Travel
Cards abroad, lounges, rental cars, and the airline and hotel cards worth their fees.
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Comparison6 min readAn airline card earns its fee through bags you would pay for; count your own tripsTwo round trips of free bags save $210 after a $150 fee or $261 after a $99 fee; one round trip saves only $30 after the $150 fee.Comparison5 min readCapital One Venture or Venture X: when the $300 fee gap pays offIn Julia's renewal-year hotel example, Venture X finished $79.80 ahead of Venture, but only because its portal credit replaced a stay already planned.Guide6 min readHow to compare lounge access on Amex Platinum, Sapphire Reserve and Venture XMatch the lounge, the guests and the cost left after other benefits to your actual trips, because the cheapest card and the best fit can be different cards.Comparison6 min readPlatinum, Sapphire Reserve and Venture X: what each costs after creditsIn Julia's test, Platinum comes out ahead only while its credits replace real bills, Venture X is nearly even, and Reserve trails the no-fee card.Comparison5 min readSapphire Reserve costs $700 more than Preferred; what closes the gap depends on youOn Julia's budget Reserve is $58 a year behind Preferred after dining credits; Hyatt awards or lounges you would really use can make up the difference.Comparison6 min readWhich hotel credit card pays off: Hyatt, Marriott Boundless or no-fee HiltonIn Julia's worked example, Hyatt finishes 93 dollars ahead and Boundless 83.28 dollars ahead, but only if the free night replaces a stay you had already planned.