The BB&T Spectrum Travel Rewards Credit Card has a special offer for 20,000 bonus miles when you spend at least $2,000 in the first 90 days of opening your account. The BB&T says that their miles have a $200 value. Including the $89 annual fee, the welcome bonus will handle the cost of the credit card for approximately two years. See our list for more travel cards including the Gold Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express.
The Spectrum Travel Rewards card offers twice the mileage on travel spendings that meet the qualifications which you can use in many different ways. With the annual $50 airline incidental credit and TSA Precheck or Global Entry payments included in the set, it’s not a bad option if you are seeking for a travel card with flexible rewards.
If you are not able to afford paying $89 a year on a credit card, you’ll want to think about searching for no-annual-fee options instead.
Spectrum Travel Rewards Card Quick Facts
Bonus Available | Receive 20,000 bonus miles when $2,000 is spent within the first 90 days of opening your account. |
Bonus Value | $200 |
Travel Credit | Enjoy an annual $50 statement credit towards airline incidentals. |
Ongoing Rewards/Benefits | Get 2x miles on air, hotel and rental car purchases and 1x miles on any other desired purchases.
Earn up to $100 as credit for the TSA Precheck or Global Entry application fee every 4 years. |
Foreign Transaction Fees? | No |
Airport Lounge Access | No |
Annual Fee | $89, waived your first year. |
Recommended Free Credit Score (Get Free Score)
690 – 850 (Good – Excellent)
*If interested see our list of BB&T Bank bonuses for Checking & Savings accounts.*
Pros
- Welcome bonus
- Annual airline incidentals credit
- TSA Precheck/Global Entry credit
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Annual fee
- Good-Excellent credit needed to qualify
- Restricted definition of “travel”
- Limited availability
Editor’s Alternate Pick
The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card offers 40,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees. You'll earn: • 2X Miles on Delta purchases, at U.S. Supermarkets and at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. • 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. • $100 Delta Stays Credit: Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card Members can earn up to $100 back annually on eligible prepaid Delta Stays bookings on delta.com. • $200 Delta Flight Credit: After you spend $10,000 in purchases in a year, you can receive a $200 Delta Flight Credit to use toward future travel. Receive a 20% savings in the form of a statement credit on eligible Delta in-flight purchases after using your Card. Want even more flexibility? Take up to $50 off the cost of your flight for every 5,000 miles you redeem with Pay with Miles when you book on delta.com. You can check your first bag free on Delta flights, saving up to $60 on a round-trip Delta flight per person. For a family of four that's a potential savings of up to $240 per round-trip flight. Receive Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding on Delta flights; board early, stow your carry-on bag and settle in sooner. There is a $150 annual fee ($0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150) and no foreign transaction fees. (See Rates & Fees). Now, you'll get get more savings with your first checked bag for free on Delta flights. Terms Apply. |
Spectrum Travel Rewards Card 20,000 Miles Bonus Offer
Make use of the Spectrum Travel Rewards card’s 20,000 bonus miles offer. The BB&T page says that their 20k points are worth about $200.
If you would like to qualify, charge a minimum of $2,000 to your card in the first 90 days from the account opening.
Here are some ideas on meeting the spending requirement:
What are Spectrum Miles Worth?
Compared to other travel rewards cards, depending on how you chose to use your miles the value of it will vary. The BB&T states that each Spectrum mile is worth about $0.01. That’s an equal standing with the industry average.
When your miles are ready to be used, you have a couple different choices to chose from, including:
- Travel
- Statement Credits
- Gift Cards
To receive the highest profit from your Spectrum miles, use them when booking hotels. They’re worth 75% more when used like this.
Spectrum Travel Rewards Card Top Features
Collect a statement credit of up to $50 each year for all airline incidental transactions that meet the qualifications. This would include checking bag fees, inflight purchases and more.
If you use this feature to its full extent, you’ll reduce the card’s annual cost from $89 to $39.
Receive a statement credit every four years for the TSA Precheck ($85) or Global Entry ($100) program. Owning a membership to whichever program you chose would mean that you are a low-risk traveler. That would mean you can pass through airport security much faster, without having to remove your shoes, liquids or electronics from your carry-on luggage.
Make purchases abroad without worrying about foreign transaction fees with the Spectrum Travel Rewards card.
Spectrum Travel Rewards Card Availability
The Spectrum Travel Rewards card is limited in certain locations in BB&T’s network. That includes:
- Alabama
- District of Colombia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Indiana
- Kentucky
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Maryland
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
- New Jersey
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- Virginia
- West Virginia
If you live in a different area that is not listed above, you will need to think about looking at different credit card options.
Bottom Line
The Spectrum Travel Rewards card isn’t very eye catching. The most interesting feature this rewards card has is the welcome bonus that will be worth about $200. The airline incidental and TSA Precheck credits looks like it is only there to condone the card’s $89 annual fee. With the limited “travel” bonus category that only covers air, hotel and rental car purchases, it would be easier to find better valued travel rewards cards.
(Visit BB&T Spectrum for more details)
What’s the Competition?
There will be some of the top competitors for BB&T Travel Rewards credit cards that you should evaluate listed below.
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers a one-time bonus of 75,000 Miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening. You're able to earn: • 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day. • 5 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel This card does come with a $95 annual fee. Enjoy no foreign transaction fees and receive up to $100 application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✔®. |
The United℠ Business Card offers 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. You can also receive 5,000-mile better-together anniversary bonus when you have the United Business Card and a personal United credit card. You'll earn 2X miles per $1 spent on United purchases, dining (including eligible delivery services), at gas stations, office supply stores, and on local transit and commuting; 1X mile per $1 spent on all other purchases. The card does carry a $99 annual fee ($0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $99). You're able to save up to $140 per round-trip with a free checked bag. In addition, you can enjoy priority boarding privileges and have the opportunity for two one-time United ClubSM passes each year — Over $100 in value per year. Also, enjoy $100 annual United travel credit after 7 United flight purchases of $100 or more. Member FDIC |