A Complete Guide to Understanding Travel Credit Cards
For many, a travel credit card is an essential tool for turning everyday spending into valuable rewards like free flights, hotel stays, and a host of perks that enhance the travel experience. However, to maximize the benefits, you must first understand the fundamental mechanics of how these cards work. This comprehensive guide provides a foundational overview of travel credit cards, from the different types of rewards to the redemption strategies that can help you achieve your travel goals.
For specific guidance on assessing your travel needs and choosing the right card, read our dedicated guide on How to Choose the Right Travel Credit Card for You.
What are travel credit cards?
At their core, travel credit cards function like any other rewards card, but they are specifically designed to reward you for travel-related spending. Instead of earning cash back, you earn a travel currency, such as points or miles, that you can redeem for various travel expenses.The different types of travel credit cards
Travel credit cards are not a one-size-fits-all product. They generally fall into three main categories, each with its own advantages.1. General Travel Cards
These cards offer the most flexibility. They earn points within the credit card issuer's own rewards system, which can often be used for a wide range of redemptions.2. Airline Credit Cards
These are co-branded cards issued in partnership with a specific airline.3. Hotel Credit Cards
Similar to airline cards, these are co-branded with a specific hotel chain.For a more detailed look at the pros, cons, and exclusive benefits of co-branded cards, read our guide on Navigating Co-Branded Travel Cards.
How travel rewards work: Earning and redeeming
Understanding how to earn and redeem rewards is critical to maximizing their value.Earning Rewards
Redeeming Rewards
Hidden perks and benefits
Travel cards offer more than just points and miles. Many come with valuable perks that can make travel more comfortable and save you money. For more on this, read our dedicated guide on Travel Credit Card Perks: Beyond Points and Miles.Making a travel card work for you
To ensure a travel card is a valuable financial tool and not a source of debt, you should always pay your balance in full each month. Travel cards typically have higher interest rates, and carrying a balance will quickly negate any rewards you earn. A travel card is a strategic tool, not an emergency fund.Related credit card articles
Examples of Travel Rewards Credit Cards
Below is list of Travel Rewards Credit Cards that are available to apply for online.Citi Strata℠ Card
- Earn 30,000 bonus Points after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months of account opening.
- 0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months; after that, the variable APR will be 18.99% - 28.99%, based on your creditworthiness. There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
- Earn 3 ThankYou® Points for each $1 spent in an eligible Self-Select Category of your choice (Fitness Clubs, Select Streaming Services, Live Entertainment, Cosmetic Stores/Barber Shops/Hair Salons, or Pet Supply Stores). Choose your eligible Self-Select Category on Citi Online or by calling customer service. The default Self-Select Category is Select Streaming Services.
- Earn 5 ThankYou® Points for each $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals and Attractions booked on Citi Travel® via cititravel.com; earn 3 ThankYou Points for each $1 spent at Supermarkets, on Select Transit purchases, and at Gas & EV Charging Stations.
- Earn 2 ThankYou® Points for each $1 spent at Restaurants; earn 1 ThankYou® Point for each $1 spent on All Other Purchases.
- No Annual Fee
Citi Strata Premier® Card
- Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com.
- Earn 10 Points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on CitiTravel.com.
- Earn 3 Points per $1 on Air Travel and Other Hotel Purchases, at Restaurants, Supermarkets, Gas and EV Charging Stations.
- Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases
- $100 Annual Hotel Benefit: Once per calendar year, enjoy $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) when booked through CitiTravel.com. Benefit applied instantly at time of booking.
- No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card
- No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases
Citi Strata Elite℠ Card
- For a limited time, earn 100,000 bonus Points after spending $6,000 in the first 3 months of account opening.
- Earn 12 Points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on cititravel.com and 6 Points per $1 spent on Air Travel booked on cititravel.com
- Earn 6 Points per $1 spent at Restaurants including Restaurant Delivery Services on CitiNights℠ purchases, every Friday and Saturday from 6 PM to 6 AM ET. Earn 3 Points per $1 spent any other time
- Earn 1.5 Points per $1 spent on All Other Purchases
- Up to $300 Annual Hotel Benefit: Each calendar year, enjoy up to $300 off a hotel stay of two nights or more when booked through cititravel.com.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees
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FICO Credit Scores
A credit score is a number generally between 300-850, based on a statistical analysis of a person's credit files. This score represents the credit worthiness of a person. A credit score is assigned to each individual, to rate how risky a borrower he or she is--the higher the score, the less risk the individual poses to creditors. In most cases, your credit score will determine whether you will be approved for a credit card.
What is a Credit Score?
A credit score is a number generally between 300-850, based on a statistical analysis of a person's credit files. This score represents the credit worthiness of a person. A credit score is assigned to each individual, to rate how risky a borrower he or she is--the higher the score, the less risk the individual poses to creditors. In most cases, your credit score will determine whether you will be approved for a credit card.
Credit Score Facts
- Credit Scores range from 300-850, the higher the better.
- Most lenders base approval on your credit score.
- Higher Scores mean lower payments and better deals.
- Higher Scores mean Lower interest rates.
- Scores are determined by 5 main categories:
- Payment History
- Amounts Owed
- Length of Credit History
- Type of Credit Used
- New Credit
Note: 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 card product.
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