Travel rewards credit cards don’t offer the perks that they once did. Blackout dates can cause problems with vacations and personal travel and restrictions can be frustrating. Still, executives and business travelers still find travel rewards very alluring.
It is possible to maximize your travel rewards but making the best of what is offered takes some research and planning. If you must spend the money anyway, you may as well use it to build up a bank of rewards that you can later use.
Travel points
Build up points but keep your balance paid off. The interest rate you pay will far outweigh the cost of even the best free ticket. Look for a card that will build points towards a carrier or hotel that you will be able to use for personal travel. Your usual business hotel probably won’t make for much of a vacation spot.
Ease of use
Look for a card that you will be able to use when you travel. Most European countries and many others outside the US use chip-and-PIN technology not yet available on all cards in the US. If you travel to these areas often, get a card you can use there and at home.
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