Fall is a beautiful time to go on vacation. Whether you plan a staycation to go apple picking and tour the beautiful fall colours or want to enjoy a peaceful off-season trip abroad, it’s a lovely opportunity to travel.
Before finalizing your plans, consider booking your fall vacation with your credit card. Many Canadian credit cards include travel insurance, purchase protection, and the opportunity to earn rewards on flights, hotels and car rentals.
Before you book your next trip, learn how your credit card can help you save money and make your journey more enjoyable.
Travel insurance
Some credit cards come with built-in travel insurance designed to protect you and your belongings when you’re away from home. That way, you won’t have to purchase a separate insurance policy when you travel.
There are many scenarios in which credit card travel insurance can come in handy.
- If you get sick while traveling, your card may cover the cost of medical treatment and prescription medications.
- Should you fall ill before you leave on vacation, trip cancellation insurance can reimburse you for your trip expenses.
- If you arrive at your destination, but your luggage doesn’t, your insurance may help you replace clothing and toiletries until your bag is returned.
- If you rent a car with your credit card and get into an accident, your credit card insurance may help cover the cost.
Credit card rewards
With the right credit card, you can redeem rewards like points, miles, or cash back to help cover your travel expenses. Many cards allow you to use rewards to book your flight, hotel or cruise, or to rent a car. You may be able to earn extra points if you book your travel directly through the issuer’s travel portal.
In some cases, when you book your vacation with your credit card, you can earn rewards that you can use for a future trip.
To maximize rewards, you can look for a credit card that offers bonus points on travel-related purchases, like flights, hotel stays, car rentals or dining.
Also Read : How to Freeze Your Credit at All 3 Credit Bureaus
Travel perks
In addition to regular rewards, like points or cash back, some credit cards offer additional travel perks. These perks can help you save money and make for a more enjoyable travel experience. Examples might include complimentary access to airport lounges, annual travel credits, free checked bags or priority boarding.
If you frequently travel overseas, you may want a credit card with no foreign transaction fees.
Fraud Protection
Many credit cards offer fraud protection to cover you if someone makes any unauthorized charges on your credit card while you’re travelling. If your card is misplaced or stolen while you’re away, you may be able to get reimbursement for any charges that occur once your card is lost. To limit your liability, report the card missing as soon as you notice it’s gone.
Some credit cards offer fraud monitoring to detect when a transaction may be fraudulent. If a transaction is flagged, the credit card issuer will notify you to authenticate the transaction.
You may find it safer to carry a credit card instead of cash when travelling since cash can’t be replaced if it’s lost or stolen.
Convenience
A credit card makes it easy to book travel online through a variety of websites. By comparing prices from multiple providers, you can find the best deal to save money. Also, many booking sites require a credit card to hold a reservation.
If time is tight, a card with a 24/7 concierge service could assist you with tasks like restaurant bookings, tickets to concerts and sporting events or travel arrangements.
Paying with a credit card also gives you more financial flexibility, allowing you to pay for your trip over time.
Take advantage of your credit card’s travel benefits
From built-in insurance to rewards and fraud protection, using your credit card to book travel offers peace of mind and savings. Since benefits vary between providers, make sure you check your card’s terms and conditions or speak to a representative to understand what your card offers. Reviewing your current card before planning your fall trip can help you make the most of its rewards and perks. If it doesn’t offer what you’re looking for, there are plenty of Canadian credit cards available to match your travel needs.
