As somebody who has spent the better part of the last two and a half years fighting desperately to pay off my credit card debt, it may seem odd that I’d share this post. But credit cards have their place and really are a must for all but the most well funded traveller. You never know when you may need emergency money or make a booking online. A credit card is only a dangerous prospect if you’re a spend-a-holic like me.
Best Credit Cards for Avid Travellers
People all over the globe are travelling now more than ever. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, in 2012 a record-breaking 8.2million Australians travelled internationally whether for business, pleasure or other reasons and this number has been predicted to increase further. This rise in international travel could be down to the strong Australian dollar, competitive airline rates or the increased ease of international travel.
If you love to travel often, go backpacking, or have decided to live abroad, you have likely asked yourself what credit card is best for your nomadic lifestyle. In this article, we used a number of resources, including http://www.creditcard.com.au hope to get closer to an answer!
Best frequent flyer credit card: American Express Qantas Discovery Credit Card
It can be hard to determine which is the best frequent flyer card available as, they all offer tantalising rewards. The American Express Qantas Discovery Credit Card doesn’t have any annual fees and you will earn one point for each Australian dollar spent. Therefore, it is an ideal frequent flyer card perfect for domestic or overseas travel. Card members will also benefit from purchase and refund protection, online fraud protection, 24/7 global customer service and an essential fast global card replacement. This credit card will help you receive the rewards you deserve as a frequent flyer.
Best airline miles card: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
If you are an avid traveller and want to be rewarded for every time you purchase something whether home or abroad, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is one of the best around. This credit card will allow you to use points towards miles on any airline, hotel or other expenses whilst on holiday which is an added bonus that other credit cards do not offer. The credit card provided by, Capital One has no foreign transaction fee and you will earn 2 miles for every Australian dollar you spend, making this card well worth the AUS$59 annual fee. This standout credit card is essential for meeting the needs of every globetrotter.
Best sign-up bonus: The Chase Sapphire Preferred
Similar to the Capital One card, the Chase Sapphire card offers the same versatility by allowing you to use your rewards across different carriers or hotels. However, what separates this card from the rest is it’s sign-up bonus of 40,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards. These points can be capitalised on as they are worth 25% more when you make travel purchases using Chase’s booking tool. The Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card offers 2 points for every AUS$1 spent on travel and restaurants and 1 point per AUS$1 spent elsewhere, making this big bonus credit card top of your packing list when getting ready to travel.
Warning! Danger! High Voltage!
When signing up to a credit card, make sure to read the terms and conditions as it is often the case that you may only have a limited period of time to collect the sign up bonuses. Use credit card comparison websites to ensure that as a passionate traveller, you are getting the best credit card for you and what you need, as there is nothing better than being rewarded for travelling and seeing the world without breaking the bank.
Your Say
Do you use a credit card when you travel? What are your tips for selecting a credit card and managing the whole mess?