3 Reasons You Need a Travel Rewards Credit Card for Your Summer Trip

Summer is a popular time to travel, and understandably so. Kids don't have school, work schedules tend to be less demanding, and the weather is generally more cooperative, at least to a point.

In a recent survey, The Vacationer found that nearly 85% of Americans plan to travel this summer. And 42% plan to travel more this summer than last.

If you have similar plans, then it'll help to have a great credit card to charge your expenses on. And you might specifically want to use a travel rewards credit card for these reasons.

1. You might save on air travel costs

Air travel has gotten expensive these days. And it's not just because ticket prices are higher. It's also that many airlines have taken to charging passengers for every little thing, from checked bags to snacks. Many travel reward credit cards, however, offer money-saving benefits like free checked bags and discounts on in-flight purchases, so using one could be a smart move.

As an example, JetBlue charges $35 for your first checked bag on a flight. If your credit card gets you out of that fee, you'll save $35 on each leg of a journey with that airline.

2. You might enjoy airport lounge access

Flight delays are unfortunately quite common. So wouldn't it be nice to get to relax in an airport lounge rather than have to sit at the gate while you wait for your plane to arrive? Many travel reward credit cards give you access to airport lounges so you can wait in comfort rather than in cramped quarters.

3. You might score even more cash back in the course of your travels

The more cash back you're able to score on things like hotel stays, theme parks, and restaurant meals, the easier it might be to afford future travel. Many travel rewards cards offer extra cash back in key travel categories so you can keep racking that up with ease.

How to find the right travel rewards card for you

There are many types of travel reward credit cards out there, and finding the right one can be a challenge. One thing you'll want to look at is annual fees. These are common among travel reward credit cards, but they also very often pay for themselves and then some.

However, you don't necessarily need to choose a card with the most expensive fee. A card with, say, a $95 fee might easily meet your needs, in which case there's no need to spend $250 unless you can easily justify the higher cost.

Also pay attention to sign-up bonuses if you're looking at a new travel reward credit card. If you're planning to use that card immediately to book a big trip, you might easily meet the spending threshold to snag a large number of miles, reward points, or cash back.

Finally, some travel reward credit cards offer added protection for lost luggage or other travel issues. Read the fine print carefully so you know what your card will and won't cover you for.

Clearly, a lot of people are excited to get out and travel this summer. And the right credit card could make your next trip more affordable and reward you more generously for taking it.