There are so many rewards credit cards out there nowadays that offer annual travel credits to help customers justify higher annual fees. Most of these travel credits are added as benefits on credit cards with high annual fees. So it’s really important to make sure you put them to use in order to help offset these fees. Whether you have one of these cards or you’re in the market for a new one, here are some credit card annual travel credits you should know about:
U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card
The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card offers the highest annual travel credit out there. Every year, cardholders receive a $325 credit to be applied towards travel purchases. Of course, the card also has a $400 annual fee, which lowers your out-of-pocket cost to $75.
Citi Prestige
The Citi Prestige does travel credits right. Every year, cardholders who pony up the $550 annual fee get a $250 travel credit. It can be applied towards anything that Citi codes as “travel,” including airfare, hotel bookings, cruises, OTA bookings and even some tour packages and public transportation.
Chase Sapphire Reserve
The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers a $300 annual travel credit, which can be redeemed towards any purchases coded as travel by Chase. The credit is automatically applied, though you should always double check and report any discrepancies.
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card
There is a lot Marriott can do to get back into our good graces, but I gotta give credit where it’s due. The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card’s $300 annual Marriott property credit is pretty generous. That’s assuming Marriott doesn’t cancel your reservation after redeeming it…
Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card
The Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card only has a $95, which makes the $100 annual airline incidental credit quite generous. The $100 statement credit is applied towards airline checked bag fees, seat upgrades, change fees, lounge access, or in-flight purchases. Overall, a terrific benefit for a credit card with a $95 annual fee. Factor in the $100 Global Entry fee credit issued every 4 years and this card is definitely worth a second look.
American Express Hilton Honors Aspire
I love Hilton Honors. Aside from the fact that I’ve had some incredible stays at Hilton properties (not to mention room upgrades to boot), the program is one of the best when it comes to earning free nights. Hilton is very generous to its members and the American Express Hilton Honors Aspire card is no exception. It boasts not one but three annual travel statement credits:
- $250 annual airline incidental credit
- $250 annual Hilton statement credit
- $100 statement credit on qualifying stays of two nights or more at Conrad and Waldorf Astoria properties
That’s beyond generous, considering the annual fee is *just* $450 and cardholders also receive free Diamond elite status. Needless to say, this card is staying in my wallet for good.
American Express Platinum (Business and Personal)
Both the American Express Platinum and Business Platinum cards offer annual $200 airline fee credits that can be applied towards fees. Of course, lots of people use the credit for airline gift card fee purchases, which is a great way to roll the credit over. Additionally, the Amex Business Platinum card has a $200 Uber credit that is paid out in monthly installments. That’s great for those of you who have trouble remembering to redeem these credits (guilty).
American Express Gold Card
The American Express Gold Card offers two annual travel-centric credit statements. The first is a $100 airline fee credit that can be applied towards incidental charges (i.e. bags, change fees, in-flight purchases, etc.). The second is a $120 annual dining credit that can be applied towards food delivery apps like GrubHub, Seamless, The Cheesecake Factory, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, and participating Shake Shack locations. The credit is issued in $10 monthly installments, kind of like the Uber credit from the Amex Platinum Card. Overall, these are solid benefits considering the American Express Gold Card has a $250 annual fee.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card
What’s better than getting the Southwest Companion Pass after picking up two co-branded credit cards? A $75 annual travel credit to offset the annual fee. The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card carries a $149 annual fee, but $75 of which is recouped every year thanks to the travel credit.
Which of these annual travel credits are you looking forward to redeeming this year?
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Source: frugal travel guy