My favorite credit cards to save money on travel, travel for free

I travel at least once a month, so I’m still looking for warned ways to fly in style and upgrade my trips without breaking the bank.

Although it seems surprising, a way I do is spending almost a thousand dollars in credit card costs each year. As a frequent traveler, I like the way the advantages of cards help to raise my trips and believe that they are a good value.

I pay $ 940 per year for three travel reward cards: American Express Platinum, United Explorer and Chase Sapphire Preferred.

Here are four of my favorite advantages that easily justify the cost of each premium credit card in my wallet.

Access to unlimited airport lounge is my favorite advantage

There is nothing more than I appreciate than access to an airport launch the long days of travel. I visited dozens of salons last year only, whether through Dallas, Rome or Seoul.

My American Express Platinum card access to more than 1,400 airport salons around the world. At least, most of these salons provide additional foods and drinks, showers and comfortable seats.

Some offer more unique features, including massage chairs and outdoor terraces. The VIP lounge in Punta Cana even has a swimming pool.

Although the annual costs of $ 695 on the card are not cheap, I find that access to the show is fundamentally invaluable as a frequent traveler.

It is much better than waiting in a crowded and noisy terminal, and I never have to buy costly food at the airport. Practical access to a shower is also invaluable after a long flight.

I also love the $ 200 hotel credit from Amex Platinum

Another advantage of a American Express Platinum card that I use each year is my credit at $ 200, which can be used on reservations through the American Express Travel Fine Hotels + Resorts program.

I love any excuse for a reduced prices getaway, so this is one of my favorite card features.

When booking via the AMEX travel portal, card holders can receive an early recording, late payment, free breakfast for two and an experienced $ 100, among other advantages.

One year, a friend and I have booked a luxury stay in Sydney using my card. We saved $ 200 in the room and used our $ 100 experience credit for drinks at the hotel bar, which had a breathtaking view of the neighboring port.

My United Airlines card includes free saved bags

The most recent addition to my wallet is the United Explorer card. At $ 150 per year, the advantages of the card quickly exceed annual costs.

To begin with, card holders receive two free visits to the United Club each year as well as priority boarding on the United Flights.

The most notable advantage, however, is a free checkered bag on each United flight. When you use the card to book a flight, card holders receive a free checkered bag for themselves And A companion.

The savings almost pay for themselves. If I and a guest have checked a bag in each direction on a round trip flight, we pay $ 160- more than the annual costs of this credit card!

I fly united several times a year, so adding the card to my wallet was obvious.

I reserved flights using only points with my favorite card Sapphire Chase

My most used travel card is the favorite chase sapphire. For me, the annual costs of $ 95 are well worth income opportunities.

Card holders earn 5 points per dollar on trips reserved via Chase, 3 points per dollar on catering, selected streaming and online grocery purchases, and 2 points per dollar on all other travel purchases.

Using this card for daily transactions, I quickly accumulate thousands of Chase Ultimate reward reward.

In the past year, I used points to cover the full cost of flights to countries like Japan and Italy. I also bought points for a handful of interior flights in the United States.

It is difficult to beat travel for free, and my favorite chase sapphire makes it much easier.

The prices, costs and offers in this article are precise at the time of publication on May 16, 2025.