As the festive season is here, travelers must be looking for ways to enrich their celebrations and create memories. However, tight budgets can sometimes make this challenging. Financial experts suggest that with the right combination of credit cards and loyalty programs, it’s possible to enhance your travel experiences while enjoying significant savings.

The power of credit cards

Credit cards offer an array of advantages for travelers, especially during busy seasons.

Many cards come with reward points, cashback, and discounts that can be redeemed for travel expenses, hotel stays, and dining.

You can consider these types of credit cards:

Travel reward cards: These cards earn points for every dollar spent, which can be redeemed for flights, hotel stays, or upgrades.

Look for cards that offer bonus points during festive seasons.

Cashback cards: These cards return a percentage of your spending as cash.

They are especially beneficial for everyday purchases leading up to your travels.

Co-branded hotel cards: Many hotel chains offer credit cards that provide exclusive perks, such as free nights, room upgrades, and dining discounts.

General rewards cards: These cards offer flexible points that can be used across various travel partners. They are ideal for those who like to mix and match their travel plans.

Leveraging loyalty programs

Loyalty programs can amplify the benefits of credit cards by offering exclusive perks to members during the festive season.

Pradippta Biiswaas, COO of Ananta Hotels & Resorts, shares that their loyalty program grants members exclusive access to high-demand booking slots and complimentary upgrades. During the Diwali season, guests booking luxury accommodations receive perks and up to 20% off dining.

“These tailored festive perks allow our loyal guests to celebrate in style,” he said.

Piiyush Kapoor, General Manager of Jaypee Hotels & Resorts, further highlights how their loyalty program provides financial value to frequent guests.

“Our loyalty program offers members exclusive benefits, discounts, and rewards that are tailored specifically to enhance their experience across our properties. For instance, guests dining at any of our restaurants at Jaypee Residency Manor, Mussoorie, can avail a 50% discount on the food bill when two people dine together. Additionally, every Tuesday, members and their guests can benefit from a 30% discount on food and a 20% discount on beverages at our restaurants or bars. Additionally, Jaypee Privilege Card is exclusively designed for use within Jaypee Hotels & Resorts,” he told CNBC-TV18.com.

Ritwik Khare, Founder & CEO of ELIVAAS, emphasises the importance of creating memories. The resort offers festive packages with add-ons like open-air BBQs and bonfires, which create a warm and inviting atmosphere for guests.

Ayu Tripathi, Director of Aahana Resort, stresses their focus on customised experiences. Aahana Resort encourages early bookings and provides special festive packages tailored to individual preferences.

With exclusive discounts on dining and services, loyalty members can get savings while celebrating with family and friends.

Booking strategies

With the increased demand during the festive season, effective booking strategies become essential.

Here are a few tips to optimise your travel plans:

Plan early: Early bookings secure preferred dates and often come with discounts.

Resorts like Aahana emphasise the importance of planning ahead to take full advantage of festive offerings.

Use credit card offers: Check if your credit card provider has ongoing promotions with specific hotels. This may include cashback offers or additional loyalty points for bookings.

Be flexible: Adjusting your travel dates can lead to lower rates. Mid-week stays often come with reduced prices compared to weekends, especially during peak festive times.