Travel rewards credit cards offer widely-known benefits such as travel points and miles. These enable travellers to maximize their spending and earn rewards on their travel purchases. While points and miles are great, travel credit cards often come with many lesser-known perks that can enhance anyone’s travel.

Airport Lounge Access

Airport gates aren’t the most comfortable places to spend time, especially during the stress of travel. Many travel rewards credit cards provide complimentary access to airport lounges. These comfortable lounges offer a quiet, relaxing place to enjoy pre-flight food and drinks or get some work done. They’re ideal for layovers or for travellers who like getting to the airport early.

Travel Insurance Coverage

Unfortunately, plans can go off course even during the most organized trips. Bags go missing in transit, children get sick and family vacations are cancelled, or someone injures themselves on an excursion. Travel credit cards often offer many different types of travel insurance, from baggage loss to medical emergencies to trip cancellation insurance. This provides immense peace of mind and can save travellers a lot of money—and stress.

No Foreign Transaction Fees

Foreign transaction fees can add up, and the interest on them can be high—a surprise no one wants to see when they check their statement after returning from a trip. Some regular credit cards can charge multiple fees per transaction (currency exchange, foreign transaction fees, etc.). Travel rewards credit cards often waive these fees, saving cardholders a significant amount of money.

Concierge Services

Many credit card companies offer concierge services, and making use of them is as simple as dialling a number. Concierge services are there to make travel life easier. Travellers can use them to:

• Reserve tickets to special events such as concert tickets, theatre tickets or special tours
• Scout out local golf courses and book tee times
• Make reservations for the spa, dinner, excursions or anything else that must be booked in advance
• Book airport transfers, car rentals, and ground transportation
• Plan special events such as birthdays, anniversaries or romantic dinners
• Provide detailed information about travel destinations

They can also help travellers book flights, hotels, and vehicle rentals, or find the perfect vacation package. Using credit card concierge services enhances any vacation and saves travellers time while keeping things stress-free.

NEXUS/TSA PreCheck Programs

Canadians who frequently travel to the U.S. should look for travel rewards credit cards that offer money back on NEXUS applications. Many Canada border crossings offer a dedicated NEXUS lane going into and out of the U.S., and NEXUS cards also offer expedited security screening via TSA PreCheck lines for flights departing from American airports and at some major Canadian airports.

Free Checked Bags

Many airlines now charge a fee for all checked bags. Some travel credit cards allow for at least one free checked bag per cardholder or for all travellers on the same itinerary. That can add up to considerable savings on a trip.

Travel rewards credit cards offer much more than just the typical miles and points rewards. Understanding their benefits and how to utilize them can make the travel experience smoother and more enjoyable for cardholders.