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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.
Tofino BC is a rare taste of truly untamed natural beauty. The Pacific Northwest’s impossible scenery combined with the local’s adventurous spirit has imparted popularity on the destination, but its relative seclusion means even summertime exploration will gift you some solace from the crowds.
These far-flung corners are often a little more obtuse when it comes to ironing out your travel plans–even more so when points and miles are involved. But that doesn’t mean it’s not possible.
Read also: How to Use Points and Miles to Get Flights to Australia
In fact, with a little research, it’s more than possible to get to Tofino BC using nothing but a few points and miles. Sure, you’ll need to organize some ground transportation when you arrive, but you’re an adventurous traveler—that’s nothing for you.
Let’s take a look at some of the best ways to get to Tofino BC.
Finding the best airlines for points and miles flights to Tofino BC
As alluded to above, Tofino is a little out of the way. It does have its own airport, but it’s a tiny hub and only operates scheduled flights to and from Vancouver, as well as a few chartered options. You can expect to pay anywhere from $120 for a flight to Tofino from Vancouver. You won’t be able to use points and miles for this, but a card like this could cover you with its annual statement credits.
With this in mind, Vancouver is our points and miles goal, and that’s a far easier feat to achieve. The airport enjoys direct flights from across the US and Canada, which lends us the basis for our research. If any of our suggestions don’t work for your location, research the airline routes from your own city and see if any of the same logic applies.
How to get to Tofino BC from New York using points and miles
We’ll start our search with the major East Coast hub of New York City. With multiple airports and carriers all operating in and around the Big Apple, grabbing a Tofino BC flight is simple here.
Despite the trip being a continental leap, there are some rock-bottom rates from several airlines but it’s Air Canada that offers the most value regularly. Finding a flight for as low as 11,000 points plus a few bucks is easy, with the maximum on any day given day barely scraping past 20,000.
Delta does match those rates on some sporadic dates, but to grab these you’ll either need to get lucky with your timing or base your departure around the lows.
How to earn enough Air Canada Aeroplan points and Delta SkyMiles
Luckily, earning either of these currencies is simple and can even be done using the same cards as both are American Express transfer partners. Air Canada has even more flexibility as it’s also a partner of Chase and Capital One, so you’re spoilt for choice.
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 with those flights costing just 11,000, you’ve got enough for four roundtrips. That’s pretty immense.
- 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. If you’d rather hold onto those flexible Air Canada points, this is an excellent choice for redeeming those 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
How to get to Tofino BC from Los Angeles using points and miles
Let’s jump coast for our next redemption. We’re looking at flights to Tofino BC from Los Angeles. While LA lacks the volume of New York, there are still some wonderful options for a trip North using points and miles.
Read also: How Much Are Airline, Hotel, and Credit Card Points Worth?
Two of the best options out there come from partner airlines British Airways and Alaska Airlines. Alaska, the Seattle-based carrier (weird, right?) offers flights on certain days for as low as 12,500 miles and $19, while British Airways allows you to fly with American Airlines for as low as 11,000 Avios and $5.
Both are great deals, but how do you earn those points?
How to earn enough Alaska Miles and British Airways Avios
In days gone by, the only way to earn Alaska Miles outside of flying with the airline or its partners was to open a co-branded card. While that’s still possible, recent developments mean a new option has emerged:the Bilt Mastercard®. It’s the only non-Alaskan card that allows you to transfer points to the airline.
British Airways Avios, on the other hand, are one of the easiest currencies to earn. As with Alaska, you can transfer from the Bilt Mastercard, but you can also opt for American Express, Chase, Capital One, and even Citi if you route your points through Qatar.
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 you’re paying $2,000 a month in rent, you’ll already have enough for a roundtrip to Tofino BC via Vancouver. Just don’t forget to use the card five times each statement period to earn points.
- 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 Chase Sapphire Reserve is one of the best premium cards on the market. It boasts a solid 60,000-point intro bonus, earned by spending $4,000 within six months of opening it. While its high annual fee could put you off, the perks more than make up for it. That $300 travel statement credit could cover the flight to Tofino BC from Vancouver!
- 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.
How to get to Tofino BC from Dallas, Texas using points and miles
They say everything’s bigger in Texas. Thankfully, that doesn’t apply to points and miles redemptions.
Once again, you have multiple options with some major carriers, so you can weigh your options based on the points you have available. Delta has surprising availability with rates as low as 10,500 SkyMiles, while British Airways, Air Canada, and United all come in strong with rates fluctuating between 11,000 and 15,000. The taxes and fees on any of these flights rarely go beyond the $5 mark.
How to earn Avios, SkyMiles, MileagePlus, and Aeroplan Points
That’s a big variation of points to try and earn. Are there any cards with the ability to transfer to any of these programs and gift you the ultimate flexibility for your Tofino BC trip?
The easiest are British Airways Avios and Aeroplan. Both of these programs enjoy transfers from American Express, Capital One, Bilt, and Chase. United only allows transfers from Chase, while Delta SkyMiles are tied to American Express. Of course, you could open a co-branded card with any of these airlines to earn points, too.
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The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card’s 75,000-mile intro bonus is more than generous. After hitting the $4,000 spending goal in three months to earn it, you’ll have at least 83,000 miles, allowing you to use British Airways or Air Canada to redeem those flights to Tofino BC depending on which carrier works best for you.
- 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.
The American Express® Gold Card
The American Express® Gold Card’s huge intro bonus is an immensely valuable product. In this situation, you’re afforded the flexibility of transferring to the steadily priced Avios rates or to the more sporadic but cheaper Delta SkyMiles offers.
- Best for: Foodies
- Annual Fee: $325
- Pay Over Time APR
- Reward Rate: 1X-4X
- Recommended Credit: 670-850
American Express® Gold Card
60,000 Membership Rewards® Points
Offer Details:
60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases within your first 6 months of card membership
Why we like it
The American Express® Gold Card takes your dining and grocery spending to the next level, offering an impressive 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year, and 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
To put this into perspective, if you spend $8,400 annually on dining and groceries, which aligns with the average American’s spending, you could earn enough points for a roundtrip flight to Hawaii. Meanwhile, the bonus alone is worth over $1,000, adding significant value to your everyday spending.
Reward details
4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
$120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
0% Intro APR for 6 months from the date of account opening on purchases eligible for Pay Over Time, then a 18.74% to 27.74% variable APR.
$84 Dunkin’ Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations.
Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year for dining at U.S. Resy restaurants or making other eligible Resy purchases. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys, totaling up to $120 per year. Enrollment required.
Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. Eligible charges vary by property.
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
$325 annual fee
No major travel perks like its bigger sibling, the Amex Platinum
The point
Wherever you are in the country, Tofino BC isn’t out of reach. With most redemptions from around the US capping out fees at around $5, your only major expense will be the shuttle flight from Vancouver to your final destination. But, as we’ve shown, you can even balance that out with the right card.
Read also: How to fly to Hawaii using points and miles
by your friends at The Daily Navigator
