The New Normal for International Air Travel Using Travel Credit Cards

5 Min Read | Last updated: July 5, 2024

Man on phone walking through a busy airport

This article contains general information and is not intended to provide information that is specific to American Express products and services. Similar products and services offered by different companies will have different features and you should always read about product details before acquiring any financial product.

International travel requirements can change quickly. Planning accordingly — and using the right travel card — can help you hedge against travel challenges.

At-A-Glance

  • International travel restrictions change frequently, so if you have a future trip booked, pay close attention to governmental agencies.
  • Many travelers are sitting on a stockpile of credit card rewards, which can be a great way to book international flights.
  • Using the right credit card — or its rewards points — can also protect you from certain travel problems.

Since the early months of 2020, the international travel experience has been greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. And even, as parts of the industry returned to some semblance of normality, traveling outside the U.S. remains a complicated endeavor.


Nevertheless, your travel credit cards can play an important role in booking your next international flight, thanks to the ability to use your rewards, save money on your purchase and unlock valuable travel protections.


Here are some important things to know about the current state of international air travel and credit cards.

Travel Restrictions and Requirements

Before you can even think about booking — and then taking — an international flight, it’s critical to do your research on current restrictions and requirements for your destination. Before you book your international trip, here are some sample questions to answer so you know what to expect:

  • Is my destination welcoming American tourists at this time? And do I suspect that will be the case when my trip comes around?
  • What are the entry requirements for visitors?
  • How do I fulfill those requirements?
  • What will the experience be like once I arrive?
  • What vaccinations does the CDC recommend before traveling to my destination?1

 

Then, follow local governmental news sources in the weeks and days leading up to your departure.2 This can help you identify any policy changes and then adjust your plans accordingly.

 

If the answers to these questions present insurmountable obstacles to taking the trip, you may want to hold off until things are more certain.

Using Your Credit Card Rewards

Of course, one popular way to book international travel is by leveraging the points and miles you’ve accumulated on your favorite credit cards.


Fortunately, there are a few different ways to approach this.


The first is by redeeming credit card rewards for travel purchases. This can be useful if the flight you want to book doesn’t have award availability through the given airline’s frequent flyer program. Using your points directly through your card issuer is based on the paid cost of the ticket — perhaps with no blackout dates. If there’s a seat available on the flight, you should be able to book it this way!


This also means that you may be able to earn frequent flyer miles on the ticket, just like you would by purchasing the flights directly from an airline.3


In addition to this flexibility, you may also have access to potential discounts. Certain credit cards can unlock savings on select travel purchases.4 Be sure to explore your specific card benefits page so you know exactly what programs you can utilize for booking flights.


Another great option for redeeming your credit card rewards involves transferring them to partners. If you have certain credit cards in your wallet, you can convert rewards into airline miles with select partners.5 You may be able to get a great value by transferring your points to one of those partners' frequent flyer programs, as long as you're confident the award you want is available, since transfers are typically final.


A canceled flight booked using your credit card rewards directly may result in a flight voucher on the carrier you booked.

Credit Card Protections

Finally, it’s important to note that credit cards aren’t just about earning and redeeming rewards. The right ones can offer valuable protections when you travel outside the country – which can be particularly important during these uncertain times.6


For example, here are some of the protections that might kick in when you use the right credit card – or its rewards points – to book your travel:6

  • Trip cancellation and interruption coverage, which can reimburse you for prepaid, nonrefundable travel costs if you need to cancel (or interrupt) your trip for a covered reason.
  • Trip delay protection, which can cover additional expenses when your flight is delayed for an extended time.
  • Baggage insurance, which can cover any losses from damaged, stolen or lost luggage.

 

These won’t cover every foreseeable issue you might encounter on your next international trip – so you may want to consider independent travel insurance if you’re looking for additional protection.7 That said, just by using the right credit card, you can enjoy some valuable peace of mind when planning to leave the country.

The Takeaway

Booking international flights can be complicated during normal times, and even more so when you factor in the ever-changing travel restrictions. Fortunately, as long as you do your research ahead of time to know what to expect, it’s still possible to leave the country. That’s where travel credit cards come in handy, as they may offer flexibility in using those rewards along with valuable travel protection when you do so.

Headshot of Nick Ewen

Nick Ewen started contributing to The Points Guy in 2012 and is now a Senior Editor. He spent over a decade as a road warrior, earning and redeeming points & miles to visit over 40 countries across six continents. He lives in Florida with his wife and daughter.
 
All Credit Intel content is written by freelance authors and commissioned and paid for by American Express.

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