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How to Tell If a Premium Travel Card Is Worth the Fee

Published 5 months, 1 week ago
Description

Learn when pricey travel cards are worth it and how to pick the one that gives you the most value.

Are premium travel cards worth the high price tag? How do you decide which one(s) to keep in your wallet? Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle break down the real-world math of annual fees and rewards to help you understand when these cards pay for themselves. But first, show producer Tess Vigeland joins Meghan to cover the week’s travel headlines, including new airport lounges opening in Salt Lake City, the Southwest Rapid Rewards debit card launch, Wells Fargo adding JetBlue as a transfer partner, Wyndham Rewards ending its partnership with Vacasa, and United Airlines’ new route to Bangkok.

Then, Sally and Meghan dig into how to evaluate premium travel credit cards, from lounge access and retail credits to transfer partners and redemption value. They walk through top-tier general cards including the Amex Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Capital One Venture X, and Citi Strata Elite, comparing benefits, costs, and travel protections. The hosts also cover premium airline and hotel cards, including those from Delta, United, American, Hilton, and Marriott, explaining who they’re for and when the perks truly add up. They explain how to calculate if you’re offsetting your annual fees, why lounge access matters for frequent flyers, and how to think about long-term value when juggling multiple cards.

Card benefits, terms and fees can change. For the most up-to-date information about cards mentioned in this episode, read our reviews:

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