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Five credit cards that have your best travel interests at heart

Most cards offer extra points on purchases from different hotels and airlines as well as the ability to spend those points through many travel staples like airlines, hotels and car rental companies. 

Whether it's tied to an airline or a specific bank, travel rewards are top of mind for consumers, and credit card companies are taking note by offering rewards to help cut the costs of your next getaway. 

Most cards offer extra points on purchases from different hotels and airlines as well as the ability to spend those points through many travel staples like airlines, hotels and car rental companies. While it's easy to get taken up in the excitement of these perks, it's important to consider your specific travel needs so you're not sucked in by a one-time bonus reward for your dream vacation. 

There are many 'below the line' factors to consider that can benefit you much further, financially or in usage. Here are five cards to consider for different travel needs.

Brim Financial MasterCard
Brim Financial excels as a travel card in its travel offerings across all three levels of its cards – The Brim card, Brim World and Brim World Elite. The Brim family of cards offer the below benefits for travelers:

• No foreign transaction fees
• Access to Boingo Wi-Fi which is used at more than 25 airports and is essential for frequent travelers.
• Mobile Device Insurance
• Common Carrier Accident Insurance
• Bonus points for travel purchases (1 point for Brim card, 1.5 for Brim World and 2 points for the World Elite card).
• Airport Lounge Key for Brim World and Brim World Elite holders
• Brim World and Brim World Elite holders also give users insurance for Flight and Baggage delays as well as lost baggage, hotel burglaries as well as insurance for any personal items stolen from a rental car.

On top of these travel perks, all three cards also offer rewards that you can use based on the brands you regularly use like Netflix and UberEATS. These include restaurants, shopping, groceries and others. Users can also easily upgrade their Brim card, making this a great all-around option for young adults who will grow their income and travel habits over time.

Meridian Visa Infinite Travel Rewards Card
Many travel cards offer premium travel perks for a premium annual fee. While not as cost-effective as Brim's entry-level card, the Meridian Visa Infinite Travel Rewards Card, with a $99 annual fee that's waived for the first year. With that users get the following:

• 3% in points for every travel purchase and 1.5% on all others.
• Emergency healthcare coverage up to $5,000,000 per insured person for eligible medical care
• Trip cancelation baggage and mobile device insurance

As for foreign transaction fees, the card charges the standard 2.5% but if these are used on travel expenses (like taxies, flights and hotels) the 3 points per dollar spent puts users 5% ahead in points. This isn't as simple nor as preferable as no transaction fees but it's better than nothing.

Rogers Platinum Mastercard
Like the Meridian card, The Rogers Platinum offers 3% cashback to offset the standard 2.5% foreign transaction fees while offering 1.25% on everything else. There are a few benefits that make this a possibility for someone's first travel card:

• No Annual Fee
• $25 credit for making any purchase in the first 3 months
• 2% Cash Back on Rogers and Fido products and services
• 3% cashback on purchase made in foreign currencies
• No minimum income requirement

This is a solid first travel card option thanks to the no minimum income requirement however the lack of a "just right" option between this and the Rogers World Elite makes other options that allow for an earlier upgrade more attractive for non-Rogers or Fido customers.

Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite
As you can tell by the name, this card has the benefits of being backed by a major bank while having some of the perks associated with travel cards. With that comes a high annual fee ($139) but certain benefits as well:

• 25,000 rewards points after spending $1,000 spent in the first 3 months.
• No foreign transaction fees
• 2 points per dollar spent on travel, groceries, restaurants and entertainment; 1 point on other eligible purchases.
• Travel insurance,
• Priority Pass membership
• 6 airport lounge passes per year

Scotiabank customers who travel frequently and meet the income requirement ($60,000) should add this card to their shortlist but seriously consider if the travel benefits fit into their travel habits.

Home Trust Preferred Visa
This is the most basic offering on the list but what it does, it does well. It gives users a simple, 1% cashback with no limits on domestic purchases. There's no bonus on foreign transactions but the card does give travelers the following benefits:

• No foreign transaction or annual fees
• Free roadside assistance.

The perks are very clear for this card and while many others offer more coverage and perks, some users may appreciate the simplicity of this card. However, the internet makes it very easy to maximize the benefits of any credit card.

All these cards fit different levels of travel needs. The travel card with the most benefits may in fact not have the most benefits for you. To determine which card fits the bill, users should consider the following.

Why are you traveling?
If you've already decided you need a card with travel perks because your pocketbook dictates you travel enough, you're already on the right track. However, you also need to consider why that is and where you're going. Are you starting your own business that will put you on the road? Did you just move 3,000 miles away from family? Or are you facing consecutive summers of traveling for friend's weddings? These are all very different use cases that have a different need.

How often do you travel?
Everyone should have a card with travel perks but it's very easy to overdo it. Many of the cards we outlined have an annual fee. Traveling a lot and using points to discount travel costs can quickly offset those fees but traveling only once or twice a year might not do it. If that's the case, there are plenty of cards with great travel perks that also have everyday benefits, like the entry-level Brim Card.

The takeaway
Regardless of which card you end up choosing? There are options that fit every need, allowing consumers to travel at a discount or a discounted upgrade.

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