I started applying for credit cards on a regular basis about 5 years ago. I usually get about 5-7 new cards every year because of the amazing sign-up bonuses they have to offer. The best thing about this hobby of mine is that I get to travel for free to places I’ve always wanted to visit and stay in some of the nicest hotels in the world. I’m way too cheap to pay $500 a night for a hotel like the Intercontinental in Rome, but paying with points enables me to stay there and live it up for a fraction of the actual cost.
You’ve probably heard that ‘only suckers pay retail’. Well that saying applies when it comes to traveling too. This list though should give you an idea of some of the current best offers available. Please note that I do receive a small commission if you sign up using one of my links so it’s a great way to support the site.
This card will probably be going away soon due to the merger between US Air and AA which is why now is a great time to apply for it. Once the airlines merge sometime in the summer/end of 2014, US Air points will be converted to AA points.
This is one of my favorite travel cards out there right now and a perfect card for a beginner since it basically gives you $400 cash back (40,000 points). With a lot of airline or hotel program cards there are blackout dates and restrictions for using points, but with the Barclay Arrival you can book any form of travel and get a statement credit. You can read my detailed review of the card here and don’t forget about the other benefits like Free FICO score and Tripit Pro.