How Travel Credit Cards Can Save You Thousands
If you're traveling frequently and not using a premium travel credit card, you're leaving money on the table. Here's the complete breakdown.
Airport Lounge Access
Premium cards give you access to airport lounges worldwide:
#Priority Pass (1,400+ lounges)
• Chase Sapphire Reserve: Unlimited visits
• Amex Platinum: Unlimited visits
• Capital One Venture X: Unlimited visits
#Exclusive Lounges
• Amex Centurion Lounges: Premium food, cocktails, spas (Amex Platinum only)
• Capital One Lounges: New, modern lounges at select airports
• Delta Sky Clubs: With Amex Delta cards
Lounges offer free food, drinks, WiFi, showers, and quiet workspaces. For frequent travelers, this alone can justify the annual fee.
Skip the Lines
These services get you through airports faster:
#TSA PreCheck ($78/5 years)
• Keep shoes, belt, jacket on
• Laptop stays in bag
• Dedicated shorter lines
• Reimbursed by most premium cards
#Global Entry ($100/5 years)
• Skip customs lines returning to US
• Includes TSA PreCheck
• Reimbursed by: Chase Sapphire Reserve, Amex Platinum, Capital One Venture X
#CLEAR Plus ($189/year)
• Biometric ID—skip to front of security
• Reimbursed by: Amex Platinum, Capital One Venture X
Pro tip: Stack these together. CLEAR to skip the ID check line, then TSA PreCheck for expedited screening. You can clear security in under 5 minutes.
Rental Car Insurance Scam
Rental car counters push expensive insurance ($25-40/day). Here's the secret: your credit card probably covers this.
#Primary Coverage (Best)
These cards provide PRIMARY coverage, meaning they pay first—no need to involve your personal insurance:
• Chase Sapphire Reserve
• Capital One Venture X
• Amex Premium cards (when you decline rental coverage)
#What's Covered
• Collision damage
• Theft
• Typically up to the car's full value
• Valid in most countries
#How to Use It
1. Decline ALL insurance at the rental counter
2. Pay with your covered credit card
3. If there's damage, file a claim with your card issuer
Savings: $25-40/day × 10 rental days/year = $250-400/year saved
The Math
#Chase Sapphire Reserve ($550/year)
• $300 travel credit = Net $250
• Global Entry credit ($100 value over 5 years)
• Priority Pass lounge access
• Primary rental car insurance
• 3x points on travel and dining
#Capital One Venture X ($395/year)
• $300 travel credit = Net $95
• Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit
• Priority Pass + Capital One Lounges
• Primary rental car insurance
• 10,000 bonus miles annually ($100 value)
Both cards pay for themselves if you travel even a few times per year.
Getting Started
1. If you're new to travel cards: Start with Chase Sapphire Preferred or Capital One Venture (no annual fee first year)
2. If you travel 5+ times/year: Go straight to Reserve or Venture X
3. If you want maximum perks: Amex Platinum (highest fee, most benefits)
The Bottom Line
A good travel credit card isn't an expense—it's an investment. Between lounge access, line-skipping, and rental car insurance, frequent travelers can easily save $1,000+ per year while traveling more comfortably.
Premium cards give you access to airport lounges worldwide:
#
Priority Pass (1,400+ lounges)
• Chase Sapphire Reserve: Unlimited visits
• Amex Platinum: Unlimited visits
• Capital One Venture X: Unlimited visits
#Exclusive Lounges
• Amex Centurion Lounges: Premium food, cocktails, spas (Amex Platinum only)
• Capital One Lounges: New, modern lounges at select airports
• Delta Sky Clubs: With Amex Delta cards
Lounges offer free food, drinks, WiFi, showers, and quiet workspaces. For frequent travelers, this alone can justify the annual fee.
Skip the Lines
These services get you through airports faster:
#TSA PreCheck ($78/5 years)
• Keep shoes, belt, jacket on
• Laptop stays in bag
• Dedicated shorter lines
• Reimbursed by most premium cards
#Global Entry ($100/5 years)
• Skip customs lines returning to US
• Includes TSA PreCheck
• Reimbursed by: Chase Sapphire Reserve, Amex Platinum, Capital One Venture X
#CLEAR Plus ($189/year)
• Biometric ID—skip to front of security
• Reimbursed by: Amex Platinum, Capital One Venture X
Pro tip: Stack these together. CLEAR to skip the ID check line, then TSA PreCheck for expedited screening. You can clear security in under 5 minutes.
Rental Car Insurance Scam
Rental car counters push expensive insurance ($25-40/day). Here's the secret: your credit card probably covers this.
#Primary Coverage (Best)
These cards provide PRIMARY coverage, meaning they pay first—no need to involve your personal insurance:
• Chase Sapphire Reserve
• Capital One Venture X
• Amex Premium cards (when you decline rental coverage)
#What's Covered
• Collision damage
• Theft
• Typically up to the car's full value
• Valid in most countries
#How to Use It
1. Decline ALL insurance at the rental counter
2. Pay with your covered credit card
3. If there's damage, file a claim with your card issuer
Savings: $25-40/day × 10 rental days/year = $250-400/year saved
The Math
#Chase Sapphire Reserve ($550/year)
• $300 travel credit = Net $250
• Global Entry credit ($100 value over 5 years)
• Priority Pass lounge access
• Primary rental car insurance
• 3x points on travel and dining
#Capital One Venture X ($395/year)
• $300 travel credit = Net $95
• Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit
• Priority Pass + Capital One Lounges
• Primary rental car insurance
• 10,000 bonus miles annually ($100 value)
Both cards pay for themselves if you travel even a few times per year.
Getting Started
1. If you're new to travel cards: Start with Chase Sapphire Preferred or Capital One Venture (no annual fee first year)
2. If you travel 5+ times/year: Go straight to Reserve or Venture X
3. If you want maximum perks: Amex Platinum (highest fee, most benefits)
The Bottom Line
A good travel credit card isn't an expense—it's an investment. Between lounge access, line-skipping, and rental car insurance, frequent travelers can easily save $1,000+ per year while traveling more comfortably.
• Amex Centurion Lounges: Premium food, cocktails, spas (Amex Platinum only)
• Capital One Lounges: New, modern lounges at select airports
• Delta Sky Clubs: With Amex Delta cards
Lounges offer free food, drinks, WiFi, showers, and quiet workspaces. For frequent travelers, this alone can justify the annual fee.
Skip the Lines
These services get you through airports faster:
#TSA PreCheck ($78/5 years)
• Keep shoes, belt, jacket on
• Laptop stays in bag
• Dedicated shorter lines
• Reimbursed by most premium cards
#Global Entry ($100/5 years)
• Skip customs lines returning to US
• Includes TSA PreCheck
• Reimbursed by: Chase Sapphire Reserve, Amex Platinum, Capital One Venture X
#CLEAR Plus ($189/year)
• Biometric ID—skip to front of security
• Reimbursed by: Amex Platinum, Capital One Venture X
Pro tip: Stack these together. CLEAR to skip the ID check line, then TSA PreCheck for expedited screening. You can clear security in under 5 minutes.
Rental Car Insurance Scam
Rental car counters push expensive insurance ($25-40/day). Here's the secret: your credit card probably covers this.
#Primary Coverage (Best)
These cards provide PRIMARY coverage, meaning they pay first—no need to involve your personal insurance:
• Chase Sapphire Reserve
• Capital One Venture X
• Amex Premium cards (when you decline rental coverage)
#What's Covered
• Collision damage
• Theft
• Typically up to the car's full value
• Valid in most countries
#How to Use It
1. Decline ALL insurance at the rental counter
2. Pay with your covered credit card
3. If there's damage, file a claim with your card issuer
Savings: $25-40/day × 10 rental days/year = $250-400/year saved
The Math
#Chase Sapphire Reserve ($550/year)
• $300 travel credit = Net $250
• Global Entry credit ($100 value over 5 years)
• Priority Pass lounge access
• Primary rental car insurance
• 3x points on travel and dining
#Capital One Venture X ($395/year)
• $300 travel credit = Net $95
• Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit
• Priority Pass + Capital One Lounges
• Primary rental car insurance
• 10,000 bonus miles annually ($100 value)
Both cards pay for themselves if you travel even a few times per year.
Getting Started
1. If you're new to travel cards: Start with Chase Sapphire Preferred or Capital One Venture (no annual fee first year)
2. If you travel 5+ times/year: Go straight to Reserve or Venture X
3. If you want maximum perks: Amex Platinum (highest fee, most benefits)
The Bottom Line
A good travel credit card isn't an expense—it's an investment. Between lounge access, line-skipping, and rental car insurance, frequent travelers can easily save $1,000+ per year while traveling more comfortably.
• Keep shoes, belt, jacket on
• Laptop stays in bag
• Dedicated shorter lines
• Reimbursed by most premium cards
#
Global Entry ($100/5 years)
• Skip customs lines returning to US
• Includes TSA PreCheck
• Reimbursed by: Chase Sapphire Reserve, Amex Platinum, Capital One Venture X
#CLEAR Plus ($189/year)
• Biometric ID—skip to front of security
• Reimbursed by: Amex Platinum, Capital One Venture X
Pro tip: Stack these together. CLEAR to skip the ID check line, then TSA PreCheck for expedited screening. You can clear security in under 5 minutes.
Rental Car Insurance Scam
Rental car counters push expensive insurance ($25-40/day). Here's the secret: your credit card probably covers this.
#Primary Coverage (Best)
These cards provide PRIMARY coverage, meaning they pay first—no need to involve your personal insurance:
• Chase Sapphire Reserve
• Capital One Venture X
• Amex Premium cards (when you decline rental coverage)
#What's Covered
• Collision damage
• Theft
• Typically up to the car's full value
• Valid in most countries
#How to Use It
1. Decline ALL insurance at the rental counter
2. Pay with your covered credit card
3. If there's damage, file a claim with your card issuer
Savings: $25-40/day × 10 rental days/year = $250-400/year saved
The Math
#Chase Sapphire Reserve ($550/year)
• $300 travel credit = Net $250
• Global Entry credit ($100 value over 5 years)
• Priority Pass lounge access
• Primary rental car insurance
• 3x points on travel and dining
#Capital One Venture X ($395/year)
• $300 travel credit = Net $95
• Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit
• Priority Pass + Capital One Lounges
• Primary rental car insurance
• 10,000 bonus miles annually ($100 value)
Both cards pay for themselves if you travel even a few times per year.
Getting Started
1. If you're new to travel cards: Start with Chase Sapphire Preferred or Capital One Venture (no annual fee first year)
2. If you travel 5+ times/year: Go straight to Reserve or Venture X
3. If you want maximum perks: Amex Platinum (highest fee, most benefits)
The Bottom Line
A good travel credit card isn't an expense—it's an investment. Between lounge access, line-skipping, and rental car insurance, frequent travelers can easily save $1,000+ per year while traveling more comfortably.
• Biometric ID—skip to front of security
• Reimbursed by: Amex Platinum, Capital One Venture X
Pro tip: Stack these together. CLEAR to skip the ID check line, then TSA PreCheck for expedited screening. You can clear security in under 5 minutes.
Rental Car Insurance Scam
Rental car counters push expensive insurance ($25-40/day). Here's the secret: your credit card probably covers this.
#Primary Coverage (Best)
These cards provide PRIMARY coverage, meaning they pay first—no need to involve your personal insurance:
• Chase Sapphire Reserve
• Capital One Venture X
• Amex Premium cards (when you decline rental coverage)
#What's Covered
• Collision damage
• Theft
• Typically up to the car's full value
• Valid in most countries
#How to Use It
1. Decline ALL insurance at the rental counter
2. Pay with your covered credit card
3. If there's damage, file a claim with your card issuer
Savings: $25-40/day × 10 rental days/year = $250-400/year saved
The Math
#Chase Sapphire Reserve ($550/year)
• $300 travel credit = Net $250
• Global Entry credit ($100 value over 5 years)
• Priority Pass lounge access
• Primary rental car insurance
• 3x points on travel and dining
#Capital One Venture X ($395/year)
• $300 travel credit = Net $95
• Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit
• Priority Pass + Capital One Lounges
• Primary rental car insurance
• 10,000 bonus miles annually ($100 value)
Both cards pay for themselves if you travel even a few times per year.
Getting Started
1. If you're new to travel cards: Start with Chase Sapphire Preferred or Capital One Venture (no annual fee first year)
2. If you travel 5+ times/year: Go straight to Reserve or Venture X
3. If you want maximum perks: Amex Platinum (highest fee, most benefits)
The Bottom Line
A good travel credit card isn't an expense—it's an investment. Between lounge access, line-skipping, and rental car insurance, frequent travelers can easily save $1,000+ per year while traveling more comfortably.
These cards provide PRIMARY coverage, meaning they pay first—no need to involve your personal insurance:
• Chase Sapphire Reserve
• Capital One Venture X
• Amex Premium cards (when you decline rental coverage)
#
What's Covered
• Collision damage
• Theft
• Typically up to the car's full value
• Valid in most countries
#How to Use It
1. Decline ALL insurance at the rental counter
2. Pay with your covered credit card
3. If there's damage, file a claim with your card issuer
Savings: $25-40/day × 10 rental days/year = $250-400/year saved
The Math
#Chase Sapphire Reserve ($550/year)
• $300 travel credit = Net $250
• Global Entry credit ($100 value over 5 years)
• Priority Pass lounge access
• Primary rental car insurance
• 3x points on travel and dining
#Capital One Venture X ($395/year)
• $300 travel credit = Net $95
• Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit
• Priority Pass + Capital One Lounges
• Primary rental car insurance
• 10,000 bonus miles annually ($100 value)
Both cards pay for themselves if you travel even a few times per year.
Getting Started
1. If you're new to travel cards: Start with Chase Sapphire Preferred or Capital One Venture (no annual fee first year)
2. If you travel 5+ times/year: Go straight to Reserve or Venture X
3. If you want maximum perks: Amex Platinum (highest fee, most benefits)
The Bottom Line
A good travel credit card isn't an expense—it's an investment. Between lounge access, line-skipping, and rental car insurance, frequent travelers can easily save $1,000+ per year while traveling more comfortably.
1. Decline ALL insurance at the rental counter
2. Pay with your covered credit card
3. If there's damage, file a claim with your card issuer
Savings: $25-40/day × 10 rental days/year = $250-400/year saved
The Math
#Chase Sapphire Reserve ($550/year)
• $300 travel credit = Net $250
• Global Entry credit ($100 value over 5 years)
• Priority Pass lounge access
• Primary rental car insurance
• 3x points on travel and dining
#Capital One Venture X ($395/year)
• $300 travel credit = Net $95
• Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit
• Priority Pass + Capital One Lounges
• Primary rental car insurance
• 10,000 bonus miles annually ($100 value)
Both cards pay for themselves if you travel even a few times per year.
Getting Started
1. If you're new to travel cards: Start with Chase Sapphire Preferred or Capital One Venture (no annual fee first year)
2. If you travel 5+ times/year: Go straight to Reserve or Venture X
3. If you want maximum perks: Amex Platinum (highest fee, most benefits)
The Bottom Line
A good travel credit card isn't an expense—it's an investment. Between lounge access, line-skipping, and rental car insurance, frequent travelers can easily save $1,000+ per year while traveling more comfortably.
• $300 travel credit = Net $250
• Global Entry credit ($100 value over 5 years)
• Priority Pass lounge access
• Primary rental car insurance
• 3x points on travel and dining
#
Capital One Venture X ($395/year)
• $300 travel credit = Net $95
• Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit
• Priority Pass + Capital One Lounges
• Primary rental car insurance
• 10,000 bonus miles annually ($100 value)
Both cards pay for themselves if you travel even a few times per year.
Getting Started
1. If you're new to travel cards: Start with Chase Sapphire Preferred or Capital One Venture (no annual fee first year)
2. If you travel 5+ times/year: Go straight to Reserve or Venture X
3. If you want maximum perks: Amex Platinum (highest fee, most benefits)
The Bottom Line
A good travel credit card isn't an expense—it's an investment. Between lounge access, line-skipping, and rental car insurance, frequent travelers can easily save $1,000+ per year while traveling more comfortably.
1. If you're new to travel cards: Start with Chase Sapphire Preferred or Capital One Venture (no annual fee first year)
2. If you travel 5+ times/year: Go straight to Reserve or Venture X
3. If you want maximum perks: Amex Platinum (highest fee, most benefits)