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.
Does any destination scream luxury more than Monaco?
The city-state and second-smallest country in the world is renowned as a haven for the super-rich, boasting more than 12,000 millionaires among its 36,000 inhabitants. Its sun-drenched coast is lined with super-yachts, while the annual arrival of Formula One is one of the most sought-after events to attend on the planet.
Assuming you don’t have your own private jet, flights to Monaco might not be easy to come by. In fact, technically, flights to Monaco don’t exist–it doesn’t have an airport.
Instead, you’ll fly into the nearby French city of Nice, and trust us, those flights can get pricey.
Luckily, we’re here to direct you to some of the best ways to find flights to Monaco (via Nice) for next to nothing using points and miles. Maybe you can even score a business-class flight to get you in the mood.
Finding the best airlines for points and miles flights to Monaco
As mentioned, none of these flights to Monaco are actually landing in Monaco. It’s too small to warrant its own airport…unless you’re in a private helicopter. But Nice’s Côte d’Azur Airport is nearby and will be the focal point for any of your searches.
If you felt like getting creative, you could look at other major airports like Paris or Barcelona and work out cheap travel to Monaco once you arrive, but for this piece, we’re sticking with Nice.
Using KLM/ Air France Flying Blue for flights to Monaco using points
First up is KLM and Air France’s joint program, Flying Blue. While it’s a dynamic system, meaning points will fluctuate based on a number of factors, it’s far more reliable than similar systems. In fact, finding flights to Monaco for just 27,500 miles is simple with Flying Blue.
Better yet, it’s a direct flight from New York using Delta. So, you’ll be soaking up the sun in a mere matter of hours with no annoying connections. The same flight booked using SkyMiles could be more than double.
How to earn enough Flying Blue miles
Flying Blue is one of the easiest airline currencies to earn. You can build your balance by flying with either airline or one of its partners like Delta or Virgin Atlantic, or enjoy a big boost by opening a credit card that allows transfers to the program.
All the major credit card issuers transfer points to Flying Blue, so any American Express, Capital One, Chase, Citi, or Bilt card could get you those flights to Monaco. Here are a few you could use.
The American Express® Gold Card
The American Express® Gold Card is an excellent option for your flights to Monaco. The card’s 60,000 point intro bonus, earned after spending $6,000 within six months, earns you just enough to grab a roundtrip to Nice with Delta.
American Express® Gold Card
60,000 Membership Rewards® Points
after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new card within the first 6 months of card membership
The American Express® Gold Card gives your munch more punch with an outstanding 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1x). For some context, if you spent $8,400 a year on eating out and groceries, which is roughly what the average American spends, you’d have enough points for a roundtrip flight to Hawaii. That’s not even factoring in the huge 60,000-point bonus worth over $1,000.
PROS
- Huge returns on popular spending categories like dining at restaurants, takeout and delivery in the U.S .and U.S. supermarkets
- Solid earnings on travel purchased via Amex or directly with an airline
- Solid intro bonus of 60,000 points worth over $1,000
- Up to $120 in Uber Cash for rides and food delivery, and up to $120 in statement credits for selected dining outlets including the GrubHub food delivery app, Shake Shack, Wine.com, and more
- Nice, but pointless in the grand scheme of things, customizable card designs
CONS
- $250 annual fee
- No major travel perks like its bigger sibling, the Amex Platinum
Annual Fee: $250 | Terms Apply | Rates & Fees
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card’s 75,000-mile intro bonus is a stellar choice. Earned after spending $4,000 within three months of opening the card, it’ll leave you with room to spare. You’ll even get to enjoy the lounge on the way.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
75,000 Bonus Miles
after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of account opening
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.
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.
Annual Fee: $395 | Terms Apply | Rates & Fees
While the Bilt Mastercard doesn’t have an intro bonus like the previous two cards, its unique position in the market means a typically untapped spending category could get you to Monaco—your rent. The card is the only product designed to earn points on rent, so while it might not be an immediate answer, over time, it’s gold.
Using United MileagePlus for flights to Monaco
Usually, we focus on programs with strict award charts because they offer the best and most consistent value, but sometimes, an airline like United comes in with some excellent deals. A quick glance at United’s portal shows plenty of flights for as low as 30,000 miles, making it easy to get to Monaco and back for almost nothing.
Just make sure to check availability on the specific dates you want, as that rate isn’t there every day.
How to earn enough United MileagePlus miles
United MileagePlus points aren’t as easy to earn as Flying Blue miles, but there’s still plenty of scope for a successful strategy. Currently, Chase is the only major issuer allowing transfers to the American airline, so you’ll need to stick with one of those cards to reap the benefits.
Of course, you can fly with United or its partners or open a United co-branded card, too.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is the simplest option for almost free flights to Monaco. Its 60,000-point intro bonus, also earned by spending $4,000 within three months, is just enough to grab a roundtrip flight to Monaco from various US airports.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
60,000 Bonus Points
after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is the ultimate all-around travel credit card—it fits perfectly into almost any points-earner’s wallet. Points novices can enjoy a significant intro bonus and easy to grasp spending categories with an approachable annual fee. The more experienced can utilize its high value earning potential as a secondary card and also gain access to Chase’s strong travel booking portal.
PROS
- Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals, and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. The 60,000 points, for example, are worth $750 toward travel.
- The $50 dollar hotel credit for stays purchased on the Chase Travel Portal already cuts the already approachable $95 annual fee significantly.
- A 10% annual points bonus is tacked on every year, adding a little more value.
- A free year-long Doordash DashPass membership is also thrown in, which gives you free delivery and some extra discounts. It’s a solid perk if you order food delivery at least semi-frequently (Activate by 12/31/2024).
- Along with all of the above, cardholders also have access to a string of travel protections like rental coverage, cancellation insurance, and purchase protection.
CONS
- Maximizing the value of Chase points can still be complicated for complete novices.
Competing cards like the Capital One Venture have a better earning rate for non-bonused spend.
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.
Annual Fee: $95 | Terms Apply | Rates & Fees
The Preferred’s older and more premium sibling offers a similar intro bonus, but comes loaded with luxury perks like lounge access and travel statement credits, as well as higher earning opportunities on daily spending. If you’re in the market for a new premium card, opt for this instead of the Preferred.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
60,000 Bonus Points
after you spend $4,000 on purchases in 3 months of account opening
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is a premium travel card that’s accessible to most travelers as it has a number of valuable and easy-to-use benefits. Its annual fee of $550, though still high, is quickly offset thanks to its $300 travel credit, large welcome bonus, strong spending categories, and premium perks like airport lounge access. It’s also great for those who don’t want to deal with transferring their points, as you’ll get big value when redeeming through Chase’s travel portal.
PROS
- Its 60,000-point intro bonus is worth much more than the annual fee of $550.
- 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.
Annual Fee: $550 | Terms Apply | Rates & Fees
Using British Airways Avios for flights to Monaco
A surprising addition to the list is British Airways Executive Club and its Avios currency to grab your flights to Monaco. While availability varies, the sweet spot is finding a partner flight with Aer Lingus. Its routes to Nice are an unbelievable 19,200 Avios each way, offering tremendous value.
The route does have higher taxes and fees, just over $100, but that’s still an excellent deal by anyone’s standards.
How to earn British Airways Avios points
British Airways Avios is another straightforward currency to earn. American Express, Chase, Capital One, and Bilt all offer direct transfers to the airline’s program, so opening most of the cards above will prove a great way to get flying.
But even if you have a Citi card, it’s still possible. As British Airways shares its currency with Qatar Airways, all you’d need to do is transfer your Citi points to Qatar, then onwards to British Airways—problem solved.
The Citi Premier Card is a criminally overlooked credit card. Despite having some valuable transfer partners (like Qantas), it’s often passed over for the more familiar names. That’s a big mistake, as you’d be missing out on a mega 60,000-point intro bonus after spending $4,000 within three months of opening the card. Use that Qatar workaround for your flights to Monaco with British Airways.
Citi Premier® Card
60,000 Bonus Points
after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening
The Citi 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 60,000 point bonus and you’ve got a great haul of rewards on your hands.
PROS
- The 60,000-point intro bonus is worth $600 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 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 point
Despite its hyper-luxurious reputation, there are still plenty of ways to get to Monaco for almost nothing. Trust us, you’ll need some money for the hotels…and everything else.
by travelers, for travelers.
