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As travel continues to thaw, warmer weather approaches, and the idea of vacations becomes less scary, travelers won’t want to miss out on the latest great credit card bonus offers.
If you’re not using a credit card that offers points, you’re leaving money on the table — think free hotel nights, free flights and upgrades. Get a card that fits your spending and travel habits and reap the rewards.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Why we like it: An early spending bonus offer of 60,000 miles when you spend $ 3,000 within the first three months is worth $ 600 in travel.
What to know:
- Earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase.
- Get a $ 100 credit on Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
- Extended warranty protection.
- Travel accident insurance.
- No foreign transaction fee.
- $ 95 annual fee.
Note: This card has a $ 95 annual fee. The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card does not, but doesn’t have the same early spending bonus offer and offers a lower rate of return.
Chase Sapphire Preferred
Why we like it: Like its cousin the Chase Sapphire Reserve, this card offers substantial bang for your buck on travel rewards and currently has a compelling introductory offer: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $ 4,000 on purchases in the first three months, worth $ 750 toward travel. You can also now earn up to $ 50 in statement credits toward grocery store purchases.
What to know:
- Get 60,000 bonus Ultimate Rewards points after spending $ 4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening and earn $ 50 in statement credits toward grocery purchases.
- Earn 5 points per $ 1 spent on Lyft rides through March 2022.
- Earn 2 points per $ 1 spent on travel and dining.
- Earn 2 points per $ 1 spent on up to $ 1,000 in grocery store purchases per month through April 2021.
- Earn 1 point per $ 1 spent on everything else.
- Complimentary DashPass delivery subscription.
- $ 95 annual fee.
Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card
Why we like it: Southwest’s Companion Pass is almost like a buy-one, get-one-free deal on flights, and this card makes it much easier to earn — just spend $ 5,000 on purchases in the first three months your account is open to enjoy this benefit through February 2022.
What to know:
- Get Companion Pass through Feb. 28, 2022 plus 30,000 points when you spend $ 5,000 on purchases in the first three months. Companion Pass lets you bring a designated friend along on a flight without paying a second fare.
- Get 3,000 bonus points each year for your cardholder anniversary.
- Get 2 points per $ 1 spent on Southwest flights.
- Get 1 point per $ 1 spent on other purchases.
- There are no blackout dates or seat restrictions.
- All points count toward Companion Pass, and never expire.
- $ 69 annual fee.
Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card
Why we like it: This card currently has the same introductory offer as the Rapid Rewards Plus card: Earn the Companion Pass through February 2022 when you spend $ 5,000 on purchases in the first three months your account is open. It also offers a higher annual bonus and has no foreign transaction fee.
What to know:
- Get Companion Pass through Feb. 28, 2022 plus 30,000 points when you spend $ 5,000 on purchases in the first three months. Companion Pass lets you bring a designated friend along on a flight without paying a second fare.
- Get 6,000 bonus points each year for your cardholder anniversary.
- Get 2 points per $ 1 spent on Southwest flights.
- Get 1 point per $ 1 spent on other purchases.
- There are no blackout dates or seat restrictions.
- All points count toward Companion Pass, and never expire.
- $ 99 annual fee.
Note: This card has no foreign transaction fees.
If you’re just after the Companion Pass and looking at these two cards, the Plus has the lower annual fee. But the added benefits on the Premier — the extra annual bonus points and lack of foreign transaction fees — might be worth the difference to many travelers.
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