Checklists are an important step in travel preparation for many people. Passport — check. Cell phone charger — check. But have you ever made sure you're taking full advantage of the travel perks your credit card offers?
Whether you're a veteran jet-setter or a novice traveling the world for the first time, the right credit card benefits can make your trip easier and more comfortable. That's good news for 50% of Americans who plan to travel more in 2024 than in 2023, according to a study by Fidelity National Financial Company's IPX1031.
Here's a checklist of credit cards to check before you head out on a trip this summer.
1. Please bring your card
First of all, be sure to bring your credit card. Many airlines and even entire airports are now cash-free. This means you'll need a card to pay for pre-departure drinks and meals. You may also earn bonus rewards.
For example, if restaurants are a bonus category on your card, sit-down eateries in airports will typically earn you a higher rate of return. If your card earns a bonus on travel purchases, you can usually earn that bonus on in-flight purchases as well.
2. Enroll in TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or Clear.
Airports are busier than ever, with air passenger traffic up 6% and international travelers up 24% year over year, according to a study conducted by the U.S. Travel Association and Tourism Economics.
To ease the burden of long lines, see if your card offers credit to cover the cost of TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or Clear. These programs can help you get through security and customs lines, but they all require background checks and in-person interviews, so you must register well in advance of your trip. If you haven't yet been certified for this trip, register now to prepare for your next trip.
3. Register for lounge use
Airport lounges offer an escape from the hustle and bustle of airport terminals, and most offer complimentary food and drinks. If your card includes Priority Pass lounge access, you'll need to sign up for that benefit before you depart.
Don't forget your physical membership card. Even easier is to download the Priority Pass app and use your phone to access the lounges.
4. Notify issuer of travel plans
When you're away from home, especially when you're abroad, it's unlikely that you'll run into problems such as your card unexpectedly stopping working. Due to the increasing incidence of credit card fraud, your card may no longer work if you spend outside of your normal patterns and locations. To avoid this, please notify your issuer before traveling. This can often be done online or through an app, but make sure you travel with at least two cards just in case.
5. Avoid paying foreign transaction fees
If you're traveling internationally, make sure you have a card that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees. If your card has these fees, try getting another card before you leave the country.
6. Pay with the card that offers the best value
Be sure to identify opportunities to leverage your travel to earn big rewards. For example, if you know you'll be staying at a Hilton-branded hotel, consider applying for one of the Hilton credit cards offered by American Express and earn up to 14 Hilton points per dollar spent at the hotel. Masu. These points accumulate quickly and can easily cover the cost of future travel.
However, you will need to bring your physical card. Many hotels don't accept digital wallet payments, so if you can't swipe your card, you'll be missing out on these great perks.
7. Check your card's savings benefits
Many issuers offer programs such as AmEx Offers, Chase Offers, and Bank of America's BankAmeriDeals that allow you to add periodic promotional offers to your card and earn extra money on purchases at certain merchants. Earn points and cashback. Be sure to check out these offers from retailers that you may take advantage of during your trip. be careful. Often these offers do not include or only include international sellers.
This article, 2024 Credit Card Checklist for Summer Travel, originally appeared on NerdWallet.
