If you love to travel, you’ll know that the costs of flights, accommodation, transfers, food, drink and entertainment can mount up quickly. That’s what makes a credit card such a useful financial accessory – take advantage of all your credit card benefits, and travel doesn’t have to burn that much of a hole in your pocket.

Most credit cards come with travel-related perks that can make your trip more enjoyable and save you money at the same time. Benefits vary, depending on the credit card company that issued the card and your specific account. They usually include airline miles, hotel points and cashback rewards.

Common travel extras on credit cards

• Travel rewards
  Many cards offer reward points or miles for every rand spent, which can be redeemed for free flights, hotel stays, or other travel-related expenses.
  
  
• Sign-up bonuses
  Credit card issuers often provide generous sign-up bonuses for new cardholders, which can include hefty packages of bonus points or miles if you meet a spending requirement.
  
  
• Airport lounge access
  Credit cards may give you access to airport lounges, where you can enjoy amenities such as free food and beverages, comfortable seating, and wifi.
  
  
• Free checked bags
  Some credit cards affiliated with airlines offer free checked bags for the cardholder – and sometimes even for companions travelling on the same reservation.
  
  
• Travel insurance
  Many credit cards provide various levels of travel insurance coverage, either as part of your account package or as affordable optional add-ons. These can include trip cancellation/interruption insurance, travel accident/medical insurance and hired car insurance.

4 hacks to maximise your credit card benefits 

1.    Find out about different rewards programmes

Travel perks are often tied to a loyalty programme, such as an airline loyalty programme, a hotel loyalty programme, or a programme that lets you transfer points. You need to know how each plan can help you reach your goal of collecting miles and points. For example, if it’s an airline’s loyalty scheme, how many miles will it take to pay for the flight? If it’s a hotel loyalty scheme, will your credit card automatically make you a member, or do you need to sign up and pay a fee?

2.    Make a trip goal

Know from the very beginning where you want to go, so that you can make a plan that will get you the miles and points you need. Then plan your travel itinerary and bookings around your benefits and perks.

3.    Use your credit card for everyday spending

You’ll earn more points or miles if you pay for groceries, petrol, food and internet shopping with your credit card. If you want to avoid interest charges, make sure you pay off your balance on the card in full every month – not just the monthly payment owed.

4.    Keep an eye out for special deals

Check your email or whatever channel you prefer your credit card company to contact you on for limited-time deals that could help you earn more rewards.

What a Nedbank credit card offers you when you travel

We offer a range of credit card accounts with travel benefits, including American Express Gold Credit Card, American Express Platinum Credit Card,  SAA Voyager Gold Credit Card, and SAA Voyager Premium Credit Card. Each comes with its own unique benefits, so you should evaluate your travel needs to choose the card with the travel perks that suit you best.

All 4 cards offer these rewards as standard
 

• 25c in Greenbacks for every litre of fuel bought at BP.
• A 10% discount when you book accommodation via bookings.com.
• Automatic travel insurance.
• Easy access to forex.
• Airport lounge access (domestic and/or international, depending on the account level).
• Seasonal discounts on local and international travel with partners, including Gautrain, Uber, and various airlines and accommodation chains.
• Access to 24-hour concierge desk for platinum cardholders.
• The option to use your American Express Membership Rewards card or Greenbacks SHOP Card to pay with Greenbacks earned locally and abroad.

Travel with Greenbacks

Use a credit card linked to the Greenbacks programme to ensure that you earn Greenbacks on every transaction. When you use a Greenbacks-linked Amex card, you earn Greenbacks at a higher rate.

If you hold a Greenbacks-linked Amex Platinum card, you get up to 12 complimentary visits a year at local Bidvest airport lounges, and automatic basic travel insurance cover of up to R3 million when you buy return travel tickets.