Free travel is the holy grail for many of us with limited travel budgets. As a result, we flock to travel rewards credit cards to earn points for our everyday spending.
By signing up for a travel credit card and spending a few thousand on the card within a few months, almost anyone can earn hundreds or thousands in free travel with little effort on their part.
But, it can often pay to think outside the box when it comes to a rewards hobby.
While popular cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred, Platinum Card from American Express and Barclaycard Arrival Plus World Elite MasterCard tend to hog up all the headlines, don’t forget there are many less popular cards that can offer lots of bang for your buck.
One such under-the-radar travel credit card is the More Rewards American Express Card from Navy Federal. Available only to the armed forces, the DoD, veterans, and their families, this card is a winner for those whose wanderlust pushes them to rack up rewards.
Here are some of the basic details of this card and how it might help you earn (and burn) more points on travel this year:
—Earn 3x points at supermarkets and gas stations, 2x points at restaurants, and 1x point on everything else
—Through the end of the year, new users can earn 25,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in the first three months
—No annual fees, no foreign transaction fees and no balance transfer fees
—Amex Offers Benefits (early access to entertainment, special dining options), Navy Federal cardholder benefits
—Serviced by Navy Federal, 24/7 contact center, online banking, mobile banking and more than 300 branches worldwide
READ MORE: Earn More Free Travel With This Amex Card
This card is a winner for members who spend in certain categories. Earning 3 points per $1 spent on gas is a smart idea for anyone who commutes to work. This card also offers 2x points on dining at restaurants and comes with no foreign transaction fees, making it ideal if you travel abroad and don’t want to pay an additional 3-5 percent on your purchases.
Additionally, there is no limit to the rewards you can earn and your points will never expire.
Redeem your points for statement credits and use them to cover travel purchases, or convert them to travel points and redeem them for airfare at a rate of around one cent per point. Redeeming them for cash-back is also an option, though it will result in a redemption rate of about half that.
While this card does offer more points on dining and travel than some comparable cash-back and travel credit cards, it doesn’t offer a signup bonus. Points are only worth one cent apiece, meaning this card doesn’t offer as much travel potential as other options that let you transfer points to airline or hotel partners.
READ MORE: Is Paying a Travel Credit Card’s Annual Fee Worth It?
Though it’s hard to beat 3x points on gas and 2x points on dining with no annual fee, if you’re someone who spends a lot on road trips and restaurant meals, this card could let you earn hundreds in free travel per year.
For more information on becoming a Navy Federal Credit Union member, visit their website.
