FEATURED CREDIT CARDS

Mission Lane Visa® Credit Card

Mission Lane Visa<sup>®</sup> Credit Card
  • No Annual Fee
  • Fair Credit
  • Enjoy coverage from Visa®.
    *See Card Terms

Indigo® Mastercard® - $1,000 Credit Limit

Indigo<sup>®</sup> Mastercard<sup>®</sup> - $1,000 Credit Limit
  • Get the credit limit you deserve—$1,000 guaranteed if approved
    Rates & Fees

Milestone® Mastercard®

Destiny Mastercard
  • $700 Credit Limit
  • No security deposit
  • Less than perfect credit is ok
    Rates & Fees

Travel Credit Card Perks: Beyond Points and Miles



While earning and redeeming points and miles is the primary focus of many travel rewards cards, the most valuable perks can sometimes be the ones that go beyond a simple reward currency. These benefits, which can range from airport lounge access to comprehensive travel insurance, can significantly enhance your travel experience and save you money.

For a complete understanding of how all travel credit cards work, including the different types and redemption strategies, read our comprehensive guide on A Complete Guide to Understanding Travel Credit Cards. Leveraging these additional perks is a key part of maximizing the value of your travel card.

Airport lounge access

One of the most sought-after perks of a premium travel card is airport lounge access.

  • What it is: The perk provides access to exclusive lounges in airports around the world. These lounges offer a quiet, comfortable space with complimentary food, drinks, Wi-Fi, and other amenities.

  • The benefit: Lounge access can make long layovers or flight delays much more comfortable and is particularly valuable for frequent travelers. Access can be provided through a specific airline's lounges, a network like Priority Pass, or the issuer's own lounge network.

  • Travel credits and reimbursements

    Premium travel cards often include annual statement credits or reimbursements that can help offset the card's annual fee.

  • Annual travel credits: Some cards offer a statement credit each year for general travel purchases, which can be applied to flights, hotels, or other travel expenses.

  • Expedited security screening: Many travel cards will reimburse you for the application fee for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, helping you get through airport security faster.

  • Enhanced travel insurance and protections

    Many travel cards include robust insurance and protection benefits that provide peace of mind and can save you from unexpected travel expenses.

  • Trip cancellation and interruption insurance: This can protect you from losing your money on nonrefundable travel expenses if you have to cancel or interrupt a trip for a covered reason.

  • Baggage delay and loss insurance: This can cover the cost of essential items if your bags are delayed and can reimburse you if your luggage is permanently lost.

  • Rental car insurance: Many cards offer secondary or primary collision damage waiver coverage for rental cars, potentially saving you from needing to purchase the rental company's expensive insurance.

  • Free checked bags and priority services

    For travelers who prefer not to check a bag or are loyal to a specific airline, these perks are a significant value.

  • Free checked bags: This is a common perk of co-branded airline cards, and it can save you money on every flight, especially for families.

  • Priority boarding and services: A co-branded airline card can grant you priority boarding, allowing you to secure overhead bin space. Some cards also offer priority check-in or other services.

  • Hotel elite status and benefits

    Hotel-branded cards offer perks that can upgrade your hotel experience.

  • Hotel elite status: Many cards offer automatic elite status with the co-branded hotel chain, which can provide benefits like late checkout, room upgrades, and free breakfast.

  • Annual free night awards: Some hotel cards offer an annual free night award, which can often be worth more than the card's annual fee.

  • Making the most of your travel card's perks

    To maximize the value of these perks, a strategic approach is necessary.

  • Understand your card: Read the fine print to know exactly what benefits your card offers, including any spending requirements or registration processes.

  • Use the benefits: A premium card with a high annual fee is only worth it if you use its benefits. If you don't travel frequently, the cost may not be justified.

  • Look for overlaps: Some benefits, like rental car insurance, may overlap with your existing coverage. Prioritize using the benefit that provides the best coverage.

  • By looking beyond points and miles and leveraging the other valuable perks and protections travel cards offer, you can enhance your travel experience and unlock a new level of value from your card.

    Related credit card articles

  • A Complete Guide to Understanding Travel Credit Cards

  • How to Choose the Right Travel Credit Card for You

  • Maximizing Transferable Points for Travel and Other Redemptions

  • Navigating Co-Branded Travel Cards

  • 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

    Rates & Fees

    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

    Rates & Fees

    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

    Rates & Fees





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    Experian Boost: A Comprehensive Guide to Boosting Your Free Credit Score

    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

    1. Credit Scores range from 300-850, the higher the better.
    2. Most lenders base approval on your credit score.
    3. Higher Scores mean lower payments and better deals.
    4. Higher Scores mean Lower interest rates.
    5. 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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