Credit Cards

Credit One Refreshes Wander Card with New Travel Rewards

by Fioney StaffAug 23, 2022

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Less than one year after introducing its Wander rewards credit card, Credit One is revamping the offering. Specifically, while the original card featured rewards geared toward outdoor enthusiasts, the updated card bears more in common with traditional travel cards.

One of the biggest changes to the Wander card is its rewards category line-up. Now, cardholders will earn 10 points per dollar spent on hotel and rental car purchases made through Credit One Bank’s travel partner. Additionally, customers will earn 5x points on other travel purchases, 5x points on dining, 5x points on gas, and 1x on all other purchases.

Previously, the card’s top reward category was 5x points on eligible recreational and amusement park purchases (including national parks, theatrical productions, tourist attractions, museums, aquariums, zoos, and professional sporting events) while also earning 3x points on eligible restaurant purchases, 3x on lodging purchases, and the same 1x points on everything else. The updated Wander card will retain the same $95 annual fee, which is not waived for the first year.

Also getting a refresh is the card’s welcome bonus. Initially, the Wander card offered a unique bonus that allowed new cardholders to earn an $80 statement credit when they use their card to purchase a National Park Pass in person or online. Now, customers will be able to score 10,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in eligible purchases on the card within their first 90 days. These points amount to $100 in statement credits, gift cards, or travel.

Regarding the changes to the Wander card, Credit One Bank’s SVP of marketing John Coombe said in a statement, “We are excited to be giving new Wander Card members an easy way to make travel purchases and earn more valuable rewards. The Credit One Bank Wander Card is hands down the best travel credit card available for less than $100 and these exciting new benefits, including direct access to a vast collection of travel offerings, will help provide our customers with more rewarding adventures.”

On the one hand, it’s slightly sad to see the Wander — which was a different type of travel card — turn into a more generic offering. It’s also somewhat surprising to see this overhaul so soon after the original version’s launch last September. At the same time, the refreshed card does seem to present a better value than the original. For a fee of $95, customers could potentially earn 5x points on popular categories including travel purchases, dining, and gas. Plus, there’s the 10x category for booking through their specified platform. Because of this, travelers who want a simple and less-expensive rewards card option may be interested in this refreshed Wander card.

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