4 Credit Card Perks I Won't Travel Without

I've been using travel credit cards for over eight years. During that time, I've tried most of the popular travel cards and have gotten all kinds of perks out of them. Not all of these benefits have been that useful for me. But a few of them are so valuable that I couldn't imagine traveling without them.

If you're looking for a travel card, here are the perks that have made the biggest impact for me.

1. Airport lounge access

Airport lounge access was the first credit card perk I got really excited about. No more waiting around in a cramped seat and overspending on snacks. With this benefit, you get to visit airport lounges free of charge, relax in more comfortable furniture, and enjoy free food and drinks.

This is a popular feature, so some lounges can get crowded. It's still a whole lot more pleasant than waiting for your flight in the general boarding area. Visiting an airport lounge also makes your whole trip feel more special.

Looking for a credit card that will get you into airport lounges? Click here for our list of the best credit cards with airport lounge access.

2. Bonus points on dining

I spend a lot more on dining when I'm traveling, and I'd imagine it's the same for most travelers. It's hard to prepare meals on vacation unless you rent a place with a kitchen. Even if you do, people usually don't feel like cooking too much when they're on vacation.

I always make sure to have a card that earns bonus dining rewards. The card I normally use earns 3 points per $1 on dining, which includes restaurants, cafes, bars, and food delivery. On $1,000 in spending, that's 3,000 points, compared to only 1,000 points if I used a card earning 1 point per $1.

3. Complimentary travel insurance

I rented a car recently. After I returned it, the rental agency emailed me to let me know there was a scratch. It included a picture where it was impossible to see anything, and a request to pay $593 in repairs.

This issue's still in progress, as I'm not going to pay anything until I see proof of the damage. But even if the scratch is legitimate, I'm not worried, because I paid with a credit card that includes complimentary rental car insurance. I can file a claim and have my credit card insurance cover the cost of the damage.

I pay for all my travel bookings with a card that has travel insurance protections. It gives me peace of mind and saves me money in these kinds of situations. Here are the protections I make sure to have:

• Rental car damage and theft insurance
• Lost/delayed baggage insurance
• Trip delay/interruption insurance

4. A free Global Entry membership

Many of the top credit cards for travel will cover your membership fee with your choice of either the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck program. Wait times can be longer for a Global Entry interview, but it's the better option. When you're approved for Global Entry, you also get TSA PreCheck. It's like a two-for-one deal.

Here's how each program works:

• With Global Entry, you get expedited service going through immigrations and customs at over 70 airports. I've gotten through immigration in less than a minute by using Global Entry kiosks.
• With TSA PreCheck, you can use expedited security lanes at over 200 U.S. airports. These are faster and don't require you to remove your shoes or take out your laptop.

No one likes waiting in airport security lines. Global Entry costs $120 for a five-year membership. That's a reasonable price, but it's even better when you're getting it for free.

Those are my favorite travel perks and the ones I use most often. To see cards with these and many other travel benefits, check out our list of the best travel rewards cards and open one today.