How to Maximize Your Travel Card’s Benefits: Insider Tips from Experts

Travel cards have become an indispensable tool for frequent flyers, globetrotters, and even occasional travelers. These credit or debit cards are designed to help users save money on travel-related expenses like flights, hotels, car rentals, and even dining. With so many options available in the market, it’s easy to overlook the hidden gems in your travel card’s benefits. To help you unlock the full potential of your travel card, we've compiled expert tips and strategies tailored to the Indian audience.

In this article, we’ll cover everything from understanding the core benefits of travel cards, to how you can maximize their rewards, and even share tips on choosing the right card for your travel needs.

1. Understand the Core Benefits of Your Travel Card

Before diving into maximizing your travel card’s benefits, it’s crucial to understand what perks your card offers. Here are some common benefits you might find:

a. Reward Points or Miles

Many travel cards offer reward points or miles for every purchase you make. These points can then be redeemed for flights, hotel stays, or even merchandise.

b. Airport Lounge Access

Premium travel cards often provide complimentary access to airport lounges across India .This can make your travel experience more comfortable while waiting for your flight.

c. Travel Insurance

Most travel cards come with travel insurance, including coverage for trip cancellations, lost baggage, medical emergencies, and more. 

d. Cashback and Discounts

In addition to reward points, many cards offer cashback on travel-related expenses such as flight bookings, hotel stays, and car rentals. Some also offer exclusive discounts on bookings made through travel portals like MakeMyTrip or Cleartrip.

2. Maximize Reward Points and Miles

Now that you know what benefits are available, it’s time to learn how to make the most of them. The key to maximizing your travel card’s benefits lies in earning and redeeming reward points or miles effectively.

a. Concentrate Spend on Travel-Related Categories

Many cards offer bonus points for specific categories such as travel, dining, or online shopping. To maximize rewards, focus your spending in these high-reward categories.

b. Use Your Card for All Travel Bookings

When booking flights, hotels, or car rentals, always use your travel card. This ensures you’re earning reward points on every transaction. Some cards, like the Anq Travel Card, offer additional points for bookings made directly through airlines or hotel chains.

c. Look for Partner Deals and Promotions

Credit card companies frequently partner with airlines, hotels, and travel agencies to offer special promotions. 

d. Combine Your Miles with Airline Loyalty Programs

Several credit card providers have tie-ups with frequent flyer programs, allowing you to transfer your card’s reward points to airline miles

3. Optimize Lounge Access and Travel Comfort

For those who often travel by air, lounge access can make a big difference in the overall experience. Here’s how to make the most of this benefit:

a. Understand Your Lounge Access Eligibility

Many premium travel cards offer free lounge access, but the number of visits and the locations may vary. Some cards may also offer a limited number of visits for free, after which a fee is charged.

b. Use Lounge Access to Save on Airport Costs

Airport lounges not only provide a comfortable environment but also offer free food, drinks, Wi-Fi, and other amenities that can help you avoid spending extra money at the airport. Make sure to take advantage of this perk, especially on long layovers.

4. Leverage Travel Insurance for Peace of Mind

Travel insurance is another underutilized benefit of travel cards. You can use your travel card’s insurance benefits to safeguard your trip against unexpected mishaps.

a. Claim Medical Coverage During International Travel

Many Indian credit cards offer medical insurance for international travel. This can cover unexpected medical expenses, evacuation, or repatriation, which can be a lifesaver if you’re traveling abroad. Make sure to check the terms and conditions to understand the coverage limits and exclusions.

b. Claim Compensation for Delayed Flights or Lost Baggage

If your flight is delayed or your baggage gets lost, your travel card’s insurance might cover the associated costs.

5. Avoid Foreign Currency Markup Fees

When traveling internationally, foreign currency conversion fees can add up quickly. However, many Indian travel cards waive these fees. Be sure to always pay in the local currency when abroad, as paying in INR can sometimes trigger a higher conversion fee.

6. Keep an Eye on Special Offers

Credit card issuers and travel platforms often run limited-time offers on travel-related purchases. Some of these offers may include:

• Discounts on international flights or hotels
• Bonus miles for spending in specific categories
• Additional reward points for booking through partnered platforms
• Rewards on online food orders from popular delivery apps like Swiggy, Zomato, or Uber Eats

Keep an eye on emails and notifications from your card issuer for such offers, and take full advantage of them to get more out of your card.

Conclusion

Maximizing your travel card’s benefits isn’t just about earning rewards—it’s about understanding how to make your spending work for you. Whether it's racking up miles on travel-related purchases, taking full advantage of insurance coverage, or avoiding foreign currency markup fees, there are plenty of ways to get the most out of your card. By following the expert tips mentioned above, you'll be well on your way to a more rewarding travel experience. When choosing the best travel rewards card, it’s important to weigh the benefits, such as reward points, lounge access, and foreign currency fee waivers, against the annual fees