Why You Should Consider a Travel Rewards Credit Card—And How to Choose the Right One for You

A travel rewards credit card can come with several perks — but these perks can add up to problems if you’re not responsible.

“If you have a history of accumulating credit card debt, if you think the points system will tempt you to spend more, or if you simply aren’t confident you’ll be able to pay off the balance in full each month, now isn’t the time to get one,” says Hallie Kraus in this Martha Stewart Living article.

If you feel confident you can use the card responsibly, however, then your next step is choosing a travel rewards credit card. Here’s how to pick one the one that will work best for you.

1. Consider the card’s costs. Many travel rewards credit cards come with a fee. Sometimes, a sign-up bonus or other offers, such as yearly travel credits, can make that fee more tolerable, as do the points you earn when you use the card.
2. Find a card that complements your spending habits. Determine the categories in which you spend, or plan to spend, the most money. Some cards earn you more rewards for certain categories, like food and travel. Set travel goals to help you decide which card will help deliver you the most value.
3. Find a card that complements your travel style. Identify your priorities and look for perks that complement how you travel, Kraus said. “For example, if you tend to visit cities, you probably won’t need a card that gives you discounts on rental cars, and if you regularly check bags with valuable items, you probably want protection for your lost luggage,” she said.
4. Determine how easy it will be to redeem points. All those points won’t add up to much if you don’t know how to redeem them, or if the process is so cumbersome you never want to. When shopping for your first travel card, find out how you can cash in points.

Read the full article “Why You Should Consider a Travel Rewards Credit Card—And How to Choose the Right One for You” here.

Martha Stewart Living is a magazine that’s focused on the handmade, the homemade, the artful, the innovative, the practical and the beautiful. Martha Stewart Living is not just about lifestyle, but about tools for modern living — not just about the how-to but about the why-to. Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. reaches approximately 100 million consumers across all media platforms each month and has a growing retail presence in thousands of retail locations.