I just booked my annual summer trip to Montana. Roundtrip from Burbank to Kalispell for $215, including taxes and fees. Not bad, right? Even better: I didn’t pay a dime out of pocket. The entire cost was covered by travel credits I earned from my credit card.
Discounted or free travel is a regular thing for me. Because I use the right credit cards and play the points game.
And today, I’m going to show you three cards that not only help you rack up points for everyday spending, they also come with welcome offers worth between $250 and $750 in travel value.
1. Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card: Pure simplicity, no annual fee
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card is one of the best no-annual-fee cards that we’ve found. It’s one you’ll likely keep forever.
The welcome offer is super easy to earn. You’ll get 25,000 points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening. That can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
As for ongoing rewards, the point system is pretty simple. You earn 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no limit. Once you’ve racked up a bunch of points, simply pay yourself back with a statement credit towards travel and dining purchases. Easy!
This card is the “easy button” for earning travel rewards. Perfect for folks that want to earn points with zero hassle.
Does this straightforward travel card sound like a good fit for you? Apply for the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card today.
2. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: For Southwest lovers
If you’re a Southwest flyer, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card (see rates and fees) is a no-brainer. The welcome offer alone can easily cover two (maybe even three) return flights, and you only need to spend $1,000 to get it.
New cardmembers can earn 50,000 Rapid Rewards® points after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months. Southwest doesn’t play the blackout date game, either — points are easy to use.
You’ll also get these travel-friendly perks included:
- $75 annual Southwest travel credit
- 7,500 anniversary points each year
- 3X points on Southwest® purchases
- 4 Upgraded Boardings per year when available
- First checked bag free
- And of course, no foreign transaction fees
If Southwest is your go-to airline, this card can pay for itself fast. There’s a $149 annual fee, but the $75 credit and anniversary points help you earn it back.
Ready for free flights and boarding upgrades? Apply now for the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card.
3. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Massive value for travelers
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card’s (see rates and fees) welcome offer takes a little more effort, but it can be worth three times as much as many other cards.
The welcome offer: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months after account opening.
If you redeem those points through Chase Travel, they’re worth up to $750 in Chase Travel℠ value — toward flights, hotels, and more.
This card also comes with a stack of valuable perks, including:
- 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
- 3X points on dining, select streaming services, and online groceries
- 2X points on all other travel
- 1X points on other purchases
- $50 annual hotel credit (just book through Chase Travel)
Yes, there’s a $95 annual fee, but I always make sure to use the perks (especially that $50 hotel credit each year) to get full value.
Get up to $750 in Chase Travel℠ value this summer. Apply now for Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card here.
Summer getaways await!
Personally, I don’t open cards I can’t maximize. But if the welcome bonus fits my budget and the rewards are easy to use, I’m in. That’s how I’ve booked everything from international flights to summer trips like my upcoming one to Montana.
Just remember: don’t overspend by chasing points. But if your regular budget can meet the spending requirement, the rewards are absolutely worth it.
