I've noticed an interesting trend with many travel merchants... Gift Cards/Gift Vouchers!
Often you can buy them with no credit card surcharge, and redeem them against bookings. Taada! No credit card surcharge on your booking. Also, sometimes redemption of a gift card avoids booking fees. Some examples (You'll have to work out which vendors I am talking about though, if you are interested)
One particular hotel chain currently has 10% bonus for gift cards purchased before 25th Dec (You do pay a $10 delivery fee). So if you had stays at that hotel chain coming up soon, you would be able to save some money - and potentially avoid their nasty credit card surcharge (I can't confirm at the moment). They only accept Visa/MC.
One particular airline allows you to purchase gift cards (with a 1.2% visa/mc surcharge) and redeem them against flights. You have to call up to book the flights, but get the same rate as online. (I don't believe any booking fees apply).
There is a well known online accommodation booking site which sometimes has good last minute deals. They usually charge $5ish per booking, but there's no charge if you have a gift voucher...
Another hotel chain has gift vouchers available in certain retail stores. Those stores might have bonus points offers from your credit card.... and you should avoid the hotel credit card surcharge.
If you do a huge amount of leisure travel, then you can often get discounts with a minimum purchase of the vouchers/cards. Does vary between vendors.
Now some of the downsides:
- You are risking the value if you lose the card/voucher/code.
- Often you can't purchase with Amex.
- Credit card purchase related travel insurance protection may not apply to a booking.
- Making changes to a booking can be frustrating.
- Changes to travel plans could leave you with unused vouchers
- Expiry date of cards (generally a year), and loss of your interest on the purchase price between when you buy and use.
But - this can benefit some in certain situations. Obviously not really for business travel, but for leisure travel.
Often you can buy them with no credit card surcharge, and redeem them against bookings. Taada! No credit card surcharge on your booking. Also, sometimes redemption of a gift card avoids booking fees. Some examples (You'll have to work out which vendors I am talking about though, if you are interested)
One particular hotel chain currently has 10% bonus for gift cards purchased before 25th Dec (You do pay a $10 delivery fee). So if you had stays at that hotel chain coming up soon, you would be able to save some money - and potentially avoid their nasty credit card surcharge (I can't confirm at the moment). They only accept Visa/MC.
One particular airline allows you to purchase gift cards (with a 1.2% visa/mc surcharge) and redeem them against flights. You have to call up to book the flights, but get the same rate as online. (I don't believe any booking fees apply).
There is a well known online accommodation booking site which sometimes has good last minute deals. They usually charge $5ish per booking, but there's no charge if you have a gift voucher...
Another hotel chain has gift vouchers available in certain retail stores. Those stores might have bonus points offers from your credit card.... and you should avoid the hotel credit card surcharge.
If you do a huge amount of leisure travel, then you can often get discounts with a minimum purchase of the vouchers/cards. Does vary between vendors.
Now some of the downsides:
- You are risking the value if you lose the card/voucher/code.
- Often you can't purchase with Amex.
- Credit card purchase related travel insurance protection may not apply to a booking.
- Making changes to a booking can be frustrating.
- Changes to travel plans could leave you with unused vouchers
- Expiry date of cards (generally a year), and loss of your interest on the purchase price between when you buy and use.
But - this can benefit some in certain situations. Obviously not really for business travel, but for leisure travel.
