Key Takeaways
- Travel rewards programs make more of an impact on younger travelers, rather than older travelers. Still, anyone can take advantage of travel rewards programs, regardless of age.
- Travel credit cards give you points or miles for every dollar you spend, which you can use for travel or other rewards. And there’s often a generous welcome bonus when you sign up for a new card.
- You can optimize your spending by using certain cards, stacking your rewards, maximizing bonus categories, and choosing a card that’s affiliated with an airline.
Travel is expensive. Fortunately, a good travel rewards credit card can reduce the cost of your vacation. With a bit of strategic spending on your credit card, you can get discounted airfare and hotel stays and might even end up with some cash back. Here’s how travel varies across generations, and how you can get the best use out of your travel rewards credit card.
Younger Travelers Are Booking Trips With Points
Younger travelers are more likely to take advantage of travel rewards cards than older consumers. And according to the American Express 2025 Global Travel Trends Report, 75% of millennial and Gen Z respondents said they feel emotionally satisfied when they use a credit card to book travel. That’s compared to 62% of Gen X and Baby Boomers.
Want to get started? A travel rewards card works just like any other credit card. Some programs let you earn points or travel miles with each purchase, while others offer rewards based on certain categories like dining, gas, or groceries. Some cards offer generic travel points, while others are partnered with certain airlines.
You can usually redeem your points to cover a variety of travel-related expenses, including:
- Flights and flight upgrades
- Hotels
- Car rentals
- Vacation packages
Now let’s look at how you can maximize your points or rewards for your travel.
Use the Welcome Bonus
Most travel cards offer a welcome or sign-up bonus for first-time cardholders. If you qualify and are approved for the card, the card issuer will give you free points or miles if you meet certain spending limits within a set time frame. Once you meet this requirement, the card company deposits the reward into your account within a few billing cycles.
The table below shows some of the most popular travel rewards cards:
Card | Reward | Required Spending |
---|---|---|
Chase Sapphire Preferred | 75,000 bonus points | $5,000 in the first three months |
Venture Rewards from Capital One | 75,000 bonus miles | $4,000 in the first three months |
Wells Fargo Autograph Journey | 60,000 bonus points | $4,000 in the first three months |
Southwest Rapid Rewards | 100,000 bonus points | $4,000 in the first five months |
Citi Strata Premier Card | 60,000 bonus points | $4,000 in the first three months |
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card | 165,000 bonus points | $3,000 in the first three months |
Optimize Your Spending
Be strategic about the way you spend with your credit card. Consider the following tips:
- Don’t overspend: There’s no point in incurring more debt just to earn more points. While it may seem tempting to get more rewards, credit card interest rates are very high and aren’t worth it if you’re spending more than you need.
- Use the right card: When you use the right card, you can identify the area where you can earn the most points.
- Consider using multiple cards: Having different credit cards can give you access to different reward bonuses and categories. You can get the most out of travel rewards by using different cards to earn more points on a wider range of purchases.
- Maximize bonus categories: Bonus categories let you earn rewards or points faster, usually during a certain period. For example, if one card offers twice as many points for gas purchases during the first three months of the year, put all your purchases at the pump on that card.
Redeem Wisely
Your points or miles can be redeemed for different options, so be strategic about how you cash them in. Instead of cash, gift cards, statement credits, or other rewards, consider redeeming your points for travel. Redeeming points for travel expenses usually gives you a better value than cash.
Many card issuers have travel portals that allow you to book travel. While these are convenient and may help you get additional rewards, they may not always be the best option. Shop around for:
- Complex itineraries with international or multiple flights
- Maximizing the value of your points
- Customer support that your credit card’s travel portal won’t be able to handle
Consider using your points to book travel during the off-season. You can get great deals outside of the peak travel periods, which fall during the summer months and around major holidays. You’ll also get better value if you use your points to book premium seats because the cash prices for these seats tend to be higher. The same applies to luxury hotel stays.
Additional Tips
Here are a few other tips you can use to get the most out of your travel credit card.
Stack Rewards
A lot of credit cards have online shopping portals that give you additional points. Your card may have card-linked offers that you can add, or shopping portals that offer additional rewards when you make a purchase using your card.
You can also bundle your rewards by using cashback sites like Rakuten and Ibotta. Not only do you get cash back for every purchase you make using these sites, but you’ll also earn rewards each time you use your travel card.
Check Airline Affiliates
Some cards are affiliated with certain airlines. Major airlines like American, Delta, United, and Southwest all have branded credit cards. Each has its own loyalty program with perks like flexible travel plans, free checked bags, status rewards, transfer bonuses, and free miles.
The Bottom Line
Though travel rewards programs tend to make more of an impact on younger generations, they’re open to everyone, no matter your age.
The key is to plan ahead. You can minimize your out-of-pocket expenses on an upcoming trip if you use the rewards on your travel credit card strategically. Choose the right card and use the welcome bonus, optimize your spending, redeem the rewards wisely, and stack your rewards. If you have an airline you prefer, consider applying for its credit card because it may offer you the best value.