If you're going to get a credit card for travel rewards, make sure you get one that offers a good bonus for spending a certain amount of money in the first few months, and that you can spend that much.

Also make sure it offers no foreign transaction fees and no annual fee, unless your spending is high enough to warrant a card with an annual fee.

You might be better off simply using a card that gives you cash back and using that money for travel, but it depends on your spending habits.

>>1061110
Hrm, well, say a Delta SkyMiles or gold/platinum gets you free checked bags, that's worth quite a bit more at $150 a pop than a free upgrade worth only $50-75. Combine it with free travel insurance when you use it to book, waivers on CDW, added insurance or lengthed warranties when purchasing electronics, or checking bags that might get loss, and really the perks are wayyy more valuable than any kind of free travel you think you'll get.

There's been a pretty good lockdown on free flights from every kind of loyalty card that exists, like another anon said, look more for lack of transaction fees, and like you said, your cash back. Saving 5% on gas, double points on pharmacy/grocery items, and stuff covers the annual fee, and then you think of the insurance bump. Break even on a bad day, get a discount on your purchases if you're good at the game.

Concierge services are nice. Use it for concert tix you can't even get otherwise. Use the card websites to book last minute hotels with discounted airfare, half-price festival tickets and such, almost a groupon kind of thing.

For lack of transaction and ATM fees, I've found nothing better than Schwab banking. Capital one has a great one, as does Chase. For best perks overall, Delta Skymiles. Delta has the most coverage in the world as well as the biggest alliance.