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tourist card

Definition of tourist card

Examples of tourist card in a sentence.

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tourist card.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

1948, in the meaning defined above

Dictionary Entries Near tourist card

tourist car

tourist class

Cite this Entry

“Tourist card.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tourist%20card. Accessed 8 Jun. 2024.

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How Credit Card Issuers Define ‘Travel’

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In the credit card industry, the term “travel purchases” includes a broad range of spending. Problem is, the types of spending that count as a travel purchase on one card might not count on another — and that can make it hard to earn rewards with your travel credit card or redeem your points for travel purchases.

A few categories are considered travel by all issuers — hotels and rental car agencies, for example — but the rest often vary. For example, only some issuers include cruise lines and parking lot fees.

NerdWallet spoke with major issuers that offer travel rewards or travel statement credit. Here’s what we found:

All issuers surveyed included purchases from airlines, car rental agencies, hotels, bus lines, cruise lines, passenger railways, taxicabs and limousines, travel agencies and ferries in their definitions for proprietary cards (that is, not including co-branded cards).

Bank of America® cards have the broadest definition of travel among the issuers we surveyed.

Note: Citi's definition of "travel purchases" varies by card. For this reason, the issuer isn't included in the chart below. However, in the full list of terms for each credit card issuer beneath the chart, Citi is included.

On both the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card and the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card , the following categories are considered travel, according to Bank of America®:

Airlines and air carriers.

Lodging, including hotels, motels and resorts.

Car rental agencies (including truck and utility trailer rentals).

Cruise lines.

Taxicabs and limousines.

Travel agencies and tour operators.

Passenger railways.

Travel-related arrangement services.

Toll and bridge fees.

Automobile parking lots and garages.

Suburban and local commuter passenger, including ferries.

Transportation services, not elsewhere classified.

Real estate agents and managers and rentals.

Timeshares.

Campgrounds and trailer parks.

Motorhome and recreational vehicle rental.

Tourist attractions and exhibits.

Art dealers and galleries.

Amusement parks, carnivals, circuses, fortune tellers.

Aquariums, dolphinariums, zoos, and seaquariums.

Boat leases and boat rentals.

Recreation services, not elsewhere classified.

Airports, airport terminals and flying fields.

Package tour operators (for use in Germany only).

Barclays’ definition of eligible travel purchases on the Barclaycard Arrival Plus® World Elite Mastercard® includes purchases in the following categories:

Campgrounds.

Car rental agencies.

Travel agencies.

Discount travel sites.

Taxis and limousines.

Your account annual fee.

Note: The Barclaycard Arrival Plus® World Elite Mastercard® is no longer available on our website. For more information, read our full story .

Capital One generally considers purchases in the following categories to be travel purchases on the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card .

Rail lines.

Limousine services.

Travel agents.

Campground fees.

Motorhome and RV rentals.

According to Chase, eligible travel purchases include spending in the following categories:

Hotels and motels.

Operators of passenger trains.

Toll bridges and highways.

Parking lots and garages.

According to Discover, eligible travel purchases include those made in the following categories:

Commercial airline tickets.

Hotel rooms.

Car rentals.

Tour operators.

Vacation packages purchased through airlines.

Online travel sites.

Local and suburban commuter transportation, including ferries.

Charter or tour bus lines.

You can redeem rewards for travel statement credit on these purchases up to 180 days after the transactions are posted to your account.

What’s a ‘tourist attraction,’ anyway?

On their own, these terms aren’t especially helpful. “Commuter transportation” sounds like it could be anything that gets you to work. And “tourist attractions” is about as vague as you can get.

These categories actually correspond to merchant category codes . An MCC is a four-digit number that describes a merchant’s type of business. The payment networks, like Visa and Mastercard, use these standardized codes to set the fees that merchants pay to accept cards. When you make a purchase, the payment network communicates the merchant’s MCC to your issuer, and it generally shows up on your credit card statement with the other transaction information. Many issuers use these codes to reward cardholders for spending in certain categories — say, restaurants or gas stations.

A merchant’s bank decides with the merchant how its business should be classified. Codes depend solely on the merchant, not its location or what you’re buying. If you eat at a restaurant in a hotel, for example, your issuer will probably consider your tab restaurant spending — not hotel spending. And if you buy a souvenir T-shirt at that restaurant, it will count as a restaurant purchase just like your meal.

In the early days of credit cards, payment networks categorized purchases using the federal government’s Standard Industrial Classification codes, says Chuck Fillinger, a senior associate at The Strawhecker Group, a banking consulting firm. As more merchants started accepting credit cards, categories expanded beyond the old government-based system and became more specific. There are now hundreds of MCCs, Fillinger says. As new card-accepting merchants emerge, more categories will likely be added.

“Travel is probably the most confusing, with a variety of MCCs, as there are so many different aspects. You have trains, buses, airlines, hotels and Uber and Lyft,” Fillinger says.

Demystifying MCCs

Some spending categories sound confoundingly similar, but are still considered separate by payment networks — “commuter transportation” and “passenger railways,” for instance. Fillinger says that’s partly because each category has its own risk profile based on average transaction size and the likelihood of fraud or that customers will dispute charges. The credit card processing fees merchants pay vary according to that risk.

Here are a few MCCs that cause confusion today:

Travel agencies and tour operators (MCC 4722). Back in the day, “travel agencies” referred to brick-and-mortar businesses where you bought airline tickets and arranged travel itineraries. Nowadays, travel aggregators and discount travel sites, such as Expedia, also use this MCC.

Taxicabs and limousines (MCC 4121). This category can now include services like Uber and Lyft.

Commuter transportation (MCC 4111). Visa uses this MCC for merchants that provide “local and suburban mass passenger transportation over regular routes and on regular schedules,” such as trains and ferries. Trains meant for long-haul trips are generally categorized as “passenger railways.”

Real estate agents (MCC 6513). Mastercard’s rules define this as “fees charged by merchants engaged in the rental and management of residential and commercial properties, such as real estate agents, brokers, and managers, and apartment rental services.” This includes fees to rent rooms through Vacation Rental By Owner and its parent company, HomeAway. Airbnb, however, generally counts as a hotel or motel.

Tourist attractions (MCC 7991). Many expect this category to cover amusement parks, but it doesn’t. Instead, both Visa and Mastercard clarify that this category includes “expositions, botanical gardens, craft shows, museums, and wineries.” Amusement parks have their own separate category.

Know how to earn rewards

Defining travel spending remains an imprecise art — and that means it’s not always easy to know how a purchase will show up on your statement.

You can search merchant category codes in your area using Visa’s supplier locator tool . Or you could find out how your card issuer has categorized past purchases by logging on to your account online and checking your history. But you might end up with some strange results. A parking lot fee might count as “Misc. government services.” An airport shuttle might be listed as “Transportation service, not classified.”

And keep in mind that other countries use different MCCs that might not count as “travel” for U.S. credit cards.

Sometimes a purchase might not be categorized as you think it should be, and for now, there’s not much you can do about this. Your card issuer — the bank that holds your account, as opposed to the payment network like Visa — has no control over how merchants are categorized. Knowing your issuer’s definition of travel doesn’t guarantee your purchases will be classified that way, but it’s a good starting point if you want to get the most out of your credit card.

This article was written by NerdWallet and was originally published by Forbes .

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How Credit Card Issuers Define Travel

Not all travel qualifies for bonus rewards or travel credits.

Getty Images

Each credit card issuer has different rules about what constitutes travel, so make sure you're aware of your card's policies.

Some of the links on this site contain offers from our partners .

Travel rewards credit cards provide you with opportunities to turn everyday spending into your next big vacation . Whether you're earning bonus rewards, redeeming points or miles for trip expenses, or taking advantage of travel credits, it's essential to understand how your card issuer defines traveling.

Categories commonly considered travel include:

• Rental cars
• Cruise lines
• Discount travel sites

Depending on the card issuer, though, the list of categories under its travel definition can be much longer.

Why Travel Definition Matters

There are three situations where it's important to understand how your credit card issuer defines travel: earning rewards, redeeming rewards and using travel credits.

Earning rewards. Many rewards credit cards offer bonus rewards on certain travel-related purchases. With some cards, you'll earn extra points or miles on every purchase within the issuer's travel definition, while others may offer bonus rewards on things like air travel or hotels only.

Make sure you understand what counts as travel and what doesn't as you use your card to maximize your rewards .

"Take some time to review your monthly statements and verify how all of your purchases code," says Brandon Neth, credit card rewards and travel expert at FinanceBuzz.com. It might sound like a lot of work, he says, but if you generally spend at the same places, the initial research is the hardest part.

Redeeming rewards. Some general travel credit cards give you a lot of flexibility in how you redeem your points or miles.

Cards co-branded with an airline or hotel typically limit rewards redemption to that airline or hotel group. Others require booking through a proprietary booking tool. But with more flexible cards, you can book travel where you want and use your rewards to get your money back.

"This (arrangement) allows you to simply pay with your credit card," says Neth, "and anything that codes as travel can be 'erased' if you have enough points in your account."

That is, of course, if your transaction is considered eligible based on how card issuers define trip expenses. If not, you may end up spending a lot of money to book a trip only to find out that your rewards won't cover any of it.

Using travel credits. In addition to rewards, some travel credit cards offer annual travel credits , which automatically kick in when you make a purchase that's eligible for the perk. Some cards, like the Chase Sapphire Reserve , offer a credit for anything that falls under the card issuer's travel definition. Others, however, may restrict the benefit to certain airline- or hotel-related expenses.

It's important to understand your card's definition for the perk.

How Major Credit Card Issuers Define Travel

Each credit card issuer has its own list of categories that it considers travel. There are some commonalities, including airlines, hotels, rental cars, cruise lines and discount travel sites, but what some issuers consider travel may be more narrow than others.

"What counts as travel is not always clear, and some issuers are much more generous with their definition than others," says Rand Shoaf, author of travel rewards blog Well Traveled Mile. "It ultimately comes down to how they want to define travel to align with their credit card products."

If you're considering a new travel credit card or already have one with a major card issuer, here's what counts.

American Express. American Express doesn't have any credit cards that offer a specific bonus rewards category for travel or a blanket travel redemption option. You can, however, earn extra points with some cards when you book certain parts of your trip through amextravel.com, and you can redeem Membership Rewards for travel booked through the portal.

Bank of America. If you have a Bank of America credit card that offers bonus rewards and redemptions on travel, a wide spectrum of purchases will count. The bank considers airlines, lodging, travel agencies, ground and boat transportation, parking, and tourist attractions as eligible travel-related purchases.

Capital One. If you have a credit card that earns Capital One miles, you can redeem your rewards for purchases made from airlines, hotels, rail lines, car rental agencies, limousine services, bus lines, cruise lines, taxicabs, travel agents and timeshares.

Chase. A handful of Chase credit cards offer bonus rewards on travel-related purchases, and the Chase Sapphire Reserve offers a $300 annual credit toward travel expenses.

If you have one of these Chase cards, the following counts as travel: airlines, lodging, car rental agencies, cruise lines, travel agencies, discount travel sites, ground transportation, ferries and parking.

Citi. Cardholders can earn travel-related bonus rewards on purchases with airlines, lodging, car rental agencies, travel agencies or aggregators, tour operators, gas stations, ground transportation, ferries and boats, and parking.

Discover. With the Discover it® Miles card , you can redeem your rewards as a statement credit against any of the following travel expenses: commercial airline tickets; hotel rooms; car rentals; cruises; tour operators; vacation packages purchased through airlines, travel agents or online travel sites; ground transportation; and ferries.

U.S. Bank. Of the major credit card issuers, U.S. Bank has the most restrictive travel definition, which includes airlines, hotels, car rental companies, taxis, limousines, passenger trains and cruise lines.

What Doesn't Count as Travel

Just because something is travel related, it isn't necessarily eligible for bonus rewards or a point or mile redemption. Even if you think something falls within your card issuer's definition, there are some caveats that could keep you from getting bonus rewards or a purchase being eligible for redemption.

Card issuer-specific exceptions. Check your credit card's fine print for specific limitations or exceptions. Many issuers, for instance, state that in-flight goods and services and duty-free airport purchases aren't included in their definition of travel.

You may also run into some problems with some issuers if you want to count things like sightseeing tours, excursions, merchants within hotels and airports – such as a restaurant or kiosk – and other tourist attractions.

Miscategorized purchases. Credit card issuers determine whether a purchase is travel related if the merchant category code for the transaction falls under one of their definitions of travel.

Unfortunately, card issuers don't set the merchant category codes; the payment networks – American Express, Discover, Mastercard and Visa – do. If the merchant code for a certain transaction isn't considered travel, you may not get the bonus rewards or the chance to redeem your points or miles.

Payment method. With some cards, you might run into issues if you made your purchase using a virtual wallet or another form of near-field communication technology. If, for example, you pay a travel company with PayPal, the payment processor may appear as the merchant instead. In that case, you may only earn what you'd normally get on PayPal purchases.

Strategies for Working With Issuer Travel Definitions

Depending on the credit card you have, you may or may not have a lot of flexibility with what's considered travel. If you're booking a trip, though, and want to make sure it counts as travel, here are some things you can do to improve your chances.

Use discount travel sites. While some card issuers may restrict certain categories, such as tourist attractions, amusement parks and excursions, those purchases might count if you book with a discount travel website instead of directly with the attraction.

"When in doubt, it's always best to consult the issuers' website or promotional material," Neth says. "Often, your terms and conditions will specify what will work."

Make a test purchase. If you're not sure whether a specific merchant will count as travel, consider making a small purchase to test the waters. If the card issuer counts it as travel, you'll know that you can move forward with your planned booking.

If you don't have an opportunity to make a test purchase and you have a Visa credit card, you can use Visa's supplier locator tool to find out how specific merchants are coded.

Ask for an exception. Credit card issuers aren't responsible for determining merchant codes, but it is still possible to get what you believe you deserve. "If your travel-related purchase is not coded as travel, you can consider contacting the credit card issuer to request an exception," Shoaf says.

There's no guarantee you'll get one, but some cardholders report card issuers making exceptions by offering courtesy points or miles, or by allowing them to redeem rewards for a purchase that wasn't originally included under the travel definition.

Join a forum. Both Shoaf and Neth recommend finding online forums where you learn about experiences from other travelers. In these forums, says Shoaf, you can learn what does and doesn't work. "These data points on what counts and doesn't count for specific travel cards can be incredibly helpful when traveling internationally."

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Comparative assessments and other editorial opinions are those of U.S. News and have not been previously reviewed, approved or endorsed by any other entities, such as banks, credit card issuers or travel companies. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired.

Tourist Card MX

Everything you need to know about fmm mexico.

Certain travelers must complete an FMM ( Forma Migratoria Multiple ) to enter Mexico. This travel document is often referred to as the Mexico tourist card.

This page provides you with everything you need to know about the FMM tourist card, including:

• What the tourist card is
• Who needs the FMM
• How to complete the FMM
• FAQs about the tourist card

What Is the Mexico Tourist Card or FMM?

The Forma Migratoria Multiple or Mexico tourist card is an immigration document that applies to certain international visitors entering the country .

How the FMM card works

The FMM is a slip of paper separate from the traveler’s passport . It’s also a separate document to a Mexican visa, if required.

The physical tourist card consists of 2 parts . If validated at the border, one part is given to the visitor. The other remains in the records of Mexican authorities.

When Do I Need a Mexico Tourist Card?

The FMM tourist card is a required for specific travelers . Not all passengers entering Mexico need to meet this requirement.

If you’re traveling to Mexico from overseas and plan to enter the country by land , you must complete the FMM.

The tourist card policy applies to most people regardless of whether they travel to Mexico for tourism, business, or other reasons .

How to Apply for an FMM Tourist Card

You can apply for the Mexico tourist card online or at Mexican land borders , however most travelers choose to apply online in advance due to convenience and to save time.

The FMM online requirements are the same as those for travelers who apply in person.

To complete the tourist card, simply follow these steps:

• Complete the form : Our online form has been designed to be as easy as possible to complete.
• Submit documents : Submit your supporting documents in digital format.
• Pay the FMM fee : Pay the fee by credit or debit card via a secure portal.
• Receive the approved FMM : You’ll receive the approved FMM and all notifications and communications by email.

Information required on the FMM form for Mexico

We ask for the same information as the Mexico Government. This ensures that you provide all official required information when you complete the FMM application.

You just need to provide the following information:

• Personal details : Name, date of birth, citizenship, parents’ details
• Contact details : Telephone number, home address, email address
• Passport information : Country, number, issue and expiry dates
• Travel details : Purpose of the visit, intended port of entry, date of entry and exit, accommodation address

It’s extremely important to fill out all the form with accurate information . Incorrect or missing information may result in delays.

Application service differences

The Mexican Government also offers an online application option for the FMM. Below is an outline of the key differences between our platform and the Government’s.

Mexico FMM Costs

The standard cost of the Mexico tourist card is 38 USD . We then charge a processing fee for our services, which varies depending on any additional services you choose.

FMM fee exemption for short trips

If you’re planning on being in Mexico for 7 days or less , you do not need to pay the cost of the FMM card. Your final fee will just include our service charge.

Traveling to Mexico by air

You do not need to complete the FMM application process if you’re traveling by air. The fee is included in your plane tickets .

Entering Mexico With a Tourist Card

Once your FMM card is approved, you’ll need to print a paper copy to bring with you when you travel to Mexico.

Mexican immigration authorities will validate your documents when you arrive. Upon reaching the border, please present the officer with :

Note : Those who request the card in person must provide Mexican officials with the exact Mexico tourist card fee in cash upon arrival.

FAQs about the Mexico Tourist Card

Can i renew or extend a mexico tourist card.

No, you cannot renew or extend a Mexico tourist card . Once it expires, you need to apply for a new one and pay the relative fee again.

Once outside the country, you can request a new FMM immediately . You do not have to wait for a specific amount of time.

What happens if I overstay an FMM?

Overstaying a permit or visa is never a good idea. Overstayers with the FMM must pay a fine before they can leave Mexico . The fine is calculated according to the number of days that have passed since the Mexico tourist card has expired.

How much is the processing time for FMM tourist card?

If the application has been completed fully and correctly, you’ll have the approved FMM in minutes .

In some cases, the processing time may be longer. However, you can select the express processing option to get an FMM within 1 hour.

What can I do if I do not receive the FMM by email?

If you notice that the tourist card for Mexico takes longer than expected to arrive, please check your email spam/junk folder .

If you still cannot find an email from us, get in touch with our team.

What should I do if my Mexico tourist card is lost or stolen?

If the FMM document is lost or stolen, you must replace it. If this happens before you arrive at the Mexican border, you can use the online application system to obtain a replacement .

If this happens in Mexico itself, you should report the theft or loss to the police . You’ll need a police report as part of the replacement FMM application at Mexico’s National Institute of Immigration (INM).

Is losing a Mexico tourist card the same as losing a Mexico visa?

If you lose your Mexico tourist card, we highly recommended replacing the document as you would a Mexican visa. It’s required by all foreign nationals entering and leaving Mexico by land.

How long can I stay in Mexico for?

The Mexico tourist card is granted for a maximum of 180 days and cannot be extended. It also ceases to be valid once the holder leaves Mexico, as it’s a single-entry permit. If you decide to return to Mexico, you’ll need to obtain a new FMM.

The FMM is not necessary for those who decide to stay in the country long-term (more than 6 months). Therefore, people on permanent or temporary residency do not need a Mexico tourist card.

Related News

Visitax Mexico: Tourism Tax for Quintana Roo

Crossing the U.S. – Mexico Border by Car

Digital Nomad Visa for Mexico: Everything You Need to Know

5 benefits you need from a travel credit card

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Key takeaways

• Many travel credit cards reward you for both travel and for spending on everyday items like groceries, dining and gas.
• When choosing a travel credit card, look for travel insurance benefits like trip cancellation and interruption insurance, auto rental insurance and lost or delayed baggage coverage.
• Recurring travel perks like annual free nights, airport lounge access or elite status can help offset any annual fees and make travel more enjoyable.
• Look for travel perks like no foreign transaction fees, free checked baggage on eligible flights and credits toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fees.

Despite worldwide political turmoil and continued economic instability, the post-pandemic travel boom continues as demand for travel remains high. Travel credit cards continue to be a vital asset for travel hackers wanting to minimize expenses and improve their overall travel experiences.

Whether you’re evaluating your current credit card portfolio or looking to add a new one to your wallet, here are five travel card benefits you’ll want to look for.

1. Bonus rewards on travel and everyday spending

Although high inflation and the global supply chain shortages of the past few years seem to be easing, prices on items from groceries to airfare remain higher than in the past. While you can’t control inflation or rising costs, you can maximize your return in these spending categories with the right credit cards .

Although the right credit card line-up can help you earn lots of rewards in everyday-spending categories like groceries, dining and gas, many cards also offer rewards on travel spending, too. The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express , for example, earns 6 percent cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year, then 1 percent) and 3 percent cash back at U.S. gas stations. Add one of these cards to your wallet and you can make lemonade from the lemon of a stressed economy.

If you don’t want to keep track of bonus categories across multiple credit cards , consider a card that offers a flat rewards rate on all spending — such as one of the best 2 percent cash back cards .

2. Travel insurance benefits

In an increasingly unpredictable world, travel insurance is more important than ever. While there are coverage limits, many credit cards offer travel insurance (of all different types) that can save you money and stress in a difficult situation.

Auto rental car coverage

A few years ago, I was involved in a minor fender bender while driving a rental car. It was dark out, and I grazed a metal partition while making a left-hand turn. Five months later, I received a bill for $3,600 from the rental car company. Ouch. Luckily, it only cost me around $400 and I didn’t have to get my insurance company involved. That’s because I paid $14.99 (at the time) for primary coverage through American Express’ Premium Car Rental Protection program. That coverage saved me over $3,200 and a rising insurance premium.

Many credit cards offer auto rental insurance in the form of an auto rental collision damage waiver. While most credit cards provide secondary coverage, some premium credit cards offer primary rental car coverage, which can be an invaluable benefit if you’re involved in an accident. Some premium travel cards that offer primary auto rental coverage include the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® .

Trip cancellation/interruption insurance

Trip interruption insurance can give you peace of mind if you’ve booked an expensive trip and can’t complete it. Many credit cards actually offer both trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage , which can reimburse you for eligible expenses when your trip is canceled or interrupted for eligible reasons. This great benefit could save you thousands of dollars in an emergency, not to mention the cost of buying an insurance policy.

For example, The Platinum Card® from American Express offers trip cancellation and interruption insurance of up to $10,000 per trip and up to $20,000 per eligible card (every 12 months) for covered reasons (additional terms and conditions apply).

Be sure to familiarize yourself with the coverage limits on your credit card’s policy to determine whether it makes sense to buy additional coverage. In most cases, what the credit card offers is sufficient.

Lost or delayed baggage insurance

Thousands of bags are lost or mishandled every year. While the odds of losing your luggage are low, it can put a damper on your trip if it does happen. Luckily, many credit cards offer baggage delay insurance or lost luggage reimbursement .

For example, the Chase Sapphire Preferred offers baggage delay insurance that will reimburse you up to $100 per day for five days for eligible expenses when baggage is delayed by a passenger carrier for over six hours.

3. Recurring travel perks

This is the year to take inventory of your credit cards and make sure they’re serving you well. If you’re paying an annual fee, look for a card with recurring benefits. Whether it’s annual free nights, waived baggage fees or elite status benefits, these perks can help offset your annual fee and make your travels more pleasant.

Annual free nights

Annual free hotel nights are one of the best benefits you can get from a travel card, and many hotel credit cards offer this type of perk . For instance, the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Credit Card * offers one annual free night award every year after card renewal, along with one additional free night after you spend $30,000 on your card within a calendar year. You’ll earn another free night for a total of two additional free nights after you spend $60,000 on your card in a calendar year.

The World of Hyatt Credit Card * also offers one free night every year after the cardmember anniversary, good for any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort. I once used my Hyatt free night at the Park Hyatt Istanbul, where rooms were going for over $250 per night at the time. Needless to say, I was happy to pay the card’s $95 annual fee in exchange for this helpful perk. The property has since gone up to a Category 5, meaning the free night is no longer valid there, but it was an excellent value at the time.

Airport lounge access

Airports are getting busier and food is getting more expensive. Airport lounge access can be a great way to keep your costs down and your comfort level up while spending time at the airport. Sure, credit cards that offer lounge access tend to carry high annual fees, but this can be worthwhile if you use this benefit enough.

Airline or hotel elite status

Recurring card benefits, like automatic airline or hotel elite status , can save you a lot on travel and are worth considering when shopping for a new credit card. For example, I keep renewing my Hilton Honors Amex Aspire card every year despite the fact that I don’t spend much on it. That’s because the card provides automatic, top-tier Hilton Diamond elite status, which can easily offset the $550 annual fee.

4. Waived fees

Despite what your favorite travel bloggers like to say, travel is never free — even if you’re using points and miles. There are resort fees , luggage fees and award taxes to contend with. And when using your card abroad , you’ll sometimes need to pay foreign transaction fees .

Luckily, many top travel credit cards come with no foreign transaction fees. As for luggage fees, several of the top airline credit cards come with free checked baggage benefits .

For instance, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® * offers a first checked bag free on domestic flights for the cardholder and up to four travel companions on the same reservation. That presents savings of up to $150 per one-way flight, more than the card’s $99 annual fee ($0 intro annual fee the first year).

5. Trusted traveler programs

Trusted traveler programs like Global Entry and TSA PreCheck can make going through airport security and customs speedy and convenient. Membership in these programs is affordable to begin with, but with the right credit card, you can get your application fees waived.

Global Entry and TSA fee credits used to be limited to premium credit cards (which come with high annual fees). That’s no longer the case. Nowadays, many entry-level travel credit cards, like the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card , offer up to $100 in credits for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.

The bottom line

Travelers might be facing high prices and economic uncertainty, but with the right credit card strategy , you can easily weather the storm. It’s a good time to reassess your current credit card lineup or consider adding a new card to your wallet so you’re better positioned to do so. Hopefully, these tips can help you minimize your out-of-pocket costs. Check out Bankrate’s travel toolkit for more tips and tricks on maximizing travel with a credit card.

Issuer-required disclosure statement: *Information about the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Credit Card, The World of Hyatt Credit Card and Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® has been collected independently by Bankrate and has not been reviewed or approved by the issuer.

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tourist card noun

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What does the noun tourist card mean?

There is one meaning in OED's entry for the noun tourist card . See ‘Meaning & use’ for definition, usage, and quotation evidence.

Entry status

OED is undergoing a continuous programme of revision to modernize and improve definitions. This entry has not yet been fully revised.

How common is the noun tourist card ?

Where does the noun tourist card come from.

Earliest known use

The earliest known use of the noun tourist card is in the 1970s.

OED's only evidence for tourist card is from 1971, in the Daily Nation (Nairobi).

tourist card is formed within English, by compounding.

Etymons: tourist n. , card n. 2

Nearby entries

• tourifying, adj. 1825–
• touring, n. 1818–
• touring, adj. 1832–
• touring-car, n. 1903–
• touring-sedan, n. 1915–
• tourism, n. 1811–
• tourist, n. 1780–
• tourist, v. 1953–
• tourist cabin, n. 1928–
• tourist-car, n. 1895–
• tourist card, n. 1971–
• tourist centre | tourist center, n. 1922–
• tourist class, n. 1936–
• tourist court, n. 1937–
• touristdom, n. 1888–
• touristed, adj. 1873–
• tourist flight, n. 1959–
• tourist guide, n. 1924–
• touristic, adj. 1848–
• touristical, adj. 1863–
• touristically, adv. 1928–

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Meaning & use

Entry history for tourist card, n..

Originally published as part of the entry for tourist, n.

tourist, n. was first published in 1913; not yet revised.

Revision of the OED is a long-term project. Entries in oed.com which have not been revised may include:

• corrections and revisions to definitions, pronunciation, etymology, headwords, variant spellings, quotations, and dates;
• new senses, phrases, and quotations which have been added in subsequent print and online updates.

Earlier versions of this entry were published in:

A Supplement to the OED, Volume IV (1986)

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OED Second Edition (1989)

• View tourist in OED Second Edition

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Citation details

Factsheet for tourist card, n., browse entry.

Tourist card

Definition of tourist card.

A Tourist Card is a document that can be obtained before traveling to a specific country. It serves as an authorization for foreign visitors to enter the country without having to obtain a proper visa . Usually, a Tourist Card is given to tourists who plan to stay in the country for a short period, usually between 30 to 90 days.

A Tourist Card is a document that contains essential information such as the visitor’s name, date of birth, and the purpose of the visit. It is important to keep the card with you at all times while traveling, as it serves as proof of entry into the country.

Tourist Cards are usually required by countries that offer visa exemptions to foreign visitors. These countries use the Tourist Card system to screen and monitor incoming visitors, ensuring that they meet the necessary requirements for entry.

In conclusion, a Tourist Card is a valuable document that allows foreign visitors to enter a specific country for a limited period without obtaining a visa . It offers an efficient and convenient way of gaining entry to a country while also ensuring that the necessary screening and monitoring processes are in place.

Which purchases count as travel with Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Sapphire Reserve?

Editor's Note

Thanks to its plethora of premium travel perks, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® is well-known in the travel credit card space. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is the Sapphire Reserve's mid-tier sibling that features a $95 annual fee — which is also the more affordable card considering the Reserve's annual fee is $550 — and remains a top pick, winning Best Travel Rewards Credit Card for the sixth straight year at the 2023 TPG Awards .

No matter which Sapphire card you have, Chase clearly defines what counts as travel. Both cards generously award for travel booked through Chase Travel℠ and all other travel purchases.

We'll go over the purchases that count (and don't count) toward earning bonus points in this guide.

How many points do the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Preferred cards earn on travel?

The Chase Sapphire Reserve awards 10 points per dollar on hotels and car rentals booked through Chase Travel and 5 points per dollar on flights booked through Chase Travel.

But suppose you're looking to book directly with the airline, hotel or another company or get awarded for other travel purchases like taxi rides and parking fees. In that case, you'll still earn 3 points per dollar on these purchases.

The Sapphire Preferred earns 5 points per dollar on all travel purchases booked through Chase Travel and 2 points per dollar on other travel purchases.

You'll also earn a boosted rate of 10 and 5 points per dollar spent on Lyft rides on the Reserve and Preferred, respectively (through March 2025).

'Travel,' according to Chase

The Chase Travel portal allows you to book various types of travel. For "all other travel purchases," here's how Chase defines it:

Merchants in the travel category include airlines, hotels, motels, timeshares, car rental agencies, cruise lines, travel agencies, discount travel sites, campgrounds and operators of passenger trains, buses, taxis, limousines, ferries, toll bridges and highways, and parking lots and garages.

Compared to bonus categories from other credit cards, Chase's travel category is extremely generous.

While cards such as the American Express® Gold Card and The Platinum Card® from American Express offer bonus points for airfare purchases made directly with the airline (with a spending cap of $500,000 on the Amex Platinum per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar), the Sapphire Preferred and Sapphire Reserve cards let you earn a bonus on virtually every trip-related charge.

The travel category encompasses a wide variety of purchases, from hotels and airfare (which doesn't have to be booked directly with the airline) to cruises, tolls and even parking fees. Uber and Airbnb purchases count as travel as well.

The following purchases do not apply toward the 2 or 3-points-per-dollar bonus categories on these cards, but most of them shouldn't be a huge surprise or disappointment:

Merchants in this category include airlines, hotels, motels, timeshares, car rental agencies, cruise lines, travel agencies, discount travel sites, campgrounds and operators of passenger trains, buses, taxis, limousines, ferries, toll bridges and highways, and parking lots and garages. Some merchants that provide transportation and travel-related services are not included in this category; for example, real estate agents, educational merchants arranging travel, in-flight goods and services, on-board cruise line goods and services, sightseeing activities, excursions, tourist attractions, RV and boat rentals, merchants within hotels and airports, public campgrounds and merchants that rent vehicles for the purpose of hauling. Purchases from gift card merchants or merchants that sell points or miles will not qualify in the travel category.

A few notable travel-related charges that have not been posted as travel for the purposes of bonus points with Chase for TPG staffers in the recent past include an RV rental as well as some vacation rentals via Vrbo and similar services. Whether a vacation home rental automatically codes as travel depends on whether an individual or a conglomerate operates it. In the latter case, that charge may code as "professional services" instead of travel.

If you're ever unsure whether a given purchase counts as travel, it could be worth making a small charge and checking whether it earns any bonus points on your online Chase account.

Additionally, suppose you feel like a travel purchase should have earned bonus points but didn't. In that case, you can always try calling or secure messaging Chase and requesting consideration for that charge to be awarded points as a travel charge. Even if you don't get the outcome you're looking for, you'll at least get some clarity on how certain charges are coded and can plan future spending accordingly.

What does Chase typically count as travel purchases?

• Campgrounds
• Car rental agencies (excludes RV and boat rentals)
• Cruise lines
• Discount travel sites
• Parking lots and garages
• Passenger trains
• Toll bridges and highways
• Travel agencies
• Vacation rentals (including some VRBO rentals operated by an individual )

What does Chase typically not count as travel purchases?

• Educational merchants arranging travel
• Gift card merchants
• Inflight goods and services
• Merchants that rent vehicles for the purpose of hauling
• Merchants within hotels and airports
• Onboard cruise line goods and services
• Purchasing points or miles
• Public campgrounds
• Real estate agents
• RV and boat rentals
• Sightseeing activities
• Tourist attractions
• Vacation rentals ( some VRBO rentals operated by a conglomerate rather than an individual )

Bottom line

Cardholders of the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Chase Sapphire Preferred have plenty of opportunities to earn 3 or 2 points per dollar spent, respectively, on "other travel purchases." Based on TPG's valuations , that means you could be getting a return of up to 6.15% on these purchases, and you can put your points to use with Chase's airline and hotel partners .

On top of that, these Chase cards have some of the most generous travel and purchase protections on the market, making either card a valuable addition to your wallet.

Apply here: Chase Sapphire Reserve with a 75,000-point sign-up bonus after you spend $4,000 in the first three months of account opening. Apply here: Chase Sapphire Preferred with a 75,000-point sign-up bonus after you spend $4,000 in the first three months of account opening.

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Definition of Travelcard noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

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