Which travel credit card to get if you have flight benefits

You might be thinking, why would someone with flight benefits need a travel credit card? The easiest answer is: travel credit cards enhance the travel experience and provide backup options. 

Airfare is a large chunk of a travel expense, but there are other pieces of a trip to consider, like your hotel or lodging, food, and activities. A travel credit card can help reduce the cost of these items or enhance part of your journey. Also, if standby loads aren't in your favor, a points booking can help offset the cost of a last minute plane ticket to get to your destination.

My favorite credit card benefit impacts me before I step on the plane in the form of TSA Pre-check. Most premium cards include a TSA Pre-check or Global Entry credit. 

If you are a frequent flyer, TSA Pre-check is a must to avoid long airport security lines and get you through quicker since you don't have to remove your shoes or laptop. I take around 2 international trips a year, and Global Entry saves me hours upon returning to the US each time. 

I would have paid for this benefit, but it's a great value for my credit card to include this as a credit. The American Express Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve, and Capital One Venture X cards are some that include a TSA Pre-check or Global Entry credit.

Using the hotel portal from a travel credit card like the American Express Platinum or Chase Sapphire Reserve can net you extra perks for your stay. Some of these enhancements include:

• Early check-in
• Late check-out
• Room upgrades (upon availability)
• Complimentary breakfast
• Property credits

If you're going on vacation, you might as well get the best experience possible! The early check-in is an absolute lifesaver for when you fly in on a red-eye, providing a place to rest or store your bags after touching down. 

Or, you can go the hotel co-brand card route for a points and loyalty program boost. Think Hyatt, Marriott, and Hilton's credit card offerings. These points can offset your trip costs by covering your hotel room. Be sure to earn the card's sign-up bonus to get as many points as possible. 

Having a hotel chain's credit card often provides status of some sort, which then comes with perks like free breakfast, upgrades, and early check-in. Consider a hotel credit card if you tend to stick with a particular portfolio.

Having plan A-Z and then some is the name of the standby game. Part of your backup plans can include points bookings if flight loads get too dicey. 

I really like American Express Member Rewards points and Chase Ultimate Rewards points since they can be transferred to different airlines to book airfare directly. The transferability of these points gives me flexibility in airline choice and destination if I need a confirmed seat or to get home. 

Alternatively, airline cards are often offered to its employees with a waived/$0 annual fee. I recommend taking advantage of that offer to have a backup stash of points in case they can get you home; there's nothing like a stress-free confirmed seat!