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We know the feeling: You need to hit the highway, jump on a train, take to the air, get out of town! Most of us have been homebound throughout the spread of COVID-19, and there’s finally light at the end of the tunnel.
If you’re a traveler, you probably have itchy feet. But even if you can’t set out right now, you can make progress toward free flights, rooms and upgrades for your eventual getaway by using a good rewards card for your day-to-day purchases.
To decide which one makes the most sense for you, focus on what you need to spend in the initial three months in order to land a big bonus. You don’t want to carry a balance on your card — that’s expensive and counterproductive — so choose one that offers the bonus at a level of spending that makes sense for your lifestyle and that you can comfortably pay off each month. Consider these top cards.
Chase Sapphire Preferred
Why we like it: Like its cousin the Chase Sapphire Reserve, this card offers great 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. Combined with all the other high reward points opportunities, this card more than pays for itself.
What to know:
- Get 60,000 bonus Ultimate Rewards points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. 60,000 bonus points are worth $750 toward travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
- Get a $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit.
- Get a 10% anniversary points boost each year.
- Earn 5 points per $1 spent on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
- Earn 3 points per $1 spent on dining.
- Earn 2 points per $1 spent on other travel.
- Earn 1 point per $1 spent on everything else.
- Get trip cancellation insurance if your trip is canceled due to sickness or severe weather conditions.
- Get complimentary DashPass for a year or more for $0 delivery fees on DoorDash.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- $95 annual fee.
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless
Why we like it: The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card offers a sign-up bonus of five free nights (each worth up to 50,000 points) after you spend $5,000 within the first three months, an incredible value among hotel rewards cards.
What to know:
- Get 5 free nights after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
- Earn up to 17 points per $1 spent at more than 7,000 Marriott Bonvoy hotels.
- Earn 3 points per $1 spent on up to $6,000 in total purchases at gas stations, restaurants and grocery stores per year.
- Earn 2 points per $1 spent on everything else.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- $95 annual fee.
Note: This card guarantees free in-room Wi-Fi at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels, a free night’s stay per year valued at up to 35,000 points, and other travel benefits.
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