Best Credit Cards for Travel Nurses: Earn Points and Discounts While on Assignment
As travel nurses, we’re always on the move - and with that comes expenses. From hotels to flights, car rentals to food, the costs can quickly add up. By choosing the right card and using it wisely, you can save money and enjoy more travel experiences. If you don’t already have a travel credit card or you haven’t signed up for any rewards programs as a traveler, I hate to break it to you but - you’re definitely missing out on some huge perks!
You could be earning points on all those expenses, and using them to book luxury vacations for FREE!
If you follow me on the ‘gram, you already know that I’ve racked up over 1 million reward points and used them to vacation all across the globe while in between contracts! If we haven’t virtually met already - Hey, I’m Sarah AKA the experienced traveler you can rely on for realistic advice (topped with the latest travel nurse tea) and the bestie that every nurse needs to help them to maximize their income, accelerate their career and elevate their lifestyle.
Want to know more about how my journey as a travel nurse began? You can read the full story here.
But to make a long story short… After spending nearly a decade as a travel nurse, I've learned a lot about the ins and outs of the industry, and I'm excited to share my tips and tricks with you.
FULL DISCLOSURE: Some of the credit cards I've mentioned in this post include affiliate links. But that’s no big deal – it just means that if you decide to use them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. The cards I’ve listed below are ones that I personally use so I know that they can really help maximize your travel rewards and save you money. So, let’s dive in!
5 ways that travel nurses can earn free hotel stays, airline points and rewards without spending any extra money
Travel nurse hack #1
Pay rent with your Credit card
Moving to a new place for your upcoming assignment? Many rental agencies and apartments now accept credit cards, and this is one of the EASIEST WAYS to accumulate points quickly.
Seriously…
you’re already paying rent, so why not use that expense to earn travel rewards?!
This is a great opportunity to rack up points without spending any additional money to earn them. Each month you pay your rent, you’ll be getting points towards your next vacation.
But remember, it’s important to use your credit card responsibly.
Before you start using your credit card for everything, it's essential to understand how credit cards work. Be sure to pay off your balance each month to avoid incurring high interest rates. Credit card interest can quickly add up, and you don't want to find yourself with unnecessary debt.
If you're looking for a good travel credit card to start with, I’d recommend the Capitol One Venture Card.
Why do I love it?
Because it’s my only travel credit card that gives unlimited 2X miles on EVERY dollar spent!
With the Capital One Venture Card, earning miles is easy and straightforward - no need to worry about specific categories or rotating rewards. You'll earn 2 miles for every dollar spent, no matter what you're buying. That's why it's the go-to card for me as a travel nurse, especially when it comes to paying rent.
Now, not all credit cards are created equal! Other travel credit cards don’t offer such a straightforward way to earn miles. Let’s discuss what things to look out for when comparing.
Travel nurse Hack #2
CHOOSE A CREDIT CARD ALIGNED WITH YOUR LIFESTYLE
When it comes to choosing a credit card, it's not just about the rewards and perks. You also want to make sure the card aligns with your lifestyle and spending habits. Are you a bougie traveler who values airport lounge access and upgrades to business class? Are you the traveler who meals preps before every shift so you tend to more on groceries than dining out? Or are you more like me - spending WAY too much money on UberEats and dining out! LOL No matter what type of nurse you are, there are credit cards to fit each of those lifestyles and everything in between. Do your research, read reviews, and choose the card that best fits your needs.
Here’s a few things to consider when comparing credit cards:
Take advantage of sign-up bonuses: Who doesn't love a little something extra? Many cards offer sign-up bonuses like extra points or miles, which means you’ll get an additional bang for your buck just by signing up! Just like a travel nurse contract— make sure to read the fine print to ensure that you meet the requirements for receiving the bonus.
Rack up the rewards: When it comes to choosing a credit card, think about what you spend the most money on. Are you a foodie who loves trying new restaurants? Look for a card that offers high rewards rates on dining out. Already have several trips planned this year? Finding a card the has high rewards for travel expenses may be exactly what you need.
For me, the Chase Sapphire Preferred is the way to go when it comes to booking flights. With 5x the points for travel booked on the chase portal, the rewards points add up quickly! And the best part? The Chase Sapphire Preferred card offers flexible ways to redeem your points, including the ability to transfer points to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs! Why is this so important? Because you don’t have to settle for one particular airline or stay loyal to one particular hotel chain, you can choose the best deals as they come which gives you more freedom to use your rewards the way YOU want.Beware of the Annual fees: No one wants to pay unnecessary fees! #dontbebamboozled While the rewards can be great, the fees can add up quickly, so make sure you know what the annual fee is and weigh the benefits against the costs. Another thing that can accumulate is interest rates. Compound interest is nothing to play with, it's crucial to pay off your balance each month. This will ensure that you're earning points without incurring debt.
Travel nurse hack #3
flying to your next assignment? here’s how you can fly for free and earn more points at the same time!
As a travel nurse, I always schedule some time off mid-contract to fly home and visit family. But, flights can be a huge expense! Especially if you’re flying back home for a holiday like Christmas or Thanksgiving. For trips during the holidays or last-minute flights that are a little more pricey - I like to use my points!
If you’re a frequent flyer, here’s how you can use your expenses accrued during assignments to earn more points.
Join the rewards program for your favorite airline, book your flight, have your travel agency reimburse you and collect👏🏾those👏🏾points👏🏾! This is where a travel credit card with airline points can be a game-changer. I haven’t paid for a flight in years! Look for cards with low annual fees, a high rewards rate, and benefits that align with your travel style. Some of the top options include the Chase Sapphire Preferred, the American Express Platinum, and the Capital One Venture.
here’s some additional benefits to consider:
Ease your mind with travel insurance: If you value the peace of mind that comes with travel insurance, look for cards that offer travel protection. For example, the Chase Sapphire Preferred offers trip cancellation and interruption insurance, as well as baggage delay insurance, which can be a real lifesaver if your luggage gets lost or delayed. Additionally, the card offers auto rental collision damage waiver, which covers rental car damages or theft, so you don't have to worry about the extra insurance fees. It's just one less thing you have to think about while on assignment.
Frequent flyer benefits: If you’re anything like me, you probably spend a fair amount of time abroad. To avoid unnecessary fees, choose a card that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees. And if you’re constantly on the go but hate the inconvenience of layovers and long lines - Consider cards that offer benefits like airport lounge access, TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fee credits, and travel insurance.
Travel nurse hack #4
booking a hotel for your next assignment? here’s how you can start earning free nights!
Are you staying at a hotel for your travel nursing assignment? If so, you might want to consider using a hotel rewards program to earn points toward a free night for every purchase you make. I personally don’t like to commit to one specific hotel chain. I travel often and my favorite thing to do in a new city is to walk around and discover little boutique hotels in the area. So instead of committing to a large hotel chain, I use Expedia which has a HUGE variety of hotels to choose from.
Here’s a few reasons why I use Expedia:
Their rewards program gives you exclusive discounts and it’s free to sign up so it’s kind of a no-brainer. As a member, one of my favorite perks is the complimentary hotel room upgrade. Imagine booking a regular room and when you check in, they upgrade you to a suite at NO extra cost! Not to mention, they have a “Hotel Price Guarantee” so if you find a better rate on another site, they’ll match it. And the best part? It’s SOOOOO easy to stack up rewards because, with Expedia - you earn points, airline miles, and credit card rewards ALL AT ONCE. One purchase gives you 3x the perks!
Travel nurse hack #5
get Rental car Discounts AND FREE INSURANCE
did you know that joining a car rental rewards program can save you money and earn you rewards?
Many car rental companies offer loyalty programs that provide exclusive discounts and free upgrades. But why settle for just one rental car company? Just like travel nursing - I prefer to explore my options and find the best deal. This is why I use Expedia to compare rental cars, flights and hotels.
Here’s why this is a game-changer: Not only can you use Expedia to save money and earn rewards but when you use a travel credit card to pay - you can double your rewards and benefits. Certain travel credit cards offer rental car discounts and insurance. If you've ever had to rent a car on assignment, you know how expensive the insurance can be! Having the coverage included with your card is a game-changer.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred, for example, offers primary rental car insurance, which can save you money by not having to purchase the car rental company's insurance. Other cards, like the American Express Platinum, offer car rental loss and damage insurance, as well as premium roadside assistance.
So, before you rent a car for your next travel nursing assignment, make sure to consider joining a rewards program and using a credit card that provides rental car benefits. By doing so, you can save money and earn rewards that can be used towards future travel, making your travel nursing experience not only enjoyable - but affordable. Wanna know more ways to maximize your experience as a travel nurse? Check out my previous post that all about ways to increase your pay.
I hope these quick tips give you the jump start you need to dive into your travel nurse career and thrive. If you are wanting to start travel nursing, but you're not sure where to start, download your free Travel Nurse Cheat Sheet to set yourself up for success!
