Date: December 5, 2022

The 2022 holiday season is poised to be one of the most expensive for travel according to recent reports. The cost of gas, car rentals, airfare and hotels are all facing record high prices for this time of year only adding to the already increased costs of living amid inflation. Savvy travelers can curb some of the increased spending with cash back, discounts and rewards. Whether your holiday travels are local or farther away, here are ways Affinity members can save while traveling.

1. Boost your gas savings - There are several apps that are simple to use and help you save on gas. Try any of the following before your next fill up:

• Gas Buddy¹ – This popular app allows users to link a bank account or debit card to the GasBuddy card and save up to 25 cents per gallon.
• GetUpside² – Customers can save up to 25 cents per gallon at some of the most popular stations, as well as seeing savings at select restaurants and on groceries in select cities.
• Fuel Rewards³ – Powered by Shell, the app can save users between 5 and 40 cents per gallon. Savings per gallon are increased by dining out, shopping online or booking a flight.
• BPme Rewards⁴ – BP customers can save five cents per gallon at BP and Amoco stations.

2. Use your credit and debit card benefits - In addition to cash back that can also be used to boost gas savings there are a number of benefits that Affinity card holders⁵ can use when traveling including travel accident insurance and baggage coverage. Affinity Cash Rewards Visa® Signature Credit Card⁶ has a standard reward of 2% cash back on gas purchases while the Affinity Cash Back Debit⁷ can earn users 1% cash back on all purchases up to $1,000 per month. The Affinity Cash Back Debit also has no minimum balance requirements and offers Debit Courtesy Pay and other overdraft protection options.⁸

3. Plan ahead for the best deals - Airlines and economists are forecasting overbooked flights and staffing issues that might mean travelers need to be more flexible in their plans to get to their destinations. Use Google Flights, Hopper or other price trackers to monitor for when you should book airline travel this holiday season. Prices for other services like hotels, rental cars and even pet care are all seeing increases so make sure to plan all the details of your travel to eliminate stress and allocate your budget as needed. With our Pure Rewards Visa Credit Card⁹ you can earn points with flexible redemption options. Points can be redeemed for travel, gift cards and more.

4. Pay off any debt quickly - A recent analysis from NerdWallet¹⁰ found that two-thirds of holiday travelers will put holiday expenses on a credit card. Additionally, seven percent of holiday travelers that used a credit card to cover the bill in 2021 still haven’t paid off those balances. If you plan to take on debt for your travel this holiday season, make sure you are using a credit card with a low interest rate. Affinity’s Premium Visa¹¹ has a 2.99% introductory rate for the first 12-months, giving you more time to pay off the debt without high interest fees adding to the debt.

If you have questions about what Affinity cards or accounts would be a fit for your travel and spending plans give us a call at 800.325.0808 or visit us online at www.affinityfcu.com.¹²

This information is for informational purposes only, is intended to provide general guidance, and does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. Each person’s circumstances are different and may not apply to the specific information provided. You should seek the advice of a financial professional, tax consultant, and/or legal counsel to discuss your specific needs before making any financial or other commitments regarding the matters related to your condition.

1. Retrieved from: https://www.gasbuddy.com/
2. Retrieved from: https://www.ridester.com/how-does-getupside-work/
3. Retrieved from: https://www.fuelrewards.com/
4. Retrieved from: https://www.bp.com/en_us/united-states/home/products-and-services/bpme-rewards.html
5. Retrieved from: https://www.affinityfcu.com/tips-and-tools/affinity-connect-blog/2022/the-credit-card-rewards-you-need-to-know-about.aspx
6. Retrieved from: https://www.affinityfcu.com/Credit-Cards/Cashback-Rewards-Visa-Signature.aspx
7. Retrieved from: http://cloud.connect.affinityfcu.com/cashback
8. Retrieved from: https://www.affinityfcu.com/banking/checking/overdraft-protection.aspx
9. Retrieved from: https://www.affinityfcu.com/Credit-Cards/Pure-Rewards-Visa/index.aspx
10. Retrieved from: https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/travel/2022-holiday-travel-report
11. Retrieved from: https://www.affinityfcu.com/credit-cards/premium-visa.aspx
12. Retrieved from: http://www.affinityfcu.com