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Deal of the Day by Kelli B. Grant (Author Archive)
The Best Credit Cards for Travel
PACKING FOR A TRIP means more than just selecting your most sensible walking shoes. It pays — sometimes handsomely — to pack the right credit card as well.
"Credit cards have great travel benefits that consumers just aren't aware of," says Curtis Arnold, founder of CardRatings.com. That said, some cards are clearly better than others, offering a smorgasbord of bonus rewards, extra travel insurance or better deals on purchases made abroad. Here's how to figure out which of your current cards should make the packing list:
Leave the Debit Card at Home
Hardworking though it may be, your bank's debit card doesn't deserve to be part of your vacation, says Scott Bilker, founder of DebtSmart.com. "You're better protected with a credit card," he says. Here's why:
Zero liability. You'll have an easier time resolving unauthorized charges should your card be lost or stolen. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, your credit-card issuer can't hold you responsible for such charges. But your liability for unauthorized debit-card transactions is determined by individual bank policy and the Electronic Funds Transfer Act — depending on how quickly you notify your bank, and the circumstances of the charges, you may not be reimbursed at all.
Charge dispute. Twice-charged restaurant tab? A hotel bill full of sneaky fees? Not a problem — if you're using a credit card. Disputing a charge is as simple as calling up your issuer, Bilker says. Until the dispute is resolved, you aren't liable for any charges. But because disputes carry heft fees for merchants, the mere threat of a chargeback is often enough incentive to resolve most customer service dilemmas, he says.
Review Card Benefits
"Car-rental insurance coverage is the granddaddy of credit-card benefits," says Arnold. "Every card offers it." But more cards are adding to their repertoire of traveler benefits in ways the consumer should be aware of, he says. Discover cardholders, for example, automatically receive air travel accident insurance (which covers you for injury, accident or, heaven forbid, death, sustained aboard) for booked airfare. Chase reimburses you for the cost to replace essential items, up to $300-worth, should your baggage be delayed — far exceeding what most airlines offer. (Delta Airlines, in comparison, offers just $25.) And American Express is famous for the world-wide assistance offered through bureaus and its hotline for everything from medical emergencies to lost wallets.Search for Deals
It's not uncommon for credit-card issuers to offer extra discounts when you use their card to spend money with a partner retailer. Use your Visa card to book a trip with Celebrity Cruises, for example, and you’ll get a two-category cabin upgrade and free travel insurance or prepaid gratuities.**You can easily save 20% or more by scanning for these deals before you make travel arrangements, says Bilker. (For the American Express database, click here; MasterCard, here and Visa, here.) It's also worth checking with your individual issuer. Citibank cardholders, for example, get discounts of 10% off car-rental rates at Hertz.
Anticipating a more spontaneous vacation? Bring at least one of each major card, and ask about deals as you go, Bilker suggests. At Six Flags theme parks, using an American Express card at food and souvenir stands gets you a 15% discount.
Figure in Fees
Having the right credit card on a vacation abroad can shave as much as 3% off your vacation purchases — the equivalent to what most issuers charge for foreign transactions, says Arnold. It pays to shop around. Visa and MasterCard each charge a flat fee of 1%, but individual issuers can pad that at their discretion. Bank of America, for example, charges a total of 3%; American Express, 2%; and Washington Mutual, 1%. Capital One and Discover are the only major issuers that don't assess any foreign transaction fees.Call Up Your Issuer
Once you've settled on a card or two, get your credit-card company on the phone. "Say, 'I'm going on vacation, and I'm going to spend a lot of money,'" says Bilker. "It will absolutely have results." Representatives are quick to offer perks like a higher credit limit and a temporarily lower APR. Ask and you may even get 0% on purchases for a few months.On-the-Move Cards
If you're frequently on the road, in the air or otherwise on the go, these five traveler-friendly, no-fee cards can be welcome companions.Credit Cards for Travelers | |||
| Card | APR | Details | Great For... |
| Capital One No Hassle Rewards | 13.9% variable | Choose cash, and earn 1% cash back on all purchases, plus a 25% annual bonus on rewards earned. Opt for the miles-earning version, and earn 1.25 miles per $1 spent; two miles per $1 spent at bookstores, gift/card/souvenir shops and video rental stores. (Neither card carries a membership fee.) | Sojourns abroad. Capital One is one of only two credit-card issuers that don't charge a foreign currency conversion fee. Others tack on up to 3%. |
| Citi Premier Pass | 13.24% variable | Earn one point per $1 spent, plus one point for every three miles flown. Cardholders receive $1,500 in travel insurance for arrangements booked using the card. You'll be reimbursed for the nonrefundable portion of your trip, should you need to cancel or reschedule. | Emergency-prone travelers. Get peace of mind, minus the usual fee — 3% to 7% of your total trip costs — you'd cough up for independent travel insurance. |
| Discover Open Road | 10.99% fixed | Earn 5% back on gas and auto maintenance expenses; 1% back on all other purchases. | Cross-country road trips. Search for that elusive "cheap" gas without worrying about the phased-out rebates and fuel-up restrictions that plague other cards. |
| Miles by Discover | 10.99% fixed | Earn two miles per $1 spent on travel or at restaurants; one mile per $1 spent on all other purchases. | Versatile travelers. If you're frequently traveling by plane, train and automobile, rejoice. You'll earn bonus miles for any kind of travel you book. |
* Data from individual issuers. |
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