Planning Warm Weather Travel? Which Credit Card Should You Use?
November 8, 2010
With spring upon us and summer approaching, perhaps you’re thinking about taking a holiday as the weather warms up. Let’s say you and the family intend to take a big trip overseas. You know you want to use your credit cards for most of your travel transactions because you don’t want to carry much cash and you don’t want to be bothered with traveller’s cheques. But how do you decide which credit card (or cards) to use for something like that?
Here are some things you should consider when choosing which credit cards to use for travel expenses:
1. Rewards
Trip expenses can add up quickly when you factor in things like transportation, lodging and meals — especially for a whole family. Then you also have the cost of any tourist attractions (like entrance to an amusement park), souvenirs, and other incidental expenses. If you’re going to spend a lot of money anyway, why not get a little something back for it too? Use a rewards credit card like the St. George Amplify credit card and earn rewards points from all of your travel expenses put on the card. Better yet, use a frequent flyer card like the Earth Platinum credit card and you could earn points towards your next trip.
2. Travel Insurance
Some credit cards offer free perks like insurance. One of the most common types of free insurance given by credit card companies is free international travel insurance. If you’re travelling overseas, that could help you save some money and give you greater peace of mind. Check to see if your credit card has it, like the Citibank Platinum credit card does. Just remember that you have to use that credit card to book your trip if you want the free travel insurance.
3. Available Credit Limits
If you’re going to be taking a trip out of the country and you want to rely heavily on credit cards, anticipate potential problems. Make sure the credit cards you take with you have a large enough available credit limit to cover things like emergency medical expenses if you don’t have insurance to cover it. It’s a good idea to take more than one credit card, and set one aside as emergency funding only (such as in a hotel safe). This also protects you and leaves you with a funding source if your primary credit card is lost or stolen.
4. Driver Services and Other Perks
Some credit cards give you even better perks as a traveller than just insurance. For example, the Emirates Citibank Platinum credit card offers complimentary lounge access while in Australia and Dubai, and you can get chauffeured transportation to and from the airport on the Australian leg of your trip.
Your needs as a traveller will vary depending on where you’re going, why you’re travelling, and who you’re taking with you. But these tips should help you find the best travel credit card for your next holiday or business trip no matter what those needs are.
Below are 3 of our most popular and recommended credit card offers:
Purchase Rate (p.a.) |
Cash Rate (p.a.) |
Balance Transfer |
Interest Free Days |
Annual Fee |
||
Citibank Clear Platinum |
11.99% | 21.74% | 2.9% for 12 months | up to 55 days | $49 | More Info |
ANZ Platinum Credit Card |
0% for 6 months | 21.49% | 0% for 6 months | up to 44 days | $0 first year | More Info |
Westpac Low Rate Credit Card |
0% for 6 months | 21.49% | 0% for 6 months | up to 55 days | $45 | More Info |
