Dreaming of a wine vacation but feel like it’s out of your budget? Or want access to unique wine experiences but not sure how to find them?
As a wine travel writer, I’m on the road often. And I know travel expenses add up fast. So, what’s my secret to keeping it wallet-friendly? Credit card travel rewards.
They’ve saved me thousands. And have made my trips even more enjoyable with all the extra perks.
It’s not just about free flights and hotels. Travel rewards can unlock a world of wine-focused travel experiences. From booking wine tastings to securing hard-to-get reservations to getting wine purchases home, they offer so many ways to enhance your trip.
So, whether you’re saving up for your first wine vacation or you’re a frequent wine traveler, I’m here to show you how to make your next trip affordable and unforgettable.
I’ve partnered with CardRatings to help recommend my favorite travel credit card products. Wine Travelista and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. My opinions, reviews, analyses, and recommendations are mine alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.
Getting the Most out of Travel Rewards
Before we dive into the specific perks you can use for your wine tasting travels, let’s go over some tips to ensure you’re getting the most from your travel rewards.
- Use Credit Cards Wisely – Treat your credit card like your favorite bottle of wine – to be enjoyed responsibly. Stick to your normal spending habits and pay off the full balance monthly. Remember, paying interest is like pouring your rewards down the drain.
- Have a Plan – There’s no point earning a bunch of random points if you can’t use them. Do your homework. Pinpoint which rewards will best benefit your travel itinerary. And set your sights on earning them with purpose.
- Maximize Your Spending – Use your credit card on all possible purchases. Think utilities, insurance, and the weekly grocery haul. And pay attention to which cards offer extra points in certain categories (e.g., 5X on groceries). Some even have quarterly promotions that you can opt into.
- Take Advantage of Card Benefits – Make sure you meet the minimum spend for welcome offers. And review your other card benefits carefully to get the most out of them. Otherwise, the annual fee may not be worth it.
- Keep Track of Rewards – Create a spreadsheet to track your rewards points, progress toward welcome offers, and use of other card benefits. The last thing you want is to find out too late that you were a few dollars short of earning thousands of points. It’s a good idea to document all your frequent flyer and loyalty program details here as well so you have everything in one place.
Following these tips will help you avoid costly mistakes and make the most of credit card travel rewards.
What’s in My Wallet
These are the cards I’ve personally used to save thousands and access great perks while traveling to wine regions throughout the world.
My everyday card
My choice for international travel
My go-to for U.S. flights
My pick for international flights
My favorite for wine experiences & dining
My preferred card for hotels
My business card
Flights to Wine Destinations
I rarely pay full price for flights. And many times, I can book them almost entirely on points or miles. It’s all about maximizing travel rewards to get the most value.
First things first: sign up for those airline loyalty programs. Earn miles on the daily. And keep a close eye on expiration dates. Earning, redeeming, or transferring some points can usually keep them active.
Now, let’s cover my go-to strategies for flying on points to wine destinations:
- Companion Pass – The coveted Southwest Companion Pass allows you to BOGO your U.S. flights with a designated companion. Not many of us fly the 100 flights per year needed to qualify. So, your best bet is earning it through credit card points. You can get there even faster by combining points from a personal and business credit card.
- Frequent Flyer Miles – Book flights using frequent flyer miles by transferring to airline partners. This is a great way to use points earned through a welcome offer or referral bonus. Tip: Pay attention to the points transfer rate so you don’t get shortchanged.
- Flight Booking Portals – Many credit cards have their own travel portals where your points could mean more value. Just make sure to cross-check prices and points with other sites to confirm you’re snagging the best deal.
- Annual Travel Credit – Check if your card gives you an annual credit on travel purchases through their booking portal. This can be as much as several hundred dollars, covering a portion or all of your flight.
- Partner Airline Booking – Some airline frequent flyer sites allow you to book with partner airlines. For example, United Airlines miles can be used on 35 different airlines worldwide, including TAP Portugal and Turkish Airlines. Or with Alaska Airlines miles, you can book with 28 international partners like British Airways and Aer Lingus.
Airport Perks
I love that credit cards offer benefits for making your airport experience more pleasant. And saving money on those pesky baggage fees. Here are some I use regularly in my travels:
- Expedited Security – Speed through security (and keep your shoes on) with application fee credits on TSA Pre-Check, Global Entry, and CLEAR Plus membership.
- Airport Lounge Access – Many premium credit cards include membership to Priority Pass, which gives you access to hundreds of airport lounges throughout the world. And some even have their own lounges exclusive to card members. Take advantage of this for a more comfortable and relaxing start to your wine-focused journey. Plus, lounges often offer complimentary food and beverages (yes, free wine!) you can enjoy before your flight.
- Baggage Fee Savings – Some airline cards waive checked baggage fees for cardholders. This may even extend to your travel crew too.
- Boarding Perks – Get priority boarding with automatic airline status and other card benefits. Or with certain cards, receive annual credits for perks like early check-in, so you can snag the best seat.
Traveling to International Wine Regions
Wine tasting abroad? Credit card benefits are your passport to save money, protect your trip, and help you out if something goes wrong. Here’s how:
- No Foreign Transaction Fees – Save on currency conversion fees with cards that offer no foreign transaction fees. This can add up big time, especially if you’re a frequent traveler. That means more money to spend on that extra bottle of Burgundy.
- Global Entry Credit – Skip the lines at the airport on international trips. Some cards offer a credit for the Global Entry application fee and renewal.
- Trip Insurance – When traveling to remote wine regions, having trip insurance can be a lifesaver. Certain credit cards offer travel protections like trip cancellation or interruption insurance. This can include reimbursement for nonrefundable expenses if your trip is delayed or canceled due to unforeseen circumstances.
- Luggage Insurance – Don’t let delayed (or lost) bags ruin your trip. With the right card, you’ll be covered with financial assistance through delayed luggage insurance or lost luggage reimbursement.
- Travel Emergency Assistance – If something goes awry on your trip, some cards offer services that can help you get emergency support like medical or legal assistance.
- International Booking Portal – Find flights, hotels, car rentals, and more in your international destination that you can book with points or get reimbursed for using annual travel credit benefits.
- Free Replacement Card – Lost or stolen credit card? Many companies will send you a replacement through expedited international delivery while you’re traveling.
Accommodations in Wine Country
Searching for that perfect home away from home in wine country? Credit card rewards can unlock doors to places that might not otherwise be in your budget. And take your stay from ordinary to extraordinary. Check out these tips to find out how:
- Free Nights – Some hotel credit cards offer free nights as part of the welcome bonus or as a card anniversary reward. And look out for deals like “stay 4 nights, get the 5th free” to extend your savings.
- Hotel Rewards Points – Book reward stays by transferring points to hotel partners like Marriott, Hyatt, and IHG. This is a great way to use your welcome offer or referral bonus.
- Hotel Booking Portals – Use your card’s booking site to make points stretch further for hotel stays. Just make sure to compare prices and points with other sites to confirm you’re getting the best deal.
- Annual Travel Credit – Check if your card gives you an annual credit on travel purchases through their booking portal. This can be as much as several hundred dollars, covering a night or two at a hotel.
- Hotel Status – Stay like a VIP with automatic elite hotel status with many hotel cards. This can mean you’re first in line for bonuses like room upgrades.
- More Perks – By using your credit card, you may get extra perks like late checkout, free breakfast, complimentary Wi-Fi, spa discounts, and hotel lounge access. And in wine country, this could even include wine-related amenities or experiences.
Ground Transportation to Wineries
Once you’ve arrived at your wine destination, it can be tricky to figure out how to get around. Most regions are pretty rural so you’ll either need to rent a car, hire a driver, or take a tour.
These credit card benefits not only cut costs but also give you peace of mind while you’re sipping your way through wine country:
- Car Rentals – Use your points to rent a car, making it easier to explore different vineyards and wine regions at your own pace. Just be sure to appoint a designated driver. Or get good at spitting your wine.
- Driving Services – Some credit cards offer chauffeur services that can be booked with points, so you can leave the driving to someone else.
- Wine Tours – An organized tour is a great way to go wine tasting without the stress of researching, making reservations, and driving. Check the activities section of credit card booking portals to see if you can book these on points or at a discounted rate.
- Rental Car Insurance – Many credit cards offer some form of rental car insurance coverage. This may cover things above and beyond what your personal auto insurance covers, such as collision or loss damage and even towing expenses. Check what your card covers in advance. And make sure to use that credit card to pay for the rental.
- Rental Car Status – Some cards come with automatic status with rental car companies. This gives you perks like discounted rates, vehicle upgrades, and VIP pick-up and returns.
Wine Tastings, Experiences, and Events
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a casual sipper, your credit card can be your ticket to exclusive wine experiences and save you money along the way.
Here’s how you can tap into those benefits to make the most of your visits to wine regions:
- Wine Activities on Points – Many credit card companies have their own travel booking portals where you can use your points to book various travel-related activities. Look for wine tours, wine tasting sessions, or even cooking classes with a focus on wine pairings. Some of these may even be discounted for card members.
- Exclusive Wine Experiences – Some rewards programs allow you to redeem points for one-of-a-kind experiences like private tastings, meet-and-greets with winemakers, or winemaking workshops.
- Discounts in Sonoma, California – With Visa Signature and Visa Infinite cards you can get benefits like 2-for-1 tastings and discounts on bottle purchases at participating wineries in Sonoma County. Learn more here.
- Concierge Services – Some cards (including Visa Infinite & Signature) come with concierge services, which can be invaluable in planning your wine-focused trip. They can assist with booking reservations, arranging private tours, or even sourcing tickets for exclusive wine events.
- Complimentary Subscriptions – Check if your card comes with any complimentary wine-related subscriptions. These can get you access to premium content to help with your trip planning. And you may also receive invitations to special wine events, tastings, and gourmet dinners.
Local Dining and Wine Pairing
For me, experiencing wine country is (almost) as much about the food as it is about the wine. But let’s be honest, dining out can add up quickly.
And who has time to spend hours mining the internet for the best tasting menus with wine pairings? Or calling the maître d’ daily to check for cancellations?
Here’s where I let my credit card benefits step in, saving dollars and sparing hassles:
- Food and Wine Experiences – Use credit card points to book food and wine experiences, wine dinners, cooking classes, and more. Some credit card booking portals have a whole dining section that offers these. And they may even be exclusive to cardholders.
- Hard-to-Get Reservations – Premium cards may partner with top-rated restaurants to set aside tables just for cardholders. So, wine-ing and dining at that Michelin-star-rated restaurant you’ve been dreaming about can be a reality. You may even get special perks from the restaurant with your booking.
- In-Flight Dining – Some airline cards give discounts on in-flight food and beverage purchases. So, you can order that glass of wine with your charcuterie snack pack.
- Discounts on Food Delivery – Want to enjoy that local bottle of wine you picked up while dining in the comfort of your hotel room? Look out for complimentary subscriptions to food delivery apps, so you can save on service fees.
- Earn While Dining – Check if your credit card offers increased points for dining purchases. You can rack up extra points while traveling that can be used for your next wine-country trip.
Bringing Wine Purchases Home
Your trip may be ending, but you can keep the memories going by bringing back a piece of wine country.
These are some ways you can use travel rewards to get your wine home and protect it during the journey:
- Southwest Airlines – Enjoy Southwest’s generous baggage policy when traveling within the U.S., which includes two free checked bags. Pack an extra bag for your return trip to fill up with your new finds. And for even more savings, use a credit card that earns points with Southwest to cover your airfare.
- Alaska Airlines – Mileage Plan members can check a case of wine for free on this airline when flying from 32 West Coast cities to any Alaska Airlines city in the U.S. This includes airports near wine destinations in California, Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. Look out for cards that partner with Alaska Airlines so you can travel on points too.
- Wine Shipping Insurance: Some credit cards offer purchase protection, which can be valuable if you’re shipping your precious wine purchases back home. Check if your card offers this benefit and the terms associated with it.
The right credit card rewards can really make a difference on your wine tasting travels, helping you save money and enjoy extra perks along the way. With the tips from this guide, you’re all set to plan your next trip with confidence.
So, pack your bags and get ready for a journey that’s as rewarding as the destinations themselves. Here’s to smooth sipping and smart spending on your next wine country getaway!
My Favorite Travel Rewards Cards
These are the travel rewards cards that I personally use for my own wine country travels.
My everyday card
My choice for international travel
My go-to for U.S. flights
My pick for international flights
My favorite for wine experiences & dining
My preferred card for hotels
My business card
I’ve partnered with CardRatings to help recommend my favorite travel credit card products. Wine Travelista and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. My opinions, reviews, analyses, and recommendations are mine alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.