The question is always packaged a bit differently depending on who asks, but suffice it to say that I'm often asked some variation of the same question question: I am miserable when I travel because [it's so expensive, it's so uncomfortable, it's so inconvenient], so what are the core credit cards I should sign up for to make it all a bit better?
Read moreWinner (American Airlines) and loser (American Express) from Monday's DC travel calamity
It was starting to look as if 2017 would finally be the year that I skipped my annual calamitous experience traveling from Boston to Washington, DC. Not to be. This past Monday night, a hazardous material incident shut down the FAA control center handling traffic into all three DC-area airports. I was rebooked on seven different flights in a fifteen hour period -- though really appreciated every last friendly American Airlines employee who helped me on my way -- spent the night in Boston, and was utterly failed by my American Express Platinum card.
Read moreIs it time to sunset your Citi Prestige credit card?
There was a time when the Citi Prestige was my absolute favorite of the premium credit cards that give you a ton of value on travel. Citi announced changes last year that greatly devalued the card's benefits while leaving the hefty $450 annual fee in place. The last of those changes take effect in July 2017, and - sadly - I wonder if it is time to cancel this once-great card. Here's what you should consider if you're thinking of cancelling yours.
Read moreHow to fly for free using Chase credit cards
Next week my wife, Meghan, and I fly to Sweden on our third trip to Europe in seven months. We've paid exactly $0 for trans-Atlantic airfare thanks to to the way we our Chase Bank credit cards for most of our every day purchasing. I've written in the past about how to Travel further for less (or no) money by smartly earning and using credit card points, but here I'll specifically address why I find the Chase ecosystem to be so good at maximizing travel value, and I'll offer some simple tips so that you can realize this value yourself.
Read moreThe jetBlue Plus credit card is tremendously valuable for smart travelers in the United States
I've had the jetBlue Plus Card in my wallet for about a year now, and just this week received a letter reminding me of the 5,000 TrueBlue bonus points it awards every year on your account anniversary. This is one of the best airline branded travel cards available, an essential for anyone who loves to travel because it more than pays for itself each year, and gives you a lot of value (including an effective 16.8% back on jetBlue tickets).
Read moreHow to use credit card points to get great deals flying First or Business Class
I wrote a piece last year discussing When to book free travel with credit card points vs transferring to airline miles, in which I promised to come back with a future post addressing how to use credit card points to get great deals flying first or business class. That explanation happens now.
Read moreLast chance for 100,000 points and $1,500 of free travel with the Chase Sapphire Reserve card
If you've been putting off signing up for the new(ish) Chase Sapphire Reserve (dubbed CSR) credit card released in 2016 -- and the 100,000 point signup bonus (ahem, a minimum of $1,500 worth of free travel) that comes along with it -- now is the time to get it done. Highly reputable The Points Guy reports this week that Chase plans to end the 100k signup promotion this coming Wednesday, 11 January 2017.
Read moreWhen to book free travel with credit card points vs transferring to airline miles
There are really two ways for travel-oriented credit card holders to use their points towards free travel: Use those points like cash to purchase airline tickets directly through the credit card issuer, or
transfer those points to your airline account so that you can purchase tickets with miles. Which will give you the best deal?