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Author: Matthew January 3, 2024
In this information-packed guide, we hope to answer a burning question, "What credit card should I get?" If you've come to this blog, you'll know our main focus is on generating points for free travel, so that's driving our goal in the selection process. Finally, at Wuhoo Group, we want to personalize and give a recommendation that will actually work for you. Therefore, this guide is only such that, a guide, with a regional focus of the DC metro area as an example! If you have additional questions or want a personal consultation, contact us at matthew@wuhoogroup.com or @Wuhoo_Group on Instagram.
See our updated blog post forSelecting a Premium Travel Card based on Airport
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*Below referral links may not be the best offer for you, as sign-up bonuses and promotions change constantly. Please use them if you would like to support Wuhoo Group directly, but also please reach out to see if there are better offers out there for you.
Why should you have a premium travel card?
Why should you have a premium travel card?
All the flashy commercials you may have seen show off the stunning landscapes and fun travelling excursions that these premium travel credit cards can get you. While getting a travel card for (free) travel is the main reason, there are plenty of other benefits you'll get when you go on a trip.
Travel Insurance Protections: Most premium travel cards will have some sort of coverage for baggage delays, flight delays, rental car coverage, etc. While it may be beneficial to purchase a separate travel policy, the initial coverage by a credit card can be extremely helpful when things don't turn out as planed.
No Foreign Transaction Fees: When travelling abroad, using your credit card will save you the cost of foreign transaction fees applied. For me, this is better than carrying a bunch of cash and worrying about getting a good exchange rate.
Flexible Points: When you have a specific hotel/airline credit card, those points earned are stuck with that brand. With a premium travel card, you earn flexible points that can be transferred to the hotel or airline they are partnered with, giving you a greater number of choices when travelling.
Lounge Access: Instead of waiting by the gate, at so many airports around the world you can get free access to airport lounges with free food, drinks, and other amenities like showers to help you relax and rest comfortably. Knowing many people end up buying food/drinks at airports before their flight anyways, this is a huge cost saver while making you feel like you're travelling luxuriously.
Various Credits: To incentivize you to use the card, the banks will provide various credits to different retailers/brands in terms of monthly, quarterly, or yearly benefits. Almost all of them have a Global Entry/TSA Pre-check credit which helps with breezing through customs/security.
The Lounge at Cancun Airport. Free access with Priority Pass
Things to Consider
Things to Consider
With all these perks, it's still important to consider several factors so you're not throwing away money, accruing interest, or spending money you wouldn't be spending. Sure you might get points, but if it drives up your bottom-line expenses, then it might not be as worth it.
Will I be able to use enough of the card's perks to justify paying the annual fee? Will I remember to use them?
What are my travel goals (e.g., aspirational flights, common destinations, hotel vs. Airbnb)?
Do I need lounge access for just myself, or multiple family members?
What airport do I usually fly out of?
Capital One Venture X
Capital One Venture X
Annual Fee: $395
Referral Link - Current bonus is 75,000 points after $4,000 spend, but there might be 90,000 point referrals still out there.
Rationale:
Rationale:
If you fly out of Dulles often or if you have a family, this card is basically a no-brainer because of the variety of great lounges here. Even if you fly out of Reagan, the card may be worthwhile. The $395 annual fee is easily offset by the $300 travel credit and 10,000 anniversary points, making it so they're paying you $5/year to keep the card. Furthermore, this card gives you up to 4 FREE authorized users who all get their own lounge access, so it's perfect for families or people who travel in large groups since you in theory could have a group of 10+ enter the Capital One Lounge in Dulles for free.
If you want simplicity with one card, this is also a great choice with its 2% earning on all purchases. Finally, in terms of redemption, Capital One makes it easy to redeem points 1:1 for cash, but provides even better value by transferring your points out to international carriers, such as Air France, Virgin Atlantic, British Airways, and Air Canada for free flights.
Credits/Perks:
Credits/Perks:
$300 travel credit when booked through Capital one Travel Portal
10,000 anniversary points gifted each year (at the start of your 2nd year), which is at minimum, equivalent to $100
$100 Global Entry or TSA Pre-check credit every 4 years
Hertz President’s Circle status
A 6-month Cultivist membership (basically free museum tickets)
Lounge Access:
Lounge Access:
The main reason I recommend the Venture X is because of its exclusive benefit, where you can add up to 4 authorized users for free who all get their own Priority Pass Lounge and Capital One Lounge Access. So if you have a family, this is an amazing deal.
Dulles International Airport (IAD) - Free access to Capital One Lounge with 2 guests AND several other nice ones (Turkish Airlines, Lufthansa, Virgin Atlantic).
Regan National Airport (DCA) - No lounge access yet. Capital One has partnered with Jose Andres for a lounge here, but TBD on when it opens.
Other Info:
Other Info:
2% back on all purchases
Capital Travel Portal has a price match system, that gives you credit when you book through them and show it was cheaper on another public site
Chase Sapphire Reserve
Chase Sapphire Reserve
Annual Fee: $550
Referral Link - Current bonus is 60,000 points after $4,000 spend .
Rationale:
Rationale:
This is probably one of the strongest premium travel cards out there with many articles detailing the perks and benefits. So, as long as you can utilize the credits below and you travel at least once a year, the Sapphire Reserve is a great card to start with. Chase points in general are very powerful with the ability to transfer to domestic partners like Southwest and United, while still having access to multiple international carriers. The most important transfer partner to me is Hyatt, which allowed me stay at $15K+ worth of hotels last year for free.
If you fly out of DCA often, then this is a great card to get free food before your flight with two restaurant lounges. And if you often fly American Airlines, Chase points transfer to British Airways, which can book American flights. I did this last year for a flight from FLL to DCA.
Finally, this card is best paired up with several other Chase cards to increase your earnings, so may not be the best standalone card for you. After the first year, you can also downgrade this to the $95 AF Sapphire Preferred, which retains the ability to transfer points, but loses lounge access.
Credits/Perks:
Credits/Perks:
$300 travel credit - automatically given for flights, hotels, tolls, etc., unlike the Capital One portal restriction
$100 Global Entry or TSA Pre-check credit every 4 years
$15 monthly Instacart credit ($180/year)
$5 monthly Doordash credit ($60/year) - stacks up to $15 before expiring
Various statuses including LyftPink, National Emerald Executive Club, and more.
Travel insurance: best of any card, primary auto insurance, and you only need to pay at least some of your trip on the card (versus the whole trip)
Lounge Access:
Lounge Access:
Out of the 3 main premium travel credit cards, only the Chase Sapphire Reserve has access to restaurants in the Priority Pass network.
Dulles International Airport (IAD) - Free access to Priority Pass lounges with 2 guests (Turkish Airlines, Lufthansa, Virgin Atlantic), even if you're not travelling on those airlines.
Regan National Airport (DCA) - $28 credit ($56 if you bring a guest) to two restaurants at DCA - Bracket Room and American Tap Room.
Other Info:
Other Info:
3% back on dining and travel, 1% back on mostly everything else
American Express Platinum
American Express Platinum
Annual Fee: $695
Referral Link - It will bring you to the American Express Gold referral, but you can scroll down to find the Platinum. However, this offer will likely not be the best you can get.
Rationale:
Rationale:
As one of the most expensive premium travel credit cards, the Amex Platinum is all about the math; whether the benefits and credits outweigh the high cost. As you can see below, there are a ton of credits, to make the card worthwhile. Also, a recent change occured where if you apply for the Amex Platinum first, you will be ineligible to recieve a bonus from their Gold card. So it's recommended to get the Gold first to get 4x on dining and groceries, then the Platinum. Either card will be able to transfer your American Express membership points to domestic carriers like Delta and similar international carriers as the other travel cards.
Credits/Perks:
Credits/Perks:
$50 semi annual Saks Fifth Avenue credit ($100/year)
$20 monthly digital entertainment credit ($240/year) - doesn't include very streaming service, so double check what is included
$200 airline credit - you must select one preferred airline to receive this benefit
$155 Walmart+ credit
$200 hotel credit - must be with teh Fine Hotels and Resorts Collection)
$15 monthly Uber credit
$300 Equinox credit
$189 CLEAR credit
Various statuses including Hilton Honors Gold and Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite
$100 Global Entry or TSA Pre-check credit every 4 years
Cell phone protection
Lounge Access:
Lounge Access:
American Express has the largest network of its own lounges across the US. Unfortunately Dulles does not have any and Reagan is building one with an unknown planned opening time. Fortunately, the Amex Platinum does include Priority Pass, but no restaurants.
Dulles International Airport (IAD) - Free access to Priority Pass lounges with 2 guests (Turkish Airlines, Lufthansa, Virgin Atlantic), even if you're not travelling on those airlines.
Regan National Airport (DCA) - No lounge access yet. Centurion lounge coming soon.
Other Info:
Other Info:
5% back on travel, 1% back on mostly everything else
Other Potential Cards
Other Potential Cards
There are several other premium travel cards from other banks that can fit your need. However, they miss some of the beneficial marks like travel insurance, unlimited lounge access, and transferrable partners. That doesn't mean they shouldn't be considered in your arsenals as everyone's situation is different. Talk to us to see which card may be the best fit for you!
Other cards:
Citi Premier
Wells Fargo Autograph
Bilt Card
US Bank Altitude Connect
Hopefully this information is helpful to you. If you have any questions or want to dig deeper, please contact us at matthew.novasb@gmail.com to learn more!
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