Hi folks…
I know there are tons of posts about travel cards, but I’m looking for something a bit more specific. I’m interested in credit cards that allow you to book flights and hotels directly through their platform or portal.
I’m open to annual fees if the benefits justify the cost. I already have TSA PreCheck, so that’s not a factor for me. I’d love to hear about any recommendations or experiences you all have had with such cards.
You can book directly with any card. If you want cards that earn more points on direct purchases, consider these:
The US Bank Altitude Reserve (USBAR) is perfect for direct travel bookings.
You get 4.5x points and a $325 credit for travel purchases made directly. However, the Priority Pass membership is limited, so consider if that’s important to you.
The major drawback is that it’s one of the hardest cards to get approved for.
Why are you specifically looking for a card for direct travel bookings? I think the USBAR is especially useful when paired with another card that has transfer partners. You can use the other card’s points for most of the purchase, then use the USBAR to cover taxes and fees, get a statement credit, and earn 4.5x points.
I’m going to be spending 3k+ on a hotel in a couple of months & it’s not showing up in any of the credit card booking sites. I also like the flexibility and don’t want to be tied down to their portal just for the points. I’m looking into the USBAR a bit. Do you know how strict they are with the 2/12?
From what I’ve seen, having a previous relationship with US Bank is the biggest factor for getting approved. They’re less strict if you already have an account with them. If you’re thinking about getting the card, you should open an account with US Bank now to start that relationship. They’re offering a bonus of around $300 for opening a checking account.
Since you’re a few months away from booking, you should have time to get everything set up. I recommend waiting to apply for the card until you’ve received the bonus from the checking account, assuming that’s the type of account you open.
Wells Fargo Autograph Journey. 5x hotels, 4x airlines and 3x all other travel and restaurants. $95 AF with $50 annual air fare credit. Or skip the AF and the regular Autograph is 3x across all travel, flights and hotels. They have a travel portal, but you don’t ever have to use it to get the full points/cash back.
AAA has a good card for this too and I think US Bank. But I am not as familiar with them as the Wells cards. I’m sure others can chime in.