Best Rewards Credit Card for Travel???

[maggiew]

I am looking at applying for a new credit card that offers rewards. Right now we have a Disney Visa, but the kids are now 20 and 16 and are "done" with Disney . DH & I are going to stop at Disney a few nights before our Carnival cruise and use up our remaining points. So I am looking to start a new credit card.

I would like one that gives rewards for travel - either hotel or airlines? I am brand loyal to Marriott (except at Disney). So I was thinking of getting the Marriott Signature Premier (black) rewards card. You get one free hotel certificate per year plus Marriott points per $$$ spent. Any other suggestions? I was thinking maybe a Southwest Airlines card as a possibility. But really SW is not always the cheapest airline for our area and we aren't so brand loyal when it comes to flying. Its usually price and convenience.

Thanks,
Maggie

 

[swilshire]

I was going to suggest the Marriott card. The only thing to be careful of is that the free night cert is good for only six months from your renewal date every year. The first time I had the card, I had joined at a bad time of year and it was hard for me to use them. I cancelled the card for a while and got my new one in the Spring. That gives me all summer to use the free nights.

They recently added some nice features like travel insurance and no fees out of the country. I used mine to buy plane tickets for my daughter's honeymoon and they said the travel insurance covers her as well.

Sheila

 

[Psychodisney]

I really like my Capital One Venture Card. You get 2% on all purchases,(some bonuses for internet shopping). There is a $59 annual fee. You can redeem points for really any travel expense: hotel, air, car rental.....also gift cards etc. I like the flexibility of the program and I like earning 2% on everything.

 

[maggiew]

Thanks for the suggestions.

Maggie

 

[LilSweetPeaPhoto]

You're brand loyal....but I love my starwoods amex. I read several reports it's one of the best reward cards. I have one for my business, my husband and I have a joint personal one. My sister has one, her husband, etc.

Great card!

 

[maggiew]

Yeah, well I am willing to become brand loyal to Starwood after I use up my Marriott points! I have a Starwood rewards card (not credit card, but the hotel stay rewards) and used it to stay at the Dolphin and Sheraton Safari before. But when those points were used up, I moved on to the Marriotts. Right now I have been saving up Marriot points for a couple years in anticipation of a trip to Europe next year. But switching to be brand loyal to Starwood would at least let me potentially use it for an "onsite" vacation at Disney too, if we ever decide to go back. We really liked our stay at the Dolphin and even enjoyed our stay at the Sheraton Safari, where we got upgraded to a suite!

Thanks for the suggestion.

Maggie