If you’re in the market for a great travel rewards credit card, but don’t want to pay an annual fee, two new cards might be exactly what you’re looking for.
The Blue Delta SkyMiles card from American Express and Delta Airlines is offering cardholders two miles for every dollar they spend at restaurants and on Delta purchases. The card is aimed at the casual traveler, who may not have used a travel rewards credit card before and who balks at the idea of paying an annual fee for a credit card.
“The card delivers incredible value to those who want to earn miles in an accelerated way while enjoying the peace of mind that their miles won’t expire – all without paying an annual fee,” said Delta’s vice president of customer engagement and loyalty, Sandeep Dube. “With more than a third of these consumers saying dining is their top choice for spending, earning two miles per dollar spent at U.S. restaurants is an appealing way to earn more miles.”
The card is linked to the Delta SkyMiles loyalty program, in which miles never expire. Reward travel can be used globally, and there are no blackout dates.
Chase and United get in on the leisure travel rewards space
A similar card is also being offered by Chase and United Airlines: the United TravelBank card has no annual fee, and gives cardholders 2% “TravelBank” cash back on United purchases, and 1.5% “TravelBank” cash back on all other purchases. This “TravelBank” cash back awards can be redeemed toward United flights.
Leslie Gillin, president of co-branded cards at Chase, explained that the company “noticed an opportunity” to combine the simplicity of cash back credit cards with the ability to earn travel rewards. “Our research shows that leisure travelers are looking for the simplicity of a cash-back card coupled with the ability to redeem seamlessly for travel.”
Besides the travel rewards benefits and no annual fee, the United TravelBank card offers trip cancellation insurance, auto rental coverage, no foreign transaction fee, and 25% back as a statement credit on food and beverage purchases made onboard United flights.