What Frequent Travelers Should Expect from Their Credit Card

If you’re a frequent traveller, the right travel credit card can help you save on flights and accommodations, and can make your journeys more comfortable. But with so many travel credit cards in Canada to choose from, how do you pick?

Here’s what you need to know to maximize your credit card rewards and benefits as a frequent traveller.

Travel rewards

When choosing a travel credit card, look for one that will reward the type of travel purchases you usually make. Cards that allow you to book through travel agencies may provide more flexibility, while booking through the issuer’s travel portal might offer a more seamless redemption process.

Also, think about how you like to travel. Are you frequently booking flights and accommodations from different airlines and hotel chains? You might seek out a card that offers general travel rewards across multiple brands. But if you have a specific airline or hotel chain that you always choose, you’ll want to consider a co-branded card that partners with your favourite brand.

Airport lounge access

If you spend a lot of time in the airport, you may benefit from a credit card that offers airport lounge access. The airport lounge offers a break from the hustle of the airport between flights.

Some premium travel credit cards offer access to lounges all over the world, while branded credit cards allow you to enjoy specific airline lounges. Other credit cards offer discounts on airport lounge passes, lounge-fee waivers or pay-per-visit access.

Travel credits or waivers

To help lower travel costs, credit cards often offer travel credits or waivers.

For example, a NEXUS fee rebate will cover the cost of applying for or renewing membership in the NEXUS program. NEXUS is a program designed to speed up the border crossing between Canada and the United States for low-risk, pre-approved travellers.¹

Similarly, a baggage fee waiver will remove the cost of your first checked bag. Some travel credit cards offer annual fee rebates for the first year, annual travel credits when you book with a certain airline or travel agency or credits for in-flight purchases.

Priority boarding

If you want to avoid waiting in long lines, look for a travel credit card that offers priority services like priority check-in, priority boarding, or priority baggage handling with your travel credit card.

Certain cards provide this service for you and any authorized users on your credit card. Others offer additional companion passes for people travelling with you on the same flight.

Flight upgrades

Want to upgrade to business class? The right travel credit card can help you get there.

Some travel credit cards offer several ticket upgrades per year, while others offer annual travel credits that you can use to upgrade your ticket.

Foreign transaction fees

Foreign transaction fees cover currency conversion costs when making purchases made outside of your home country. These fees can start to add up if you’re regularly travelling outside of Canada.

Luckily, it’s possible to find credit cards that don’t charge foreign transaction fees.

Rewards redemption restrictions

When choosing a travel credit card, it’s easy to get caught up in all the benefits, but it’s equally important to understand any redemption restrictions that may apply.

For example, consider if there are limitations to the hotels or airlines you can book with. Are there any blackout dates during holidays or peak travel seasons when you’re unable to redeem your points or rewards?

Do your points or rewards expire, or do you need to meet a minimum number of points before you can start to redeem them?

Review travel credit card perks to find the best one for you

With so many travel credit cards available in Canada, choosing one that’s right for you can feel like a challenge. Start by identifying the perks that align best with your travel habits, such as lounge access or no foreign transaction fees, and don’t forget to review the redemption restrictions.

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