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What are travel credit cards, and how do they work?
Travel credit cards are financial products that offer various rewards and benefits geared towards frequent travelers. They typically earn you points or miles for every dollar spent on eligible purchases. These rewards can be redeemed for flights, hotel stays, car rentals, and other travel-related expenses. Travel credit cards may also include perks like travel insurance, airport lounge access, and no foreign transaction fees.
How do I choose the best travel credit card for my needs?
Choosing the best travel credit card depends on your travel habits, spending patterns, and preferences. Consider factors like the type of rewards offered (points, miles, or cash back), the card’s annual fee, sign-up bonuses, earning rates, redemption options, and additional travel perks. Analyzing these features will help you find a card that aligns with your lifestyle and offers the most value.
What are the benefits of using a travel credit card over other types of credit cards?
Travel credit cards provide unique advantages for travelers, such as earning rewards specifically tailored to travel expenses. Additionally, many travel credit cards offer travel-related perks like free checked bags, priority boarding, and travel insurance. Some cards also waive foreign transaction fees, making them ideal for international travelers.
What is a sign-up bonus, and how can I qualify for it?
A sign-up bonus is a promotional offer provided by the credit card issuer to entice new cardholders. To qualify for a sign-up bonus, you usually need to meet specific spending requirements within a certain timeframe after opening the account. The bonus can be in the form of points, miles, or cash back, and it’s a great way to jump-start your rewards earning.
Do travel credit cards charge foreign transaction fees?
Not all travel credit cards charge foreign transaction fees. Many of the top-tier travel cards waive these fees, making them ideal for international travel. However, it’s essential to read the card’s terms and conditions to confirm this before using it abroad.
How can I maximize the rewards earned with my travel credit card?
To maximize rewards, use your travel credit card for everyday expenses and large purchases. Take advantage of bonus categories and special promotions to earn more points or miles. Consider combining your travel credit card with loyalty programs to stack rewards and get even more value out of your purchases.
Whether you’re reading this on a dreary winter’s afternoon or frying in the heat of a brutal summer, one thing will always be true: the weather in San Diego is better. And that’s all the excuse you need to hop on a flight at any time of the year to one of the US’ finest cities, bask in the sunshine, and take things at a true San Diego pace.
Of course, San Diego isn’t known for being an affordable city, so saving a few bucks where you can goes a long way. And what better way to save than grabbing a flight for almost nothing?
Read also: How to Use Points and Miles to Get Flights to Australia
To prove how easy it is to enjoy a weekend in the sun, we’ve thrown together the best ways to find flights from NYC to San Diego using points and miles. “Why NYC?” I hear you ask. Because it’s on the opposite side of the country, and if you can fly free from there, you can do it from anywhere.
Let’s take a look at some flights from NYC to San Diego using points and miles.
Finding the best airlines for points and miles flights from NYC to San Diego
As with any points and miles quest, the best way to start is simply to search for flights from NYC to San Diego. Check which airports in New York have direct flights, and which airlines operate them. How many times a day do they run? If they have connections, where are they? And of course, check the price of these flights.
All of this information will help you make a logical decision and maximize the value of your flights from NYC to San Diego. We’ve done some of the hard work for you, though. Here are some of the best options.
Using Delta SkyMiles to find flights from NYC to San Diego
First up on our list is Delta. The US’ most popular airline doesn’t have the most reliable loyalty program. Its dynamic award system fluctuates heavily, making it tough to find high-value redemptions. But its domestic redemptions are one exception. A quick search shows it’s easy to find flights from NYC to San Diego for as little as 15.5 thousand SkyMiles plus $5.60—a great deal by any standard.
Another Delta sweet spot is its monthly sky deals page. The list is updated every few weeks and has some incredible deals for specific routes. At the time of writing, there were flights from NYC to San Diego going for just 22.5 thousand SkyMiles for a roundtrip. There’s no guarantee that the deal will be there in the future, but it’s always worth checking from your home airport.
How to earn enough Delta SkyMiles for flights from NYC to San Diego
Earning Delta SkyMiles is simple, even if you don’t fly with the airline or its partners regularly. American Express is a transfer partner and also facilitates Delta’s line of co-branded cards. That leaves you with a number of different options for finding enough SkyMiles for flights from NYC to San Diego.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
The Platinum Card is American Express’ most premium product. While it does have a hefty annual fee, it’s nullified by a mega 80,000-point intro bonus. You’ll need to spend $8,000 within six months of opening the card to earn those points, but that’ll leave you with enough points to fly to San Diego and back three times. You could even check out one of Amex’s amazing Centurion Lounges on the way.
- Best for: Luxury Perks
- Annual Fee: $695
- Pay Over Time APR
- Reward Rate: 5X
- Recommended Credit: 670-850
The Platinum Card® from American Express
80,000 Membership Rewards® Points
Offer Details:
80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in your first 6 months of card membership
Why we like it
The Amex Platinum was once the sole dominating force in the luxury credit card space. While it now faces some stiff competition, it still offers unbeatable perks like unprecedented airport lounge access, elite status at Hilton and Marriott, and some outstanding statement credits making the mammoth $695 worth it for some.
Reward details
5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
$200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
$240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023.
$155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
$200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
$200 Uber Cash: Platinum Card® Members can get out and about and explore their local area with $15 in Uber Cash for US rides each month, plus a bonus $20 in December. That can be up to $200 in annual Uber savings. Simply download the Uber app and add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to get started. Available to Basic Card Member only. Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
$199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $199 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
Cons
The $695 annual fee is brutally high. Too high for many that can’t, or don’t want to take full advantage of its benefits.
Points-earning rates are low unless spending directly on flights or with the Amex Portal.
Some of the benefits, like travel credits, are more limited and are harder to use than competing cards’ offerings.
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card is the mid-tier option in Delta’s co-branded card line. It’s currently offering a 50,000 intro bonus, earned after spending $2,000 within six months. On top of that, you’ll enjoy free checked bags on Delta flights.
Read also: The Best Airline Credit Cards of 2024
- Best for: Delta Airline Lovers
- Annual Fee: $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150
- Regular APR: 20.24%-29.24% (Variable)
- Reward Rate: 1X - 2X
- Recommended Credit: 670-850
Delta Skymiles® Gold American Express Card
50,000 Bonus Miles
Offer Details:
50,000 Bonus miles after you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first 6 months from account opening.
Why we like it
The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card isn’t a showstopper, but it’s an excellent example of an airline card that’s easy to keep in your wallet. Its annual fee is $0 for the first year and then $150 the years after, but if you and a partner fly one roundtrip a year with Delta, its free checked bag benefit already makes up for that fee. Throw in a solid 50,000-point intro bonus and simple rewards-earning categories, and it’s almost a no-brainer for anyone with even a little domestic US travel on the horizon.
Reward details
2X Miles on Delta purchases, at U.S. Supermarkets and at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S.
1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
Pros & Cons
Pros
The 50,000-mile intro bonus is earned by spending an extremely achievable $2,000 in six months—well within a realistic budget for many.
The free first-checked bag for everyone on the booking more than validates the $150 annual fee.
A simple 2X miles on dining at restaurants (including U.S. takeout and delivery), and U.S. supermarket transactions make earning points simple.
$200 Delta flight credit after spending $10,000 annually is a nice reward that shouldn’t be too hard to meet
Card members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. The discount is not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
Apply with confidence. Know if you’re approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you’re approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
Cons
SkyMiles award redemption rates on Delta’s partners can be pricey
Its 2X miles on Delta purchases is lower than what its sister cards earn
Use JetBlue TrueBlue Points to find flights from NYC to San Diego
JetBlue is an undervalued option in the points and miles space. Its loyalty program, TrueBlue, operates differently from other dynamic systems in that it ties the value of its points directly to the cash value of any given flight. I.e the flight costs more, you’ll need more points. You can also only use points on JetBlue flights—no partner redemptions here.
Read also: How Much Are Airline, Hotel, and Credit Card Points Worth?
This isn’t great for achieving outsized value in your redemptions, but it also makes it hard to get a truly bad deal. If saving points is your goal, it’s easy to find flights from NYC to San Diego with JetBlue for as little as 12.5 thousand TrueBlue points. That’s almost on par with the best Delta Sky Deal.
How to earn enough JetBlue TrueBlue points
Aside from flying on partner airlines or opening a JetBlue co-branded card, you can transfer points from Chase, Citi, or American Express. Frustratingly, the transfer rate from Amex is 250:200, so you’re losing some value when you move points this way.
Instead, opt for the other two companies, which allow a good old-fashioned 1,000:1,000 option. Here are some cards you can use to earn enough JetBlue TrueBlue points.
The Citi Premier® Card is criminally overlooked in comparison to the other cards mentioned on the list. Its brilliant 60,000-point intro bonus can get you to San Diego and back twice. You’ll need to spend $4,000 within four months of opening the card to earn those points.
- Best for: Everyday Earning
- Annual Fee: $95
- APR: 20.49%- 28.49% (Variable)
- Reward Rate: 1X-10X
- Recommended Credit: 670-850
Citi Strata Premier℠ Card
75,000 Bonus Points
Offer Details:
75,000 Bonus Points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in your first 3 months of account opening - redeemable for $750 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com
Why we like it
The Citi Strata Premier Card is an underrated travel credit card that offers both high points-earning potential and simplicity. While the mid-tier card doesn’t come with any premium benefits, its earning on popular spending categories is almost unmatched. Holders earn 3X points on air travel, hotels, gas stations, supermarkets, and restaurants, making it ludicrously easy to accrue points. Throw in the healthy 75,000-point bonus and you’ve got a great haul of rewards on your hands.
Reward details
10 points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on CitiTravel.com.
3 points per $1 on Air Travel and Other Hotel Purchases, at Restaurants, Supermarkets, Gas, and EV Charging Stations.
1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases
Pros & Cons
Pros
The 75,000-point intro bonus is worth $750 in gift cards and well over $1,000 when transferred to travel partners, making the $95 dollar annual fee an afterthought. You could ignore the card for a decade, and it would still be worth it.
Its earning potential is phenomenal: Earning 3X points on categories like gas and supermarkets, which are part of the average American’s biggest expenses, means the Citi Strata Premier will work hard for you on a daily basis.
Cardholders get a $100 hotel benefit each year on a hotel purchase of $500 or more. Not the greatest perk in the world, but a nice saving on an unexpected hotel stay that wipes out the yearly fee itself.
As it’s a World Elite Mastercard, cardholders will enjoy varied benefits like Lyft credits, upgrades and breakfast at select hotels, and cell phone protection.
Cons
Citi’s transfer partners are mainly foreign airlines, so using the points on US-based carriers will require some extra research.
Other mid-tier cards may offer some more interesting perks.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve is one of the best premium cards on the market. It has a 60,000-point intro bonus, also earned by spending $4,000 within three months of opening it. The big difference here is a higher annual fee—but that’s easily balanced by its luxury perks.
- Best for: Luxury Travel
- Annual Fee: $550
- Regular APR: 21.99% - 28.99%
- Reward Rate: 1X - 10X
- Recommended Credit: 740-850
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
60,000 Bonus Points
Offer Details:
60,000 Bonus points and $300 Chase Travel Credit.
Why we like it
Get up to $1,050 in Chase Travel value. Earn 60,000 bonus points after $4,000 in purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. That’s worth $750 when redeemed through Chase Travel. Plus, get up to $300 in statement credits on Chase Travel purchases within your first year.
Reward details
- 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠.
- 5x total points on flights through Chase Travel℠.
- 3x points on other travel and dining.
- 1x points per $1 spent on all other purchases.
Pros & Cons
PROS
Get up to $1,050 in Chase TravelSM value. Earn 60,000 bonus points after $4,000 in purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. That’s worth $750 when redeemed through Chase Travel. Plus, get up to $300 in statement credits on Chase Travel purchases within your first year.
The $300 travel credit covers anything travel related, whether thats an Airbnb, a taxi, a flight, or hotel, making it almost impossible not to lessen the dent the fee made.
The points are worth 1.5 cents a piece when used directly on Chase’s Ultimate Rewards Portal, offering a simple but high value use for your points.
Plenty of excellent transfer partners allow points to be maximized
Some excellent partnerships with Doordash and Lyft add to its value.
Priority Pass membership allows access to over 1,300+ airport lounges and restaurants.
CONS
No complimentary elite hotel status, like that offered by the Amex Platinum.
You won’t earn points on travel purchases until the $300 credit is used.
It’s subject to Chase’s 5/24 rule. So if you’ve opened five cards in the last two years, you’re most likely not going to be accepted.
Using Air Canada Aeroplan for flights from NYC to San Diego
Our last suggestion for grabbing your San Diego flights is Air Canada’s Aeroplan. This program is up there with the best in the industry, offering excellent rates around the world thanks to its generous zonal-based award chart system.
With Aeroplan, it’s easy to grab flights to San Diego for 12.5 thousand each way. The fees are slightly more expensive, but still only $35. Not bad at all.
How to earn Aeroplan points
One major plus of Aeroplan, besides its value, is the ease with which you can earn points. American Express, Capital One, Chase, and Bilt all allow transfers to the airline, so scrounging a few thousand points from across your accounts should be no problem.
Here are some of the best cards you can use to earn Aeroplan points.
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card’s 75,000-mile intro bonus is amazing and could fly you to San Diego and back multiple times. Yet somehow, that’s just the tip of the iceberg for this card. Luxury lounge access, hotel credits, easy earning, and annual bonus points make this card a no-brainer. You’ll need to spend $4,000 in three months to earn that bonus.
- Best for: Overall Travel
- Annual Fee: $395
- Regular APR: 19.99% - 29.74% (Variable)
- Reward Rate: 2X - 10X
- Recommended Credit: 720-850
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
75,000 Bonus Miles
Offer Details:
75,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Why we like it
The Capital One Venture X is a direct competitor to the Chase Sapphire Reserve, and for many seeking a simpler earning scheme with premium perks, it could be the better option. But the Venture X truly shines with one benefit in particular: four free authorized users. Not only can they all use the card and earn miles, they all receive a Priority Pass membership which allows themselves and two guests access to airport lounges. In a highly improbable situation, that means you could technically bring 15 people into a lounge with you.
Reward details
10 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
5 Miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
2 Miles per dollar on every purchase
Pros & Cons
Pros
Its solid intro bonus of 75,000 miles is worth well over $1,000 when transferred to partner airlines and hotels, or a flat rate $750 when redeemed on the Capital One Travel Portal.
Cardholders get a bonus of 10,000 miles each year after their first account anniversary, which is nothing to shrug off, especially when a little bit short of that business class flight. It’s worth almost $200 depending on how you use it.
The $300 annual credit for purchases made on the Capital One Travel Portal, combined with the yearly free miles, more than annul the $395 annual fee.
Four authorized users can be added for free.
The cardholder is entitled to a Priority Pass membership and entry to Capital One Lounges, even the authorized users.
A generous offering of travel insurance, protections and reimbursements round out an excellent array of benefits.
Cons
The $300 credit is a bit less flexible than the Chase Sapphire Reserve’s comparable benefit.
Miles earning is the same as the Sapphire Reserve on portal-based purchases, but less on general travel spending.
Capital One transfer partners are solid, but still don’t include any US-based airlines or hotels.
While the Bilt Mastercard doesn’t have an intro bonus, it is the only card designed to let you earn points on your rent (up to 100,000 a year). If your rent is $2,000 (and if you’re in NYC, it probably is), you’ll have almost enough points for a roundtrip by the time the year is out.
- Best for: Renters
- Annual Fee: $0
- Regular APR: 20.99% - 28.99%
- Reward Rate: 1X - 3X
- Recommended Credit: 670-850
Why we like it
The no annual fee Bilt Mastercard® is a very unique product that can turn points earned from one of your largest monthly expenses into a heap of travel rewards and other redemption options. It’s the only card that allows you to pay your rent with no transaction fees—you’ll earn 1X points on rent, up to 100,000 points a year. Many landlords don’t accept credit cards or they charge a convenience fee to use a credit card to pay rent—making it an intriguing option for renters across the US. Plus, its points can be transferred to valuable airline and hotel partners. You must use the card 5 times each statement period to earn points.
Reward details
3x points on dining
2x points on travel
1x points on other purchases
1x points on rent without the transaction fee, up to 100,000 points in a calendar year. When you use the card 5 times each statement period using your Bilt Mastercard, you’ll earn points on rent and qualifying net purchases.
Pros & Cons
Pros
The greatest benefit is obvious: redeeming points earned from rent into travel rewards with no transaction fees attached.
Bilt has some excellent and unique transfer partners, like United Airlines and Hyatt.
Decent points-earning potential in other categories like 2X points on travel, 3X points on dining, and 1X points on rent (up to 100,000 points in a calendar year) and other purchases.
You can earn interest on Bilt Points when you reach Silver status.
A few other nice benefits are included, such as Cellular Telephone Protection.
Cons
No sign-up bonus
Use the card 5 times each statement period to earn points. So you can’t use it solely for rent. I’d advise putting some restaurant bills on it, as you’ll grab 3X points on those transactions.
The point
Your options for finding flights from NYC to San Diego are limitless. With so many excellent redemption offers and just as many brilliant cards to match, you’ll likely have enough for a repeat trip.
Read also: How to fly to Hawaii using points and miles
by your friends at The Daily Navigator
