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.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
80,000 Membership Rewards® Points
after you spend $8,000 on purchases in your first 6 months of card membership
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.
PROS
- The Amex Platinum’s typical intro bonus of 80,000 points is massive in itself. It’s worth $800 when spent directly through Amex’s travel portal on flights and hotels, which is already stellar. But when transferred to a partner, it’s very possible to squeeze over $1,600 or more in value.
- The Platinum has a slew of top-tier benefits, like Priority Pass, which gives the cardholder access to thousands of airport lounges and restaurants around the world, as well as Amex’s own Centurion lounges which are known for the high-quality (and free) food and cocktails. Other perks include up to $200 in Uber credits, up to $200 in airline fee credits (given in statement credits), up to $240 in digital streaming credits, up to $200 towards hotel bookings (given in statement credits) with Amex’s Fine Hotels and Resorts (2 night minimum stay required), and more. Enrollment is required for select benefits.
- A number of statement credits spanning multiple industries can build even more value into the card, including free stays when applied strategically.
- The Amex concierge is an underutilized benefit that can transform a trip by helping book hard-to-find dinner reservations or show tickets.
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.
Annual Fee: $695 | Terms Apply | Rates & Fees
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 40,000 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
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
40,000 Bonus Miles
after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new card in your first 6 months
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 40,000-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.
PROS
- The substantial 40,000-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.
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
Annual Fee: $0 intro annual fee the first year, then $150 | Terms Apply | Rates & Fees
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.
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!
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
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.
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
The American Express® Gold Card
The American Express® Gold Card’s huge 60,000-point intro bonus, earned after spending $6,000 within six months of opening the card, 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.
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 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 travelers, for travelers.
