Check out the list of some of the best travel hacking credit cards to use at the airport and get your self travel perks to make the airport experience a more memorable one.

Finding the best credit cards for travel hacking has become a popular trend among both frequent and casual flyers looking to maximize their rewards and benefits while on the go. One key aspect of travel hacking is choosing the right credit card to use at the airport, where expenses can quickly add up.

From lounge access to fast track security, certain credit cards offer a range of benefits that can make your travel experience more comfortable and cost-effective. Read on and we’ll explore some of the best travel hacking credit cards to use at the airport and how they can help you save money and enhance your overall travel experience.

1. Having A Travel Hacking Card And The Benefits

As well as the later mentioned perks, having a credit card when you are at the airport has the obvious benefits for a host of different scenarios. Such as, no cash accepted. Maybe you fancy indulging in some pricey duty free goods or purchasing from a high end airport shop, and your debit card won’t cover it. Or perhaps unforeseen circumstances require you to book a new flight at the airport.

Whatever the reason, it’s worth having a card on your person.
But even more so if you have a travel hacking credit card that opens up useful perks at the airport. Such as

• Access to airport lounges
• Security fast track
• Airport transfers
• Restaurant offers
• Sign up/ reimbursement for TSA precheck or global entry.
• Priority boarding
• Free/ extra check in luggage
• Full coverage travel insurance
  And more.

Remember you won’t necessarily find all these perks on one card. There will be variations on what perks you get depending on the card and country of issue.

2. Is Having A Travel Hacking Credit Card Right For You?

Although this article is about gaining perks at the airport through your credit card, it’s still worth getting one even if you are just an aspiring traveler. Many cards have points rewards that can be redeemed against many things you can put towards your future travel plans.

If you travel then having a travel hacking credit card is right for you, but there are many things to consider in determining which kind of card is for you. Here are some below.

• Frequency of travel.

Two categories have been thought of when listing the credit cards, frequent travelers, and casual travelers. A frequent traveler would be every month or so. Likely to involve business trips, or even someone who has a lot of weekend breaks away. The casual traveler would be someone who has a couple of vacations a year.

An example of taking frequency of travel into consideration. If you were a casual traveler you wouldn’t choose a card with high annual fee just for the sole purpose of airport lounge access, when it would be cheaper to pay yourself on the couple of occasions you visit.

• Available Facilities.

Now this is just for the traveler who knows which airport they are in and out of frequently. But if you are then it would make sense to have the available facilities there that your credit card travel hack gives you.

• Weigh up the fees.

As mentioned in the frequency of travel example, Make sure you’re getting your money’s worth. Work out how often you will use the available perks, and see if that saves money compared to the annual fee. But it’s not just having a lounge access credit card or an airport travel hacking card for fast track security. There are many other perks that come with these cards that don’t involve the trip at the airport, and you want to take into account these benefits as well.

• Daily use and other perks.

One of the many other perks that may be included when having one of the best travel hacking credit cards, is the ability to collect points. And if you plan to use the card for regular spending then it will be a good choice. Again there will be variation on what kind of points from card to card. But there could be points dedicated to an individual airline and their lounges. Convertible air miles used with multiple airlines. Or a general points scheme that enables flights, lounge access hotels etc.

Aside from redeeming points for air travel and airport services, you can use them for a variety of shops and restaurants.

Other perks may include insurance, and could be for travel, home or vehicle.
Cash back is a popular incentive.
Vouchers for online stores are quite common. And many more different bonuses depending on your card.

So take all the perks you get on your card into consideration when deciding on if it’s cost effective for you.

3. Important Information

Check the conditions of the perks. Although generally good, some perks may not be as clear cut as advertised. There may for example be a spending criteria to be eligible for a certain reward, that’s not mentioned in the main advert. Especially check this if there is one main perk you want to use the card for.

Never withdraw cash. Unless it comes with a stated 0% cash withdrawal offer, NEVER use a credit card to withdraw cash. You will pay a high interest rate instantly, and don’t get the chance to pay it off to avoid fees, like you do on regular spending. Use a debit or travel currency card instead.

Foreign transaction fees. If your travel hacking airport credit card has foreign transaction fees, then avoid using it to spend when abroad. There’s no reason to avoid a card though. If the airport and travel perks are generous enough, just keep it for that. Then use a debit or another credit card that has no foreign transaction fees when abroad.

4. Best Travel Hacking Credit Cards

With the two types of traveler in mind, both frequent and casual, I have put the credit cards into three categories.

Low or fee free card for casual travelers.
A card for mixed travel frequency.
And a high end card for frequent travelers.

Each category will have a card from the USA and UK. And an option for the rest of the world is listed below.

If you are from elsewhere in the world then check out the American Express page and select your country. You will see some of the cards listed in this article for the US and UK are also Amex cards, so shows they do have great travel perks. Cards and offers given will vary from each nation, so check out your country’s deals now.

Future updates may include more cards and issuing nations.

5. Low or fee free card for casual travelers

USA: U.S. Bank Altitude Connect VISA Signature Card

Originally fee free for the first year, then a low fee of $95 per year after, from september 2024 there will no longer be any yearly fee. With airport lounge access and a host of other benefits, this is one of the best travel hacking credit cards for the casual traveler who wants to save money.

Airport Perks.

• Airport lounge access. Complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership gives you 4 free visits to over 1,500 airport VIP lounges and experiences worldwide.

• Faster security screening. TSA PreCheck or Global Entry. Enjoy up to $100 in statement credits to reimburse your application fee once every four years.

• Travel benefits. Protection and assistance when traveling with Trip Cancelation/Interruption, Trip Delay Reimbursement and SmartDelay.

Other Benefits and Pros.

• No foreign transaction fees
• No yearly fee
• Large welcome bonus
• Excellent points rewards program. Earn on every $ spent. Can be redeemed for travel and cash back.

Cons.

• No 0% APR, so make sure to pay off monthly.
• Points cannot be transferred to other programs.

Final note.

Although the points gained will be slightly less than before, this is in exchange for having no yearly fees which is awesome. Along with it being a free credit card with airport lounge access, the no foreign transaction fees make it excellent for airport use and as a travel spending card.

UK: American Express Preferred Rewards Gold (Amex Gold) credit card

Although a high end card with a £195 fee starting the second year, the first year is free. Airport lounge access included with this one, as well as more. So if only taking advantage of the free first year (can be canceled any time), it is a great airport credit card for the casual traveler.

Airport Perks.

• Access Global Lounges. Take advantage of 4 complimentary Priority Pass airport lounge visits every year giving you access to over 1,300 airports globally. You can use all 4 passes for yourself or share with a friend or family member you are traveling with.

• Travel Accident and Travel Inconvenience Insurance. On the move? You’re protected when you use the Card to book your travel, with Travel Accident Insurance up to £250,000 and Travel Inconvenience Insurance up to £200.
• Transfer Your Points to Travel Programmes. Transfer your Membership Rewards points to 12 airline partners’ loyalty programs, including British Airways Executive Club, Emirates Skywards, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club

Other Benefits and Pros.

• First year fee free.
• Deliveroo benefit exclusive to Gold Cardmembers
• Excellent points rewards program. 3x points with Amex travel, 2x directly with airlines, 1x on purchases for every £ spent.
• Welcome bonus
• 2,500 bonus points when you spend £5000.

Cons.

• £195 fee after the first year.
• £3000 to spend in first 3 months to get the welcome bonus of 20,000 points.
• Foreign transaction fees.
• No 0% APR, so make sure to pay off monthly.

Final note.

If the fee after the first year is not worth it for your travel and spending habits. But if you have trips planned for the next year, then take advantage of the fee free first year for the airport perks. Then any points earned on it, transfer to a rewards scheme you will use, and maybe get another card that collects the same points.

6. Airport Travel Hacking Credit Card For Casual And Frequent Travelers.

USA: American Express Green Card

A mid tier card with a mid tier $150 yearly fee. Although lounge access is not as great as the US Bank Altitude Connect. Its lounge buddy credits along with many other airport and travel perks, make it a good choice for the frequent traveler. And for the casual traveler who can use the points and rewards not associated with travel, also makes a worthwhile sign up.

Airport Perks.

• Airport lounge access. $100 LoungeBuddy statement credits per year.
• Faster security screening. $189 ClearPlus statement credits per year.
• Trip delay insurance. Reimburse certain additional expenses up to $300. Two trips per year.
• Baggage Insurance Plan. Generous coverage for lost, damaged, or stolen Baggage.

Other benefits and Pros.

• No foreign transaction fees.
• Car rental loss and damage insurance.
• Welcome bonus. $40,000 points if $3000 spent in 6 months.
• 3 x points on travel, transit and dining.
• Extended warranty of up to a year on top of existing manufacturer warranties.
• Points can be transferred to other reward schemes.
• Get free 2-day shipping on eligible items with shoprunner.

Cons

• $150 annual fee.
• No 0% APR, so make sure to pay off monthly.
• Perks more diluted than a higher end card.

Final note.

Even with the fee, it makes for a good airport travel hacking card, and a good travel card in general with no foreign transaction fees. Frequent travelers should easily offset the fee using the rewards. Casual travelers should get enough out of it also, when looking at the full range of offers. But if not so sure and worried about paying a fee, then go for the US Bank Altitude Connect.

UK: Halifax World Elite Mastercard/ Lloyds Bank World Elite Mastercard

Both Halifax and Lloyds world elite Mastercard are listed here as they offer virtually the same product. With a £15 a month fee (£180 per year). What makes this a winner is the full Priority Pass access to airport lounges, even with the monthly fee it’s still considerably cheaper than buying a Priority Pass card directly. You also get a free supplementary card holder who also gets a free full Priority Pass. So a casual traveler who only takes two trips a year along with their partner, that’s still a bargain on accessing some airport luxury.

Airport Perks.

• Airport lounge access. Full priority pass card and another one for a free secondary card holder.
• Dining credits. Get dining credits at the airport through Priority Pass. ( Not usually available with other credit card deals)
• Airport security fast track. Skip airport security lines, provided by DragonPass.

Other benefits and Pros.

• Cashback. 0.5% cash back on purchases.
• Access Mastercard’s exclusive Priceless experiences and offers.
• Add another cardholder to share your travel benefits and experience, and boost your cash back at no extra cost.

Cons.

• Monthly fee.
• Foreign transaction fees.
• No 0% APR, so make sure to pay off monthly.

Final note.

If you want some vip treatment at the airport then it’s definitely worth getting the World Mastercard Elite, as the perks will outweigh the fee. Even for a couple who travel casually, with the additional free card holder, it works out at £7.50 a month each. However there are better rewards out there that beat the 0.5% cash back. So keep the card for perks, and find a fee free one to build points such as Avios.

7. Top Tier Travel Credit Card For Frequent Travelers.

USA: Capital One Venture X

A top tier card will have a higher fee, but this one has a lower fee than other high end travel cards, at $395. And with $300 capital one travel credit, as well as all the rewards and perks, it’s easy to make back the fee. Making it one of the best travel hacking credit cards to use at the airport if you travel frequently. Even more so if you’re a high spender. With a host of perks at the airport and away from it, this is much more than your average credit card.

Airport Perks.

• Airport lounge access. Unlimited global lounge access with Capital One Lounges, Priority Pass and Plaza Premium Lounges. For you and up to two guests.
• Faster security screening. $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit.

Other Benefits and Pros.

• $300 annual travel credit for booking through Capital One Travel.
• No foreign transaction fees.
• Experience credits and upgrades booked through Capital One Travel.
• Hertz President’s Circle status.
• Auto rental collision coverage.
• Cell phone protection.
• Free additional card holders, who can enjoy benefits and earn rewards.
• Transfer miles to partners.
• Excellent for collecting miles. 10 x on hotels and rental cars. 5 x on flights. Both booked through Capital One travel. And 2 x on everyday purchases.
• 10,000 miles anniversary bonus, equivalent to $100.
• Early spend bonus. 75,000 miles when $4000 is spent in 3 months.

Cons.

• High annual fee.
• No 0% APR, so make sure to pay off monthly.

Final note.

There are more than enough perks to counter out the yearly fee. Perfect for the frequent traveler. And great for family vacations with the extra guests that can access the airport lounge. No wonder it is constantly rated among the best credit cards for airport lounge access, and travel in general.

UK: American Express The Platinum Card

The Amex Platinum is certainly a top tier card, and has a hefty £650 annual fee. But for the frequent traveler and high spender there are plenty of perks. You can have lounge access at the airport for up to 4 people when using the free supplementary card. As well as many other travel bonuses there’s plenty of other offerings to make up for the fee. Totaling over a couple of thousand pounds.

Airport Perks.

• Airport lounge access. Unlimited global access to over 1400 airport lounges. That’s for you and a guest, plus a supplementary card holder and their guest.
• Worldwide travel insurance. Enjoy comprehensive worldwide travel insurance for you, and your Supplementary Cardmembers including respective partners and dependent children
• Airfare benefit. Get 20% off with some airlines when booking through Platinum Concierge or at American Express Travel Online.

Other Benefits and Pros.

• Car Rental Benefits. Enjoy access to the higher tiers of travel partners loyalty programmes including Avis Preferred and Hertz Gold Plus Rewards with benefits including a discount of up to 15%.
• Hotel Benefits. Enjoy complimentary benefits with an average total value of $600 with Fine Hotels & Resorts at over 1,500 luxury hotels worldwide including room upgrades, complimentary breakfast and guaranteed 4pm late check-out.
• Lodging Benefits. Get elevated to the higher tiers of leading hotel loyalty partner programmes, including Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status.
• Global Dining Statement Credit. Receive up to £150 in statement credits to spend in the UK per year, and a further £150 to spend abroad at some of the best restaurants around the world.
• Platinum Travel & Dining Concierge. Your Platinum Travel & Dining Concierge is there to support you in arranging your travel, from the everyday, to once in a lifetime experiences.
• Harvey Nichols Lifestyle Credit. Receive up to £100 in statement credits per year.
• American Express Experiences. Enjoy one-of-a-kind experiences at exclusive Platinum events.
• Complementary supplementary card.
• Sign up bonus. Receive 40,000 points when you spend £6000 in the first 3 months.
• Receive points for every pound spent, and 2 x with Amex travel.
• Transfer points to other airline or hotel reward schemes.

Cons.

• High monthly fee.
• Foreign transaction fees.
• No 0% APR, so make sure to pay off monthly.

Final note.

If you will travel frequently then I’m sure the benefits and rewards will pay the high fee themselves, as there are plenty of them. This is an excellent travel credit card for airport lounge access as 4 of you can enjoy the luxury. As well as all being covered by worldwide insurance, so perfect for frequently traveling families, or groups. If however, you’re not sure if you’ll use it enough to justify the fee. Try the Amex Gold Card, currently fee free for the first year.

Now choose the best travel hacking credit card for the airport that best suits your needs. And add another level of pleasure to your journey.