[Travelandtourism] The best credit cards for travel

[STEPHANIELSCOTT at aol.com]

May 3, 2012 7:58 AM 

 
The best credit cards for travel


 
 
(iStockphoto)

 
(MoneyWatch) Like mammals and surgeons, credit cards have specialized. 
Every  card is not interchangeable; if you're looking for one that offers the 
most  airline miles, it won't be the same card that optimizes for low interest 
rates,  purchase insurance, or other rewards. Recently, finance site 
_CardHub _ (http://www.cardhub.com/best-travel-credit-cards/) released its  list 
of the best travel credit cards of 2012, and it's a great read for anyone  
who spends a lot of time on the road for business or pleasure.  
CardHub highlights six credit cards. Three are identified with offering the 
 best initial bonus, and the remaining three have the best ongoing rewards. 
 Here's the overview: 
Best Initial Bonus 
The _Chase  Sapphire Preferred _ 
(http://www.cardhub.com/d/chase-sapphire-preferred-credit-card-382c/) offers 40,000 bonus points. The reward kicks in 
after you  spend $3,000 in the first three months. There is no annual fee 
for the first  year, nor are there foreign transaction fees for purchases made 
abroad. 
The _British  Airways Credit Card _ 
(http://www.cardhub.com/d/british-airways-credit-card-1044c/) provides 50,000 bonus miles after first purchase and 
up  to 50,000 additional miles. There are no foreign transaction fees and 
can be  used to make chip-based purchases in Europe, but do be prepared for a 
$95 annual  fee right out of the gate. 
The _Hilton  HHonors Surpass Credit Card _ 
(http://www.cardhub.com/d/hilton-hhonors-surpass-credit-card-485c/) delivers 60,000 bonus points (40,000 
after first  purchase and 20,000 after $3,000 in charges). You'll pay a $75 
annual fee and a  2.7 percent foreign transaction fee. 
Best Ongoing Reward 
The _Capital  One Venture Card _ 
(http://www.cardhub.com/d/capital-one-venture-rewards-credit-card-378c/) pays a $100 initial bonus and then 2 percent 
cash back  across all purchases when you redeem miles for travel-related 
purchases. The  Venture Card charges no foreign transaction fees, and there's 
no annual fee the  first year. 
The _PenFed Platinum  Rewards _ 
(http://www.cardhub.com/d/penfed-rewards-credit-card-670c/) offers 5 points per dollar spent on gas, 3 points per 
dollar on  groceries, 1 point per dollar on everything else, and offers a $250 
initial  bonus. There is no an annual fee or foreign transaction fees. To take 
advantage,  you need to belong to the Pentagon Federal Credit Union, which 
costs a one-time  $15 fee. 
The _American  Express Blue Cash Preferred _ 
(http://www.cardhub.com/d/blue-cash-preferred-credit-card-547c/) charges a $75 annual fee, but in return 
you get  a $150 initial bonus, 6 percent cash back at supermarkets, 3 percent 
cash back  at gas stations and department stores, and 1 percent cash back 
everywhere else.  On the downside, American Express does charge a 2.7 percent 
foreign transaction  fee. 
Be sure to check out _CardHub _ (http://www.cardhub.com/) for more  details 
on these, as well as other "best" card roundups, such as _best for business 
_ (http://www.cardhub.com/best-business-credit-card/) and _best  rewards_ 
(http://www.cardhub.com/best-rewards-credit-card/) .