Away Together is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
Without a doubt, one of the best ways to save money on travel without compromising your experience is by using points and miles earned through credit cards to book flights and hotels for free. However, in an industry controlled by financial institutions and dominated by clever marketers, it’s hard to know which credit card offers are genuinely good and which ones should be ignored.
Here are 7 crucial things to do before applying for a credit card.
1. Check Your Credit Score
Your credit score is crucial when applying for travel rewards credit cards. Some cards require excellent credit scores, so it’s wise to check your score before applying. Use free tools like Credit Karma to monitor your credit score and get tips on managing your credit.
2. Consider the Number of Cards You’ve Opened
The number of credit cards you’ve recently opened can affect your eligibility for new ones. Certain banks pay close attention to your history, and if you’ve opened several accounts within the past two years, you may find yourself denied for additional cards — even if you have an excellent credit score.
Chase credit cards, for example, are especially valuable in the points and miles world, so many travelers choose to prioritize them early in their journey. Applying too late, after opening several other cards, can make it harder to be approved and limit your long-term points-earning potential.
3. Understand the Type of Points You’ll Earn
Not all points are created equal. The value of points can vary significantly between programs.
You could have two credit cards with what appear to be identical welcome offers. For example, Card 1 offers 100K points and so does Card 2. Which one would you choose? My answer is: I need more info.
If Card 1 is 100,000 United Miles, and Card 2 is 100,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards®, I’m choosing Card 2 every single time. At the time of this post, United Miles are valued somewhere around 1.35 cents each. Chase Ultimate Rewards are valued closer to 2.05 cents each, and you can use them in many more places.
4. Evaluate the Welcome Bonus
The size and timing of the welcome bonus can significantly impact your points accumulation. Bonuses can vary during promotional periods, so it’s essential to time your applications to maximize these offers.
5. Assess the Minimum Spending Requirement
Most cards require you to meet a minimum spending requirement to earn the welcome bonus.
Ask yourself if you can reach this minimum spend with your regular life purchases. Most cards that offer a welcome bonus require a certain amount of spending in the first few months to earn that bonus.
6. Consider the Annual Fee
Annual fees are a recurring expense, so weigh them against the card’s benefits. Some cards offer perks that easily offset the fee, such as free hotel nights, annual travel credits, or airport lounge access.
7. Choosing the Right Card for You
Recommended Personal Travel Rewards Cards
If you’re starting out or looking for a strong all-around personal travel card, these are some of my favorites:
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card – Low annual fee, flexible redemptions, and access to valuable transfer partners.
Chase Sapphire Reserve® – Higher annual fee, but premium perks like travel credits, airport lounge access, and better redemption value on travel.
American Express Platinum Card® – Premium travel benefits including Centurion Lounge access and extensive transfer partners (enrollment required for select benefits).
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card – Flat-rate earning, flexible redemptions, and Priority Pass™ lounge access.
Use CardMatch™ to Check for Pre-Qualified Offers
Before applying for any card, consider using CardMatch™ to see if you may match with available credit card offers. Checking takes only a minute, has no impact on your credit score, and offers may not be available to all users.
Can’t Open a New Card Right Now? Try These
Two Player Mode
Maximize points accumulation by involving your partner. By strategically applying for cards in both your names, you could effectively double your points-earning potential. This approach, known as “Two Player Mode,” leverages the combined efforts of your household.
Business Cards
Business credit cards can help you earn more points without affecting your personal credit in the same way. If you have a side hustle or any income-generating activity, you might qualify for a business card—even if you don’t think of yourself as a traditional “business owner.”
Here are a few of my top business travel rewards cards:
Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ – Premium travel perks with the flexibility of Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card – Large bonus potential and strong category earning for travel and business expenses.
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express – High bonus potential, premium benefits, and statement credits (enrollment required for select benefits).
Capital One Venture X Business – Flexible rewards, strong travel perks, and lounge access.
Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.