How My Credit Cards Made My Recent Vacation Much More Pleasant

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On a recent vacation, two of my credit cards improved my travel experience dramatically. Here’s how they helped. 

On a recent trip, I took along two different credit cards that I have in my wallet. One of them is specifically a travel rewards card and the other is a card I use for everything that offers generous cash back.

I didn’t just bring these credit cards because I didn’t want to have to carry cash or a debit card linked to my bank account. I brought them because each one offers perks that made my recent vacation a lot more enjoyable.

Here’s how my cards improved my trip.

My credit card allowed me to relax in an airline lounge before takeoff

The credit card that had the biggest impact on improving my recent trip is a card that offers airline lounge access.

Let’s face it. Waiting in a crowded airport, hoping to find a seat, and eating sub-par fast food that costs as much as a fine dining restaurant is not really very fun. But, I did not have to do any of that.

Instead, I arrived at the airport, went straight to the lounge where I was able to relax in a comfortable chair, asked the bartender to make me a complimentary non-alcoholic mixed drink, and went up to the free buffet in the lounge multiple times to enjoy its offerings — including a nice salad, some pasta and meatballs, and a few desserts.

The lounge provided plenty of space for me and my family, including my children, to hang out. Plus, there was a TV playing and unlimited desserts and apple juice that kept my kids very happy before the flight. It was a stress-free experience (at least until we had to wrangle two kids under the age of four onto the plane).

Another card provided me with wifi and snacks on the flight

The good news is, once I got on the flight, a different credit card also made that part of my trip great.

One of my other cards offers me a $100 credit for airline incidental purchases, including things like seat upgrades, in-flight beverages, and baggage fees. With this credit, I ended up with wifi on the flight and a few snacks for myself and my kids.

This meant the plane trip passed a whole lot more quickly since I was able to scroll through Twitter and Facebook after my kids fell asleep with full bellies from the additional in-flight snacks on top of the delicious buffet.

These were just two of many ways my credit cards have improved my life — and especially my vacations. Travel rewards cards, and credit cards in general, can offer some really great membership perks. As long as you use the cards responsibly (by paying them on time and in full and not exceeding 30% of your credit limit), it is absolutely worth having a card or two that offers benefits that get you excited.

So, if you can trust yourself not to get deep into debt with your credit cards, start looking for some today that offer you benefits and perks that will make your life better as well. You’ll be glad you did.

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The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.Christy Bieber has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Apple. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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