If you like to travel but don’t have a travel rewards credit card, it might be a good time to get one and start earning points toward free flights and hotel stays. When used wisely, these rewards cards can stretch your travel budget, so you can visit more places, extend vacations or upgrade accommodations. 227 a year in bonus travel — after accounting for annual fees — by using one of these cards. 901 — during the first year.

This higher figure includes a sign-up bonus (available on many cards right now) and removes the annual fee (which is often waived the first year). Is it time for a new credit card, 5,000 — on that card in the first three months. 450 in rewards after accounting for first-year annual fees.

You should apply for a rewards card at least five months before a planned trip, NerdWallet suggests. That gives you time to earn the sign-up bonus, points you can use to buy your plane ticket or free nights at your hotel. Rewards cards can encourage spending that leads to budget-busting behavior.

About one-third of those with a travel rewards card (34 percent) say they often overspend to earn points for a trip, according to a NerdWallet nationwide survey. This was more common for millennials (50 percent) as compared with Gen Xers (37 percent) and baby boomers (19 percent). In fact, 10 percent of those who don’t have a travel rewards card say it’s because they’re concerned they would overspend just to earn more rewards.

To qualify for a credit card with the most generous rewards — whether cash-back or travel — you’ll need good to excellent credit, typically a score of 700 or higher. Don’t even consider a rewards card unless you pay your credit card bill in full each month. “If you're carrying a balance on your credit card each month, any benefits you earn are quickly erased by what you're paying in interest and fees,” NerdWallet’s credit card expert Kimberly Palmer told NBC News BETTER.

NerdWallet ran the numbers. Do you pay on time, With some rewards cards, you’ll lose a month’s points if you miss a payment, Consumer Reports cautions in its Best Reward Card Buying Guide. 95, that is waived for the first year. After that, these cards can cost you money, if you don’t make enough purchases to earn a decent amount of points.

The Bank of America Travel Rewards card, a NerdWallet top pick, has no fee. “If you're a relatively modest spender, it can be a good card for you because it has a pretty low threshold,” said Palmer said. 450) are designed for road warriors. Much of their value is in the perks.

200, plus access to more than a thousand airport lounges worldwide. Another option: If you tend to favor one airline or hotel chain, consider getting a credit card co-branded with that airline or hotel. Jill Gonzales, senior analyst at WalletHub, says these co-branded cards have some money-saving perks that are going to be “a lot more lucrative to you” than one of the general-use travel cards.

The best airline and hotel rewards cards offer big sign-up bonuses and discount vouchers on the anniversary of opening the account. 200 per round trip for a family of four. Credit cards are not one-size fits all. Rewards cards are specifically targeted at various segments of the market. To find the one that’s right for you, you’ll need to compare reward structure, annual fee, interest rate, sign-up bonus and other perks. Here are some resources that can make the process easier. Want more tips like these, NBC News BETTER is obsessed with finding easier, healthier and smarter ways to live. Sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Depends on the kind of card one is applying for. Some cards have no joining fee. Depends on the kind of card one is applying for. Some cards have no joining fee. Depends on the kind of card one is applying for. Note - The rates/fees and charges may be changed by the banks at any time.