Six good reasons to book your flight and hotel with a credit card
It’s common to hear financial experts advising against using credit cards. They’ll be quick to tell you that there’s no such thing as “responsible” use when it comes to credit cards and that using cash is the best way to keep your financial situation intact.
Although there are, indeed, significant risks to using a credit card irresponsibly, there are a few times when relying on your credit card rather than using cash puts you in a more favorable position. For instance, that’s the case with booking your flight and hotel with a credit card. If you’re skeptical about this statement, here are 6 good reasons to convince you.
1. It’s more convenient There’s nothing more convenient than walking around with no luggage, especially if you’re traveling for a vacation to unwind. Being forced to pay with cash will put this additional pressure on you to constantly have enough cash on you wherever you go, which can quickly get bothersome in case you lose your wallet or get robbed. Meanwhile, booking your flight and hotel with a credit card in advance will remove all the hassle that comes with having to pay in person with cash.
2. Credit cards are more secure When considering the advantages of using a credit card rather than a debit card to pay, one of the most significant pros is that credit cards are more secure. You’ll be able to add a level of security to your purchases using a credit card, one you can’t do with a debit card. In the unfortunate case of being exposed to fraudulent activity, it takes more time to flag your debit card, and you’ll often be asked to provide evidence that you didn’t make the payment yourself. Meanwhile, fraudulent activity is always swiftly recognized by the providing company, often before you even notice.
3. Credit cards give you better pricing options In the case of traveling to a foreign country, using your credit card will give you a myriad of saving advantages. That’s because your credit card will almost always give you better exchange rates than those provided in the local exchange offices. However, be sure to look for no foreign transaction fee credit cards, as many credit cards charge you around a 3% fee on the purchases you make abroad. You can know the benefits you can receive by checking your card’s terms and conditions. Moreover, using a credit card usually gives you better flight ticket offers, thanks to the price assurance programs they’re enrolled in with the flight companies.
4. You get travel insurance Whether you look for travel insurance on your own or neglect the extra insurance are both bad strategies. In the first option, you’ll have to incur the costs of insurance on your own, while the second option leaves you at risk. Meanwhile, getting travel insurance is one of the many benefits you get when using a credit card to book your travel. Credit cards also give you the option to cancel your booking in case of an emergency without having to pay a cancellation penalty, but be sure to check with your card provider for accurate details.
5. You can unlock a lot of rewards Most credit cards come with appealing offers once you use them, all to encourage the customers to use their credit cards more. With every purchase you make, you can accumulate points or extra travel miles.
You can keep stacking these points to earn significant rewards; you might even end up with a free trip. Be sure to check the list of partners so you can book your flight and accommodation all while getting rewarded for doing so!
6. You enjoy additional benefits The truth is that there is a myriad of benefits that come with using your credit card for your next travel plans. In addition to travel insurance, using a credit card can provide you with baggage loss insurance as well, either free or in exchange for some fees. Other benefits include concierge care, medical emergency transportation, restaurant recommendations, or hotel upgrades like continental breakfast, free Wi-Fi, late check-outs, or valet parking.
Although you may be wary of using your credit card for good reasons, there are even more compelling reasons to use it for booking your next flight and hotel accommodations. Using credit cards is much more convenient than paying cash, but that’s not all. Credit cards provide you with more security, savings, offers, and benefits. By using your credit strategically, you can be sure to spend your next vacation in absolute luxury.
