7 Reasons to Open a Travel Rewards Card Before Your Summer Vacation

When it comes to making the most of your credit cards, choosing the right card is actually only half the battle. In many cases, deciding when to open a new card can be just as important.

If you're big on summer travel, for instance, then the best time to open a new travel rewards credit card may be right now. Getting your new card before your summer vacation gives you lots of time to make use of all the perks and rewards that can come with it. Here are some examples.

1. Sign-up bonuses

One of the biggest things to consider when timing a new card is how you'll earn the sign-up bonus. The best bonuses tend to have spending requirements in the four digits, making them hard to earn if you don't have a large purchase on the horizon. But lo, a big vacation is nigh. Put your summer travel expenses on your new card and you can have a big bonus hit your account just in time to start planning your winter travel.

2. Pricey vacation = lots of points

While sign-up bonuses are undeniably awesome, don't entirely discount the value of the purchase rewards you'll be earning at the same time. Travel rewards cards nearly always have some sort of bonus earning category for travel-related purchases. This means your $1,000 vacation could be worth multiple thousands of points.

3. Elite status can improve the experience

Elite hotel status is a sweet deal if you can get it, as it often comes with perks like room upgrades and free breakfast. Pick up a good co-branded hotel credit card, and you can get that status for free just in time to wallow in your elite-ness all summer long.

4. Lounge access makes airports better

Although airport lounges have gotten a bit crowded lately, they're still often better than the crowds at the gate. And either way, if you're going to deal with crowds, doing so with free food and drinks is better than doing so without them. That's why lounge access is still one of the most popular perks of travel cards -- and a good reason to get said cards well before you hit the tarmac.

5. Free bags save you money

The average cost of your first checked bag is around $30. Multiply that by you, your partner, and your kids, and you could easily spend more than $100 in bag fees alone on a big trip. Instead of forking over for fees, consider picking up an airline credit card before your flight. Most co-branded airline cards offer your first bag free, a perk that can easily make up for any annual fees you might pay.

6. Airport security is a drag

Pretty much every aspect of airport security is a pain in the rump. But there are a few programs that make it better: Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, and CLEAR. If you're considering joining one (or all) of these programs, then you may want to consider getting a new travel card at the same time. A lot of the top travel rewards cards actually come with a credit for Global Entry and/or PreCheck. Plus, a couple of American Express cards have credits for CLEAR.

7. Travel credits are best when used

Part of what makes a lot of those top-tier travel cards with the high-dollar annual fees worth the cost is that they come with lots of statement credits. Many of these credits reset with the calendar year, so you need to use them up as soon as you can. If you do most of your yearly travel in the summer months, then you're going to want your new card in hand so you don't miss out on using up your credits.

Pack your travel cards this summer

Preparing for a summer vacation can be a complicated business. You need to plan your trip, pack your bags, and keep a close eye on your itineraries to ensure everything gets accomplished.

You may also want to consider adding in a new travel rewards card application to your preparations. When timed right, you can turn that new card into a ton of valuable perks and benefits -- not to mention rewards -- that you can enjoy the summer long.