There are many benefits of the American Express Gold Card. In addition to travel miles, you’ll get cash back on your purchases and perks like Uber Cash. This card comes with a hefty annual fee, but the benefits more than makeup for it. For instance, you’ll get 4% back at restaurants and grocery stores and 1% on everything else. While the annual fee is a bit steep, the rewards rate makes it well worth it. Plus, you can earn up to $1,799 worth of credit each year and enjoy up to $200 in Uber Cash.
The American Express Platinum Card offers travel miles to many partners, including airlines and hotels. If you travel regularly, you’ll be able to transfer your points to a partner program. But, keep in mind that it can get expensive – you’ll need to spend a lot of money in the first few months to earn the bonus. Getting the most out of the card’s travel rewards program is important. It’s best to sign up for a partner program to take advantage of the benefits. Then, stay updated about changes.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a great travel reward credit card that does not have any complicated requirements and benefits. It offers a high sign-up bonus and ongoing rewards rate, making it competitive with any travel card. Its simple rewards program makes redeeming travel miles a breeze. As with many travel rewards credit cards, it is important to redeem your miles for travel within 90 days. The card offers no annual fee, and it has a secure online application process.
Another great feature of the Capital One Venture is the application fee credit it provides for TSA Pre(r) or Global Entry every four years. Both programs grant cardholders expedited security screening at countless U.S. airports. Members in December 2020 waited less than five minutes at security. If you’re an airline loyalist, you’ll be glad you signed up for one of these travel loyalty cards.
Redeeming points or miles
You can redeem the points or miles you earn by using a rewards portal. The value of a point can be a penny or even less. Most rewards portals offer merchandise at above-retail prices. But beware: You can’t redeem a point for the exact amount you earned. It’s better to redeem it for a valuable upgrade or benefit, such as cash back. Some cards allow you to redeem your points at any amount.
If your rewards come in the form of frequent flyer miles or points, you can use them to travel at your convenience. It is not necessary to use them immediately. Many credit card companies offer a rewards portal online. However, you can call customer service to redeem them. The rewards will be credited to your account within 18 months of earning them. However, if you don’t plan on using them within that timeframe, you’ll lose them.
Depending on the rewards program and credit card you use, the value of your points or miles can vary. For example, one point is worth one cent, while 50,000 Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card miles are worth $500 in travel. This makes it easy to calculate how much each point or mile is worth. However, if you want to use them for something else, you can calculate the value by comparing prices and mileage.
