Travelers now have even more ways to earn miles and travel rewards through their credit cards. PNC Bank and Bank of America have recently launched new travel rewards cards that offer miles and other travel perks to cardholders.
PNC Bank recently introduced two new Visa Signature cards: The PNC Premier Traveler credit card and the PNC Premier Traveler Reserve credit card. Both offer miles based on card spending, companion airline tickets, annual bonus miles and no foreign transaction fees.
"We listened to our customers and created credit cards to meet their expectations, including flexible rewards with monthly bonuses, 24-hour support and concierge service for special requests and travel issues," said Mark Ford, PNC's credit card line of business manager.
The Premier Traveler card gives cardholders one mile for every dollar they spend on qualifying purchases. Additionally, if the qualifying purchases total between $2,500 and $4,999.99 in a billing cycle, the cardholder can earn a 25 percent bonus on all base miles earned in that billing cycle. If you spend over $5,000 in a billing cycle, it turns into a 50 percent mileage bonus. Cardholders can also earn bonus miles if they have certain other PNC accounts. Miles can be used toward airline tickets, rental card, hotels or cruises.
Another reward for this card includes getting one discounted companion airline ticket every year. Cardholders can redeem this reward through PNC's Companion Airline Ticket Program.
This card has an annual fee of $95, which is waived for the first year if the account is opened by December 8, 2013. It also comes with an introductory 0% APR for the account's first twelve billing cycles. After that first year, it has a variable APR of 15.99%.
The PNC Premier Traveler Reserve card offers similar benefits as the Premier Traveler card, but with a $395 annual fee, the benefits are increased. Cardholders earn two dollars for every mile spent on qualifying purchases. Annual bonuses include two discounted companion airline tickets, a $200 airline incidental reimbursement, and 15,000 bonus miles with $50,000 in annual qualified spending. This card also has a 0% introductory APR for the first twelve billing cycles, with a 15.99% variable APR thereafter.
Bank of America has also reinvigorated one of its travel rewards partnerships by renewing its co-branding relationship with Virgin Atlantic. This announcement goes along with the launch of its new Virgin Atlantic World Elite MasterCard credit card.
Holders of this card have the opportunity to earn three miles per dollar spent on any Virgin Atlantic purchases and 1.5 miles per dollar spent on all other purchases. The card also offers annual bonus mileage, including 20,000 bonus miles after the cardholder's first purchase, up to 15,000 bonus miles on the account anniversary and up to 5,000 bonus miles when a cardholder adds another name to the account. Other bonus offers include tier points to get to or maintain Virgin Atlantic's Flying Club Silver or Gold status.
Cardholders who are members of Virgin Atlantic's Flying Club will also have access to MasterCard Priceless Cities, a program that offers access to special events and experiences in several cities around the world.
"This new credit card program allows us to give our customers an extraordinary experience, both on the ground and in the air," said Chris Rossi, senior vie president of Virgin Atlantic North America, in a statement. "Joining forces with Bank of America and MasterCard ensures our international travelers can use their credit cards easily--whether they're in London, our other worldwide destinations or their own neighborhoods."
This card has an annual fee of $90 and a 14.24% variable APR.
