By: Nick Ellis
It may not seem like it, but spring is just around the corner.
That also means spring break is fast approaching—think beaches, warm weather, and some well-deserved downtime.
Don't worry, there's still plenty of time to put together an amazing trip.
But before you hit the "book" button, remember that having the right travel credit cards in your wallet can go a long way toward significantly lowering the cost of a trip, especially if you're traveling in a group.
Let's take a look at some of the best credit card options available in America that will help you book an amazing spring break trip this year.
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
The Chase Sapphire Preferred card is a favorite of all types of travelers, from beginners to experts.
It offers a compelling set of benefits like bonus points, hotel credits, travel insurance and more at a very affordable annual rate of $95.
The card earns 5 points per dollar spent on travel booked through the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal, as well as 5 points per dollar on select purchases with Peloton and Lyft travel through the end of March 2022.
You also earn 3 points per dollar spent at restaurants, select streaming services and online grocery purchases, and 2 points per dollar spent on travel not booked through the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal and 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases, allowing you to rack up valuable Ultimate Rewards points with ease.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred currently offers a sign-up bonus of 60,000 Ultimate Rewards points after you spend $4,000 within the first three months of having the card, and Ultimate Rewards points are great because they're so versatile.
They are transferred on a 1:1 basis to many partner airlines, including United, British Airways, Air Canada and more.
If you don't want to transfer the points, you can redeem them at a value of 1.25 cents each for trips booked through the Chase travel portal, adding another layer of flexibility to your trip planning.
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card
If you already have your heart set on a specific destination and need a place to stay, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card is worth a look, especially if you're already a frequent guest at Hilton hotels.
Right now, the Amex Hilton Surpass card offers a welcome bonus of 130,000 Honors points, which you'll earn after you spend $2,000 in the first three months of having the card.
Plus, you'll also earn a free nightly reward to use at virtually any Hilton property after meeting the same spending requirement.
Its annual fee is USD$95.
The card comes with other valuable benefits, including Hilton Honors Gold status and airport lounge access through a Priority Pass membership.
While Hilton Gold status entitles you to benefits like bonus points and room upgrades when available, one of the most valuable benefits, especially for spring break travel, is a daily food and beverage credit.
Plus, as a Hilton Surpass benefit, you can earn a free weekend night certificate each year after you spend $15,000 on the card in a calendar year.
American Express Platinum Card
This premium travel card has a long list of benefits that might come in handy when planning your spring break.
There are a ton of bonuses that come with the card, making it easy for you to save money on purchases and earn points at the same time.
Perhaps one of the most remarkable elements of this card is its welcome bonus.
The Amex Platinum currently comes with a welcome bonus of 100,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of having the card.
The card also comes with a $200 annual hotel credit on select prepaid hotel reservations with American Express Travel, allowing you to save on your family or group of friends' hotel stays.
But its benefits also extend beyond travel.
The Amex Platinum also comes with $240 in digital entertainment credits, where you'll get up to $20 each month when you pay for eligible purchases with Peacock, The New York Times, Audible and more.
World of Hyatt Credit Card
Another hotel brand card to make the list, the World of Hyatt credit card is especially good because World of Hyatt points are so valuable.
The Hyatt card currently offers a sign-up bonus of up to 60,000 Hyatt points.
You'll earn the first 30,000 points after you spend $3,000 within the first three months of opening the card.
You will then be awarded two points per dollar on purchases that typically earn only one point per dollar.
That said, Hyatt's most exclusive and luxurious properties, called Category 8 properties, cost a maximum of 45,000 points per night, while the lowest Category 1 properties can be booked for as little as 3,500 points per night.
Hyatt also has a range of all-inclusive resorts that can represent significant savings, with many costing between 20,000 and 25,000 points per night for double occupancy.
This means you could get up to three paid nights at an all-inclusive resort where all of your food and drink, and just about everything else you do while on property, is included in the price of admission.
United Quest Card
If you've got your spring break destination decided but haven't got your flights booked yet, you might want to consider taking out the United Quest card, thanks to its sign-up bonus.
Right now you can earn 70,000 MileagePlus miles after you spend $4,000 within the first three months of having the card.
The card comes with a $250 annual fee, but cardholders receive a $125 annual statement credit for United purchases each year, as well as 5,000 mile cash back after booking a flight. at United.
Plus, you and a companion will receive two free checked bags if you're both on the same reservation, saving you even more money on your spring break trip.
Capital One Venture X
One of the newest travel rewards cards on the market, the Capital One Venture X is ideal for those looking for a card that comes loaded with benefits, credits, and a fantastic sign-up bonus.
First, let's talk about that signup bonus.
The Venture X currently offers 100,000 bonus miles after you spend $10,000 on purchases with the card within the first six months of opening your account.
And, for a limited time, you'll also receive up to $200 in statement credits for bookings made in the first year of having your card with home-sharing services like Airbnb.
This card has a $395 annual fee, but right away you get almost all of that value in the form of a $300 annual credit for travel purchases made through the Capital One Travel portal.
The versatility of this card, and the Capital One miles it earns, are what make it ideal for a wide range of travelers looking to plan a getaway this spring.
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