If you are an international traveler like me you often wonder if there is a great credit card that allows you to accumulate points for travel (free airfare, free hotel stays, free rental car, etc.). I’ve reviewed several credit card offers and after being disappointed with travel rewards offerings I gave up on finding an ideal credit card where I would feel good about using it. Free air tickets without restriction is the most important point for me – and the Capital One Venture credit card seems to be the best choice. Let me know what your favorites are. Capital One Venture has a $65 annual fee (waived for the first year), no balance transfer fees, and 0% interest until September of next year (oh, wait… very tricky, it’s 13.9% interest for balance transfers, the no interest offer only applies to purchases within the first 12 billing cycles) – this card provides double miles for every dollar spent. The Venture One card offers 1.25 miles per dollar spent without an annual fee.
Notes: I have not been compensated in any way for discussing this credit card product.
For more information here are terms to the $65 annual fee card, http://www.capitalone.com/creditcards/disclosures.php?sol=11416&tc=31&print=1&linkid=WWW_0608_CARD_TGUNS14_Z_Z_01_T_CP41631ED
***Update: November 19th
I’ve also noticed US Bank marketing their select rewards Visa card offering which does seem to offer flexible travel benefits. Current offerings include 5,000 flexpoints for no fee cards/10,000 with fee after one year and travel rewards are redeemable without blackout dates. They are using the same 0% trick as CapOne ~ no fee for balance transfer, but 15.99% APR on a balance transfer, the 0% offer is only valid on purchases but at least it lasts for 15 billing cycles. See flexperks.com for details or usbank.com/myflexperks or call 800-360-2900.
****Update: March 2011
Capital One has advertised the matching miles offer, which makes this promotion very attractive. You keep your miles with your airline program, but get to sample Capital Ones travel services up to 100,000 miles. There is a 10,000 bonus mile offer automatically applied ~ the catch? Spend $1,000 within 90 days of account opening and submit your airline mile program statement within 45 days for approval.
