Peoples’ travel habits have changed dramatically because of the coronavirus. With virtually no international travel to speak of, those who are traveling are going to domestic locations. The style of trip is also changing, with a decrease in the number of people flying and an increase in the number of people taking road trips, or even renting/buying an RV.
While it’s hard to tell if these changes are transient or if some of the trends will continue past the pandemic, it does mean that the money people are spending on travel is going to different categories than it used to. Banks have also changed the bonus earning structure of several cards in 2020, so I took a look at which card might be the best one.
One card stood out from the rest as the best all-around card to use for domestic travel.
The Citi Premier
If you’re going to be driving for your trip, the three biggest spending categories will be hotels, gas stations and restaurants. The Citi Premier earns 3X ThankYou points per dollar for all of these categories. If you’re flying to your destination, the Premier also earns 3X on air travel. Finally, the card earns 3X on supermarket spend, which is nice if you’re staying at a timeshare/cabin/Airbnb and plan on cooking some of your meals instead of going to restaurants.
The Citi Premier has a 60,000 point sign-up bonus after spending $4,000 in the first three months after the account opening. When redeeming those points for travel from the ThankYou portal, ThankYou points are worth 1.25 cents each for redemptions until April 10, 2021. You can also transfer ThankYou points to the loyalty programs of sixteen airlines.
There are other choices but none of them are as well rounded as the offerings from the Citi Premier.
American Express Green Card
The AMEX Green card was recently updated and became a very good card for the price. It earns 3x Membership Rewards per dollar for travel and restaurant purchases.
The lack of a bonus for gas stations makes it less appealing to use for a long road trip where fuel can be a large part of your expenses.
Chase Sapphire Reserve
The Sapphire Reserve also earns 3x Ultimate Rewards points per dollar for travel and restaurant expenses. The Reserve does have some advantages, such as the travel insurance afforded when using the card and the primary rental car coverage.
The downside of the Sapphire Reserve is its $550 annual fee. Without the premium travel perks that the card provides, it’s not worth the extra $455.
Final Thoughts
Many variables might make one card more valuable than another. I’m also aware that not many people are earning miles and points that will only have one card for travel expenses. But if you’re looking to trim down your cards which have overlapping benefits, the Citi Premier should one you really consider keeping.
#stayhealthy #staysafe #washyourhands #wearamask
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This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary
2 comments
If I apply for the card today – will
I get the 1.25 cents redeem value till April 2021 – or is that only for existing members
Is the 3x supermarket option outside US?
Thanks a lot!
Like all things Citi, the terms are generally vague. To my knowledge, all cardholders will get the 1.25 cent value until April.
For supermarket spending, there is no mention of being limited to U.S. supermarkets (like AMEX). The only issue might be that the location needs to code as a supermarket.