Travel Credit Card - A Great Way to Save

I have no affiliation with British Airways or Chase and did not receive any compensation for this post. Whenever I do receive a free product or service for evaluation, I will always let you know.

I'm usually immune to offers for new credit cards. Afterall, with three kids age 6 and under I have plenty to manage already! Still, every once in a while, an offer comes along that is worth the bother of setting up a new account and canceling an old card that isn't being used. This week, we signed up for a new British Airways Chase card, and it's such a good deal that I wanted to pass it along.

Here's why I think it's great

  • Enroll by May 6 and you'll receive 100,000 bonus miles (50k to start, and 50k when you spend $2,500 in the first three months). That's enough for two round-trip transatlantic flights (you'll still need to pay fuel surcharges). If you and your spouse apply for separate accounts, you would earn enough miles to take a family of four to Europe!
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees! Most cards carry a foreign transaction fee of 2% or 3%. Over the course of a two week vacation, especially when you include hotel rooms and local transportation, those fees really add up.
  • Earn Miles 2.5 BA Miles for each $1 of British Airways purchases and 1.25 BA Miles for each $1 of all other purchases.
  • Earn Travel Together Tickets When you spend $30,000 on your card in a single year, you earn a ticket that lets you bring a companion along for free on your reward flight. You could use one of these certificates along with your 100k bonus miles to bring along more of the family for free!
Interested: Here's the link to apply

Related Links
Money Saving Tips the Travel Industry Doesn't Want You to Know
Easy Ways to Keep Track of Travel Expenses and Stick to Your Budget

Filed Under: budget

9 comments | Posted on April 13, 2011 | Save to del.icio.us

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Comments

  1. WanderMom on April 13, 2011 at 7:57 p.m.

    FWIW: I heartily endorse this suggestion of Debbie's.
    We've had BA credit cards for > 10years + have paid for many flights back to see family using BA miles. We've usually been able to book seats with miles even in high season - although sometimes it has led to some unusual routings: Seattle-Newark-Dublin anyone? Thankfully BA has lounges in many airports which helps with long layovers.

  2. walkingontravels on April 14, 2011 at 7:55 p.m.

    I've been pondering this decision myself. I've been with Capital One forever, but somehow missed their latest Venture promotion and the BA offer is REALLY good. Our little man is about to turn 2, so we are quickly facing 3 full fares instead of just 2. I hate paying fees for a credit card, but the money we would save on free tickets might just be worth it.

  3. tripgirl6 on April 14, 2011 at 9:49 p.m.

    Great post! I read it on my lunch break and was momentarily transformed out of my cubicle reading the article. Better get back to work so that I can earn money for my next trip!

  4. xplore4life on April 15, 2011 at 2:11 p.m.

    Yes, I also think travel credit card is very essential for those people who regularly travel around the world. I also have this card and happy with its facilities. Thanks

  5. Vacation Remix on April 16, 2011 at 11:03 p.m.

    Keep up the good writing!

  6. Culturegirl on April 20, 2011 at 10:07 p.m.

    This is a good post. And this credit card is one of the few that actually seems like you will get more than you pay for!

  7. EFT Anxiety on April 22, 2011 at 5:06 a.m.

    Wow, British Airways Chase will really be something that I will be looking into. I do a lot of traveling and somehow its benefits feels as if I am getting something "real" out of credit cards

  8. Devin on May 4, 2011 at 12:15 p.m.

    I just applied, lured by the great deal. My husband and I were both accepted. It's been two weeks, but the initial 50,000 miles have not posted to our mileage account. I am hoping the processing just takes some time, but plan to follow up if I don't see the miles posted in another week. Has anyone experienced the same?

  9. Debbie on May 7, 2011 at 8:21 a.m.

    Devin,

    I usually give this sort of thing a month - just put a note in your calendar to check in at that time.

    Debbie