The BEST Travel Credit Card For 2024 And The Easiest Point Hack Ever!

Retirement Travelers
8 Jul 202310:06

TLDRJohn and Beth, the Retirement Travelers, share their experience with the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, highlighting its benefits for full-time travelers. They discuss the card's rewards system, the sign-up bonus, travel credits, and the value of the annual fee. They also mention the card's travel protections and the ability to transfer points to partners like Hyatt hotels for significant savings. Despite a negative experience with flight cancellations, they find the card enhances their travel experience and is worth the cost.

Takeaways

  • 💳 The retirement Travelers recommend the Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card for its rewards and benefits.
  • 🌟 The card offers 3x points on travel-related purchases and放大 benefits such as 10x points on hotels and car rentals through Chase's travel portal.
  • 💰 A sign-up bonus of 60,000 points, valued at $900 in travel credit, is available after spending $4,000 on purchases.
  • 🛫 Annual perks include a $300 travel credit and a Priority Pass membership, valued at $429, offering access to airport lounges worldwide.
  • 🚫 It's essential to pay off the card monthly to avoid debt and make the most of the rewards system.
  • 💸 The card's annual fee is $550, with an additional $75 for authorized users, but the benefits often outweigh the costs for frequent travelers.
  • 🛂 Chase provides comprehensive travel protections, including car rental insurance, delay and cancellation coverage, and emergency evacuation.
  • 🏨 Points can be transferred to travel partners like Hyatt hotels, offering significant value and savings on accommodations.
  • 📈 A travel hack mentioned is booking Hyatt hotels using points, which can offer room rates as low as $60 per night.
  • 🚫 A downside mentioned is the complexity of managing flight cancellations and disruptions when booking multiple flights through different cities.

Q & A

  • What is the main topic of the video?

    -The main topic of the video is about the presenters, John and Beth, sharing their experience with the Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card as full-time senior travelers.

  • Why did John and Beth choose the Chase Sapphire Reserve card?

    -John and Beth chose the Chase Sapphire Reserve card because it offers many rewards and benefits that align with their travel lifestyle, and it is simple to use.

  • How do John and Beth use the Chase Sapphire Reserve card to maximize their benefits?

    -They use the card for all their monthly purchases and pay it off each month to avoid debt. They also take advantage of the card's amplified benefits for travel-related purchases, such as earning 3x points on hotels, restaurants, trains, and airlines, and up to 10x points through Chase's travel portal for hotels and car rentals.

  • What is the sign-up bonus for the Chase Sapphire Reserve card?

    -The sign-up bonus is 60,000 points, valued at $900 in travel credit, after spending $4,000 in purchases according to the card's terms and conditions.

  • What is the annual fee for the Chase Sapphire Reserve card?

    -The annual fee for the Chase Sapphire Reserve card is $550, with an additional $75 for each additional card.

  • What is the value of the Priority Pass membership that comes with the card, and what are its benefits?

    -The Priority Pass membership is valued at $429 per person. It allows cardholders to access airport lounges worldwide, where they can enjoy free food and beverages, comfortable seating, and other amenities. Each cardholder can bring two guests into the lounge.

  • How does the TSA PreCheck benefit work with the Chase Sapphire Reserve card?

    -Chase pays for a TSA PreCheck entry card, which can be used for expedited security screening at U.S. airports. Cardholders can apply for this benefit through the U.S. Customs and Border Protection after enrollment.

  • What is the travel hack that John and Beth recommend for maximizing the value of points earned with the card?

    -They recommend transferring points to Chase's travel partners, particularly Hyatt hotels, which offers significant value by allowing members to book rooms at a large discount using points.

  • What was a downside or challenge John and Beth experienced with the card?

    -They faced difficulties when a flight they booked through multiple cities was canceled, which disrupted their entire trip. Since then, they avoid booking multiple city trips together through the card's travel portal.

  • How does the Chase Sapphire Reserve card enhance John and Beth's travel experience?

    -The card enhances their travel experience by providing various perks such as travel credits, lounge access, and points that can be used for discounted accommodations, making their travel cheaper and more comfortable.

  • What advice does the video offer for potential cardholders?

    -The advice is to only purchase the card if one can pay it off each month to avoid debt and to understand the benefits and limitations of the card to make informed decisions about its use.

Outlines

00:00

🌟 Introduction to the Best Travel Credit Card for Retirement Travelers

John and Beth, a senior travel couple, introduce their favorite travel credit card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve. They discuss its benefits, how they use it for their full-time travels, and mention a significant money-saving hack. They clarify that they are not sponsored by Chase and emphasize the importance of living debt-free by paying off the card each month. The couple also highlights their preference for simplicity and a card that offers numerous perks.

05:02

💳 Detailed Overview of the Chase Sapphire Reserve Perks and Usage

The couple dives deeper into the specifics of the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, explaining how they earn points on every purchase and the amplified benefits for travel-related expenses. They mention the annual fee and the sign-up bonus, as well as the travel credit they receive each year. John and Beth also discuss the value of the Priority Pass membership, the convenience of the TSA Pre✓ card, and the comprehensive travel protections offered by Chase. They share their travel hack of transferring points to Hyatt hotels for significant savings on accommodations.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡travel credit card

A travel credit card is a type of credit card specifically designed to earn rewards and benefits that are useful for travelers. In the context of the video, the presenters discuss their favorite travel credit card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve, and how it offers various perks and rewards that cater to their full-time traveling lifestyle.

💡Chase Sapphire Reserve

The Chase Sapphire Reserve is a specific travel credit card mentioned in the video as the preferred choice for the presenters. It is highlighted for its numerous benefits, such as travel rewards, airport lounge access, and travel protections.

💡rewards and benefits

Rewards and benefits refer to the incentives and advantages offered by credit cards to encourage card usage and customer loyalty. In the video, the presenters detail the various rewards and benefits of the Chase Sapphire Reserve, such as points earning on purchases, travel credits, and access to airport lounges.

💡debt-free living

Debt-free living is a financial philosophy that advocates for avoiding debt and paying off expenses as soon as possible, including credit card balances, to maintain financial health and freedom. In the video, the presenters emphasize the importance of living debt-free and only using a credit card if you can pay off the balance each month to truly benefit from the rewards and perks.

💡travel portal

A travel portal is an online platform provided by credit card companies or travel agencies where customers can book flights, hotels, and other travel services. In the context of the video, the presenters discuss the benefits of using Chase's travel portal for booking travel, which can offer amplified rewards points.

💡Priority Pass membership

Priority Pass is a program that provides access to a network of airport lounges worldwide. Members can enter these lounges to relax, eat, and work in a more comfortable environment while waiting for their flights. In the video, the presenters highlight the value of the included Priority Pass membership with the Chase Sapphire Reserve card.

💡TSA PreCheck

TSA PreCheck is a U.S. government program that allows pre-approved, low-risk travelers to enjoy expedited screening at airport security checkpoints. In the video, the presenters mention that Chase offers to cover the application fee for a TSA PreCheck membership, providing them with a more efficient travel experience.

💡travel protections

Travel protections are a set of insurance and coverage benefits provided by credit cards to assist cardholders in various travel-related situations, such as trip cancellations, medical emergencies, and baggage loss. In the video, the presenters discuss the comprehensive travel protections offered by the Chase Sapphire Reserve card.

💡Hyatt hotels

Hyatt hotels are a global chain of luxury hotels and resorts known for their high-quality accommodations and services. In the video, the presenters share their favorite travel hack of transferring points from the Chase Sapphire Reserve to Hyatt hotels for significant savings on room rates.

💡point transfer

Point transfer is the process of exchanging credit card reward points for benefits or services with a partner company, such as airline or hotel chains. In the video, the presenters discuss the ability to transfer points from their Chase Sapphire Reserve card to Hyatt hotels, which provides them with more value for their points.

💡travel hack

A travel hack refers to a clever strategy or tip that helps travelers save money, time, or hassle when planning and going on trips. In the video, the presenters share their favorite travel hack, which involves maximizing the value of their credit card points by transferring them to Hyatt hotels for significant savings on accommodations.

Highlights

The best travel credit card for full-time retired travelers is the Chase Sapphire Reserve.

Chase Sapphire Reserve offers many rewards and benefits that make it worth having.

The card is particularly beneficial for individuals who travel frequently and can take advantage of its perks.

Every purchase earns one point per dollar, with travel-related purchases earning three times the points.

Booking through Chase's travel portal or travel agency amplifies the benefits, offering 10 times the points on hotels and car rentals, and five times the points on flights.

The annual fee for the card is $550, plus an additional $75 for an extra card.

New cardholders receive a sign-up bonus of 60,000 points, valued at $900 in travel credit after spending $4,000 in purchases.

Cardholders get a $300 travel credit each year, offsetting a significant portion of the annual fee.

Each cardholder receives a Priority Pass membership, valued at $429, offering access to airport lounges worldwide.

Minute Suites, a perk of the Priority Pass, allows cardholders to book hourly stays for rest during long layovers.

Chase covers the cost of a TSA PreCheck card, simplifying the airport security process in the United States.

The card offers comprehensive travel protections, including car rental delays and cancellation insurance.

Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders can transfer points to travel partners, enhancing the value of their rewards.

Hyatt hotels offer significant value when transferring points from the Chase Sapphire Reserve, allowing for substantial discounts on room rates.

The card's benefits make it an attractive option for bargain travelers seeking to maximize their savings and enhance their travel experiences.

A cautionary tale is shared about booking multiple city flights, which can complicate travel disruptions and Chase's assistance.

For frequent travelers, the Chase Sapphire Reserve card is seen as a worthwhile investment, enhancing travel and easing daily life on the road.