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6 Best Travel Credit Card Benefits

By Kevin Zanes / May 12, 2025
Best Travel Credit Card Benefits

Most travelers know that points and miles can unlock free flights and hotel stays. But the best-kept secrets in the travel world are the extra benefits that come with many credit cards.

These perks are not just about luxury – they are about saving time, reducing stress, and protecting your wallet.

From skipping long security lines to relaxing in airport lounges, the right travel credit card benefits can upgrade your entire trip. Even better, many of these benefits can easily cover the annual card fee – sometimes with just one use.

The key is knowing which benefits matter most and which cards offer them.

This guide will walk you through the most valuable credit card benefits for travelers today.

Each section explains what the benefit is, why it matters, and which cards offer it. You will also find tips to get the most value from each perk – so you can spend less and travel better.

Whether you travel once a year or once a month, these benefits can turn your next trip into something smoother, safer, and more rewarding.

Let’s begin with one of the most powerful hotel perks out there: free night awards.

Hotel Free Night Awards

Travel Credit Card Benefits: Hotel Free Night Award

One of the most valuable credit card perks for hotel lovers is the free night award.

These awards are usually given once a year when you renew your card and pay the annual fee. Some cards also offer them as a spending bonus.

These free nights can be used at select properties within a hotel’s brand, and they often cover nights that would otherwise cost hundreds of dollars.

The best part?

You do not need a large number of points – just the award.

Why It Matters

  • Save hundreds on hotel stays every year
  • Great way to book luxury or resort properties for a fraction of the cost
  • Pairs well with 5th night free offers and elite status perks

Best Cards Offering Hotel Free Night Awards

Here are some of the top cards that offer this benefit:

Tips to Maximize Your Free Night

  • Book during high-demand periods to get the most value
  • Combine certificates with elite status for upgrades and late checkout
  • Track expiration dates – most are valid for between 6 – 12 months
  • Use top-off options to access higher-tier properties

Free night certificates are like having a guaranteed vacation built into your wallet. If you use them wisely, they can easily pay for your card’s annual fee and then some.

TSA PreCheck® And Global Entry Credit

Travel Credit Card Benefits: TSA PreCheck® And Global Entry Credit

Airport security lines can be one of the most stressful parts of travel. But with TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry, you can skip the hassle and move through faster.

Many premium and mid-tier travel credit cards offer a statement credit to cover the application fee for one of these programs – worth up to $100 every four to five years.

What Is The Difference

  • TSA PreCheck® lets you use faster security lanes at over 200 U.S. airports
  • Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck® and also speeds up customs when entering the U.S. from abroad

If you travel internationally, Global Entry is the better value. If you only fly within the U.S., TSA PreCheck® may be enough.

Best Cards Offering This Benefit

These cards will reimburse your application fee automatically when you use the card to apply:

Tips to Maximize This Benefit

  • Apply for Global Entry instead of TSA PreCheck® if you ever fly internationally – it includes both
  • Mark your calendar to renew before your membership expires
  • Add your Known Traveler Number to all airline profiles for automatic PreCheck access

This benefit can save you time on every trip and start your journey with less stress. If your card includes this credit, do not leave it unused.

CLEAR Credit

Travel Credit Card Benefits: CLEAR Credit

CLEAR is a fast-track identity verification service that lets travelers move to the front of the security line at select airports and stadiums. While TSA PreCheck® speeds up the screening process, CLEAR helps you skip the line entirely.

Enrollment in CLEAR normally costs $189 per year, but some travel credit cards offer statement credits that cover part or all of this fee.

Why It Matters

  • Skip long lines at TSA and ID checkpoints
  • Use CLEAR alongside TSA PreCheck® for the fastest experience
  • Available at over 50 U.S. airports and venues

CLEAR uses biometric scanning (fingerprint or eye scan) to verify your identity. Once you are verified, an agent walks you to the front of the screening lane.

Best Cards Offering CLEAR Credits

Tips To Maximize Your CLEAR Membership

  • Use Delta SkyMiles or United Airlines MileagePlus numbers to receive a discounted CLEAR rate
  • Combine CLEAR with TSA PreCheck® for a seamless experience
  • Add family members or companions at a reduced rate to extend the benefit

CLEAR is best for travelers who frequent busy airports where long lines are common. If your card offers this credit, you can save both time and money every time you fly.

Airport Lounge Access

Travel Credit Card Benefits: Airport Lounge Access

Airport lounges offer a calm and comfortable space away from crowded terminals.

With the right credit card, you can enjoy complimentary food, drinks, Wi-Fi, and even showers – at no extra cost.

Lounge access used to be a luxury for elite frequent flyers. Now, several travel cards include it as a core benefit, giving you access to networks like Priority Pass, Capital One Lounges, Chase Sapphire Airport Lounges, Centurion Lounges, and airline-branded lounges.

Why It Matters

  • Free food and drinks can save $30 or more per person, per visit
  • Lounges offer workspaces, fast Wi-Fi, and quiet areas
  • Some include showers, nap rooms, and spa services

If you fly even a few times per year, this benefit can make your airport experience much more relaxing and productive.

Best Cards Offering Airport Lounge Access

TPA Pro Tip: Authorized users on the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card also receive their own lounge access, including entry to Capital One Lounges, Priority Pass, and Plaza Premium Lounges – at no extra cost. This makes the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card one of the best cards for families or couples who travel together.

Tips To Get The Most Out Of Lounge Access

  • Download lounge apps to locate options before your flight
  • Arrive early to enjoy food, charge your devices, or catch up on work
  • Check guest policies – some cards allow free entry for companions

Lounge access turns airport time into part of the trip, not just a wait. If your card offers this perk, make sure to use it every time you fly – it can easily offset a card’s annual fee with just a few visits.

Lost Or Delayed Luggage Insurance

Travel Credit Card Benefits: Lost Or Delayed Luggage Insurance

Lost or delayed luggage can turn any trip into a hassle. But if you paid for your flight with the right credit card, you may be covered. Lost or delayed luggage insurance helps reimburse you for essential items or lost belongings.

These travel credit card benefits are often automatic, but you need to know how to claim it and what is included.

Why It Matters

  • Covers essentials like clothing, toiletries, or electronics if bags are delayed
  • Reimburses you for lost or damaged luggage (up to a set limit)
  • Helps avoid out-of-pocket costs while traveling

Depending on the card, you could receive $100 to $500 per person, per day for delays and up to $3,000 per trip for lost baggage.

Best Cards Offering Luggage Insurance

Tips To Make A Claim Easier

  • Keep your boarding pass and baggage claim tags
  • File a report with the airline immediately if your bag is delayed or lost
  • Save receipts for any items you purchase due to the delay
  • Submit your claim through the benefit administrator of the card as soon as possible

Lost or delayed luggage does not have to ruin your trip. With the right card, you can be protected and reimbursed – turning a travel hiccup into just a small bump.

Delayed Or Canceled Flight Insurance

Travel Credit Card Benefits: Delayed Or Canceled Flight Insurance

Flight delays and cancellations are more common than ever. They can lead to missed connections, overnight stays, and unexpected costs.

With the right credit card, you may be eligible for trip delay reimbursement or trip cancellation/interruption insurance- no extra charge required.

This benefit can help cover hotels, meals, transportation, and more if your travel plans are disrupted for a covered reason.

Why It Matters

  • Saves you from out-of-pocket costs when flights are delayed
  • Provides peace of mind when plans change unexpectedly
  • Some cards offer $500 or more per traveler for just one delay

To be eligible, you usually need to pay for the full fare or at least part of the flight using the card. Coverage kicks in after a specific number of delay hours, usually 6 to 12 hours.

Best Cards Offering Flight Delay and Cancellation Insurance

Tips To Use This Benefit

  • Book your travel using the eligible card (or use points from that card)
  • Save all receipts for meals, hotels, taxis, or other essentials
  • Keep records of the airline’s official delay or cancellation notice
  • File claims promptly through the card’s benefits administrator

This protection can be worth hundreds, even thousands, during a single disrupted trip. If you have a card with this coverage, always use it when booking flights – just in case your plans do not go as planned.

TPA Pro Tip: If your delayed or canceled flight originates in the European Union, you may also qualify for compensation under EU261 regulations, which can provide up to €600 in additional reimbursement – regardless of your credit card protections.

Choosing The Right Travel Card For You

With so many cards offering premium travel benefits, it can be hard to know where to start.

The best travel card for one person may not be the best for someone else.

To make the smartest choice, focus on your personal travel habits, spending patterns, and preferred airlines or hotel brands.

Start With These Questions

Travel Credit Card Benefits: Choosing The Right Card

Ask yourself:

  • How often do I travel – once a year or every month?
  • Do I fly domestic, international, or both?
  • Which airline or hotel chain do I use most?
  • Am I willing to pay a higher annual fee for better perks?
  • Do I prefer points that are flexible or tied to one program?

Your answers will point you toward the benefits that matter most – like lounge access, free nights, or flight protection.

Top Travel Credit Card Benefits Summary

Here is a quick guide to help you match card features with your travel goals:

This comparison shows how focusing on one or two key travel credit card benefits can simplify your decision.

Use Tools To Find The Perfect Match

Several tools can help match you with the right travel card based on your lifestyle and spending:

  • CardMatch® by CreditCards.com: See pre-qualified offers without affecting your credit
  • The Points Analyst Card Finder (coming soon): A custom tool to compare cards by benefit category and travel goals
  • Issuer Comparison Tools (Chase, American Express, Capital One): These often show annual savings estimates and key perks side by side

Use these tools along with your own travel patterns to find the card that adds the most value to your life – not just the one with the biggest bonus.

The right travel card should feel like a travel companion. One that earns points easily, protects your plans, and opens the door to smoother, better trips.

Final Thoughts

Traveling better does not always mean spending more.

With the right credit card, you can unlock a world of benefits that make every trip smoother, more comfortable, and more rewarding.

From hotel free nights and airport lounge access to insurance protections and airport fast lanes, these perks are often hidden in plain sight – waiting to be used.

The key is knowing what your card offers and choosing one that fits your travel style.

Even using just one or two travel credit card benefits each year – like a free hotel night or trip delay reimbursement – can cover the annual card fee and save you hundreds more.

The smartest travelers are not always the ones spending the most. They are the ones using the right tools.

Now that you know which benefits matter and which cards offer them, the next step is simple:

  • Pick the benefit that excites you most
  • Find a card that includes it
  • Start using your everyday spending to earn real travel upgrades

Your next trip could be faster, cheaper, and more relaxing – just by using the right card.

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