One way to take a cheap vacation is to redeem perks you earned when you were still using your credit card. Those were the days!
So many people are doing this that redemptions for the Hilton HHonors Card from American Express jumped 25 percent in 2008 compared to 2007. If you don’t already have a credit card that earns great hotel and travel perks, consider these top-rated ones from CreditCards.com, which earns a fee from credit card companies when you fill out an application.
If you already have a lot of credit cards, don’t get another one. Each time to apply for a new line of credit it diminishes your score slightly. Not to mention the temptation of spending more.
The Capital One No Hassle Miles card gets you 1.25 miles for every dollar you spend and the miles never expire. There is no limit to the number of miles you can earn and there is no annual fee. A similar card from Capital One earns you 2 miles for every dollar but has a $39 yearly fee. Call them directly and ask them to waive it.
The Starwood Preferred Guest Card gives users up to 6 free nights at a hotel when you earn 25,000 points. Earn double points at participating Starwood resorts and properties. The card has no annual fee the first year but is $45 each following year. Make a note in your calender four weeks before it expires to call ask them to waive the fee.
Another site I like for rating credit cards is Bankaholic. For spenders looking to rack up hotel perks, they also recommend the Starwood card and also the Blue Sky card from American Express.
February 19th, 2009 at 11:21 am
[...] I blogged about credit cards that rack up hotel points and travel perks. Today I’m sharing a deal for discounted European hotel rooms through [...]
February 20th, 2009 at 1:47 am
Don’t forget to let your credit card company know that you are going away on a trip..especially to a high tourist area or out of the country. This way they will know if there is unusual activity on your card from those places they won’t cancel the card while you are on vacation leaving you stuck without a valid credit card.
February 20th, 2009 at 9:07 am
Good point. You don’t want to get stuck halfway around the world without a working credit card. And if they call your home number to check if you are making the charges, you won’t be there to pick up the phone!