Perks like airline seat upgrades or free food are certainly welcome when it comes to loyalty programs, but travelers want more. For the majority of U.S. travelers, their top loyalty program priority is lower fees. That’s according to the Barclays US Consumer Bank’s 2023 Travel Rewards and Loyalty Report, which surveyed 1,000 U.S. adult travelers online in May.
In fact, perks ranked No. 4 in the survey. When asked to choose from seven travel loyalty program priorities, 52% said lower fees were a priority. Meanwhile, 42% of respondents preferred perks, which might entail free hotel night certificates, room or seat upgrades or free breakfast (respondents could select multiple answers).
Here’s what travelers prioritized, from most to least important:
Lower fees (52%).
Flexibility in redeeming miles or points (47%).
Ability to earn more miles or points (46%).
Perks I receive (42%).
Ability to make last-minute changes (37%).
More choice in airlines or hotels (32%).
Personalized support (27%).
Hidden fees for travel keep emerging
Of the survey respondents who said lower fees were a priority, 72% of them said the importance of lower fees has increased from five years ago. Perhaps that’s due to the onslaught of fees that travelers have been hit with lately.
In air travel, fees easily manifest via basic economy airfares, which have grown in popularity over the past decade and in 2018 were dubbed “a permanent fixture in the U.S. marketplace” by the CAPA Centre for Aviation, which is a company that conducts air travel analysis and research.
Sure, basic economy airfares have been credited as a major driver for declining airfares. For example, August 2023 airfares were 19% lower than what they were in the same month in 2013, according to consumer price index data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. But lower airfares have been accompanied by a la carte pricing for items that used to be included in standard airfares, such as the ability to check bags or to select your seat upon booking a flight.
Such fees aren’t limited to air travel only, either. In the hotel industry, the most hated fees include resort fees, which promise to cover the cost of resort-style amenities such as the pool, and even mundane benefits like Wi-Fi.
The first known resort fees sprang up in the late 1990s, according to the Federal Trade Commission, but they’ve become a special source of ire. Just look to the Junk Fee Prevention Act, which is proposed legislation that would limit hidden fees and surcharges across a range of industries, including resort fees. NerdWallet analyzed more than 100 U.S. hotels with December 2023 check-in dates and found that — among the hotels that charge them — the average resort fee was $38.82 per night.
Some frequent traveler rewards offer ways to save on those fees. For example, both the Hilton Honors and World of Hyatt loyalty programs waive resort fees for stays booked on points.
And in a similar vein are cleaning fees, which are often charged by hosts who use vacation rental companies such as Vrbo and Airbnb. A NerdWallet analysis of 1,000 U.S. Airbnb reservations with check-in dates in 2022 or 2023 found that the median cleaning fee per listing for a one-night stay was $75.
This year, Airbnb launched a toggle that allows customers to display listings based on total price, rather than simply seeing the base price without fees until the checkout page. Since the launch of the tool, more than 8 million guests have booked travel on Airbnb using the total price display, and more than 260,000 listings lowered or removed cleaning fees, according to the company’s fall 2023 update.
Other loyalty program priorities beyond fees
While lower fees are critical, travelers also say they seek flexibility in earning and redeeming miles or points. That’s likely because many travelers rely on redemptions to make their trips possible.
Miles and points are typically accrued not just through frequent travels with that company, but through spending on travel credit cards. According to that same Barclays survey, 76% of travelers who participate in loyalty programs said they couldn’t imagine taking the kinds of trips they want without the benefits of such a program.
How to maximize your rewards
You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2023, including those best for:
With sprawling landscapes and charming towns, Nebraska offers more than meets the eye. When it comes to finding the perfect home base in the Cornhusker State, the choices might seem overwhelming. Yet, certain towns undeniably stand out among the rest. Discovering the best places to live in Nebraska can be an adventure in itself, an adventure we will embark on right now.
Population: 487,300
Average age: 34.9
Median household income: $65,359
Average commute time: 18.7 minutes
One-bedroom average rent: $1,172
Two-bedroom average rent: $1,555
Often topping the list of best places to live in Nebraska, Omaha boasts a balance of urban sophistication and suburban charm. The big city in eastern Nebraska has a compelling mix of historic districts, like the Old Market with its cobblestone streets and horse-drawn carriage rides, alongside contemporary attractions such as the renowned Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium. With a ton of parks, music venues and top-tier steakhouses, Omaha seamlessly marries the comforts of a small town with the amenities of a larger metropolitan area.
For apartment renters and homeowners alike, Omaha’s neighborhoods range from the trendy Blackstone District with its lively bars and restaurants to the laidback vibe of Dundee. With a robust economy driven by Fortune 500 companies, residents enjoy job security and leisure activities, from savoring farm-to-table dishes to catching a show at the Orpheum Theater.
Population: 292,657
Average age: 32.9
Median household income: $65,508
Average commute time: 19.5 minutes
One-bedroom average rent: $1,192
Two-bedroom average rent: $1,515
Lincoln consistently ranks as one of the best places to live in Nebraska, providing residents with a dynamic blend of educational excellence, entertainment and innovation. As the state’s capital and home to the University of Nebraska, the city pulses with energy, from college football Saturdays at Memorial Stadium to lively debates at the State Capitol. With a rich history and a forward-thinking approach, Nebraska’s second-largest city serves as a beacon for those seeking a mix of tradition and progress.
The Historic Haymarket District invites locals and tourists alike to the capital city with its charming boutiques and delectable eateries, while the Sunken Gardens provide a tranquil escape in the heart of the city. Driven by a solid economy and diverse job market, Lincoln remains a top contender among the best places to live in Nebraska.
Population: 63,737
Average age: 34.9
Median household income: $73,534
Average commute time: 20.8 minutes
One-bedroom average rent: $1,009
Two-bedroom average rent: $1,120
As the state’s oldest city, Bellevue carries a legacy that gracefully intertwines with the modern sensibilities of today’s suburban life. Rich in history, the city’s landscape tells tales of its past, from the Lewis and Clark expedition landing site to the age-old Fontenelle Forest, a haven for nature enthusiasts and those seeking solace in the outdoors.
Bellevue offers more than just a glimpse into history. Its proximity to Omaha means residents enjoy the conveniences of a metropolitan area while retaining the comfort of a tight-knit community. Stellar schools, a variety of well-maintained community rec facilities and enticing local shops make Bellevue a preferred choice for many.
Population: 24,105
Average age: 38.5
Median household income: $95,293
Average commute time: 21.4 minutes
One-bedroom average rent: $1,243
Two-bedroom average rent: $1,495
With a name derived from the French word for butterfly, Papillion’s transformation over the years is right on brand. The town’s heart is its bustling downtown, adorned with local businesses, great restaurants and the picturesque Halleck Park, a green space with trails, a lake and open areas galore.
While this small town exudes the tranquility of a suburban enclave, its spirit is ever-evolving and forward-thinking. The community prides itself on outstanding schools, which consistently earn high marks and state-of-the-art amenities like the SumTur Amphitheater, where residents gather for music, movies and events. For families, retirees and young professionals alike, Papillion stands as a testament to what makes the best places to live in Nebraska so special.
Population: 33,959
Average age: 32.1
Median household income: $62,695
Average commute time: 14.6 minutes
One-bedroom average rent: $655
Two-bedroom average rent: $762
With a strategic location on the Platte River and Interstate 80, Kearney serves as an essential crossroads. Its history as a pivotal stopover for pioneers on the Oregon Trail is preserved at the Trails & Rails Museum, while the present-day city thrives with an energetic university atmosphere, courtesy of the University of Nebraska at Kearney.
Beyond its historical significance, Kearney provides a quality of life that’s hard to beat. The city is known for its friendly residents, reputable schools and slower pace. Yanney Heritage Park, with its tower offering panoramic views and a Classic Car Collection, showcasing over 200 vintage automobiles, are just a few examples of the town’s unique offerings.
Population: 25,037
Average age: 36.0
Median household income: $57,783
Average commute time: 17.2 minutes
One-bedroom average rent: $650
Two-bedroom average rent: $895
Proudly wearing the title of the birthplace of Kool-Aid, Hastings effortlessly mixes the sweet nostalgia of yesteryears with the fresh zeal of modern living. The annual Kool-Aid Days festival, a colorful homage to its iconic drink, draws residents and visitors alike into a world of parades, contests and flavorful fun, underscoring the city’s unique character.
Yet, there’s more to Hastings than one of America’s most beloved drinks. It’s a hub of education and innovation, home to Hastings College, and it serves as a vital agricultural and industrial center. Furthermore, a diverse range of local businesses, restaurants and shops make daily life convenient and enjoyable.
Population: 52,335
Average age: 35.0
Median household income: $58,162
Average commute time: 19.1 minutes
One-bedroom average rent: $667
Two-bedroom average rent: $777
Among the top contenders for the title of best place to live in Nebraska, Grand Island stands out with ease. Positioned on the Platte River, this city is a focal point for events, commerce and natural beauty. Notably, it’s a prime location for witnessing the majestic annual Sandhill crane migration, drawing bird watchers and nature photographers from all over to experience this awe-inspiring spectacle at the Crane Trust Nature & Visitor Center.
Grand Island isn’t just about natural wonders, though. The city pulses with life. Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer transports visitors back in time, providing a glimpse into the lives of early settlers. As a city that harmoniously combines the charm of the past with the conveniences of the present, Grand Island confidently claims its spot among the best places to live in Nebraska.
Population: 27,737
Average age: 37.7
Median household income: $60,962
Average commute time: 18.8 minutes
One-bedroom average rent: $1,025
Two-bedroom average rent: $1,250
Located just northwest of Omaha, Fremont has historically been a significant railroad and trading center. Today, the city retains its legacy with structures like the Fremont Opera House while also branching out into modern industries and commerce.
The Fremont Lakes State Recreation Area is a favorite destination for those looking to fish, camp or simply revel in the beauty of nature. On the other end of the spectrum, the town’s historic downtown is an inviting space, with local businesses, restaurants and events that knit the community closer together.
Population: 12,209
Average age: 45.0
Median household income: $45,858
Average commute time: 16.8 minutes
One-bedroom average rent: $899
Two-bedroom average rent: $1,149
Thanks to a great location along the Big Blue River, Beatrice is a city steeped in history, particularly as the gateway to the Homestead National Historical Park. This park commemorates the Homestead Act of 1862 and stands as a testament to the hardworking pioneers who shaped the region, providing visitors with a rare window into their stories and struggles.
Yet, Beatrice is not just a city stuck in the past. Its present-day buzz is reflected in its community events, like the annual Ribfest, where the aroma of sizzling barbecues fills the air. The city’s well-maintained parks, diverse range of businesses and dedication to education only further amplify its appeal.
Population: 6,062
Average age: 34.9
Median household income: $123,210
Average commute time: 19.9 minutes
One-bedroom average rent: $1,247
Two-bedroom average rent: $1,595
Elkhorn, once a stand-alone town and now a suburb within the boundaries of Omaha, continually earns its spot on the list of best places to live in Nebraska. This community, though absorbed by its larger neighboring city, has managed to retain its distinct identity, showcasing a balanced blend of suburban tranquility and the conveniences typically associated with bigger cities. The town’s pride is palpable, with historical buildings and events like the annual Elkhorn Days festival celebrating its roots.
Modern-day Elkhorn, however, is no stranger to development and growth. New housing developments, excellent schools and local businesses combine to offer residents a comfortable and dynamic living environment. The community spirit here is strong, with local events, sports leagues and manicured parks fostering connections among residents.
Find your new Nebraska apartment or rental home
From bustling cities to serene towns, the towns described are as diverse as they are compelling. While every individual’s ideal might differ, there’s no denying that the best places to live in Nebraska are worthy of consideration for anyone seeking a harmonious blend of tradition, progress and unparalleled community spirit.
Whether you’re a lifelong Nebraskan or a curious newcomer looking for the perfect apartment or rental home, this state’s offerings are sure to captivate and inspire.
Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This may influence which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations.
A 680 credit score is in the “good” range based on the most common scoring model, FICO®. With a 680 credit score, you can get approved for credit cards as well as personal, auto, and home loans.
Having a low credit score not only makes it difficult to secure lines of credit and loans, but it can also cost you quite a bit of money. Low credit scores mean you need to put down larger deposits on rental homes and services, and you also get charged higher interest rates.
According to the recent credit score statistics, the national credit score average is 716. While a score in the 700s is good, having a 680 credit score may be all you need to improve your financial well-being.
Today, you’ll learn what a 680 credit score means and how to achieve one. Most importantly, you will learn how to maintain a good score and continue improving your credit with helpful tips.
What Does a 680 Credit Score Mean?
The meaning of a 680 credit score depends on what credit scoring model is being used. FICO® has the most commonly used scoring model, and it ranges from 300 to 850. If you have a 680 FICO score, you have a “good” credit score. According to the FICO scoring model, the following are the typical ranges:
Exceptional: 800–850
Very Good: 740–799
Good: 670–739
Fair: 580–669
Poor: 300–579
Your credit score is a simple way for financial institutions to gauge risk. Lower credit scores are often a red flag and signal to lenders that a person may not pay back a loan. Typically, low credit scores are due to late payments, a short credit history, and overspending. In some cases, low credit scores are due to errors on your credit report that you may need to dispute.
Can You Get a Credit Card With a 680 Credit Score?
Whether or not you get approval for a credit card depends on the type of card and the company, but in many cases, a 680 credit score should get you approved for a credit card. You can get a credit card with bad credit, but these cards often come with high fees and interest rates. Having a 680 credit score can get you a good credit card with typical fees, and it may even have additional perks like cashback rewards.
Note that your credit score is only one aspect of the credit approval process. When you apply for a credit card, lenders look at your credit report. The report shows additional details like other debts you have as well as your payment history. When you apply, there will also be questions about your current income and expenses.
Can You Get a Car With a 680 Credit Score?
Much like with credit cards, a car loan approval may vary by lender, but a 680 is often good enough to qualify for a car loan. When it comes to car loans, in addition to the price, one of the most important factors is the car loan interest rate. Paying off a car loan takes years, which means an interest rate can potentially add thousands of dollars to the loan.
According to recent data, the average car loan interest rate with a 680 credit score for new cars is 5.82% and 7.83% for a used car. By improving your credit score, you can get average interest rates as low as 4.75% for a new car or 5.99% for a used car. It may also be beneficial to use a loan calculator to see how much a loan will cost you over time.
Can You Get a Mortgage With a 680 Credit Score?
It shouldn’t be a problem to qualify for a mortgage loan with a 680 credit score. Like other loans, there’s much more that goes into the mortgage than just your credit score. When applying for a home loan, the mortgage lender takes a much more detailed look into your finances. They’ll want to see your debt-to-income ratio, employment status, assets, bank statements, and more.
It’s also helpful to remember that a major aspect of purchasing a home is the down payment. Knowing how much you should put down on a house can help you plan for the future and discover how much you need to buy a home in addition to having a good credit score.
Can You Get a Personal Loan With a 680 Credit Score?
Yes, you should be able to get a personal loan from many lenders with a 680 credit score. Some lenders may require a higher score in the 700s, and these lenders may also give you a better interest rate. Having a 680 credit score may get you a loan with a higher interest rate, so it’s always helpful to improve your credit score before taking out a personal loan.
5 Tips to Improve Your 680 Credit Score
As you now know, a 680 credit score is good, but improving your credit score to 740 or higher can help you get even lower interest rates and more lines of credit. Here, we go over five ways you can improve your credit.
Make your payments on time: Your payment history makes up 35% of your FICO score, so making all of your payments on time can help boost your credit score.
Keep your spending low: After payment history, credit utilization is the most significant factor in determining your credit score. This is how much you owe compared to your total credit limit. It’s recommended to keep this ratio below 30%.
Don’t close old credit cards: It’s common for people to close credit cards they don’t use, but it’s better to keep them open. In addition to helping with your credit age, keeping a credit card open can help you keep your credit utilization ratio low, which is good for your score.
Check your score regularly: Checking your credit score regularly can motivate you to stay on the right track as well as let you know if you need to make changes. There are services to get your credit score for free as well.
Dispute any errors: Sometimes, there are errors on your credit report, and you can dispute them on your own with the credit bureaus or work with a credit professional.
Not only are these good habits to help improve your credit, but they’ll help you maintain a high score as well.
Get Help With Your Credit Score
If you have a 680 credit score, you’re off to a good start, but improving your credit score can help save you money and get approved for better loans. For those who have bad credit, striving for a 680 credit score is a good goal to have. To see where you stand with your credit, sign up for Credit.com’s free credit report card for a full picture of your credit situation.
The following Travelpayouts Review is a sponsored partnership. If you love to travel and enjoy writing, chances are that you’ve thought about turning your adventures into a way to make money. The world of travel blogging is an exciting one, having not only the opportunity to talk about your experiences but also the possibility to…
The following Travelpayouts Review is a sponsored partnership.
If you love to travel and enjoy writing, chances are that you’ve thought about turning your adventures into a way to make money. The world of travel blogging is an exciting one, having not only the opportunity to talk about your experiences but also the possibility to earn a living from it.
And, if you’re a travel blogger or content creator, then you should check out Travelpayouts.
Travelpayouts is an affiliate network for travel partnerships that helps you make money online. It has over 100 popular travel affiliate programs (such as hotel bookings, guided tours, rail tickets, rental cars, and so much more) giving you many different ways to earn income.
In fact, Travelpayouts paid out $12 million to their creators in just 2022 alone.
Whether you’re a travel blogger or create content about travel in some other way, Travelpayouts is something that you will want to use.
In this Travelpayouts Review, I will be talking about the largest travel affiliate network for travel bloggers and travel content creators – Travelpayouts.
Please click here to learn more about Travelpayouts.
Travelpayouts Review
What is affiliate marketing?
Affiliate marketing is a way of advertising where a company pays a content creator when they help bring people to the company’s website and those people make a purchase.
This happens through a tool with a referral marker (link, widget or banner) given to the content creator. When someone clicks on that tool and buys something from the company’s site, the content creator gets a percentage of the sale. It’s like a reward for helping the company get more customers.
For example, a travel blogger might share a link to a guided tour that they did while in Asia, a hotel that they loved in Europe, or a flight deal that they found. If a reader of theirs signs up through their referral link, banner, or widget, then the travel content creator will receive income for referring their reader to the travel company.
Affiliate marketing is liked in travel content because it helps companies like tour operators, flight booking sites, and hotel booking sites get their message and ads out to more people. They only have to pay when they actually get more business from it, so it’s a way for them to make sure their money is being well spent.
What is Travelpayouts?
Travelpayouts is an affiliate network for travel bloggers and content creators. They connect popular travel affiliate programs with content creators.
For example, you can promote activity package tours such as on Viator, hotel booking sites such as Booking.com, and more.
This site helps creators make money and grow their blog without spending too much time on it. With Travelpayouts, creators can turn their hobby into a successful business that they love. It’s trusted by around 500,000 top creators and well-known travel companies.
Travelpayouts has paid out over $59,000,000 since it began 11 years ago.
This site is trusted by 100+ major travel companies, such as Bооking, Viator, Expedia, Trivago, and GetYourGuide.
Other benefits of Travelpayouts include:
Transparent reward rates. With Travelpayouts, you’ll have clear information about where your earnings are coming from and you’ll also know what rewards to expect. This transparency helps you stay informed and make the most out of what you choose to work on.
Easier to meet the threshold. The money you make from different affiliates gets combined, so it’s easier to make the minimum payment amount and collect payouts.
Responsive and helpful support. The Travelpayouts’ support team is really helpful and they’re available every day, even on weekends, and they respond within 24 hours. They take the time to understand and fix any problems or worries you might have. They always aim to make your experience with them positive and enjoyable.
Helpful tools and dashboard. Travelpayouts has nine tools for affiliates, and they’re more than just links. They include things like easy-to-use templates for making your own travel apps without needing to know how to code. There are also interactive widgets to make your content more engaging. It’s a whole set of resources to help you succeed!
How does Travelpayouts work?
Travelpayouts is easy!
Here’s how Travelpayouts works:
Content creators share the travel brands they like with their followers and get paid for it. For example, a travel blogger might talk about a fun GetYourGuide adventure and include an affiliate link for their followers to book it.
Travelers book perfect trips at the best price and explore fascinating places, both near and far.
Travel companies work with travel bloggers and content creators to reach more people and sell more of their services. It’s a way for them to connect with a wider audience and boost their sales.
How much can content creators earn with Travelpayouts?
The amount of money that you can make as a content creator depends on many different things.
I know many bloggers who earn a full-time income with their blog, and a travel blog has many options for what they can promote.
The amount of money that you can make depends on how many people on your website are interested in booking things like flights, hotels, and car rentals. So, the more people who book, the more money that you can earn!
For example, partners with Travelpayouts usually make around $15 for each hotel booking, around $6 for each flight booked through WayAway, and about $23 for each car rental booked with Discover Cars, and so on. This means your earnings are directly linked to the number of sales you generate. The more you sell, the more you can possibly make!
Plus, your cookie lifetime is 30 days long, so as long as someone clicks and books through your link within 30 days, you will receive an affiliate commission.
As a Travelpayouts affiliate, you can also get your earnings through a bank transfer or PayPal. The smallest amount you can withdraw depends on how you choose to receive the payment, starting at $10 (this is your payout threshold). The good news is, Travelpayouts takes care of all the fees associated with the payment transfer too.
How can content creators track their sales?
To make sure a travel company knows which partner is responsible for a sale and can pay them correctly, affiliate marketing uses different tools.
Travelpayouts uses a range of tools for partners with various levels of programming skills and for different types of projects like social media pages, websites, blogs, and more. This way, partners have the right tools to track their success and get their well-deserved rewards.
For example, they provide no-code tools, such as deep links (with a built-in link shortener), banners, and widgets. There are also tools for those who are better at coding, like White Labels, API, Travel App (a template for creating mobile travel apps), and many others.
How to get started with Travelpayouts
Here’s how you can get started with Travelpayouts:
Sign up – You can join Travelpayouts for free by clicking here.
Decide where will you use affiliate tools and add the description of your project
Choose your niche – No matter if you’re into budget-friendly trips, luxurious getaways, family vacations, or adventurous journeys, there’s a referral link for every kind of traveler.
Integrate Travelpayouts’ tools into your blog to easily share travel services with your readers.
Write content – Create content that’s both interesting and helpful for your readers so that you can encourage them to travel to new places and make travel plans.
Make money – As your followers start booking travel through your affiliate links, your earnings will grow.
Travelpayouts Academy
One great feature that I love about Travelpayouts is that you get access to their affiliate marketing courses when you are an affiliate for them.
Bloggers and content creators can all benefit from these courses.
Some of their free courses include:
Boost Travel Affiliate Revenue Using SEO
How to Make Money as a Content Creator
Monetize Your Content With WayAway
The courses mentioned above have anywhere from 6 to 18 lessons each, so they are very thorough as well.
This is all free if you are an affiliate within the Travelpayouts affiliate network.
Frequently Asked Questions About Travelpayouts
Below are answers to common questions about Travelpayouts.
How long does it take to make money from a travel blog?
The time it takes to make money from a travel blog varies from person to person. Due to this, it’s important to be realistic as it can take anywhere from several months to years to start making a consistent income from a travel blog.
And, there is no guarantee that you will make money blogging either. But, I do know many blogs who earn a full-time income, such as myself!
In the beginning stages of your travel blog, you will want to focus on writing high-quality content, building an engaged audience, and finding ways to get your content out there to new readers.
Is it really possible to make money with Travelpayouts?
Yes! There are plenty of success stories from Travelpayouts’ partners to back this up:
Travelpayouts shares the success stories of different travel bloggers and many of their partners on their blog if you’d like to read more.
Is Travelpayouts worth it? Should you join the Travelpayouts affiliate network?
Yes, Travelpayouts can be worth it for travel bloggers and affiliates. This affiliate network has a lot of different affiliate programs and tools to help you make money with your travel-related content.
What affiliate programs are on Travelpayouts?
Travelpayouts has a lot of different travel affiliate programs and some of the most popular ones include:
Booking.com: A popular site for booking hotels.
Viator: Site for booking excursions, tours, and activities.
GetYourGuide: Another site selling tours, activities, and experiences.
HostelWorld: This is a hostel-focused booking site with 36,000 properties in over 178 countries.
Rentalcars: Several options for car rentals from different providers.
Kiwi.com: An online travel agency known for its unique booking options and flexible travel plans.
Hotellook: A site for comparing hotel prices around the world (250,000 properties in 205 countries).
AirHelp: Helps passengers receive compensation for delayed or canceled flights
CheapOair: A provider of flight tickets, hotel rooms, rental cars, and vacation packages
Tripadvisor: This is the world’s largest travel site giving users access to 1.4 million places to stay and 795 million reviews
BikesBooking: Booking site for motorcycles, scooters, quads, and bicycles around the world
Busbud: A bus-booking platform with the world’s largest selection of bus tickets
Cruise Critic: The leading authority and market leader for cruise information
Economybookings: A rental car booking site
Rail Europe: Helps travelers travel by train in Europe
Loveholidays: Package tours site for flights + hotels
These are just some of the more popular affiliate programs that you can find on Travelpayouts and as you can see, there are many different options!
Each affiliate program has different commissions and opportunities, allowing affiliates to find the best affiliate programs for their audience. Remember, you will want to choose affiliate programs that are what your readers want to see, and Travelpayouts can definitely help you with this.
Travelpayouts Review – Summary
I hope you enjoyed this Travelpayouts Review.
Travelpayouts can be a great help for new travel bloggers as you can see.
This affiliate network is easy to use, has many ways to make money, and provides lots of support (they even have free courses to help you make more money online!). There are many different travel companies that you can partner with, such as hotel booking platforms, cruises, sim cards, excursions, tours, rental cars, airline tickets, and more.
If you want to promote something related to the travel niche, then the Travelpayouts affiliate network probably has the affiliate links.
With Travelpayouts, you’re all set to turn your love for travel into a successful online venture.
Please click here to learn more about Travelpayouts.
Do you have any questions that you’d like me to answer in this Travelpayouts Review?
Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This may influence which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Information in this piece is accurate as of August 2023.
The best credit cards provide you with cash back rewards, points you can redeem for purchases at your favorite stores, travel miles and much more. Each credit card is fine-tuned with specific perks and benefits, and you’ll find plenty here that will fulfill your needs.
We’ve reviewed 25 credit cards from our partners that not only provide great rewards, but we’ve found the best credit cards for people with no credit, bad credit and fair credit. We’ve also provided a complete guide to help you better understand how credit cards work, as well as some tips to assist you in choosing the right one.
Table of Contents:
Best Overall Cards From Our Partners
The best credit cards bring in new customers by providing various perks, bonuses and benefits. The following credit cards have some of the best sign-up offers that come in the form of cash back rewards and travel miles.
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The Upgrade Cash Rewards Visa® card has a flat rate rewards program for all purchases, which go on
your card when you make your monthly payments. The card also comes with peace of mind from its free
fraud liability program.
see more details
Pros
No annual fee
Fraud liability
Flat rate rewards
Cons
No debt card for welcome bonus
Balance Transfer
Balance transfer credit cards allow you to transfer debt from one account to another, and the best ones come with little to no fees.
Best for: Bonus categories and balance transfers
UNITY® Visa Secured Credit Card – The Comeback Card™
Apply
Now
on OneUnited Bank’s secure website
Annual fee
Recommended credit score
The UNITY® Visa Secured Credit Card – The Comeback Card™ is not only a balance transfer card, but
it’s a secured credit card as well, so there’s no minimum credit score required. This card has a
9.95% balance transfer rate for six months and a low fixed-interest rate of 17.99%.
see more details
Pros
No minimum credit score required
Low fixed interest rate
Fast approval
Cons
Annual fee
$250 deposit to open account
No Interest
Low interest is great, but having 0% interest is even better. These cards have their advantages and disadvantages, such as the advantage of not needing a good credit score, but their usage may be limited.
Best for: No interest
Merit Platinum Card
Apply
Now
on Merit Platinum’s secure website
Annual fee
Recommended credit score
The Merit Platinum Card does have an annual fee broken into monthly payments of $14.77, but their 0%
APR makes up for this. They also allow for a seven-day risk-free trial. With this card, you’ll gain
access to a $750 line of credit for Horizon Outlet and have other member benefits like roadside
protection and credit report monitoring.
see more details
Pros
0% APR
$750 line of credit
Works with bad or no credit
Cons
Annual fee
Can only use at Horizon Outlet
Doesn’t report to credit bureaus
Best for: No interest
Net First Platinum
Apply
Now
on NetFirst Platinum’s secure website
Annual fee
Recommended credit score
The Net First Platinum is a credit card that you can get approved for without any credit as well as
if you have bad credit. It provides you with a $750 line of credit for Horizon Outlet, and you also
receive member benefits like legal assistance, roadside protection and identity theft insurance.
see more details
Pros
0% APR
$750 line of credit
Works with bad or no credit
Cons
Annual fee
Can only use at Horizon Outlet
Doesn’t report to credit bureaus
Best for: No APR
Freedom Gold Card
Apply
Now
on Freedom Gold’s secure website
Annual fee
Recommended credit score
The Freedom Gold Card gives cardholders a $750 line of credit for Horizon outlet, which sells a wide
range of products as well as clothing. There’s no credit check or employment check required to get
approved, either. It also comes with additional member benefits like roadside protection.
see more details
Pros
No activation fee
$750 credit limit
No credit check
Cons
Annual fee
Can only use at Horizon Outlet
Lowest Interest
One of the primary factors people look for in a credit card is a low annual percentage rate (APR). This is the interest you pay on purchases after the introductory rate.
Best for: Bonus categories and balance transfers
UNITY® Visa Secured Credit Card – The Comeback Card™
Apply
Now
on OneUnited Bank’s secure website
Annual fee
Recommended credit score
The UNITY® Visa Secured Credit Card – The Comeback Card™ is not only a balance transfer card, but
it’s a secured credit card as well, so there’s no minimum credit score required. This card has a
9.95% balance transfer rate for six months and a low fixed-interest rate of 17.99%.
The Applied Bank® Secured Visa® Gold Preferred® Credit Card provides you with a credit limit of up to
$5,000 and has no minimum requirement for your credit score. You can open an account with a deposit
as low as $200.
see more details
Pros
Low fixed APR
High max credit limit
Cons
Annual fee
Cash Back
Cash back credit cards put money back in your pocket based on your spending. This can be either a flat rate or for specific categories like dining, entertainment or retail shopping.
Best for: Auto, home and health spending
Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa®
Apply
Now
on Upgrade’s secure website
Annual fee
Recommended credit score
The Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa® credit card provides 3% cash back for auto, home and health
categories. This is a quality choice if you’re doing home upgrades, repairing your car or purchasing
medications and using a gym membership
see more details
Pros
Up to 3% cash back
Umlimited rewards
Fraud liability coverage
Cons
Niche reward categories
Need debit card for welcome bonus
Best for: High percentage rewards
Petal® 2 Card
Apply Now
on Petal’s secure website
Annual fee
Recommended credit score
The Petal 2 card has no fees and is the perfect card for individuals with credit scores from poor to
excellent. You’ll receive 1% to 1.5% cash back on all purchases and up to 10% cash back when
shopping at certain stores.
see more details
Pros
No fees
High cash back rewards
No minimum credit score
Cons
No introductory offer
High APR
Travel
For those who travel, travel cards with top-tier rewards may be the right choice for you. You can get free airline miles along with other perks like points for rental cards and hotel stays.
Best for: Travel
Mastercard® Black Card™
Apply
Now
on Luxury Card’s secure website
Annual fee
Recommended credit score
The Mastercard® Black Card™ is a travel card that has 2% airfare redemptions with no blackout dates
or seat restrictions. You’ll also receive enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select, with access to 1,300+
airport lounges worldwide with no guest limit.
see more details
Pros
Low ongoing
Lounge access
Luxury travel benefits
Cons
High annual fee
Best for: Low APR and travel
Mastercard® Titanium Card™
Apply Now
on Luxury Card’s secure website
Annual fee
Recommended credit score
The Mastercard® Titanium Card™ is a travel card with a low ongoing APR of 19.24%. You’ll receive 24/7
Luxury Card Concierge® as one of the benefits along with 2% for airfare demptions with no blackout
dates or seat restrictions.
see more details
Pros
Luxury Card Travel® benefits
Airfare rewards
Cell phone protection
Cons
Annual fee
Best for: Low APR and travel
Mastercard® Gold Card™
Apply
Now
on Luxury Card’s secure website
Annual fee
Recommended credit score
The Mastercard® Gold Card™ has 2% airfare redemptions with no blackout dates or seat restrictions and
2% cash back. You also receive lounge access at over 1,300 airports worldwide and additional
benefits at hotels like room upgrades and free wifi.
see more details
Pros
Luxury Card Travel® benefits
Airfare rewards
Lounge access
Cons
High annual fee
Bad Credit
In order to build credit, you need a history of good credit—these are our top picks for credit cards if you’re working on improving your mid- to low-range credit score by adding more positive payments to your credit report.
Best for: Groceries and gas
Aspire® Cash Back Reward Card
Apply
Now
on Aspire’s secure website
Annual fee
Recommended credit score
The Aspire® Cash Back Reward Card gives cardholders a credit line of up to $1,000, and you’ll also
receive 1% cash back on all of your purchases. When shopping for groceries or getting gas, you can
earn up to 3% cash back as well.
see more details
Pros
Up to 3% cash back
1% flat-rate on other purchases
Up to $1,000 credit limit
Cons
Annual fee
High APR
Fair Credit
If your credit score falls within the 630 to 689 range, while not an excellent credit score, there are still plenty of cards you can apply for.
Best for: Building credit
Avant Credit Card
Apply
Now
on Avant’s secure website
Annual fee
Recommended credit score
The Avant Credit Card allows people with a credit score of 580 to 669 begin building their credit
score. It can be difficult to get a credit card with a fair credit score, so this card can be quite
helpful—they alsoregularly review your payment history for potential credit line increases.
see more details
Pros
Fast and easy application
Soft inquiry for credit check
Cons
Annual fee
High APR
Best for: Low APR
Upgrade Cash Rewards Visa®
Apply
Now
on Upgrade’s secure website
Annual fee
Recommended credit score
The Upgrade Cash Rewards Visa® card has a flat rate rewards program for all purchases, which go on
your card when you make your monthly payments. The card also comes with peace of mind from its free
fraud liability program.
see more details
Pros
No annual fee
Fraud liability
Flat rate rewards
Cons
No debt card for welcome bonus
Secured Credit Cards
Secured credit cards are a great option for those with no credit or bad credit. They work by providing you a credit line that uses your own money. You simply make a deposit, which becomes your credit limit, and you raise your score as you use your card and make your monthly payments.
Best for: Repairing credit
Secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card
Apply
Now
on Chime’s secure website
Annual fee
Recommended credit score
You can qualify for the Secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card with a $200 direct deposit
or more, and all you need is a checking account. As you use this secured credit card, you can
build your credit score—and there’s no minimum security deposit.
see more details
Pros
Helps build credit
No security deposit required
No interest
Cons
Needs Chime checking account
Best for: Repairing credit
PREMIER Bankcard® Secured Credit Card
Apply
Now
on PREMIER Bankcard®’s secure website
Annual fee
Recommended credit score
The PREMIER Bankcard® Secured Credit Card doesn’t require a checking account, and you can have a
credit limit of however much you deposit, up to $5,000. Regardless of your credit score, you can use
this card to begin building or repairing your credit.
The Applied Bank® Secured Visa® Gold Preferred® Credit Card provides you with a credit limit of up to
$5,000 and has no minimum requirement for your credit score. You can open an account with a deposit
as low as $200.
see more details
Pros
Low fixed APR
High max credit limit
Cons
Annual fee
Best for: Secured credit
The First Latitude Platinum Mastercard® Secured Credit Card
Apply Now
on First Latitude’s secure website
Annual fee
Recommended credit score
The First Latitude Platinum Mastercard® Secured Credit Card offers lines of secured credit between
$100 and $2,000. During your first year, they have an introductory offer for a $25 annual fee, which
changes to just $35 per year after that.
see more details
Pros
Low first-year annual fee
No credit score requirement
Low minimum deposit
Cons
Annual fee
*FICO scores and credit scores are used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any credit offer.
The Top Cards
The best credit cards depend on what you need. Whether you’re looking for a card that has low interest, one with the most rewards or one that gives you points for traveling, we broke down the top cards into nine categories.
Using similar criteria to our overall methodology, we’ve chosen the top card from each category.
How We Chose the Best Credit Cards
To rank the best credit cards, we reviewed over 25 credit cards from our partners. The primary criteria we looked at takes into consideration aspects cardholders look at during their decision-making process and includes:
Intro APR (10 points)
Regular APR (20 points)
Fees (15 points)
Works with low credit scores (15 points)
Cash back rewards (20 points)
Bonus offers (15 points)
Additional perks (5 points)
The best credit cards depend on your specific wants, needs and circumstances based on your specific credit score. Below, we discuss more about how to choose the right credit card for your situation.
There’s a lot of information about each specific card, so we listed the top cards with each of their primary benefits below to give you an overview at a glance.
Best Overall Cards From Our Partners
Secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card: This is a card that is for individuals with bad credit or no credit, and it also has 0% interest on purchases. There’s no minimum security deposit as well.
Upgrade Cash Rewards Visa®: For every purchases, you make with this card, you’ll receive 1.5% cash back, and it also comes with a $200 signup bonus.
Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards
UNITY® Visa Secured Credit Card – The Comeback Card™: 9.95% on balance transfers for the first six months and then 17.99% fixed APR after.
Best Credit Cards for No Interest
Secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card: This secured credit card helps those looking to repair or build credit and comes with 0% interest. There’s also no minimum security deposit.
Merit Platinum Card, Net First Platinum and Freedom Gold Card: Each of these cards comes with the same benefit of 0% interest as well as member benefits for their $177.24 annual fee. Although the card is limited to shopping at Horizon Outlet, 0% interest is hard to beat.
Best Credit Cards for Low Interest
UNITY® Visa Secured Credit Card – The Comeback Card™: 9.95% on balance transfers for the first six months and then 17.99% fixed APR after.
Applied Bank® Secured Visa® Gold Preferred® Credit Card: This card gives cardholders a credit limit of up to $5,000, and there’s no minimum credit score required. It also has a low 9.99% fixed interest rate and is great for anyone looking to build their credit score.
Best Cash Back Credit Cards
Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa®: Ongoing APR as low as 14.99% on all purchases along with 3% cash back on home, auto and health purchases.
Petal® 2 Card: The Petal® 2has one of the highest cash back percentages at 10% when you shop at select merchants, and you’ll receive 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
Best Travel Credit Cards
Mastercard® Titanium Card™: 0% APR for the first 15 billing cycles and 2% rewards on airfare redemptions with no blackout dates or seat restrictions.
Mastercard® Gold Card™: 0% APR for the first 15 billing cycles and 2% rewards on airfare redemptions with no blackout dates or seat restrictions.
Mastercard® Black Card™: 0% APR for the first 15 billing cycles and 2% rewards on airfare redemptions with no blackout dates or seat restrictions.
Best Credit Cards for Bad Credit
Secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card: Secured credit card you can open with a $200 deposit or more along with a checking account.
Aspire® Cash Back Reward Card: A secured credit card option that also gives you 1% cash back on all of your purchases. You can also earn up to 3% cash back on groceries and gas.
Best Credit Cards for Fair Credit
Avant Credit Card: Can qualify with a credit score between 580 and 669.
Upgrade Cash Rewards Visa®: Ongoing APR as low as 14.99% and 1.5% flat-rate cash back on purchases.
Best Secured Credit Cards
Secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card: Secured credit card you can open with a $200 deposit or more along with a checking account.
PREMIER Bankcard® Secured Credit Card: Secured credit card with a spending limit of up to $5,000.
Applied Bank® Secured Visa® Gold Preferred® Credit Card: Requires a $200 deposit and can go up to $5,000.
The First Latitude Platinum Mastercard® Secured Credit Card: Secured credit card with a limit of between $100 and $2,000.
A Beginner’s Guide to the Best Credit Cards
Whether you’re new to credit and credit cards or are experienced and just looking for the best options, this brief guide will provide you with additional information before choosing your new card.
How Do Credit Cards Work?
Credit cards are like taking out small loans, allowing you to buy something now and pay for it later on. You’ll need to pay back the money you borrowed on your credit card, and this comes with interest.
Some cards offer 0% interest for a certain amount of time, which means you’ll only pay back the same amount charged on the credit card.
Here’s what a basic credit card transaction looks like:
The purchase: Make a purchase with your credit card.
The authorization: The card reader used to run your card contacts your credit card company to ensure the funds are available based on your max limit.
The merchant payment: Your credit card company pays the merchant for the product or service you purchased.
The credit card payment: Each month, you’ll have a statement that shows how much you owed based on all of the purchases you made.
Learn more: How do credit cards work?
How Do Credit Card Rewards Work?
Credit cards with the best rewards will give you a high percentage of cash back or points that you can use at places you make purchases. The following are the two main types of rewards:
Cash back: Cash back rewards pay down your balance. For example, if you’re getting five percent cash back on $5,000 worth of purchases, those purchases would technically cost $250 less.
Points and miles: Rather than cash back, some cards offer points or miles. You can use points to redeem gift cards and other merchandise. With travel cards, your earned miles give you discounted or free travel, depending on how much you have saved.
The rate of the rewards come in two different forms as well:
Flat rate: Cards that offer flat rate rewards give you the same percentage on all purchases. While this is more consistent, they’re lower than tiered rewards.
Tiered rewards: The most common rewards cards offer tiered rewards, which means you receive different rates based on where you use your card. For example, you may receive five percent cash back on groceries, travel and fuel but one percent for everything else.
Which type of reward structure you choose should be based on how you spend. If a card has tiered rewards with a high percentage cash back on purchases you make regularly, that type of card may be a better option. And if you travel a lot, you may benefit more from a travel card rather than a cash back rewards card.
Learn more: 5 ways to maximize credit card rewards without overspending
How Do You Track Credit Card Rewards?
The majority of credit cards have a separate account that stores your rewards, which you can access through your credit card’s website or mobile app. Depending on the card and card issuer, you may see your rewards instantly after purchases, or they may not appear until the following billing cycle.
Here’s how the reward process looks:
You make a purchase
Your rewards are calculated based on a flat rate or tiered rewards
Your rewards are credited to your account
You redeem your rewards through the card issuer’s website or mobile app
Learn more: Ways to redeem your credit card reward points
How Does APR Work?
APR stands for annual percentage rate, which is the interest you’ll pay on your purchases. Simply put, this is what the card issuer charges you for borrowing money through your line of credit. Depending on the credit card, the APR may be fixed or changed based on the current economic conditions.
Below, we’ve listed some more helpful information about interest:
Your interest rate is generally based on your credit score, and you’ll get approved for lower rates when you have a better credit score.
While interest is shown as an annual rate, you’re charged, daily. For example, a 20 percent APR divided by 365 days in the year means you pay roughly .055 percent per day.
Your monthly statement shows how much interest you’re being charged.
Interest is not compounded, so you’ll pay your full interest cost each month.
Learn more: Help! I really don’t understand my credit card APR
How Does the Credit Card Application Process Work?
In the early days, credit card applications were done on paper, but now, you mainly do them online. When you apply for a credit card, the card issuer is evaluating your level of risk and trustworthiness based on your credit score. A good credit score indicates that you’ll pay back the money you borrow from your line of credit.
Here’s what the application process looks like:
Step 1: Fill out the application. You’ll need some personal information like your name, address and Social Security number. The card issuer may request other items.
Step 2: The card issuer runs your credit, which will check your score as well as your actual credit report. The credit score is just a number, but the report gives additional details such as how many cards you recently applied for or any additional details they may need.
Step 3: You’ll receive an approval or denial. These days, many online applications approve or deny you within just a few minutes.
If you’re approved for the credit card, you’ll typically receive the card by mail within 10 business days. Once you receive it, you can activate it and begin spending.
Learn more: How to apply for a credit card online
How Many Credit Cards Should You Have?
How many credit cards you have is really dependent on your situation and your preferences. There’s no optimal number of credit cards. Rather than the number of credit cards you have, you should take into consideration your credit utilization as well as how often you’re applying for new cards.
For example, if you have 10 credit cards but have a 20 percent credit utilization ratio, you’re doing great. But if you have three cards with a 70 percent utilization ratio, that can hurt your score. If you were to have that high of a utilization ratio with 10 cards as well, that would hurt your score. If you apply for new cards too often, this can also harm your score.
Learn more: How many credit cards is too many?
Types of Credit Cards Explained
When choosing a credit card, it’s helpful to know the various types. Different cards are beneficial for different lifestyles, purchasing decisions and personal preferences. Below, we’ve listed some of the most common types along with a brief summary of what they do.
Rewards cards: These cards pay you back via cash that you can use to pay down your credit card debt or points that you can redeem at stores or in the form of airline miles. You earn rewards by using your card.
Balance transfer cards: All credit cards have interest that you need to pay, but some have lower rates than others. Balance transfer cards allow you to move debt and give you a year or more to pay it back with no interest. This often comes with a fee, but the fee is usually less than the interest.
Low and no interest cards: These cards are some of the most popular because interest payments make purchases cost more than the original price. For those who plan on carrying their balance over to the following month, these are the ideal cards.
College student cards: Young people are just starting out with credit building, so these cards get marketed towards college students and can help with the process. They’re easier to get approved for, but you’ll still need to meet qualifications beyond being a student to receive an approval.
Small business cards: Business owners and entrepreneurs often need to make purchases with credit, and these cards offer perks that are specifically geared towards business categories.
Cards for building credit: Whether you have no credit or bad credit, these cards can help you repair or build your credit score when you use them responsibly and make payments on time. They’re easier to receive an approval for, but they sometimes come with high interest rates or deposits.
How Credit Card Companies Work
In order to understand how credit card companies work, it’s helpful to know that they’re more than just companies. Each card company works within a network, and, sometimes, they’re partnered with another brand.
Credit card issuers: A credit card company is the card issuer. This can be a bank or financial institution that maintains your account. For example, Wells Fargo, Chase and Capital One are all card issuers.
The network: On every credit card, you’ll see names like Visa, Mastercard, American Express or Discover. These are basically the go-between companies that manage the transaction.
Co-brand partners: In some cases, cards have branded partners. An example would be an airline, hotel or store credit card.
Let’s look at an example using one of the top cards from our Travel category, the Citi Premier® Card. Citi Bank is the card issuer, using the Mastercard network and doesn’t have a co-brand partner. Then, there are cards like the Hilton Honors American Express Card, where American Express is the card issuer and the network, and Hilton Hotels is the co-brand partner.
Top Credit Card Companies
There are quite a few credit card companies out there, but which one is the best? J.D. Power does a regular study to see which one is the best.
Here are the rankings of the top 10 companies from the 2022 J.D Power U.S. Credit Card Satisfaction Study based on a 1,000-point scale:
American Express (848 points)
Discover (841 points)
Bank of America (818 points)
Segment Average (814 points)
Chase (813 points)
Capital One (812)
Citi (808)
Barclays (797)
Wells Fargo (797)
U.S. Bank (791)
Remember, what’s considered “the best” is subjective, so you may want to do additional research to see which company is right for you. Some may have benefits that suit your needs and spending habits, or you may find it better to get a card through your current bank.
How to Choose the Card That’s Right for You
There’s a lot to consider when choosing the right credit card, so we’ve listed some of the primary features of various cards to help you make the best for you. It’s also helpful to remember that by improving your credit score, you’ll have more options for which credit card companies will approve your application.
Annual Fees
Many cards come with no annual fee, but the ones that do often offer some additional perks and benefits. You’ll need to see if the fee makes sense based on what you’ll use the card for.
A great example is when it comes to travel credit cards. These may come with a fee, but you might save more than enough due to the rewards you gain in comparison to the annual fee.
Other Fees
Different cards come with different fees, and they’re not always advertised front and center when you’re applying for a credit card. You’ll often need to go looking on the application page for additional information to find out which fees you’ll pay as you use your card.
Some of the most common fees include:
Balance transfer fee: A fee for transferring debt from one card to another, which is often a percentage of the amount transferred.
Foreign transaction fee: When you’re out of the country, many cards charge up to 3% for using your card while traveling abroad.
Cash advance fee: Some credit cards allow you to use them like an ATM card for a cash advance, but these come with high interest rates as well as a fee.
Late fees: Credit cards usually have a grace period for making your payments, but these may also come with a late fee.
Learn more: How much does one late payment affect credit scores?
Introductory Rates
Credit card companies make money by charging interest, but many have promotional offers where you’ll receive low interest on purchases for a certain amount of time. Some are as low as 0% interest.
Regular Rates
Regular rates, also called “ongoing rates,” are the interest rates you pay once the introductory period is over. You can find this rate in the terms and conditions on the application, so you can use it to compare it to other cards.
Rewards
We’ve gone over the various types of rewards, such as flat-rate, tiered and points. This is where comparing cards gets specific to your lifestyle. If you travel a lot, a card with travel rewards may be right for you, but if you don’t, you may want to look at cards that give you cash back at places where you shop. You may also get a sign-up bonus with some credit cards that come as cash back rewards or points.
Perks
In addition to rewards, there are sometimes additional perks like cell phone insurance, identity theft security, rental car coverage and more.
How to Get a Credit Card in Six Steps
Now that you have all the knowledge you need to choose the right card, we’re going to put it all together in six simple steps:
Step 1: Check your credit score to know what types of cards you can apply for.
Step 2: Research various cards that sound like they might be the right ones for you
Step 3: Narrow down your options so you don’t apply for too many cards. Remember, each application may trigger a hard inquiry on your credit report, which can temporarily drop your credit score.
Step 4: Apply for the card through the card issuer’s website.
Step 5: Wait for a decision.
Step 6: If you’re approved, you should receive your card within 10 business days, and then you can start using the card for purchases once the card is activated.
FAQ
The following are some additional questions people have about finding the best credit cards.
What’s the Best Credit Card?
There’s no single best credit card. The card that’s the “best” will vary from person to person based on their needs, credit score and lifestyle.
What’s the Best Credit Card Company?
According to J.D. Power’s 2022 survey, American Express is the best credit card company. This is based on criteria like customer satisfaction based on a specific sample size, so some people may prefer a different card issuer.
When is it Time to Get a New Credit Card?
Here are a few reasons you may want to get a new credit card:
To increase your credit limit
To increase your credit utilization ratio
To accommodate a lifestyle change like traveling more often
Improve Your Odds of Getting the Best Card
To get the best credit cards and have endless options, improving your credit score should be your top priority. The best credit cards with the most rewards and best perks typically look for applicants with a score of 690 or higher—falling within the “good” to “excellent” range.
Credit.com has a wide range of services like our ExtraCredit program, which can help you learn more about credit and may lead to better credit health. If you’re unsure of your credit score, get your credit score for free here.
Are you a nurse who is looking to make extra income? Looking for the best side hustles for nurses? Whether you are looking for a part-time side gig or a full-time extra income stream, there are many ways to make extra cash as a nurse. Whether you are looking to pay off your student loans,…
Are you a nurse who is looking to make extra income? Looking for the best side hustles for nurses?
Whether you are looking for a part-time side gig or a full-time extra income stream, there are many ways to make extra cash as a nurse.
Whether you are looking to pay off your student loans, save for a vacation, retire earlier, or whatever else, there are many reasons why you may want a side hustle.
As a nurse, though, you may be wanting something that will fit into your already busy and tiring schedule.
When it comes to finding side work, there is no shortage of options for nurses. But, not all side jobs for nurses are created equal.
Related content on side jobs for nurses:
Best Side Hustles For Nurses
Medical transcription
Transcription is when you turn audio files or video content into a text document. As a medical transcriptionist, you would be converting voice recordings from doctors and others in the medical field into formal reports.
Medical transcriptionists are required to be knowledgeable about medical terminology, HIPAA, and more, which makes this a side hustle that a nurse would be somewhat familiar with.
Medical transcriptionists earn around $20 to $25 an hour.
There are also other types of transcription work that are not medical related. There are many businesses looking for transcriptionists – since general transcriptionists convert audio and video to text for virtually any industry, there really isn’t a typical client. Examples include marketers, authors, filmmakers, academics, speakers, and conferences of all types.
You can learn more at How To Become A Transcriptionist From Home.
Lactation consultant
A lactation consultant is someone who specializes in breastfeeding.
A hospital may have you on call, you may go in person to people’s homes to assist them with breastfeeding issues, you may start a website where you help families online, and more.
My lactation consultant at the hospital when I gave birth to my daughter Marlowe also happened to be a healthcare worker at the pediatrician’s office that we brought her to. So, she definitely had more than one form of income!
Night nanny
A night nanny (or sometimes called night nurse if they are a nurse) is someone who helps new parents take care of their children overnight.
You would be employed by a family, usually for a few weeks or a few months after a baby is born. You would be helping parents at nighttime so that they can get more sleep as well as learn how to take care of their new infant.
You will be changing diapers, feeding the baby, helping the baby go to sleep, and more.
A night nanny typically works 8-12 hours overnight.
Night nannies are sometimes licensed practical nurses or registered nurses, as new parents many times want the skills and expertise that a nurse has.
You may be able to find night nanny jobs through word of mouth, or on websites such as SitterCity.com or Care.com.
Telehealth nurse
Telehealth nurse jobs are in high demand and will continue to grow. A telehealth nurse is a nurse who sees patients online, such as by video or phone. You may be working part-time or full-time as a telehealth nurse.
As a telehealth nurse, you would be assisting patients with minor health problems as well as advising them if they should go to the emergency room or urgent care, for example.
A telehealth nurse may work from home (and simply require an internet connection), at a physician’s office, hospital, and more.
As a telehealth nurse, you are still required to be a registered nurse and to have passed the NCLEX examination.
Start a blog or website
I know a few nurses who have started blogs, and this is because a blog can help you make income in your spare time with a flexible schedule.
So, what is a blog? A blog is a website. A blog is content that is written on a website. It usually consists of articles, like the one you are reading right now.
Blogs can vary from person to person. You may create a blog to journal, to teach on a topic, to sell something, to tell a story, and so on. There are no exact rules about what your blog has to be used for.
You can blog about many different topics such as personal finance, travel, lifestyle, food, family, home, DIY, and more.
You can learn how to start a blog with my free How To Start a Blog Course (sign up by clicking here).
Become a caregiver
As a registered nurse, you have highly valuable skills that make you in demand for caregiving jobs, such as taking care of children and adults.
As a caregiver, you may be helping the elderly, helping people get ready for the day, taking care of them for a day, grocery shopping for them, and more.
You may be able to find caregiving jobs through word of mouth (as nurses are very desirable for these positions) or on websites like Care.com and Craigslist.
Sell printables on Etsy
A printable is a digital product that someone can download and print at home. Examples of printables include grocery shopping checklists, gift tags, candy bar wrappers, printable quotes for wall art, budget templates, and patterns.
What makes this great for a nurse looking to make extra income is that you just need to create one digital file per product, and then you can sell it an unlimited amount of times.
So, this can be a great way to make money without having to use up all of your free time outside of work.
You can sign up for this free ebook that helps you figure out where to start when it comes to selling printables on Etsy.
You can also learn more at How I Make Money Selling Printables On Etsy.
Make Canva templates
Making Canva templates is similar to selling printables – you just need to create them once, and you can sell them an unlimited amount of times.
Canva is an online graphic design website. On Canva, you can sell premade designs to other Canva users so that they can edit and customize them.
Some examples of Canva templates include ebooks, workbooks, Pinterest pins, and more.
People all around the world use Canva to help with the graphic design side of their business, and templates make their lives so much easier.
You can head to this article to learn more at How I Make $2,000+ Monthly Selling Canva Templates.
Sell stickers
Selling stickers could be stickers that you have printed out and are shipping to customers, or you may be selling stickers for them to print on their own. You would be creating your own designs on stickers and can sell them for years to come.
Stickers are extremely popular right now and will most likely be for years. Stickers are used for so many different reasons, and you don’t need a lot of equipment to start a sticker business.
You don’t need graphic design skills either – this is something that you can learn quickly and even teach yourself.
You will need a cutting machine (perhaps you already have a Cricut cutting machine?), a printer, sticker paper, and ink to get started.
You can learn more at How To Make $1,000+ A Month Selling Stickers Online.
CPR instructor or First Aid instructor
As a CPR instructor or First Aid instructor, these may be classes that you are hired to teach part-time. It may just be a few hours a week and you would be teaching others CPR and First Aid.
There are classes for those who are expecting a child, prepping for the wilderness, for employees in all industries, and even classes for those who are getting into sailing (I personally have taken these sailing classes!).
Rent out spare rooms or a home
You may be able to earn extra income by renting out a spare bedroom or by investing in rental property to rent out in whole (such as an apartment or a house).
You can learn more at How This Woman In Her 30s Owns 7 Rental Homes.
Rent out your stuff
There are other things you can rent as well.
Renting out your stuff can feel somewhat passive, and if you’re not using it then it may make perfect sense for you.
Here is a list of things to rent out and which platforms are best:
Home bakery
You may be able to make extra cash by making baked goods at home.
In fact, I know someone who is a nurse, and on the side, she decorates and sells amazing-looking cookies for events. She started out decorating cookies simply as a hobby, and people started asking if they could hire her to make specialty cookies for baby showers, weddings, and more. This is now a side hustle for her that she loves.
You can learn more about this topic at How To Make Extra Money By Starting A Home Bakery. Here, you’ll learn about the equipment needed to start a bakery, food laws, tips on pricing your baked goods, and more.
I also recommend reading How I Earned Up to $4,000 Per Month Baking Dog Treats (With Zero Baking Experience!) if you are wanting to make dog treats.
Pet sit
With this, you may be watching pets in your own home or the pet’s home, or you may be walking them during the day, playing with them when the owners are gone, giving them their medicine, feeding them, and more.
While it would most likely be hard to be a pet sitter or pet walker on a day when you have a nursing shift, this may be something that you can schedule for on your days off, as you can pick your days and hours by selecting clients that best fit your schedule.
If you’re interested in watching pets in your home, Rover is a platform where you can list your services and find clients.
Become a virtual assistant
A virtual assistant is an assistant who works from their own home (instead of in person).
As a virtual assistant, you may find part-time or full-time work, and you may be able to be flexible with your hours. I have virtual assistants and they all have flexible hours, which can be great for someone who is a nurse and may not be able to work on days when they have a long shift.
As a virtual assistant, you may be helping a company manage their social media, scheduling appointments, managing their email inbox, data entry, and more.
You can learn more at How To Earn $10,000 Each Month From Home as a Virtual Assistant.
Start a TikTok account
I follow a few TikTok accounts that are all about being a nurse, and they are very informative and entertaining. Or, you can start a TikTok that’s not related to being a nurse at all!
There are over 1.5 billion users on TikTok and many people are able to earn an income on this social media platform doing many different things.
From personal finance tips to comedy, day in the life to travel, and more, there are many different topics you can cover on your own TikTok account through making social media content.
Learn more at How To Make Money On TikTok.
Begin a YouTube channel
As a YouTuber, you may decide to start a channel about being a nurse, or about anything else!
There are many different types of YouTube channels out there.
A great positive of starting a YouTube channel is that, like blogging, you can create your own schedule, and work only on the days that you want. So, it does not have to interfere with your schedule as a nurse.
You can learn more at How I Grew From 0 Subscribers To Over $100,000 On YouTube In Less Than One Year.
Cosmetic nurse
As a cosmetic nurse, such as an aesthetic nurse injector, you may be working in a doctor’s office or medical spa.
You may be doing injections, photofacials, microneedling, and more.
Resell items online
If you are looking for a flexible job as a nurse, one to look into may be reselling items online, such as on Craigslist, eBay, or Facebook Marketplace. There are many other online marketplaces as well.
Plus, it’s something that anyone can start because many of us own things that we could probably sell.
My friend Stacy Gallego was a nurse who resold items in her spare time. She made over $100,000 in sales by flipping used items too and actually retired as a nurse so that she could pursue her flipping side hustle full-time! You can read more about her story at How I Made $100,000 Selling Used Items.
Stacy learned how to build a flipping business from my other friends Melissa and Rob. They are the flipping experts! Some of the best items that they’ve resold include:
Something they bought for $10 and flipped for $200 just 6 minutes later
A security tower they bought for $6,200 and flipped for $25,000 just one month later
A prosthetic leg that they bought for $30 at a flea market and sold for $1,000 on eBay the very next day
A lift that they found in the trash (and asked the owner for permission to take) that they sold online for $7,500
They have a helpful free webinar, Turn Your Passion For Visiting Thrift Stores, Yard Sales & Flea Markets Into A Profitable Reselling Business In As Little As 14 Days, I recommend checking out.
Tutor
As a tutor, you can help a nursing student with their nursing degree, pass an examination, and study for a certificate, for example.
To become an online tutor, you can simply create a tutor profile on a tutoring platform, create a listing on Fiverr, reach out to people that you know, and more.
Learn more at The Best Online Tutoring Jobs – A Flexible Way To Make More Money.
Freelance write
Freelance writing is when you write for different clients, such as a website, magazine, and more.
Many people start with no previous experience, so this can be a great one to begin for you.
Plus, as a freelance writer, you can create your own schedule and take on as many or as few clients as you would like, so you can determine how much money and time you want to spend on this side hustle.
You may be able to become a health writer or write about any of the other thousands of topics out there.
You can learn more in the article How To Become A Freelance Writer.
Mystery shop
Mystery shopping won’t be a huge source of extra income, but it can be something that you can do whenever you have some spare time. There’s not a huge commitment to this either, which can be great if you are looking for something flexible.
Another positive of mystery shopping is that there are mystery shops that can be conducted both in person, online, and on the phone.
As a mystery shopper, you would get paid to evaluate companies from when you walk through the door to after you get your receipt. Or, you may be evaluating how they answer the phone when you pretend that you are a customer inquiring about a service that they offer.
The company has no idea that you are a mystery shopper – this is so that the company can truly evaluate how they are doing and see what they need to improve.
As a mystery shopper, you may be completing mystery shops for clothing stores, department stores, restaurants, car dealerships, salons, amusement parks, and more.
You can learn more at How To Become A Mystery Shopper.
Join a focus group
There are many market research companies that pay people like you and me to share their opinions. Companies then use these opinions and feedback to improve their products and services.
Sometimes focus groups are looking for a specific person too, such as a healthcare professional or someone who uses medical devices. Or, they may be looking for anyone who works in any field.
User Interviews pays very well for market research studies. Over 2,000 studies are launched each month and they have paid over 72,000 participants in the last year.
Pinterest, Spotify, Macy’s, Home Depot, Trip Advisor, and more all use User Interviews to gather feedback from users about their latest products, apps, and websites.
Participants can earn $50 to $100 per hour or more for sharing their opinions and feedback. The average pays over $60.
You can learn more in my User Interviews Review.
Similar to this, there are many paid online surveys you can take as well. These will pay much lower than a focus group, though.
Immunization nurse
An immunization nurse is a nurse who gives vaccines, such as flu shots. You may be working part-time or full-time, such as at a travel vaccine clinic or curbside clinic.
Immunizations will always be around, which means that there will always be a demand for immunization nurses.
Camp nurse
As a camp nurse, you would typically be working in the summer (because that is when camps usually take place). A camp may last a few days or even weeks or months.
You may be taking care of campers, such as doing first aid.
Many camps go without medical professionals because they are unable to find a nurse to fill the role – so there is a demand for camp nurses.
Sign up for extra nursing shifts
This one is the most common as a nurse, so I saved it for almost last. As a nurse, you may have the option to work overtime and make extra money.
Since you are already in the profession, this may be the easiest to get started with.
Travel nurse
Okay, so this is not a side hustle, but I do think it’s somewhat related enough to include in this article!
A travel nurse may be able to earn more than $3,000 per week. They tend to make much more than a nurse who has a permanent job at a hospital or other facility.
Travel nurses are RNs working short-term positions at healthcare facilities. Whenever there are nursing shortages, which happen often in the medical profession, travel nurses help healthcare facilities fill these roles.
I have had several friends become travel nurses, and I’ve also met a few travel nurses while traveling.
Travel nurse jobs usually last around 3 months and can come with many benefits, and they also tend to pay quite well.
Recommended reading: 25 Best Travel Jobs To Make Money Traveling
Common questions about nurse side hustles
Below, I answer some common questions that you may have about side hustles for nurses.
How can nurses earn extra from home?
There are many ways that a nurse can earn extra money from home. This may include:
Medical transcription
Telehealth nurse
Answering medical surveys
Blogger
Freelance health writer
Selling printables
Rental real estate
Creating a nurse TikTok
Medical coding
And so much more.
Can nurses be entrepreneurs?
Yes, nurses can definitely become entrepreneurs. There are many options above, such as starting your own lactation consultant business, a night nurse business, becoming a health coach, and more.
Can a nurse have more than one job?
As a nurse, you may be working 3 days a week, which leaves you with 4 days off each week.
This may lead you to wonder – can you work two jobs as a nurse?
Yes, you may be able to work two jobs as long as you can realistically fit them both into your schedule.
As a nurse, though, you are working long hours. So, while you do have more free days than average, you would want to make sure that you are able to manage a good work-life balance.
How to make 6 figures as a nurse?
There are many ways to make over $100,000 each year as a nurse.
To start off – where you live can greatly impact your salary as a nurse, as some areas will pay more.
Other ways to increase your income as a nurse are to get into travel nursing, enter a specialty (such as becoming a certified registered nurse anesthetist or nurse practitioner), work overtime, and of course start a side hustle.
What can a nurse do as a side hustle?
Whether you are looking for a part-time or full-time gig, there are many different side hustles for nurses to fit your schedule so that you can make extra money.
As a nurse, you have skills, training, and expertise that are highly desirable in many different jobs and fields, which can allow you to earn a high income.
There are many different jobs that a nurse can do. Some of the best side jobs may include:
Medical transcription
Lactation consultant
Night nanny / Night nurse
Telehealth nurse
Blogger
Caregiver
Printables designer
Templates maker
Sticker designer
CPR instructor
First Aid instructor
Real estate investor
Baker
Pet sitter
Virtual assistant
TikToker
YouTuber
Cosmetic nurse
Reseller
Tutor
Freelance writer
Mystery shopper
Focus group participant
Immunization nurse
Camp nurse
And more.
What do you think are the best side hustles for nurses?
Find lovely beaches, lush parks and peaceful neighborhoods in Cape Coral.
Is Cape Coral a good place to live? This question has crossed the minds of many prospective residents eyeing the sunny shores of Southwest Florida.
Cape Coral, located near Fort Myers, has a reputation for its lovely beaches, lush parks, and peaceful neighborhoods. In this comprehensive exploration, we dive into the various facets of living in Cape Coral to provide a well-rounded view of what life here truly entails.
Geographical beauty and outdoor fun
Cape Coral is dubbed as the “Waterfront Wonderland” owing to its over 400 miles of navigable waterways. The city’s geographical location by the Caloosahatchee River and Gulf Coast provides numerous avenues for waterfront living.
Residents revel in the close proximity to exotic beaches like Fort Myers Beach and Pine Island. The presence of several parks and natural preserves enhances the appeal for individuals who cherish the great outdoors.
Recreational activities
The city is a hub for a variety of outdoor activities including fishing, boating and hiking. The warm sunny weather, which graces the city year-round, creates a perfect atmosphere for residents to lead an active lifestyle.
The local flora and fauna add to Cape Coral’s charm. The city is known for its burrowing owls, which are not only a sight to behold but also reflect the area’s biodiversity.
Affordability
One of the prominent attractions of living in Cape Coral is its affordability. The city has a cost of living that’s below the national average, making it an enticing location for individuals on a budget.
Real estate
The real estate market in Cape Coral is relatively stable with a variety of housing options ranging from waterfront properties to suburban homes. Home prices are reasonable, providing new residents with a chance to own property in a beautiful city without breaking the bank.
Tax benefits
Florida is known for its friendly tax policies as there is no state income tax, which bodes well for both young adults and senior citizens looking to save on taxes. The lower cost of living extends to utility prices which are also below the national average.
Crime rate and safety
Cape Coral boasts a lower crime rate compared to larger cities in Florida. The lower rates of violent crime and property crime make it a safe community for families and individuals alike.
Economic growth and employment
Cape Coral is experiencing significant growth with a burgeoning economy. The influx of new residents and businesses has led to a robust real estate market and a growing city infrastructure.
The proximity to nearby Fort Myers expands employment opportunities for Cape Coral residents, who can commute for work and still enjoy the peace and tranquility that Cape Coral offers.
Education
Public schools in Cape Coral are part of the Lee County School District, which has a reputation for quality education. Additionally, there are several reputable private schools providing residents with a variety of educational options for their children.
Cultural richness and demographic diversity
Cape Coral hosts various cultural events year-round, providing residents with opportunities to immerse themselves in local and international cultures. The vibrancy of the local arts scene is a testament to the city’s cultural richness.
The city is home to a mix of young adults, families and senior citizens, creating a diverse community. This demographic mix enriches the life in the city and fosters a sense of community among residents.
Cons of Cape Coral life
While there are many benefits to living in Cape Coral, there are drawbacks too. Some residents might find the city to be too quiet, especially when compared to the bustling activity in nearby cities like Miami. The summer months can get exceedingly hot and humid, which might not suit everyone.
Also, the influx of seasonal residents during winter can lead to crowded streets and longer wait times at local establishments.
Living in Cape Coral comes with the reality of facing the hurricane season. The city’s location on the Gulf Coast exposes it to the risk of hurricanes and storm surges, with Hurricane Ian being a notable mention.
Living in Cape Coral
Cape Coral, with its beautiful beaches, affordable living and growing economy, certainly has a lot on offer for prospective residents. While the city has its share of challenges like facing the hurricane season and experiencing seasonal population fluctuations, the positives of living in Cape Coral, FL far outweigh the negatives for the most part.
The city is indeed a great place for individuals and families seeking a serene environment, lower cost of living and a community-centric lifestyle amidst the beauty of Southwest Florida.
Ready to find your Cape Coral rental paradise? Look at apartments for rent here.
Within a few months of your lease ending, your landlord or property manager may ask if you would like to renew your lease. If you’re happy with your apartment and want to stay, here’s what you need to do:
Review your lease
First and foremost, you need to know when your lease is up. Take a look at your copy of the apartment lease and note the termination date. Mark this date on your calendar.
Find out when you need to notify your apartment manager of your decision to renew your lease or move out. Do you need to notify them 30 or 60 days in advance? Mark that date on your calendar. If you miss that date, the lease could auto-renew forcing you to keep paying for the apartment.
Talk to the landlord
Before the deadline to renew or terminate your lease, talk to your landlord or apartment community manager about your options. If the rental rate is changing, you should be informed. Don’t be afraid to negotiate on the rent.
If you like your apartment community, but find you need more or less space, inquire whether you can move to a different unit within the community. Make sure that all agreements are put in writing; these terms should be reflected in the new lease.
Make your decision
Once you have all this information gathered, you can make an informed decision about how you want to proceed. Decide whether or not you want to renew your apartment lease.
Write a letter
Once your rental decision is made, submit a letter to your apartment management team informing them of your decision to renew or terminate your lease. If you have made any special arrangements with your apartment manager for a deal on a rental rate or a move to a new unit in the community, include this information and any supporting documents. Keep a copy of these documents for yourself.
Read your new lease carefully
If you have decided to renew your lease, you most likely will be asked to sign a new lease. This lease will reflect any change in terms and designate the period of the new agreement (one or two years, or month to month, for instance.) Read the new lease carefully and make sure that you are comfortable with the language.
Sign the new lease
Once you have thoroughly read the new apartment lease and are comfortable with the terms, sign the document to make things official. An official apartment community representative will sign it, as well.
Related:
Tips for negotiating lower rent
Why apartment prices fluctuate
Kari Lloyd has been a freelance writer for over 15 years. A Chicago native and recent transplant to Atlanta, Kari spent 10 years living in London, UK where she worked as a music journalist and restaurant reviewer.
American Express has made major changes to the Hilton Surpass and Hilton Aspire cards.
Annual fee increases will go into effect on 2/14/24 for existing cardholders
Increased sign up bonuses good through 1/17/24
New benefits now live for new & existing cardholders
American Express Hilton Surpass
Annual fee increase from $95 to $150
Sign up bonus of 170,000 points after $3,000 in spend within the first three months
Up to $200 back in statement credits annually for eligible Hilton purchases made with your Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card directly at participating Hilton properties (up to $50 in statement credits each quarter)
4X Hilton Honors Bonus Points on U.S online retail purchases
Free national Car Rental® Emerald Club Executive® status
10 free priority passes per year benefit is being removed (Effective February 1, 2024, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card will no longer offer a complimentary membership to the Priority Pass™ Select program. Through January 31, 2024, you may still enroll in the benefit by calling the American Express customer service number on the back of your card. If you enrolled in the Priority Pass Select program on or before January 31, 2023, your Priority Pass membership will continue through January 31, 2024 and will be cancelled as of February 1, 2024. If you enrolled in the Priority Pass Select program between February 1, 2023 and January 31, 2024, your membership will continue through October 31, 2024 and will be cancelled as of November 1, 2024. Any unused lounge visits will be forfeited at the time of cancellation.)
American Express Hilton Aspire
Annual fee increase from $450 to $550
Sign up bonus of 180,000 points after $6,000 in spend within the first six months
Free national Car Rental® Emerald Club Executive® status
Up to $400 in statement credits annually for eligible purchases made with your Hilton Honors Aspire Card directly at participating Hilton Resorts (up to $200 in statement credits semi-annually)
Up to $200 in statement credits annually on eligible flight purchases (up to $50 in statement credits each quarter) made on your Hilton Honors Aspire Card
$189 in statement credits per calendar year after you sign up and pay for a CLEAR Plus membership (subject to auto-renewal) with your Hilton Honors Aspire Card
One Free Night Reward after you spend $30,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year
Cell phone protection: You can be reimbursed, the lesser of, your repair or replacement costs following damage, such as a cracked screen, or theft for a maximum of $800 per claim when your cell phone line is listed on a wireless bill and the prior month’s wireless bill was paid by an Eligible Card Account. A $50 deductible will apply to each approved claim with a limit of 2 approved claims per 12-month period
The following benefits will be removed:
Priority pass membership (1/31/24)
$250 airline free credit (12/31/23)
$250 statement credit for Hilton resorts (12/31/23)
Our Verdict
American Express seems intent on increasing the annual fee across all cards and introducing statement credits that can be difficult to use. Frustrating for some to lose priority pass access as well. Surpass has offered 130,000 points + free night certificate in the past, bonus on the Aspire is the best we have seen (I think).
Overall I see these as negative changes as quarterly credits are very annoying to use. It should be possible to purchase a $50 Hilton gift card at reception and it trigger the credit (for the Surpass), but that still involves going into a hotel and hoping they actually sell the gift cards.
Updates include new travel-related statement credits, the ability to earn Hilton Honors points in a wider variety of ways, and a slightly easier path to a free night certificate. But they come at a cost — literally, in the form of higher annual fees. And if you relied on either of these cards for access to Priority Pass lounges at airports, that benefit won’t be around for much longer.
Here’s what you need to know about the latest Hilton card refresh.
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: New rewards category, statement credit
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card is upping its annual fee from $95 to $150. The added cost comes with a few additional benefits.
New way to earn more rewards
You’ll earn 4 points per $1 on U.S. online retail purchases. That’s in addition to existing rewards categories, which include:
12 points per $1 on Hilton purchases.
6 points per $1 at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations.
3 points per $1 on all other eligible purchases.
Terms apply.
Travel perks
There’s also a potentially valuable benefit in the form of a $200 annual statement credit (paid out in $50 statement credits per quarter) for eligible Hilton purchases on your card. Plus, you’ll get complimentary National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive status. Terms apply.
What’s staying the same
Like before, you can still earn a free night certificate after you spend $15,000 in a calendar year. Also, you’ll get complimentary Gold status, which upgrades to Diamond status if you spend $40,000 in a calendar year. Terms apply.
The high-end Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is raising its already sizable annual fee from $450 to $550, but it’s also getting a few updates, some of which might help make the price more palatable.
Travel statement credits
Up to $400 in statement credits per year (in the form of two $200 credits semi-annually) for eligible purchases with participating Hilton Resorts. Before, this was a $250 annual credit.
Up to $200 in statement credits per year (in the form of up to $50 in credits each quarter) on eligible flight purchases. Previously, the card offered a $250 annual airline fee credit that didn’t have to be paid out quarterly.
Up to $189 in statement credits per year when you use the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card to pay for a CLEAR Plus membership.
Terms apply.
Free night awards changes
Previously, you could earn up to two free night certificates with the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card — one each year just for continuing to carry the card and another if you spent $60,000 in a calendar year.
Now, there’s another path to earn a free night that goes right down the middle. You’ll still get the first free night just by being a cardholder. Then, if you spend $30,000 in a year, you’ll earn a second free night. And you can get a third free night for reaching $60,000 in spending in that same year.
Terms apply.
Other perks
Just like the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card now offers complimentary National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive status. In addition, it provides cell phone insurance.
What’s staying the same
With the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, you’ll still earn:
14 points per $1 on Hilton purchases.
7 points per $1 at U.S. restaurants, on flights booked directly with airlines or amextravel.com, and on car rentals from select car rental companies.
3 points per $1 on all other eligible purchases.
Terms apply.
Cardholders will also continue to get complimentary Diamond status and a $100 property credit at qualifying Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts and Conrad Hotels & Resorts. Terms apply.
A final boarding call for Priority Pass benefits
Both cards are phasing out access to Priority Pass lounges as a perk, according to a representative. If you enrolled in Priority Pass Select by Jan. 31, 2023, your membership will end on Feb. 1, 2024. If you enrolled between Feb. 1, 2023, and Jan. 31, 2024, your membership will end on Nov. 1, 2024. If you have either the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card or Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card already but haven’t yet enrolled in Priority Pass Select, you can still do so by Jan. 31, 2024.