A travel credit card can be a great way to save more on your travel expenses. However, not everyone understands what a travel credit card even does. If you’ve never signed up for a travel credit card before, here are seven perks that may come along with your brand-new credit card.

Rewards on Purchases You Make Through the Travel Company

Probably the most common perk with a travel credit card is that you get extra rewards on the purchases you make through the travel company itself. When you book flights, hotels, and sometimes rental cars, you can earn extra rewards points for discounts and free bookings.

Rewards on Purchases Associated With Travel

If the credit card in question is issued by a major credit card company, you can use your credit card to make general purchases. Often, you’ll get a boost to purchases that are associated with travel, like purchases at restaurants and hotel accommodations.

Referral Bonuses

Many credit cards offer users referral bonuses when they refer friends and family to the card. If you really love using your card, feel free to refer the people in your life to the card. You may both get benefits from the referral.

Fee Credits When You Travel

For many travel credit cards, you can receive fee credits and discounts on some of the things you pay for. For example, you may get TSA Pre-Check fee credits and the ability to save on in-flight purchases when you pay with your card.

Priority Boarding, Booking, and Upgrade Options

It’s common for travel credit cards to include options for you to upgrade elements of your travel multiple times per year for free. For example, you may get to move up to a better class of flight or get a discount when you bring a person with you. These benefits often allow for a certain number of upgrades per year.

Extended Warranties and Reimbursements

Many travel credit cards enhance the built-in warranties that travel companies have on their services. For example, you may get trip cancellation or interruption insurance, baggage delay insurance, and lost luggage reimbursements. These can all contribute to your peace of mind when you travel, which can be priceless.

Sign-On Bonuses

It’s extremely common for travel credit cards to include sign-on bonuses. These bonuses can vary dramatically, and it’s important to know what you need to do to receive them. For example, the United Explorer card offers 70,000 United MileagePlus Miles as a sign-up bonus, after you spend $6,000 in the first 6 months. Explore what your card offers before you sign up, and be sure to keep track of how close you are to receiving your bonus afterward.

Conclusion

For many people, especially people that just love to travel, a travel credit card can be an amazing way to save extra money. These are all perks that are commonly associated with travel credit cards, and they’re great opportunities for people who regularly jet off somewhere new. However, the most important thing to consider is that different travel credit cards are different, and choosing the right one is paramount.