Expedia Credit Card from Citi Review with Pros and Cons
Booking travel accommodations through discount travel sights are very popular. If you do, you may have noticed that it’s difficult to find a credit card that caters to this. However, the Expedia Plus credit card is gaining popularity for this exact reason. It’s specifically designed to help discount travel shoppers save even more. Not only will you save, but the Expedia credit card will help you rack up bonuses as well.
If you’re not sure about the Citi Expedia card, this is for you. Our review will go over the top benefits and drawbacks of this card. You’ll have a good idea if this card is for you by the end of this article. It may be a perfect fit, or you may be better off looking elsewhere.
Expedia Credit Card Benefits
Generous Sign Up Bonus
The Expedia Plus credit card comes with a very generous credit card signup bonus. Cardholders will enjoy 15,000 Expedia+ rewards bonus points for spending $1,000 in the first three months. So this equals out to $333 per month. As anyone who travels will tell you, this is very easy to meet, even on discount travel sites.
High Rewards Rate
You get rewards for being loyal to the Expedia site. Cardholders will earn three Expedia+ bonus points for each dollar they spend on eligible Expedia purchases. This includes hotels, flights, vacation packages, and activities. You also earn one for every other dollar you spend. The Expedia credit card allows users to rack up rewards quickly, especially towards free travel. So this means more money in your pocket, and you get rewards for doing things you love.
No Annual Fee
Most rewards cards come with an annual fee, but the Expedia credit card is the exception. You’ll get to use your card a lot of a little without worry about balancing out the annual fee. So for a rewards card, this is huge. It means that everything you earn is yours to keep. Another no annual fee travel credit card is the Discover it® Miles Travel Credit Card.
+Silver Status
Just for having the Expedia credit card, you’ll activate +Silver Status. This gives cardholders a variety of perks. You’ll get extended hotel price guarantees, concierge, and spa discounts at +VIP Access hotels. You’ll also be eligible to save and earn more rewards. You get 2 Expedia+ points per dollar spent, one point per $5 you spend on flights, and more. You can also redeem double the value on VIP Access hotels.
Several Redemption Options
You can redeem your rewards for discount travel as coupons to +VIP Access hotels. For every 3,500 points you save, you’ll get a $50 hotel coupon. So you can stack these up and redeem them at the hotels with the badges on Expedia’s website. Also, you can redeem it for flights, but it’s a bad rate. You need 8,000 points to get a $50 flight coupon. Finally, you’re able to donate to St. Jude Children’s Hospital. This donation goes 100% to charity.
+Gold Status
The Citi Expedia card allows cardholders to go up to +Gold Status. This increased status means you’ll earn one Elite Qualifying Hotel Night per $2,500 spent per year. You’ll get to redeem it at the Expedia hotel of your choice for free. Also, you can earn as many as you want per year.
Private Pass
The Expedia Plus credit card comes with Private Pass. Cardholders get special access to a variety of events each year just for having the card. Concerts, dining, sporting events, VIP packages, complimentary movie screenings, and more. Further, you can go online and get special pre-sale tickets and packages as well.
Concierge Service
The complimentary concierge service can help soothe the hassle that comes with traveling. The staff will help you choose and book hotels, travel, shopping, dining, and entertainment packages. So all you do is call Citi and tell them what you want, and the staff will help you. This is completely free of charge for having the Citi Expedia card.
Expedia Credit Card Drawbacks
High APR
As a rewards card, the Expedia Plus credit card has a higher APR. This APR largely depends on your credit score at the time you apply. So, if you fall on the low end of their spectrum, expect to pay more. The current APR is variable, and you can get 14.99%, 16.99% or 22.99%. If you carry a balance each month, this can really put a damper on your benefits. Also, you can start with a lower rate, and if you miss a payment, you’ll end up with a 22.99% APR.
Difficult Rewards Program
Citi Expedia has a complicated rewards program. Only certain packages or travel is eligible for the rewards program. You also have to pay attention to what you book to ensure you’re getting the most rewards possible. This means that you’ll spend more time double checking everything. While this isn’t terrible, it can be time-consuming. Try looking for an airline credit card offer from a specific airline because it may have an easier program.
Foreign Transaction Fee
This card has a foreign transaction fee. This isn’t good news for people who travel internationally. You’ll get a 3% charge each time you use your card through non-US banks. This also includes vendors and ATMs as well. So, if you plan to travel outside of the United States, be aware of this 3% fee.
Poor Rewards Rate for Everyday Use
You only get one rewards point per dollar spent on everyday purchases. If you don’t travel, this can take far too long to add up. There are also better cards available that give higher rewards for everyday spending. It’s also not a great choice if you want to use other discount services.
EXPEDIA®+ CARD from Citi Bottom Line
The Expedia credit card is a good choice for discount travelers. Anyone who is loyal to the Expedia site can benefit from this card. You also have to have excellent credit to get a decent APR. All in all, it’s a solid option for anyone who wants a no-frills travel card. You can stack the rewards and redeem them as you see fit.
CreditFast has reviewed the best travel credit cards on the market. Some of the credit card offers are from our advertising partners. CreditFast has objectively reviewed the features and benefits of each credit card. We have chosen travel and airline credit card offers based on our editor’s recommendations.
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