Both are issued by Chase and thus are subject to Chase 5/24 rules.
I’m not one to turn down $150 to $300 in statement credits, but remember that several credit cards have sign-up bonuses worth $1,000 or more.
Just as an example of what else is out there, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is currently offering 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 total on purchases within the first three months from account opening, and the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card has a bonus of 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
So while $300 toward a Disney vacation sounds great (and it can be) — it’s good to compare to the value of other cards.
Related: How much does it cost to go to Disney World?
Disney Visa card rewards
Now that we’ve discussed the bonuses, when you look at everyday spending, the Disney credit cards earn rewards at different rates.
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The no-annual-fee Disney Visa earns a simple 1% back on all card purchases in the form of Disney Rewards Dollars you can use at Disney. The Disney Visa Premier, meanwhile, earns 5% back on card purchases made directly at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com or ESPNPlus.com, 2% back on purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants and most Disney locations, and 1% back everywhere else.
Disney Rewards Dollars are extremely limited — they’re only good for use at Disney locations With the Premier, you can also redeem your dollars for a statement credit toward airline travel, but it’s likely that there are still better options out there for you. Earning up to 5% back in Disney Rewards Dollars in some spending categories isn’t bad, but just for perspective, there are many credit cards out there that provide a better return for everyday spending than either of the Disney cards.
For example, the Capital One Venture earns 2 miles per dollar spent on all purchases, albeit for a higher annual fee of $95 per year. Some credit cards award up to 4 or 5 points per dollar at places such as grocery stores and on gas purchases, travel purchases, etc.
In other words, you can do much better than earning Disney Reward Dollars with your everyday purchases via a wide variety of credit cards.
Related: Earn more than 1 point per dollar with these cards
Disney Visa card perks
The unique perks are where the Disney Visa products get more interesting for those looking to vacation with Mickey Mouse.
First, you can save 10% on some Disney merchandise purchases of $50 or more and save 10% on select dining locations on eligible dates at Disneyland and Disney World. Some eligible spots include: Skipper Canteen at the Magic Kingdom, Rose & Crown Dining Room (lunch only) at Epcot, Kona Cafe at the Polynesian Village Resort, the Hollywood Brown Derby at Hollywood Studios and Storytellers Cafe at the Grand Californian at Disneyland (I highly recommend the breakfast with characters at Storytellers).
Related: Best restaurants at Disney World
You can also get a 10% discount on some activities, such as the horseback rides at Fort Wilderness. Finally, Disney card members also get some exclusive photo opportunities.
Related: Is Disney Cruise concierge level worth it?
Why the Disney debit card may be better
At TPG, we aren’t huge fans of using debit cards for everyday purchases, as you typically don’t earn rewards or have the same level of built-in protections as with credit cards. That said, the Disney debit card may make sense if you’re mainly interested in the Disney perks that come by having the card.
Having the debit card won’t count against Chase 5/24 status and carries no annual fee. However, you will need a Chase checking account to access this debit card option.
The Disney debit card doesn’t earn rewards (so there is no need to really use it much), but it gets you access to many of the same photo ops and discounts on Disney merchandise, dining, cruise expenses, park tours, etc., as the Disney Visa credit cards. This is a way to get the perks but avoid fees or using a 5/24 slot on a Disney credit card.
Related: Why you shouldn’t use debit cards
Why the Disney Visa cards aren’t always the best choice
I’m a bit of a Disney fanatic, so I get the appeal of having one of these Disney cards — they’re cute, too, with the different available Disney design options. If the built-in perks — the in-park character photo ops and available discounts — sound intriguing, then a Disney Visa might be right for you since those are perks not really replicated on other cards.
If you are big on Disney dining and some out-of-park experiences, saving 10% or so on those charges can add up for frequent Disney visitors.
However, if your main goal is to get a rewards-earning credit card that will rack up points or rewards you can use toward a Disney vacation, you can probably do better both in terms of a larger welcome bonus and better everyday earning rates that you can use at Disney than a Disney Visa.
Here are my favorite credit cards for families who want to use perks to travel.
Related: How to use points for Disney tickets
If you spend a lot of money at Disney and want to earn as many points or as much cash back as possible on these expenses, the Disney Visa Premier is a good choice but not always.
Bottom line
The Disney Visa credit cards are fun rewards choices for fans of all things Disney. However, the cards are far from slam dunks for Disney enthusiasts looking to earn or use rewards for a Disney vacation in all situations.
In terms of rewards, the Disney cards are better than paying for things with checks or debit cards, but they often aren’t the absolute best credit cards on the market if your goal is to use points for your next Disney trip.
Instead, have read our guide to the best credit cards for Disney vacations to save the most money and earn maximum points on your ticket, flight and hotel expenses on your next Disney vacation.
Read more: Disney Premier Visa and Disney Visa card reviews
In 2022, Choice Hotels launched a new dining rewards program named Choice Privileges Eat & Earn.
This program lets you earn bonus Choice Privileges points whenever you eat at participating U.S. restaurants. It can be a great way to generate extra points without much effort. Here’s what you need to know about the Eat & Earn dining rewards program.
How to earn points with the Choice Eat & Earn dining program
Several other hotel brands have dining rewards programs. You can earn hotel points with Hilton Honors Dining, Marriott Bonvoy Eat Around Town and IHG One Rewards Dine & Earn. So it’s great that Choice Privileges also offers a dining rewards program in case you’d rather earn Choice points.
To use the Choice Privileges Eat & Earn program, you must register and link a credit or debit card to your profile. You don’t need a cobranded Choice Privileges credit card to qualify — you can link almost any credit or debit card to your Eat & Earn account, although we recommend one of the best cards for dining. Please note, you must be a U.S. resident to use the Eat & Earn program.
Whenever you use a linked card at an eligible restaurant (search for eligible restaurants), you’ll automatically earn 5 bonus Choice points per dollar. You’ll earn points when dining in or ordering online through the Eat & Earn site.
Plus, you can occasionally earn additional points through promotions. Taxes and tips are also eligible for bonus points when you dine in. But when you order online through the Eat & Earn site, you won’t earn bonus points on taxes, tips or delivery-related fees.
The points you earn through the Choice Privileges Eat & Earn program are in addition to the rewards you’ll earn from your credit or debit card. For example, if you link your Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, you’ll earn 3 Chase Ultimate Rewards points per dollar spent at participating restaurants.
Related: The ultimate guide to redeeming Choice points
Should I use the Choice Eat & Earn dining program?
TPG values Choice points at 0.6 cents each. That means you’ll earn the equivalent of 3% back on dining at eligible restaurants. That may sound incremental, but these rewards get you that much closer to your next free vacation. You can read our guide to Choice Privileges to see how powerful Choice points can be.
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That said, an opportunity cost may be involved with using Choice Privileges Eat & Earn over another airline or hotel dining rewards program. For example, American Airlines AAdvantage Dining awards 3 miles per dollar if you opt in for email alerts. After you earn VIP status with 11 purchases in a calendar year, you’ll start earning 5 miles per dollar spent. TPG values AAdvantage miles at 1.77 cents apiece, giving you a 5.3% to 8.8% return on eligible dining. Plus, you’d also earn Loyalty Points toward American elite status.
Of course, which program you should use depends on your travel goals. If you have a specific Choice redemption in mind, it could make sense to use the Eat & Earn program.
Related: Redeem Choice points for a Maldives resort, half-board hotels, suites and more
Bottom line
In most cities, multiple restaurants participate in Choice Privileges Eat & Earn. So there could be plenty of opportunities for you to earn extra rewards. However, since you can only enroll each credit or debit card in one Rewards Network dining rewards program at a time, you have to choose the best program in which to enroll your favorite dining credit card. And you have to decide if the return is high enough to go with Choice Privileges Eat & Earn over another program.
Editor’s note: This story includes references to some credit card offers that are no longer available. You can view our current offers here.
Today I want to share a story from TPG reader Matthew Orchant, who used seven credit card bonuses and hotel free night certificates to book an epic honeymoon trip to Japan.
The Orchants opened seven credit cards in eight months, earning around half a million points to make this dream trip a reality.
Saving points on airfare to Japan
Rather than splurging on premium cabin airfare (which is also generally harder to find), the Orchants decided to book economy flights with their rewards. This gave them more points to use in Japan.
To fund their flights, the Orchants both opened The Platinum Card® from American Express with targeted welcome bonuses through CardMatch (subject to change at any time).
They booked round-trip, nonstop airfare from Washington, D.C.’s Dulles International Airport (IAD) to Tokyo’s Haneda Airport (HND) for 100,000 Aeroplan points per ticket. For reference, Air Canada Aeroplan doesn’t have the lowest award rates on this route. When X (Star Alliance economy award) fare is available, here’s the round-trip cost per person using these programs, all of which are transfer partners of American Express Membership Rewards:
Regardless, the Orchants transferred 200,000 Amex Membership Rewards points to Air Canada Aeroplan to book the ANA flight (which we’re told would have been around $5,000 for two tickets using cash), leaving them with 100,000 leftover Membership Rewards points from their two welcome bonuses. They’ll use those points for a future trip.
Related: The best ways to travel to Japan with points and miles
Luxury Hyatt stays in Japan
For their time in Tokyo, the Orchants booked the 52-floor Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills, which is steps away from some of the city’s top attractions, including the Imperial Palace and Tokyo Tower.
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Modern Japanese-inspired rooms and suites that sit in a prime location and come outfitted with luxurious Aesop bath amenities don’t come cheap. For their dates, rooms were going for around $1,100 per night. So, their 120,000 World of Hyatt points saved them around $4,400.
In Kyoto, the Orchants spent two nights at the Park Hyatt Kyoto. Rather than pay with cash, which would’ve cost them $4,000 for the entire stay, they redeemed 35,000 points per night for their stay.
To get their World of Hyatt accounts to 190,000 points, the Orchants both signed up for the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card. Each of their card offers included an 80,000-point sign-up bonus at the time (which has since expired). They also each opened the World of Hyatt Credit Card to earn 30,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in their first three months from account opening.
Because you can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to World of Hyatt at a 1:1 ratio, the Orchants were able to transfer most of the points they earned from signing up for their cards toward their Hyatt stays.
Related: 5 easy ways to maximize Hyatt award redemptions
Maximizing Marriott certificates
The last part of the Orchants’ trip took them to Osaka, where they made great use of free night certificates for their final three nights. Their property of choice? The brand-new W Osaka.
When they were planning their trip, the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card offered a sign-up bonus of three free night awards (up to 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night). This offer has also expired. Since each night was just 44,000 points, they didn’t have to use points to top off their certificates.
Had the Orchants decided to pay cash, they would’ve spent just over $1,100 for the three-night stay.
Related: Ouch: It’s not just you, Marriott stays now cost more points
Bottom line
The Orchants are about to leave on an unforgettable honeymoon trip. They earned nearly half a million points by opening seven credit cards, which funded their air travel and lodging in Japan. They’ll be taking a convenient nonstop flight from Washington, D.C., while staying at some of Japan’s most prestigious hotels during the nine-night trip.
If they had paid cash for their travels, the trip would have set them back roughly $14,500.
Now, it’s worth noting that such a strategy takes time to implement thanks to the various application restrictions from the major card issuers — most notably Chase’s 5/24 rule. Nevertheless, this story shows how planning in advance can unlock incredible value when you put your rewards to use.
Congratulations to the Orchants, and safe travels to Japan.
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card, like all co-branded travel cards, is aimed at people who regularly fly with Southwest Airlines.
This is a premium travel card that offers 3,000 miles every year you have it, a discount on in-flight purchases, and two free EarlyBird Check-Ins each year.
This card also features a rewards structure, providing bonus miles on spending categories like transit, commuting, internet, cable, phone, and select streaming.
Another strength of this card is its 60,000-mile signup bonus — which is more than enough to get you a round-trip ticket or two!
If you’re thinking about adding the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card to your wallet, this guide will help you decide.
What’s Ahead:
Is the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card for me?
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card is designed for frequent flyers who like to travel with Southwest.
This means that if you’re a loyal Southwest customer or live near a Southwest hub, this card might be a great option for you. You’ll accelerate your earnings toward free flights and get some solid perks, such as two free EarlyBird Check-Ins each year.
If you aren’t a fan of Southwest or live in a place where Southwest isn’t as prevalent, this card likely won’t be as valuable as another airline or generic travel rewards credit card.
What makes this credit card different?
What makes the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card different is its focus on Southwest Airlines.
Because it’s a co-branded card, it can offer unique benefits and perks that generic travel credit cards can’t. If you fly Southwest frequently, you’ll enjoy these perks.
This card also comes with a great signup bonus in the form of 60,000 bonus points plus a 30% off promo code when you spend $3,000 using the card within three months of opening your account.
You can also receive 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points boost each year. With the Companion Pass, you can name one person, such as a spouse, partner, or friend, to be your companion. They can get a free ticket on any flight you book for yourself.
Generic travel cards don’t offer these specialized benefits and bonuses, so they likely won’t be as appealing to people who prefer to fly with Southwest.
Related: Best credit card sign up bonuses
What are my chances of getting approved?
As with any credit card, it’s important to think about whether you have a chance of qualifying before you apply. Applying for a new credit card drops your credit score by a few points, so you don’t want to lower your credit for no reason.
Chase, this Southwest credit card’s issuer, says that applicants require good credit to be eligible for the card. That means you should try to have a credit score of about 670 or higher before you apply.
All the details of the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card
Credit cards are complicated, so before you sign up for one, you must make sure you understand how they work.
Rates and fees
The first thing to look at when you want to get a new credit card is how much the card will cost. Some cards, including travel cards, have annual fees, so you want to make sure the benefits and perks you’ll get cover the cost of having the card.
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card charges $69 per year.
Perks and rewards
When it comes to travel cards, it’s all about the perks and rewards. A good travel card should let you earn your way toward free trips and help you travel more comfortably.
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card does it all, with a great signup bonus, strong ongoing rewards, and some nice perks to use whenever you’re on a flight.
To start things off, you can earn 60,000 points plus a 30% off promo code when you spend $3,000 within your first three months of having the card.
After that, you’ll earn:
2 points for each dollar spent on Southwest purchases.
2 points for each dollar spent on Rapid Rewards® hotel and car rental partners.
2 points for each dollar spent on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.
2 points for each dollar spent on internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming services.
1 point for each dollar spent on all other purchases.
As for perks, cardholders will get a 3,000-point bonus on each card member anniversary. You can also use the card to get two free EarlyBird Check-Ins each year and 25% back on all inflight purchases.
You’ll also get all the typical credit card perks and benefits, including extended warranty protection and purchase protection.
Related: Best travel rewards cards
How to apply
The easiest way to apply for the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card is to visit Chase’s website. Chase is the bank that Southwest partners with to offer this credit card.
To start the process, you’ll enter your personal info, including your:
Name.
Date of birth.
Mother’s maiden name.
Social Security number.
Address.
You’ll also need to provide your Southwest Rapid Rewards number if you have one. If you don’t, Chase will automatically set one up for you if you’re approved.
Finally, you’ll enter whether you rent or own, your monthly rent payment amount (if applicable), and your total annual income. Once you apply, Chase will review it and make a lending decision.
Typically, Chase can make a decision instantly. However, if the bank has trouble matching your information to your credit file or wants to take a closer look at some of the application details, you may have to wait for a decision in the mail.
Contact info
If you have issues with your Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card, the best thing to do is reach out to Chase’s customer service.
You can contact Chase by signing in to your account and sending a secure message. You can also call credit card customer service at 1-800-432-3117 or contact @ChaseSupport on social media.
Other stuff you should know
One important thing to note about the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card is that it’s not the only Southwest travel card available. There are two others: the Priority card and the Premier card.
The Plus is the entry-level card. It has the lowest annual fee but the fewest perks of the three Southwest cards.
The Premier card is the next level up from the Plus card. It has a higher annual fee at $99 but offers 3x points on all Southwest purchases, 6,000 points on every cardmember anniversary, and bonus qualifying points toward A-List status.
The Priority card is the top-end Southwest card. It has a $149 annual fee but offers 7,500 points on every card member anniversary and a $75 credit for Southwest travel each year. You’ll also receive four upgraded boardings each year.
Another thing to consider is that the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card is designed for Southwest flyers. The rewards you earn are pretty inflexible and typically only good for Southwest flights. There are some gift card redemption options, but they aren’t a good value.
Alternative credit cards to the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card Credit Card
If the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card doesn’t seem like the right one for you, consider the following alternatives:
Southwest Priority: This card is useful for people who spend a lot on it and want to earn A-List status.
Southwest Premier: For frequent travelers, this card’s annual statement credit and points mostly cover the fee. You’ll also enjoy the upgraded boarding perk.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: This is another Chase card with far more flexible rewards, letting you redeem points for any travel.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: This card has a $95 annual fee and offers strong cash back rates on travel purchases.
American Express Gold: This is the mid-tier Membership Rewards card. It offers flexible rewards and a good earnings rate on food and travel.
How do you determine which credit card is right for you?
When you’re in the market for a new credit card, you should compare your options to find the right one. When making this comparison, consider the following factors:
Your ability to qualify. Card issuers design different cards for people with different credit profiles. Before you apply, make sure you have a good chance of qualifying for the card.
Fees. Some cards, especially travel cards, carry annual fees. Make sure you’re getting enough value from the card to make the fee worth paying.
Perks. Each card has a different set of perks and benefits. Make sure the perks you receive from the card are useful for you.
Rewards. Credit cards can offer cash back, points, miles, or other rewards. Make sure the rewards on offer align with your goals. It’s also important to think about their flexibility. You don’t want to be stuck with miles you can’t use. Also, consider the rate of earning those rewards, and look for cards that offer bonuses on the types of purchases you make most often.
Rates. In general, you should avoid carrying a credit card balance whenever possible. However, sometimes you have to carry a balance. When that happens, having a card with a low interest rate is good.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card FAQ
Can I pool my Southwest miles with someone else’s?
No, Southwest does not offer any way to pool your rewards with another person.
What is the Southwest Companion Pass?
The Southwest Companion Pass is a perk you can earn through a credit card signup bonus or by taking a lot of flights in a single year. When you earn this pass, you can choose one other person to get a free ticket on every flight you book until the end of the calendar year after you earned it.
So, if you earn the pass in 2023, it will expire at the end of 2024. Some passes earned through promotions have different expiration dates.
Can I redeem my Southwest points for things other than flights?
Yes, you can redeem your Southwest points for gift cards to many popular retailers. However, redeeming points for flights is typically a better value.
Why choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card?
With a strong signup bonus and some nice perks, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card is a good option for frequent Southwest fliers.
Given its reasonable price, substantial signup bonus, and valuable perks, we give the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card a 4 out of 5 rating.
If you think this is the right card for you, apply now.
Singapore Airlines’ first-class product has a well-deserved reputation as one of the best luxury experiences in the sky. Many in the points and miles world save up to book this bucket list experience, complete with Dom Perignon (and Krug) Champagne, caviar and some of the best inflight service out there.
Before we dive into how you can book your next first-class adventure on Singapore Airlines, let’s look at what you can expect from the different aircraft types operated by the carrier.
The first-class cabins
Currently, Singapore operates aircraft with two different first-class layouts — the Boeing 777-300 and the Airbus A380. On its 777-300s, the first-class cabin is arranged in a 1-2-1 layout at the front. Each seat has plenty of room and turns into a lie-flat bed. The seats are similar to the business-class seats on this aircraft in layout, though they have more personal space and the first-class service sets them apart.
You’ll find Singapore Airlines’ famous Suites class on the Airbus A380s. The Suites are located at the front of the upper deck, and each one has a bed separate from the seat, providing an incredible amount of personal space you will not find on most commercial aircraft.
Two Suites can be combined into a double bed, making it ideal for couples. This is about as good as first class gets.
The A380 Suites are significantly better than the 777 first-class seats, so it’s worth going out of your way to book the A380 if possible.
Regardless of aircraft, you can count on some great Champagne, a great meal — don’t forget to “Book the Cook” — and plenty of hot towels to help you stay refreshed. If you are departing from Singapore, you will also have access to Singapore Airlines’ exclusive and recently renovated Private Room lounge.
If you see a route operated by one of Singapore’s new Airbus A350s or 787s, keep in mind that it doesn’t have a first-class cabin on this aircraft, but it does have a fantastic business class.
Related: 8 reasons I’m excited about Singapore Airlines’ A380 Suites flying to the US
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How to book Singapore Airlines first class with miles
Unlike most airlines, Singapore Airlines will only let you book its first-class (and business-class) award tickets on long-haul routes through its own KrisFlyer program. So while United Airlines and Air Canada are both Star Alliance partners of Singapore Airlines, you won’t be able to use MileagePlus or Aeroplan miles to book these premium-cabin awards.
Suites-class options
Singapore Airlines is not operating A380 services to or from any destinations in the United States after switching the service from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Frankfurt Airport (FRA) to a 777 service in May.
Schedules and aircraft type are subject to change, but at the time of publication, over the northern summer period, Singapore will operate the A380 to the following destinations:
Destination from Singapore Changi Airport (SIN)
KrisFlyer miles required for Suites class (each way, per person at Saver level)
KrisFlyer miles required for Suites class (each way, per person at Advantage level)
New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL).
58,500 miles.
98,000 miles.
Hong Kong International Airport (HKG).
45,000 miles.
73,000 miles.
London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR).
141,000 miles.
225,500 miles.
Melbourne Airport (MEL).
93,500 miles.
155,000 miles.
Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM).
58,500 miles.
98,000 miles.
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG).
58,500 miles.
98,000 miles.
Sydney Airport (SYD).
93,500 miles.
155,000 miles.
First-class options
While the 777 first-class product isn’t quite as impressive as the A380 product, the good news is that Singapore Airlines flies the 777 product to several U.S. destinations. At the time of publication, over the northern summer period, Singapore will operate the 777 with first class to the following destinations:
Destination from Singapore Changi Airport (SIN)
KrisFlyer miles required for first class (each way, per person at Saver level)
KrisFlyer miles required for first class (each way, per person at Advantage level)
Auckland Airport (AKL).
93,500 miles.
155,000 miles.
New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL).
58,500 miles.
98,000 miles.
Frankfurt Airport (FRA).
141,000 miles.
225,500 miles.
Hong Kong International Airport (HKG).
45,000 miles.
73,000 miles.
Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK).
30,500 miles.
52,500 miles.
London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR).
141,000 miles.
225,500 miles.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) via Tokyo.
146,500 miles.
228,000 miles.
Melbourne Airport (MEL).
93,500 miles.
155,000 miles.
Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM).
58,500 miles.
98,000 miles.
New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) via Frankfurt.
148,500 miles.
243,000 miles.
Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG).
141,000 miles.
225,500 miles.
Sydney Airport (SYD).
93,500 miles.
155,000 miles.
Tokyo’s Narita International Airport (NRT) and Haneda Airport (HND).
77,000 miles.
120,000 miles.
Zurich Airport (ZRH).
141,000 miles.
225,500 miles.
You can also try Singapore Airlines first class on the airline’s fifth-freedom routes. Here is the one-way pricing for Saver and Advantage awards:
Between New York and Frankfurt: 97,000 (Saver)/143,500 (Advantage) miles.
Between Los Angeles and Tokyo: 120,000 (Saver)/187,000 (Advantage) miles.
Related: Fifth-freedom routes: Flying top international airlines without setting foot in their home countries
KrisFlyer does not impose fuel surcharges on flights on its own metal, so fees, taxes and surcharges on first-class and Suites flights are reasonable.
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Saver availability is strictly limited, but you can pay more miles for an Advantage ticket. You might also consider waitlisting for a Saver award.
And if you only want to get a taste of Singapore Airlines first class on a short flight, you can book flights between Singapore and Jakarta for 40,000 Avianca LifeMiles on some dates.
Off the beaten points first reported you can use LifeMiles to book this route. But despite searching, we haven’t seen the ability to redeem LifeMiles for other Singapore Airlines first-class or suites-class routes.
How to earn Singapore KrisFlyer miles
While Singapore Airlines doesn’t offer a cobranded credit card in the U.S., the airline partners with several major rewards programs with transferable currencies, including:
Earning rewards with one or more of these programs and transferring them to Singapore Airlines is one of the easiest ways to earn KrisFlyer miles. The following cards all currently offer strong welcome bonuses that you could easily convert to KrisFlyer miles:
American Express® Gold Card: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. Terms apply.
The Platinum Card® from American Express: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Check to see if you’re targeted for a 125,000-point welcome offer through CardMatch (offer subject to change at any time). Terms apply.
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express: Earn 120,000 bonus points after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases on the card in the first three months of card membership.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Citi Premier® Card: (see rates and fees) Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Ink Business Preferred Credit Card: Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $15,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
In the case of transferable currencies that don’t instantly transfer to KrisFlyer, you’ll want to call and put a hold on your award ticket before initiating a transfer. That way, you won’t find yourself with stranded Singapore KrisFlyer miles because of a lack of award space.
Bottom line
At first glance, it might seem like only being able to book Singapore first-class awards with the KrisFlyer program would be a problem. However, when you consider that Amex Membership Rewards, Capital One, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Citi ThankYou Rewards and Marriott Bonvoy points can all be transferred to your Singapore KrisFlyer account, it seems a lot more doable.
As with many premium-cabin awards, you’ll want to start looking for award space as soon as you know your travel dates. First-class award space on Singapore Airlines is not always easy to find, so starting your search as early as 355 days before your desired departure date is advisable. Also, consider waitlisting or searching at the last minute.
With a little planning, you’ll be able to earn the required miles and find the necessary award space to try one of the best first-class products in the world.
With the start of summer upon us, now may be a great time to evaluate your credit card portfolio. Credit card sign-up bonuses and welcome offers are the quickest and easiest way to rake in lots of points and miles, so we regularly update the roundup of our favorite current offers in our best credit cards guide.
But to help you keep up with an ever-changing list of bonuses, we’ve also compiled a list of the best card offers currently available — especially the ones that are worth an extra look right now because they are at all-time highs or may end soon.
Since many issuers have restrictions on how often you can earn a bonus on a card, it’s important to time your application for when there’s a good offer. Also, higher bonuses don’t always stick around for long, so if you’re considering one of these offers, you’ll want to hop on it sooner rather than later.
Finally, if you’re not ready to jump on a higher-end card, consider these great starter cards or even one with a 0% introductory annual percentage rate (APR) offer.
The best credit card offers for June 2023
Card
Sign-up bonus/welcome offer
Welcome offer value*
Annual fee
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
120,000 points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the card within the first three months of card membership.
$2,400.
$695 (see rates and fees).
Ink Business Preferred Credit Card
100,000 points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the card within the first three months of card membership.
$2,000.
$95.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
80,000 points after you spend $6,000 in the first six months, though you may be able to get a higher bonus through the CardMatch tool (terms apply).
$1,600.
$695 (see rates and fees).
American Express® Green Card
60,000 points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in their first six months of card membership. Also, get 20% back on eligible travel and transit purchases in your first six months to earn up to $200 back.
$1,400 ($1,200 in points plus up to $200 in cash back).
$150 (see rates and fees).
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
75,000 miles after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
$1,388.
$395.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
75,000 miles after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
$1,388.
$95.
Chase Sapphire Reserve
60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
$1,200.
$550.
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
$1,200.
$95.
American Express® Gold Card
60,000 points after you spend $4,000 in the first six months of card membership, though you may be able to get a higher bonus through the CardMatch tool (terms apply).
$1,200.
$250 (see rates and fees).
Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card, Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card, and Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card
60,000 bonus points plus a 30% off promo code after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
$900.
$69 (Plus), $99 (Premier) and $149 (Priority).
United Club Infinite Card
80,000 bonus miles and 1,000 Premier qualifying points (PQP) after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Offer ends Aug. 9.
$880.
$525.
IHG Rewards Premier Business Card
165,000 points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
$825.
$99.
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
130,000 Hilton Honors bonus points and a free night reward after spending $2,000 in purchases on the card in the first three months of cardmembership. Offer ends July 19.
$780.
$95 (see rates and fees).
* Welcome offer value is determined using TPG valuations and is not provided by nor reviewed by the issuer.
The Business Platinum Card from American Express
This business card stands out not only for its 120,000-point welcome offer but thanks to added travel perks that can easily cover the card’s $695 annual fee (see rates and fees). Cardholders enjoy automatic Gold status in both the Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy loyalty programs, along with access to a wide variety of airport lounges — including Amex Centurion, Priority Pass and Delta Sky Club (when traveling on same-day Delta flights). Enrollment is required for select benefits.
Cardholders also enjoy 5 points per dollar on flights and prepaid hotels booked at American Express Travel, along with 1.5 points per dollar on eligible purchases in select business categories and eligible purchases of $5,000 or more (on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year).
Related: Amex refreshes Business Platinum Card with new perks, higher annual fee and a 120,000-point bonus
On top of that, the card comes with up to $200 in annual airline fee statement credits and a 35% points rebate for flights booked through Amex Travel in first or business class on any airline (up to 1 million points back per calendar year), or in any class on the U.S. airline of your choice each year. Non-travel benefits include up to $400 in annual statement credits toward U.S. Dell purchases, up to $360 in credits toward Indeed, up to $150 toward select Adobe purchases and up to $120 toward wireless telephone services.
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Enrollment is required for select benefits.
Read our review of the American Express Business Platinum Card for more information.
Official application link: The Business Platinum Card® from American Expresswith 120,000 points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the card within the first three months of card membership.
Ink Business Preferred Credit Card
Then there’s the Ink Business Preferred. According to TPG’s valuations, this card’s welcome bonus alone is worth $2,000 since you can take advantage of Chase’s excellent collection of airline and hotel transfer partners. Points redeemed through the Chase travel portal are worth 1.25 cents each, which isn’t bad, either.
Another factor in this card’s favor? Its tremendous earning rates. You’ll earn 3 points per dollar across the following categories on up to $150,000 in combined purchases (1 point per dollar thereafter):
Travel.
Shipping purchases.
Internet, cable and phone services.
Advertising on social media sites and search engines.
Depending on which categories you spend in, you could earn a whopping 450,000 bonus points per year if you maxed out that $150,000 cap.
Among the Ink Business Preferred’s unsung benefits are cellphone protection, primary rental car coverage (when renting for business purposes) and other travel and purchase protections. You can also add employee cards to your account for free.
Read our full review of the Ink Business Preferred Credit Card for more information.
Official application link: Ink Business Preferred Credit Card with 100,000 bonus points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the card within the first three months of account opening.
The Platinum Card from American Express
Often referred to as the king of the premium travel rewards cards, the Amex Platinum offers a slew of benefits — along with a $695 annual fee (see rates and fees). Cardholders enjoy perks such as automatic Gold status with both Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy plus access to a wide range of airport lounges, including Amex Centurion, Priority Pass and Delta Sky Club (on same-day Delta flights). On top of that, you’ll get up to $200 in annual airline fee statement credits, an up-to-$200 hotel statement credit to use toward prepaid Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings (the latter of which requires a minimum two-night stay) via Amex Travel, and an up-to-$189 Clear Plus membership statement credit — along with numerous other perks. Enrollment is required for select benefits.
Related: It’s a ‘lifestyle’ card now: A closer look at the Amex Platinum’s 6 new benefits
Non-travel benefits include an up-to-$240 digital entertainment statement credit (split into monthly $20 credits) for Audible, The New York Times, SiriusXM, Peacock, The Wall Street Journal and services under the Disney umbrella — including Disney+, ESPN+ and Hulu.
Cardholders also receive an up-to-$155 Walmart+ credit (subject to auto-renewal; Plus Ups are excluded), an up-to-$300 SoulCycle bike credit and an up-to-$300 Equinox statement credit for eligible Equinox memberships (now available as an annual benefit rather than monthly credits). You also receive Uber VIP status and up to $200 in annual Uber Cash (split into monthly $15 credits for U.S. rides and Uber Eats orders plus a $20 bonus in December).
Enrollment is required for select benefits.
Finally, cardholders will enjoy enhanced earning rates on many travel purchases:
5 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or with Amex Travel (on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year).
5 points per dollar on prepaid hotels booked with Amex Travel.
1 point per dollar on other eligible purchases.
And while the current welcome offer provides solid value, be sure to check the CardMatch Tool to see if you can receive an even higher one (offers are targeted and subject to change at any time).
Read our review of the American Express Platinum Card for more information.
Official application link: The Platinum Card® from American Express with 80,000 points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership.
The American Express Green Card
The American Express Green Card provides a compelling offering in the mid-tier travel category. With 3 points per dollar on broader travel, restaurants and transit as well as annual statement credits for Clear and LoungeBuddy that more than cover its annual fee, the Green from Amex is a card that modern travelers should consider.
The earning rates and benefits of the American Express Green Card will be most attractive to young professionals and millennials (or millennials at heart) who travel for work, pleasure or both. The card earns 3 Membership Rewards points per dollar on travel, restaurants and transit, so you’ll want to consider this card if a large chunk of your budget goes toward these categories.
The Amex Green also offers annual up to $189 Clear Plus and up to $100 LoungeBuddy statement credits that can more than offset the $150 annual fee (see rates and fees) while making your time in the airport more efficient and relaxing. If you can utilize these statement credits, the card can easily be a worthwhile addition to your purse or wallet.
Read our review of the Amex Green for more information.
Official application link: Amex Green with 60,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first six months of card membership. Also, get 20% back on eligible travel and transit purchases in your first six months to earn up to $200 back.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
The Venture X card is Capital One’s premium rewards card and offers great earning rates and incredible perks.
Aside from a hefty welcome bonus of 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months – worth about $1,388 according to our valuations thanks to Capital One’s excellent airline and hotel transfer partners – the card gives members up to $300 back in statement credits annually for bookings made through Capital One Travel and 10,000 bonus miles every account anniversary, starting on their first anniversary (worth $100 toward travel, or $185 by our valuations).
As for earning rates, the Venture X racks up 10 miles per dollar on hotels and car rentals booked via Capital One Travel, 5 miles per dollar on flights booked via Capital One Travel, and an unlimited 2 miles per dollar on everything else.
Frequent travelers will also enjoy taking advantage of access to Capital One’s developing network of airport lounges as well as the ability to enroll for Priority Pass membership for entry into more than 1,300 lounge locations worldwide (though this no longer includes participating restaurants). It also added the ability to access Plaza Premium lounges worldwide in 2022 and launched The Premier Collection in 2023, giving cardmembers on-property perks at a curated set of luxury hotels.
Read our review of the Capital One Venture X card for more information.
Official application link: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card with 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
The Venture Rewards packs a pretty good punch for a mid-tier credit card. It earns a flat 2 miles per dollar spent on all purchases worldwide, but you can earn 5 miles per dollar on hotels and car rentals booked through Capital One Travel. The miles you earn with this card can be transferred to Capital One’s 17 airline and three hotel partners or redeemed through the Capital One Travel portal.
The card stands out for offering an application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck every four years; many other cards that offer this benefit have annual fees of $400 or more. This TSA PreCheck/Global Entry application fee credit alone is worth up to $100. When making everyday purchases, you may also get Warranty Manager Service which can be used for extended warranty protection. The Venture Rewards card doesn’t impose foreign transaction fees, so you can use the card overseas without accumulating extra charges.
Read our review of the Capital One Venture Rewards Card for more information.
Official application link: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card with 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Chase Sapphire Reserve
This is one of the best premium credit cards available.
It earns a whopping 10 points per dollar on Lyft (through March 2025), Chase Dining booked through Ultimate Rewards, and hotel and car rental purchases through the Ultimate Rewards Travel portal. Cardholders also earn 5 points per dollar on airline travel booked through the Ultimate Rewards Travel portal, 3 points per dollar on travel (after using the $300 travel credit) and dining, and 1 point per dollar on everything else.
Chase defines travel and dining quite broadly, including everything from parking fees to Airbnb stays and food delivery orders. Perks of the card include a $300 annual travel credit, Priority Pass membership, a $5 monthly DoorDash in-app credit (through December 2024), a complimentary DashPass membership and an impressive array of travel protections.
Read our review of the Chase Sapphire Reserve for more information.
Official application link: Chase Sapphire Reserve with 60,000 points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of card membership.
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
If you can’t justify a high annual fee or want a solid card with an appealing set of perks, the Chase Sapphire Preferred is an ideal fit. It earns 5 points per dollar on all travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards; 3 points per dollar on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out; 3 points per dollar on select streaming services; 3 points per dollar on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs); 2 points per dollar on all other travel; and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.
The points you earn with this card can be transferred to Chase’s airline and hotel partners or redeemed for 1.25 cents each through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal. Benefits include a $50 annual credit on hotel stays purchased through Ultimate Rewards, at least 12 months of DashPass membership (when activated by Dec. 31, 2024), primary rental car coverage, up to $500 in trip delay reimbursement if you’re delayed more than 12 hours or overnight, up to $10,000 in trip cancellation and interruption insurance and up to $100 per day for up to five days in baggage delay reimbursement if your bag is delayed more than six hours.
Read our review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred for more information.
Official application link: Chase Sapphire Preferred with 60,000 points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
American Express® Gold Card
The Amex Gold card is a favorite of many TPG staffers thanks (in large part) to its terrific earning rates:
4 points per dollar on dining at restaurants (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.)
4 points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year (1 point per dollar after that).
3 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel.
1 point per dollar on all other eligible purchases.
The card also offers up to $120 in annual credit for Uber rides and Uber Eats purchases and up to $120 in statement credits for select dining purchases (enrollment is required for select benefits) — all for a manageable annual fee of $250 (see rates and fees)
And while it’s not providing a limited-time bonus for new cardmembers, you can often find elevated welcome offers through the CardMatch tool. The card currently features a public welcome offer of 60,000 points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of card membership. However, some new customers can earn a 75,000-point or even 90,000-point welcome offer via the CardMatch tool after meeting the same minimum spending requirements. Note that these elevated offers are targeted and subject to change at any time.
Alternatively, you can refer a friend through the Amex referral program — and when your friend applies for a new account by June 7, you can earn an additional +5 rewards per dollar (as either points or cash back, depending on the card) on eligible U.S. supermarket purchases for three months after they’re approved (starting from the first date the referred friend’s account is opened), on up to $25,000.
Additionally, new applicants for the Amex Gold through a referral link will be eligible for an up to $200 statement credit after reaching minimum spending requirements, on top of that card’s usual welcome offer.
Read our review of the American Express Gold Card for more information.
Official application link: American Express® Gold Card with 60,000 points after you spend $4,000 in the first six months of card membership.
Southwest personal cards
All three personal of Southwest’s personal credit cards — the Rapid Rewards Plus, Rapid Rewards Premier and Rapid Rewards Priority — are currently sporting identical welcome offers: 60,000 bonus points plus a 30% off promo code after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. This is the first time Southwest has offered a promo code as part of a sign-up bonus on a credit card.
The code will appear directly in your Southwest.com account within eight weeks of meeting the spending requirement. It can be used — only once — on a single one-way or round-trip Wanna Get Away, Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime and Business Select fare, and is available for use until October 31, 2024.
Given it is a single-use promo code, it would be best to save this for a more expensive ticket. You’ll get the biggest savings when using the code for round-trip travel and/or during peak travel periods like the summer or the holidays.
Read more about the three cards and this limited-time offer.
Official application link: Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus
Official application link: Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier
Official application link: Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority
United Club Infinite Card
The United Club Infinite Card is the ideal card for United lounge access — bar none.
The United Club Infinite Card’s $525 annual fee sounds high until you factor in the United Club membership included with the card. Membership normally costs $650 per year for non-elite members.
In addition, one of the primary disadvantages of many airline credit cards is a low return on spending, even on branded purchases, as most airline cards only offer 2 or 3 points per dollar on airline purchases. But the United Club Infinite Card sets a new standard with an impressive 4 points per dollar on United purchases.
If you spend thousands of dollars on United flights each year, the United Club Infinite Card is worth considering.
Read our review of the United Club Infinite for more information.
Official application link: United Club Infinite with 80,000 bonus miles and 1,000 Premier qualifying points (PQP) after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Offer ends Aug. 9.
IHG Rewards Premier Business Card
New applicants for the IHG Rewards Premier Business card can earn 165,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases within three months from account opening.
Your bonus will come in the form of IHG points, which TPG values at half a cent each. Thus, this bonus is worth $825.
Generally speaking, you won’t get fantastic earning rates on most hotel credit cards — especially on broad categories like dining and groceries. That said, the IHG Premier Business card could be a solid option, especially at participating IHG properties.
When you use your card at IHG hotels and resorts, you’ll earn 10 points per dollar spent on your stay. This is in addition to the 10 base points that all IHG One Rewards members accrue at most participating brands. And since you have automatic Platinum Elite status with the card, that’ll give you another 60% bonus on top of the base points. When combined, that translates to a total of 26 points per dollar spent on most IHG stays — or a 13% return on spending, based on TPG’s valuations.
Beyond IHG purchases, cardholders of the IHG Premier Business will earn points at the following rates:
5 points per dollar spent on travel, dining and gas purchases.
5 points per dollar in select business categories, such as social media and search engine advertising and at office supply stores.
3 points per dollar spent on all other purchases.
You’ll also receive a free night certificate (worth up to 40,000 points) every year when you renew your card and enjoy your fourth night free on award stays of four nights (or longer)
Read our full review of the IHG Rewards Premier Business for more information.
Official application link: IHG Rewards Premier Business card with 165,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases within three months from account opening.
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card provides solid earnings at Hilton properties and automatic Hilton Gold elite status, which offers complimentary breakfast, increased earnings and space-available upgrades when you stay at Hilton properties.
Hilton Honors Gold status is one of the best mid-tier hotel loyalty statuses you can obtain. As a Hilton Gold elite member, you’ll get complimentary breakfast, space-available room upgrades and improved earnings when staying at Hilton brands. Luckily, you can easily earn and maintain Hilton Gold status since it is an automatic perk of the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card.
The Hilton Surpass card is an ideal choice for those who stay at Hilton properties often and want a cobranded credit card with a modest annual fee and valuable perks.
Read our full review of the Hilton Surpass for more information.
Official application link: Hilton Surpass with 130,000 bonus points and a free night reward after spending $2,000 in purchases on the card in the first three months of cardmembership. Offer ends July 19.
*Bonus offer value is based on TPG valuations and not provided by issuers.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum card, click here. For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum card, click here. For rates and fees of the Amex Gold card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Green card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors Amex Surpass, click here.
Additional reporting by Ryan Wilcox and Eric Rosen.
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information.
From paid ticket sales to redemption promotions, there are endless opportunities to book travel at a discount.
However, few sales are as reliable as the Promo Rewards we see each month from Air France-KLM Flying Blue.
These deals regularly appear on the Flying Blue website and offer discounts on flights to and from select cities or region pairs. All discounts are only bookable through the end of the month, and there’s a set travel window.
This month, there are one-way economy flights to various European cities for less than 12,000 miles. This is a fraction of what many competing programs charge for the same award tickets. It can be an excellent deal if you’re looking for a summer or fall trip to Europe.
Deal basics
Airline: Air France and KLM. Routes: Economy awards between Europe and Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), Miami International Airport (MIA), Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) and Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP). Business-class awards are available from Montreal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL) and Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ). Cost: Varies by the airport, with economy-class awards starting at 11,250 miles. Travel dates: Travel from June 1 through Nov. 30. You must book by June 30.
Related: The ultimate guide to earning and redeeming with Air France-KLM Flying Blue
Promo Rewards between North America and Europe
The cheapest awards are from Detroit and Newark.
There’s also award space for 12,750 miles from Miami.
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As you can see from this calendar search, economy-class award space from Houston to Marseille Provence Airport (MRS) is plentiful:
We also found some business-class award space from 41,250 miles from Amsterdam to Toronto:
Related: The best ways to get to Europe using points and miles
How to book
Book Promo Rewards tickets on the Air France or KLM website. Log in to your account and click the “Book with Miles” button on the home screen. Then, enter your desired itinerary and click the “Search flights” button.
Now, select the flight you’d like to book and follow the on-screen prompts to complete your booking.
If you plan to transfer points to book this award, find award space first and then transfer your points; you never want to transfer points without concrete dates in mind.
If you want to add a free stopover at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) or Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) to an eligible itinerary, you’ll need to call Flying Blue to book your itinerary.
Related: When should I transfer points to airline and hotel partners?
Earning Flying Blue miles
Boosting your Flying Blue balance is easy since the program partners with all major transferable points currencies.
You can transfer points at a 1:1 ratio from American Express Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Capital One, Chase Ultimate Rewards and Citi ThankYou Rewards. You can also transfer Marriott points at a 3:1 ratio, with a 5,000-mile bonus for every 60,000 points you transfer.
Based on our tests, Amex, Bilt, Capital One, Chase and Citi transfers should post almost instantly. However, that wasn’t the case with our test transfer from Marriott, which took three days to arrive in our Flying Blue account. Because of this, credit card points are your best bet if you hope to book right away, although Flying Blue generally allows three-day holds on award tickets when you call.
Related: Use Flying Blue miles to fly to Hawaii for just 35,000 miles round-trip
Maximize your purchase
Use a card that earns additional points on airfare purchases to pay taxes and fees on your award ticket.
Some of the best cards include The Platinum Card® from American Express (5 points per dollar on airfare booked directly with the airline or through Amex Travel, on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year), the Citi Premier® Card (3 points per dollar on air travel; see rates and fees), the Chase Sapphire Reserve (3 points per dollar on travel), the American Express® Gold Card (3 points per dollar on airfare when booked directly with the airline or through Amex Travel) and the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (2 points per dollar on travel).
Bottom line
Few sales are as reliable as the Promo Rewards we see each month from Air France-KLM Flying Blue. Boosting your Flying Blue balance is easy since the program partners with all major transferable points currencies. Book Promo Rewards tickets on the Air France or KLM website.
Related reading:
Additional reporting by Ehsan Haque, Clint Henderson, Andrew Kunesh and Benji Stawski.
Digital nomads enjoy the freedom and flexibility of being able to work from anywhere with an internet connection, allowing them to balance work and leisure in a way that suits their lifestyle. They travel frequently, often staying in one place for a few weeks or months before moving on to the next destination.
However, expats and digital nomads face unique challenges when it comes to managing their finances. They need a bank that understands their lifestyle and offers services that cater to their needs.
For example, digital nomads require a bank that offers low fees and transaction charges since they frequently move money across borders. They also need a bank that provides easy access to their accounts from anywhere in the world, with mobile banking features that allow them to make transactions on the go.
10 Best Banks for Digital Nomads
Without further ado, here’s our lineup of the best bank accounts for digital nomads.
1. Revolut
Revolut is a digital bank that’s headquartered in London. While it doesn’t offer a traditional bank account, its money management app can be a great option. Once you download it, you can make global exchanges with more than 30 currencies and transfer money abroad instantly. Revolut will give you 10 free international transfers per month plus a debit card with cash back rewards.
Also, if you invest in a Premium or Metal plan, you can enjoy additional perks, like travel insurance and access to airport lounges while you wait for your flights. In addition, you’ll get to use 55,000 fee-free ATMs and be able to withdraw up to $1,200 from out-of-network ATMs each month. If you’re interested in a Revolut account, you’ll need to provide a name, address, and ID. The bank does not require a credit check or proof of address.
2. Chime
When most people think of international financial accounts, Chime doesn’t typically come to mind first as it’s a financial technology or fintech company in the U.S. Even though it doesn’t provide a multi-currency account, its cards don’t charge foreign transaction fees and offers free cash withdrawals at ATMs across the globe.
This is great news if you’re looking for an affordable way to cover your international purchases. Chime’s main offerings you might want to consider include the Chime Checking Account, the Chime High Yield Savings Account, and the Secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card.
It’s important to note that Chime is designed to be used as a mobile app so it could be a solid pick if you like the idea of mobile banking. The app will send you daily notifications on your account balance and international transactions. Rest assured you can disable them at any time.
3. Capital One
Capital One is one of the largest banks in the U.S. but we had to include it in this list because of its primary checking account, the Capital One 360 Checking. If you consider yourself an expat, often make online purchases from different countries, and would like to avoid a monthly fee or foreign transaction fee, this account can make sense.
You won’t have to pay any transaction fees if you use your card overseas, plus you may open the account without a minimum opening deposit requirement or monthly fees. To reap the benefits of the Capital One 360 Checking, you must be a U.S. resident with a U.S. mailing address and Social Security number.
4. Wise
Wise, which was formerly known as Transferwise, should be on your radar if you do business abroad. The UK-based fintech company will let you create a local bank account that accepts multiple currencies, making it a breeze to meet your digital nomad banking needs. Wise also integrates with popular payment platforms, such as Amazon Payments and Stripe for easy direct deposits.
We can’t forget to mention the Wise borderless account that may be worthwhile whether you’re studying abroad, an expat, or a freelancer with international clients. It comes with low fees and can be accessed by just about anyone. However, Wise is not an actual bank account so you may have trouble receiving direct deposit payments. For this reason, it might be a good supplement to an existing bank account.
To take advantage of Wise, you’ll need a bank or credit card statement, tax bill, proof of address, driver’s license, or government document.
5. Chase
Chase is an excellent choice for digital nomads and expats living abroad due to its global presence and user-friendly digital banking platform. Chase’s online banking system is user-friendly and provides a range of features, including bill pay, mobile check deposit, and international money transfers.
For those living abroad, Chase’s credit and debit cards also offer no foreign transaction fees, making it an affordable option for international travelers. In particular, the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Sapphire Reserve are widely considered to be among the best credit cards available.
Furthermore, Chase Bank provides 24/7 customer service support, ensuring that its customers can get assistance with any issues they may encounter, regardless of their time zone.
6. HSBC
HSBC serves about 40 million customers across 63 countries in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa, North America and Latin America. If you’re an international traveler, you can’t go wrong with the HSBC Everyday Global Account, which makes it easy to make purchases in 10 different foreign currencies with no transaction fees or monthly service fees. It truly offers a fee-free banking experience.
In addition, there are no ATM fees so you can enjoy fee free ATM withdrawals and many promotions throughout the year. HSBC also offers Visa Zero Liability, which can protect you from fraud and give you some much-needed peace of mind. We can’t forget that HSBC offers over 55,000 ATMs, many of which are in the Allpoint network, as well as 24/7 customer support via phone and Twitter.
7. Citibank
There’s a good chance you’ve heard of Citibank as it’s a well-known bank in the U.S. It has a presence in 97 markets and supports clients in more than 160 countries. With the Citibank Plus account, you can manage your money in up to 21 different currencies.
Citibank will waive your maintenance fee as long as you maintain a certain balance and reimburse you for foreign ATM withdrawals when you use ATMs outside its network. Additionally, you may send money abroad quickly and won’t have to pay a penny if you’re sending the funds to another Citibank account. Another great perk is the handy mobile app that offers convenient banking while on the go.
8. Monzo
Monzo is a challenger bank in the UK that’s recently increased in popularity. You can open an account for free, divide it into “pots” to better manage and save your money, and get a free debit card, which can be sent to any address in the UK. You can use it for a variety of debit card transactions and ATM withdrawals abroad.
You won’t pay any fees when you make purchases on your card and can receive a limited amount of free ATM withdrawals every month. Monzo is also compatible with Apple Pay and Google Pay. Plus, there’s a convenient mobile app with useful budgeting tools that may help you take control of your spending. Note that Monzo is fully digital so you can’t count on it for in-person support or local branches.
9. Charles Schwab Bank
You can open a U.S. bank account through Charles Schwab and won’t have to worry about foreign transaction fees or opening fees. Plus, you can enjoy unlimited rebates on international withdrawals.
In the event you move to a different country, you can open another Charles Schwab account but you may have to meet a high minimum deposit threshold. If you need assistance while you’re traveling, you’ll be thrilled to know you can receive it via phone or email.
10. Bank of America
Despite the word America in its name, Bank of America can be a smart option if you’re looking for a digital nomad bank account. In fact, it attracts many frequent travelers.
It serves more than 35 countries and has locations throughout Europe, Asia, and the Middle Each so you shouldn’t have an issue finding a branch near you. Bank of America offers a variety of bank accounts you may find appealing as well as a well-designed mobile app.
Features to Consider When Choosing the Best Bank for Digital Nomads
When exploring different digital nomad banks, consider these features.
Banking Experience
Every financial institution provides its own unique experience. First, think about whether you’d like an online-only bank or one with branches you can visit. Then, think about the size of the bank that would be best for you.
A smaller bank might be a better fit if you prefer personal service as well as better rates and lower fees. A larger bank, however, might make more sense if you’d like access to a wider range of products and resources.
Account Types
Some banks offer a few accounts and banking services while others pride themselves on a long list of offerings, like checking accounts, savings accounts, investment accounts, and many others. To determine the account types you need, think about your goals.
Are you looking for someone to park your cash so you can access it while you’re abroad? If so, you might be in the market for a basic checking account or high yield investor checking account with no foreign transaction fees and ATM fee reimbursement.
If you’re a business owner, you may require additional services like international wire transfers between accounts and countries without paying costly fees.
ATMs and Debit Cards
Chances are you can benefit from a digital nomad bank account with ATM access. If you need to make purchases abroad frequently or every once in a while, you should opt for an account with debit cards that are compatible everywhere. This usually means you’re in the market for a Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or American Express debit card.
Keep in mind that many countries don’t accept cards with magnetic strips so you will need a card with an EMV chip. Ideally, it would also allow for contactless payments, which are quite popular abroad.
Note that while debit card purchases may make sense in some situations, credit cards come with greater protections, which can be helpful if your card gets lost or stolen. If possible, use your debit card at ATMs and credit card every time you make a purchase.
Fees
At the end of the day, you don’t want to be stuck with sky-high fees that deter you from your financial goals. Here are some fees to be aware of as you search for the best banks for digital nomads.
Foreign transaction fees: These fees can kick in whenever you make a withdrawal or purchase in a foreign currency. Your bank might charge them all the time, in certain situations, or not at all.
ATM fees: If you need to withdraw money from an ATM, you may be on the hook for ATM fees. The chances of this are higher if you opt for an out-of-network ATM. The good news is some banks offer free withdrawals or will reimburse you for ATM fees while you’re abroad.
Monthly maintenance fees: You may face a monthly maintenance fee or service fee to keep your account open. Typically, the more features your account has, the more expensive this fee will be. Fortunately, some banks pride themselves on low banking costs and zero monthly fees.
Interest Rates
Depending on what you plan to do with the bank account you open, interest rates may or may not be important. If your sole purpose is to get easy access to cash while you’re traveling to a different country, interest rates probably aren’t a big deal. But if you’d like to use your account for saving or investment purposes, a higher rate is ideal. The higher the rate, the easier it will be for you to meet your goals.
Security
Security should be a top priority when you explore digital nomad bank accounts. Reputable banks have certain account holders protections in place for if your debit or credit card gets lost or stolen, for example. They also make it a breeze to report fraudulent activity from anywhere.
Some banks also have a security feature known as two-factor authentication. This requires you to use your password and a special code you receive via call or text every time you log in. It provides extra security in the event your device gets lost or stolen.
Customer Service
In a perfect world, you’d never have any questions or issues with your bank account. Since this is unlikely, you shouldn’t overlook the importance of customer service. The bank you choose will determine how easy or difficult it is to receive assistance.
If you can, opt for a digital bank with 24/7 customer service. Otherwise, you may get stuck if you have an urgent need and customer service is only available during select business hours.
Reviews
If you visit a bank’s website, you’ll find no shortage of information on its benefits and why you should become a customer. However, one of the best ways to determine whether a bank account is worth it is through customer reviews. Do your due diligence and read real reviews on reputable, third-party websites.
Also, look at ratings on websites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to get a better idea of a bank’s reputation. If you notice a lot of negative reviews and poor ratings, you may want to look elsewhere.
Online Banking Features
As a digital nomad, you’ll likely be doing a lot of your banking online. Look for a bank that offers robust online banking features, such as the ability to view account balances and transaction histories, transfer funds, and pay bills online.
Bottom Line
Choosing a good bank is essential for digital nomads who need access to their money while traveling the world. With the right bank, you can manage your finances easily and efficiently while enjoying the freedom of a location-independent lifestyle.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a digital nomad?
A digital nomad is someone who works remotely and has the ability to work from anywhere in the world as long as they have an internet connection. They often travel frequently and have a location-independent lifestyle.
Why do digital nomads need a specific bank?
As a digital nomad, you’ll need to find a bank that caters to your specific financial needs; one that offers easy online access, enables low-fee transactions, and facilitates international transfers without hefty costs. Traditional banks may not be able to provide you with these services, which is why it’s important to investigate other options.
What is the best bank for digital nomads and expats?
There is not one bank that checks off everyone’s boxes. The right option for you depends on your goals. You may choose an account that allows for easy money transfer abroad. Or you may prefer one that eliminates foreign transaction fees. It’s up to you and what you hope to accomplish.
How can I avoid transaction fees when banking as a digital nomad?
To avoid transaction fees when banking as a digital nomad, you should look for a bank that offers fee-free ATM withdrawals and has low foreign transaction fees. You may also want to consider using a debit or credit card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees.
Do I need to have a permanent address to open a bank account as a digital nomad?
You do not necessarily need a permanent address to open a bank account as a digital nomad. Some banks allow you to use a post office box or a friend’s address as your mailing address. You may also be able to use a virtual mailbox service.
Can I open a bank account in a foreign country as a digital nomad?
Most countries prohibit non-residents from opening bank accounts. You’ll find that you’ll likely need a local mailing address. Unfortunately, financial institutions don’t typically accept hotel or short-term rental addresses.
Can I use my digital nomad bank account for personal transactions?
Yes, you can use your digital nomad bank account for personal transactions. However, it’s best to keep your business and personal finances separate to make accounting and tax reporting easier.
Will my digital nomad bank account have all the features of a traditional bank account?
Your digital nomad bank account may not have all the features of a traditional bank account, but it should have the features that are most important for your lifestyle, such as online banking and low transaction fees. Be sure to research the banks you’re considering to ensure they offer the services you need.
What should I do if I lose my debit card while traveling?
If you lose your debit card while traveling, you should contact your bank immediately to report the loss and request a replacement card. You should also carry a backup debit card or credit card in case of emergencies.
What are the best banks for international wire transfers?
If you’d like to make many international wire transfers, there are certain banks with solid bank transfer rules you should explore. Several examples are Bank of America, Chase, Citibank, Wells Fargo, Citibank, PNC, and U.S. Bank.
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
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More about Rainbow Railroad
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Man, this card looks amazing! 4x cash back, $100 in annual hotel credit, and…
Oh, wait – there’s a $95 annual fee.
Bummer.
Well, hang on – maybe it’s still worth it? How can you tell? Will the perks and benefits justify the fee? Or is a no-fee card always the way to go?
To find out, let’s investigate paid rewards cards – why some cost $95 and others cost $695 (yeah…I know) – what you get for your money, and how much you really need to spend for a paid card to make sense.
What’s Ahead:
What are annual fee credit cards?
Source: fizkes/Shutterstock.com
As the name implies, annual fee credit cards are rewards cards that typically cost anywhere from $50 to $695 a year to use.
Why do credit card issuers charge annual fees for some cards and not others?
Credit card issuers typically charge an annual fee to help cover the costs of the perks included with the card. Despite the gobs of money these banks and card issuers make, even they can’t afford to offer every single cardholder free lounge access and $300 in travel credit each year.
Annual fee credit cards usually include some combination of the following over no-fee cards:
Higher cash back.
Higher redemption bonuses (e.g. points are worth 1.5x when redeemed for travel).
Better welcome bonuses ($500 versus $200).
Statement credits (e.g. $300 annual hotel credit).
Perks and bonuses (VIP lounge access, 24/7 travel concierge, etc.).
Why are some fees so low ($35-$95) while others are insanely high ($695)?
A $500 card will typically include more statement credits than a $100 card.
Let’s look at two, seemingly identical travel cards:
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card costs $95 a year, offers 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®., up to 5x points back on travel-related expenses, and more.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card costs an eye-watering $550 per year, offers a 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®., and up to 10x points back on travel-related expenses, and more.
Sure, the fancy-schmancy Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card has more cash back (10x) and a higher redemption bonus within Chase Ultimate Rewards® (1.5x vs. 1.25x) than its sibling, but neither of those justifies a $455 price difference.
That is, until you consider the former’s annual cash bonuses. The Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card includes the following credits:
$300 Annual Travel Credit.
$100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® Fee Credit (every four years).
So even though the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card costs more than a new mountain bike, it starts to make a little more sense if you plan to use all of the included credits. $550 – $300 – $100 = $150, which is just $55 more than the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.
In short, most cards with fees over $100 should come with ample bonus credits to offset the fees.
Can you ever get an annual fee waived?
It may surprise you to hear that yes, even credit card annual fees are negotiable. You may not always negotiate successfully, but you can always try.
Here are some tips for getting your card’s annual fee waived.
Negotiate with your existing card company
If you already have a no-fee card and are considering upgrading to one of your card issuer’s paid annual cards, ring them up and just ask nicely. They may be willing to waive your annual fee for the first year.
Ask them to price-match with another card
Let’s say the annual fee credit card you really want costs $295 for the year, and you notice that it offers similar benefits to a competing no-fee or low-fee card. Call the card issuer and ask if they’d be willing to price match with the lower fee card – or better yet, waive the fee entirely.
Chat with the retention department
If you already have an annual fee credit card and are trying to get your fee waived or reduced, and the agent on the phone isn’t playing ball, you can always ask to just cancel the card.
At that point, one of two things will happen:
You’ll be routed to the retention department, which is much more likely to bend to your requests.
The agent on the phone will proceed to cancel your card.
If you don’t want to cancel your card, you may then have to suffer a moment of awkwardness when you tell the agent “actually, NVM” – so keep that in mind if you don’t like having your bluffs called!
When is it maybe worth paying a credit card annual fee?
Source: Victor Josan/Shutterstock.com
You’ll earn more cash back than with a no-fee card – accounting for your annual fee
Let’s say you’re considering a card that charges a $95 annual fee but offers 3x cash back.
Your first inclination may be to calculate how much you need to spend to offset your fee with cash back. So that’s:
$95 / 0.03 = $3,167
You easily spend that much in a year, so it seems like a good deal.
But hang on – remember, you’re not just trying to offset your fee – you’re trying to earn more than you would with a no-fee card.
By the time you’ve spent $3,167 with a no-fee card with 1.5x cash back, you’ve already earned:
$3,167 x 0.015 = $47.50
Not until you spend twice that – $6,333 – does the annual fee credit card “catch up” to the no-fee card and start earning you more.
In short, keep in mind that once your cash back covers your fee, you still have a lot more spending ahead of you to catch up to a garden variety 1.5x card.
The card offers a steep welcome bonus to cover its fees
Thankfully, many annual fee credit cards have big, juicy welcome bonuses to cover their annual fees – oftentimes for several years over.
Take, for example, the American Express® Gold Card. Sure, it charges a $250 credit card fee – but it also has a welcome bonus of 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points worth between 0.6 and 2 cents a pop when applied to travel through certain partners.
You’ll get a statement credit for things you’re already paying for
The first time I saw the credit card fee for The Platinum Card® by Amex, I could hardly believe it. $695 a year? Who’s falling for this?
But then, the little Amex fairy told me to keep reading, and amazingly, The Platinum Card® started to make sense.
In addition to up to a 100k welcome bonus and up to 10x Membership Rewards® Points on select purchases, The Platinum Card® offers:
$200 Hotel Credit.
$200 Airline Fee Credit.
$200 Uber Cash.
$240 Digital Entertainment Credit.
$100 Global Entry or $85 TSA PreCheck®.
And more.
Before talking points and perks, the statement credits alone account for $940 worth of bonus cash back.
If you’re already spending $940 within those areas, then The Platinum Card®’s $695 annual fee doesn’t just make sense – it’s a discount.
The card has perks and bonuses that make your life easier
In most cases, a credit card’s perks alone probably aren’t worth paying an annual fee – but if you’re seeking a tiebreaker between a fee card and a no-fee card, they may just tip the scales.
Annual fee credit card perks often include:
Travel insurance.
Lounge access.
24/7 travel concierge assistance.
And more.
For example, among other things, the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card always gives you Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding, so you can stash your stuff and just relax sooner on every flight. That perk alone may not be worth $250 a year, but anything that lowers your stress is worth something!
When is it not worth paying a credit card annual fee?
You won’t earn enough cash back to cover the fee
Remember, most no-fee cards these days offer 1.5x cash back. The Citi® Double Cash Card actually offers 2x cash back (plus a host of other benefits).
For that reason, it’s becoming harder for annual fee credit cards to compete with their pro bono brethren. The annual fee card likely won’t justify itself on cash back rewards points alone, unless you spend a lot.
You’ll need to also consider the perks and bonuses attached.
The perks and bonuses aren’t worth the annual fee
The Luxury Card™ Mastercard® Black Card™ is a textbook example of a paid card that just isn’t worth anywhere near its annual fee. Its chief bonus – a $100 airline credit – doesn’t come close to covering the outrageous $495 sticker price.
Keep in mind, too, that the perks, bonuses, and statement credit provided by an annual fee rewards card are only worth cash if you use them. I myself have forgotten to use my statement credit in the past, which is just leaving money on the table.
Your credit score isn’t high enough
This one’s simple – if your credit score is below 690, you may not even qualify for an annual fee rewards card in the first place.
But wait a second – if you’re trying to pay for a credit card, why would the credit card company stop you from giving them money?
Annual fee rewards cards are designed to attract big spenders – specifically, big spenders who have a track record of paying their bills on time. That’s why credit card companies require a higher credit score for paid cards – around 690, compared to 660 for a regular, no-fee rewards card (though numbers vary by card issuer).
If you’d like to learn more about your credit score, check out How Credit Works: Understand The Credit History Reporting System. And if you’re trying to bump your numbers so you can successfully apply for a fancy paid card, we can help you there, too – check out How To Improve Your Credit Score, Step By Step.
You need 0% APR on purchases or balance transfers
You should know that annual fee rewards cards rarely, if ever, offer 0% APR incentives.
Again, that’s because these cards are designed to attract big spenders – not big savers or debt consolidators. In fact, most annual fee credit cards hammer you with the industry’s maximum APR right out the gate – usually around 29.99% – meaning there’s zero forgiveness for missing a payment.
If you think you might need some help with old debt, new debt, or simply may miss a payment in the next year or so, you should absolutely stay away from a paid rewards card. Instead, consider our list of the Best 0% APR Credit Cards and Best Balance Transfer Cards.
The card fits the lifestyle you want – not the one you have
Don’t make the same goober mistake I did!
From 2013 to 2015 I had a certain travel rewards card for work that commanded a $95 annual fee. And boy, was it worth it – my company required us to put all travel and dining charges on our own card (to be reimbursed later), so I was racking up the points.
Then, when I left my job in 2015… I decided to keep my card a little longer, assuming I’d keep traveling.
Instead, I settled in, wrote my book, and forgot to cancel my card. Basically, $95 down the drain.
Once I realized my mistake, I learned a valuable lesson in money management:
Pick the credit card that fits the lifestyle you have – not the one you think you’ll have.
Questions to ask yourself before paying a credit card’s annual fee
Source: alexialex/Shutterstock.com
To consolidate the two previous sections, here’s a “gut check” questionnaire to see if a paid card is right for you:
Is my credit score high enough to apply for this card? Or do I need to bump my numbers?
Do I need 0% APR on purchases or a balance transfer? If so, a paid card typically doesn’t offer these and isn’t a fit – I should check out the top-ranked 0% APR cards for new purchases or balance transfers instead.
Why am I considering this card? Does it fit my existing spending habits? Or will it encourage me to spend more when I should be saving?
Will the welcome bonus offset its annual fee? Are the points worth a penny each, or less? And will I spend enough to trigger the welcome bonus in time (e.g. $4,000 in 3 months)?
Is it really better than a no-fee card?Now that no-fee cards offer up to 2% cash back on all purchases, is this paid card really worth it?
What is the combined statement credit worth?And will I even use it?
Will I really use this card for longer than a year?Or should I set a calendar note in 11 months to cancel it before paying the fee again?
When in doubt, stick with a no-fee rewards card. Like Mazdas and Toyotas, they truly are catching up to their “luxury” counterparts in terms of value and benefits for way less money.
For a list of the top-ranked no-fee rewards cards, check out Best No Annual Fee Credit Cards – Don’t Pay A Dime To Get Another Credit Card.
Tips for getting the most out of your no-fee card
They say that before you spend $35,000 on a shiny new car, you should spend $35 washing and waxing your old car first. Oftentimes, a good spit-shine is all you need to appreciate the car you already have.
Similarly, if you’re considering upgrading from a no-fee card to a paid card, try spending a little time with your no-fee card first.
Maximize your cash back rewards – Does your card offer rotating 5x cash back rewards categories like the Chase Freedom Flex℠? If so, be sure to both activate and maximize those rewards.
See what hidden perks your card has – Even no-fee cards offer a surprising amount of perks these days. Capital One VentureOne Rewards, for example, offers a free Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, free Travel Accident Insurance, automatic Extended Warranty Protection, and even lounge access – all for $0.
Consider another no-fee card first –If you still feel that your no-fee card isn’t meeting all of your needs or maximizing your cash back, consider another no-fee card before you invest in a paid card. As illustrated above, the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card is an excellent travel card with no fee that you can use specifically for booking flights and hotels without worrying about covering your annual fee.
Summary
So, should you pay for a rewards credit card?
Probably not. No-fee cards are just so generous with cash back and perks these days that most paid cards just aren’t worth it unless you’re spending gobs of money.
But if that’s you, do the math – calculate how much you’ll spend on a no-fee card and its equivalent paid card, and determine how much money you’ll save and cash back you’ll earn. If a paid card truly pays you back in spades, it might be worth it.
But for most of us, a no-fee rewards card will make us plenty happy.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.