 TITLE: How to Make the Most of Travel Credit Cards CONTENT: How to Use a Travel Credit Card to Maximize Rewards\n---------------------------------------------------\nThere are several strategies you can use to squeeze as much value as possible from your travel credit cards, and much has been written on the topic. Here are a few key takeaways to make sure you're getting the most from your rewards card.\n1.  1.  **Meet the bonus requirements.** Your first step should be to make sure you earn the intro bonus. That usually involves spending a certain amount of money on purchases within a set time frame. For example, you can earn 40,000 TrueBlue points with the JetBlue Plus Card by spending $1,000 on purchases within the first 90 days of account opening. Not hitting that spending threshold is equivalent leaving hundreds of dollars of value on the table.\n    2.  **Maximize earning categories.** Many travel rewards cards earn multiple points or miles per dollar at specific merchants like gas stations or grocery stores. Making sure you use your card specifically on purchases that score bonuses can up your earning dramatically.\n    3.  **Redeem for the right things.** Be certain that what you spend your points or miles on is netting you a good value. If you redeem miles from the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card for travel purchases or gift cards, you get 1 cent per mile in value. But if you redeem them for other expenses, you only get a half-cent, which is not worth it.\n    4.  **Leverage all the benefits.** If you have a premium product like The Platinum Card® from American Express, take advantage of its many value-added benefits, such as $200 in airline incidental fee credits, up to $200 savings on Uber rides or eats annually, a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application reimbursement, and access to Amex Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs and Priority Pass lounge locations at airports around the world. By doing so, you can reap hundreds of dollars' worth of value each year.\n    5.  **Know your card's comprehensive coverage**: Using your travel rewards card for travel purchases also means that its travel protections and coverage will extend to your trip. For this reason, it is also important to use a credit card that includes such protections to pay for a trip. If you don't, you could end up having to pay hundreds or even thousands of dollars if things go awry.\nTravel credit cards can be powerful tools in any traveler's wallet. Not only do they allow consumers to earn points and miles toward free travel, they also provide valuable travel-related benefits such as trip protection.\nBecause there are more travel credit cards available than ever before, consumers have some phenomenal choices. But it also means finding one that might be right for you can be complicated. Think about which type of travel credit card will earn you the type of rewards you can use the most, what travel-related benefits you are looking for, and which card has bonus earning categories you can maximize with your usual spending habits. Finally make sure its annual fee is within your budget. By thinking about those few major factors, you will home in on the right rewards card for your needs. END