Spending - Bronislav Leydiker

Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Sapphire Reserve

The Chase Sapphire suite of credit cards are an excellent value for earning travel rewards. Both cards accrue Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which are redeemable in an online portal for a variety of travel rewards including airfare, hotels, rental cars and more. Chase Ultimate Rewards points can also be transferred to several different airline and hotel partner loyalty programs at a one for one rating. With the Chase Sapphire Preferred, you pay a $95 annual fee and will earn two points for every dollar spent on travel and food related expenses and one points for every dollar spent elsewhere. The Chase Sapphire Reserve has a $450 annual fee and accrues three points for every dollar spend on travel and one point for every dollar spent elsewhere. It also includes an annual $300 travel credit and many additional perks that offset the high annual fee. The Preferred redeems points at 1.25 cents per point through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal while the Reserve redeems points at 1.5 cents per point.

The Platinum Card from American Express

The American Express Platinum Card is the top-rated travel credit card for 2018 according to The Points Guy. This card has a $550 annual fee but includes a $200 travel credit for airline incidental fees, $200 in Uber credits, $100 in Saks Fifth Avenue credits and access to lounges valued at $250. This card also provides its holder with Hilton Honors Gold status and Starwood Preferred Guest elite status. Hotels and flights booked through American Express earn five points per dollar spent and one point per dollar elsewhere.

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Card

The Capital One VentureOne rewards card is the best no annual fee travel rewards credit card. It offers 1.25 points per dollar spent everywhere and five points per dollar spent at hotels. The card has no foreign transaction fee which is unique for cards with no annual fee. Points stay valid without expiration and are redeemable for travel through Capital One’s reward portal.

With summer just around the corner, many folks are already gearing up for their annual getaways. Others, meanwhile, may not have anything planned, as they didn’t think they could afford a vacation this year. It’s time to think again. Travel is possible on almost any budget. Creating a budget requires foresight and a bit of discipline. This article will talk about how you can create your own travel budget to satisfy your travel bug.

Research Early

Narrow down the list of possible destinations to four or five. Go online to research travel costs, like accommodations, airfare (if necessary), and area restaurants, as well as any can’t-miss activities. Then choose whichever destination seems like the best value for the time spent there. This will help you create an overall budget with which to work. The website budgetyourtrip.com

is an excellent resource to use as an outline for your budget. The site provides pricing on a number of global destinations, making it easier for travelers to choose the right spot for their individual needs.

Don’t Forget Secondary Expenses

Some destinations require additional travel costs upon arrival. Rental cars, gasoline, bus or rail fare, or subway passes all should be considered as secondary expenses. Be sure to build these into your budget from the beginning, so you aren’t left short-handed.

Be Flexible About Accommodations

Hotels often represent the greatest vacation expense. For people on a strict budget, this is problematic but also easy to get around, depending on the destination. European hostels, for example, are no longer populated solely with backpacking teenagers, and are a clean and affordable choice. Another tip is to look for accommodations with a small fridge or kitchenette, to save on dining costs.

Create A Budget Spreadsheet

This can be as simple as a double-sided list, with income on one side and monthly expenses on the other. If your income is flexible enough to add a little something extra each month, then add a new category called “Travel Savings” and put the bonus income there. Otherwise, find an expense that can be easily trimmed by a few dollars, and put the surplus in the travel column.

Track Spending

Take notes on every travel expense that’s incurred on the trip, to get a sense of where the money is going. This will help to shape the budget for your next vacation, as it will give you a good outlook on your spending habits.

Bronislav Leydiker blogs about traveling around the world.

Tag: Spending

The Best Credit Cards For Travel Rewards