Traveling for the Holidays? Don’t Book Before Reading These 3 Credit Card Tips

Despite living halfway across the country from most of my family, I don’t often spend a lot on travel. As a credit card expert, I’ve learned to use my cards to their fullest, reducing my travel expenses and the stress typically associated with traveling during the holidays. Here are my top tips.

Tips for getting the most from your travel card during the holidays

The holidays can be a stressful time, especially when you’re trying to get your ducks in a row for travel. With these tips, your credit card can help make your trip smoother and even put money back in your pocket.

Know your cardholder benefits

Before you book a flight, review your credit cards’ benefits. Choosing the right one could save you from holiday travel headaches. 

For example, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers trip delay coverage that reimburses you for meals, your hotel and transportation if your trip is delayed for more than 12 hours. It also offers primary rental car insurance, without requiring you to go through your automotive policy.

Take advantage of TSA PreCheck, for free

When you’re already strapped for time amid holiday travel, the last thing you want to face is a daunting TSA line. Thankfully, my family and I all have TSA PreCheck. Not only do we wait in a much shorter line, we leave our belts and shoes on, and our liquids and laptops in our bags. So that’s one less thing to have to think about when packing.

Many credit cards offer a statement credit toward the application fees, including the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card* and the Chase Sapphire Reserve®. This benefit can be used for anyone’s application, and children 12 and under may accompany a parent or guardian in the TSA PreCheck lanes.

Lean into lounges

You got to the airport a few hours early, but now you’re stuck sitting on the floor, waiting for the Panda Express to open while trying to find an open outlet. Airport lounges are an essential respite from the mayhem of holiday travel, offering a quiet space to relax and recharge, plus free snacks. And there are many premium cards that offer you complimentary access. 

For example, the Capital One Venture X offers a Priority Pass Select membership, as well as access to Capital One Lounges. Additional authorized users receive lounge access too, and you can bring two guests for free. If you’re passing through Denver, keep an eye out for me and my family at the Capital One Lounge.

Should I apply for a new card for the holidays?

While you should never have more credit cards than you can manage responsibly, the holidays may be a good time to apply for a new card. You can use the benefits during your holiday travel, and earn a bonus by meeting the minimum spending requirements with your holiday shopping. There are also several limited-time offers available this year. 

These three credit cards offer award travel opportunities this year:

• Frontier Airlines World Mastercard*. No fees for seat assignments and carry-on bags when you have this card that offers you instant Gold Elite Status. 
• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. New applicants earn a $300 Chase Travel credit plus 60,000 bonus points after $4,000 in purchases in your first three months from account opening, while enjoying top-notch travel benefits. 
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card*. New applicants can earn 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months, plus outstanding benefits.

*All information about the Capital One Venture X Credit Card and the Frontier Airlines