Points + Miles

Spending money–and time–in transit does have its perks, and there's no greater compensation (or bragging right) than earning frequent flyer miles for that next great adventure. Loyalty is often rewarded in the travel business, with most airlines, hotels, and car rental agencies offering travel cards to encourage repeat business in exchange for discounts, upgrades, perks, and member status. That customers can rack up free nights and free flights–7% of all miles flown on U.S. airlines are paid for with points–speaks to the value of those travel reward programs.What are travel reward credit cards?Travel rewards cards offer miles per dollars spent on every purchase made, from buying the groceries to refueling the car to dining out at a favorite restaurant. The best travel credit cards, however, are the ones that align most to your travel habits. Those that fly domestically on a single airline or prefer a specific hotel brand might look into cards from Delta, American Airlines, or Starwood, while travelers looking to earn points that can be redeemed at any airline or hotel would be best served with a generic point-earning card like Chase Sapphire or CapitalOne Venture Card. Flight programs grant extra miles per flight, though some grant other perks to VIP members, such as waived fees for changing itineraries or the ability to exchange points for gift cards. The ins and outs of points programs are tricky: different companies have different rules that change often, and affect not only the value of the points you already have but how and where you can spend them. Whatever path you choose, Travel + Leisure knows the importance of getting the most out of money spent and points collected. Check back frequently for the most up-to-date news and smart advice on how to best earn–and redeem–those hard-earned rewards.

Most Recent

12 Mistakes to Avoid When Redeeming Airline Miles, According to an Expert

12 Mistakes to Avoid When Redeeming Airline Miles, According to an Expert

Here's what not to do when redeeming airline miles for flights.
Marriott Is Kicking Off Spring With Discounted Stays at Nearly 5,000 Hotels — but You’ll Have to Book Fast

Marriott Is Kicking Off Spring With Discounted Stays at Nearly 5,000 Hotels — but You’ll Have to Book Fast

Travel deals are available for the next six weekends as well as weekday stays from March 4 through April 11.
15 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Redeeming Hotel Points

15 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Redeeming Hotel Points

Here's what not to do when redeeming hotel points, according to an expert.
Marriott Bonvoy Members Can Now Earn Points for Eating at Their Favorite Restaurants — Here’s How

Marriott Bonvoy Members Can Now Earn Points for Eating at Their Favorite Restaurants — Here’s How

Eat, review, and earn some points for your next trip.
Southwest Is Offering 30,000 Miles and a Free Companion Pass for New Credit Card Holders This Valentine’s Day

Southwest Is Offering 30,000 Miles and a Free Companion Pass for New Credit Card Holders This Valentine’s Day

Anyone who signs up for the Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cards from Chase will receive not only a free Companion Pass from the airline but 30,000 Rapid Rewards points that will never expire.
Chase Sapphire Cardmembers Can Now Use Their Travel Credits for Groceries

Chase Sapphire Cardmembers Can Now Use Their Travel Credits for Groceries

Chase Sapphire has new rewards aimed at helping people during the pandemic.
Advertisement

More Points + Miles

All the New American Express Rewards Coming to Cardholders Who Can't Travel

All the New American Express Rewards Coming to Cardholders Who Can't Travel

The coronavirus pandemic is reshaping the way American Express cards reward travelers.
Wyndham to Give Free Gold Status to Essential Workers Amid Coronavirus Pandemic

Wyndham to Give Free Gold Status to Essential Workers Amid Coronavirus Pandemic

“This is one small way we can help make their next trip..."
American and Southwest Join Delta and United in Extending Elite Status and Frequent-flier Perks Due to Coronavirus

American and Southwest Join Delta and United in Extending Elite Status and Frequent-flier Perks Due to Coronavirus

What to Do With Your Frequent Flier Miles and Hotel Points When You Can't Travel

What to Do With Your Frequent Flier Miles and Hotel Points When You Can't Travel

How to Get the Most Out of the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan

How to Get the Most Out of the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan

This Is the Best Frequent Flier Program for 2020

This Is the Best Frequent Flier Program for 2020

All the Free Travel Perks You Can Earn As an IHG Rewards Club Member (Video)

All Points + Miles

Delta's New Credit Card Offers Include Up to 100,000 Bonus Miles

Delta's New Credit Card Offers Include Up to 100,000 Bonus Miles

This Credit Card Has the Biggest Sign-up Bonus That We've Seen This Year

This Credit Card Has the Biggest Sign-up Bonus That We've Seen This Year

These Marriott Credit Cards Will Give You Free Nights Just for Signing Up

These Marriott Credit Cards Will Give You Free Nights Just for Signing Up

This Credit Card's New Sign-up Bonus Will Score You Multiple Free Flights on Southwest (Video)

This Credit Card's New Sign-up Bonus Will Score You Multiple Free Flights on Southwest (Video)

Banning Frequent Flier Programs Could Help Combat Climate Change, UK Committee Says (Video)

Banning Frequent Flier Programs Could Help Combat Climate Change, UK Committee Says (Video)

United Announces MileagePlus Miles Will No Longer Expire

United Announces MileagePlus Miles Will No Longer Expire

How to Get the Most Out of Your World of Hyatt Points

How to Get the Most Out of Your World of Hyatt Points

How to Maximize Your Wyndham Rewards for Free Stays and Elite Status

How to Maximize Your Wyndham Rewards for Free Stays and Elite Status

This United Perk Could Get You a Free Flight on Your Next Trip

This United Perk Could Get You a Free Flight on Your Next Trip

How to Earn Hilton Honors Points — and the Best Ways to Use Them

How to Earn Hilton Honors Points — and the Best Ways to Use Them

You Can Now Earn Hilton Honors Points Every Time You Ride Lyft

You Can Now Earn Hilton Honors Points Every Time You Ride Lyft

12 Ways to Earn Airline Rewards You Might Be Missing Out On

12 Ways to Earn Airline Rewards You Might Be Missing Out On

You Can Fly Singapore Airlines’ New First Class Suites for (Almost) Free on This One Route (Video)

You Can Fly Singapore Airlines’ New First Class Suites for (Almost) Free on This One Route (Video)

How I Booked a $16,000 First-class Flight on Japan Airlines for Just $32

How I Booked a $16,000 First-class Flight on Japan Airlines for Just $32

How to Pick the Best Chase Ultimate Rewards Credit Card For You

How to Pick the Best Chase Ultimate Rewards Credit Card For You

These Airlines Will Give You Miles If You Donate to Harvey Disaster Relief

These Airlines Will Give You Miles If You Donate to Harvey Disaster Relief

The 14 Best Airline Frequent Flier Loyalty Programs

The 14 Best Airline Frequent Flier Loyalty Programs

How to Choose the Travel Rewards Credit Card That's Best for You

How to Choose the Travel Rewards Credit Card That's Best for You

Buying Back Expired Airline Miles Is Easier Than You Think

Buying Back Expired Airline Miles Is Easier Than You Think

The 10 Best Hotel Loyalty Programs

The 10 Best Hotel Loyalty Programs

This Is the Best Way to Get Rid of Unused Airline Miles

This Is the Best Way to Get Rid of Unused Airline Miles

How to Take a $7,000 First-class Flight for $76

How to Take a $7,000 First-class Flight for $76

The Ultimate Credit Card Battle: How the 3 Best Travel Rewards Cards Stack Up

The Ultimate Credit Card Battle: How the 3 Best Travel Rewards Cards Stack Up

This is the best credit card for international travel

This is the best credit card for international travel

How to get a free flight on Alaska Airlines

How to get a free flight on Alaska Airlines

Load More
Advertisement
© Copyright . All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.travelandleisure.com