Written by: Asher Smith
The thought of traveling thrills many people. The excitement of exploring new destinations, the joy of experiencing different cultures, and capturing those moments that are worthy of being posted on social media is palpable. However, for eco-conscious travelers, such trips can also come with some kind of guilt. The modes of transportation that we use for our adventures leave a lot of carbon footprint, which can be harmful to the environment. Well, not to worry, green warriors bitten by the bug of wanderlust.
The eco-friendly travel credit cards are here to help you out. They are not just about the standard points and miles but also reward you for making sustainable choices. So, if you are planning to hire a Limousine Service in Toronto for your expedition, there are many ways to explore new places, with which you will lower the carbon footprint. In this article, we will find out how an eco-friendly travel credit card works and how it can benefit you in your eco-friendly expedition while lowering your emission levels.
Table of Contents
How Does an Eco-Friendly Travel Card Work?
Although these cards are available for different purposes, they have one common major goal, which is to promote sustainable travel habits. Here’s how they do this thing:
Green Travel Rewards:
If you are someone who has been deeply influenced by the thoughts of Greta Thunberg and wants to travel without harming Mother Earth, you can earn points or cash back for choosing eco-friendly hotels, using public transportation, or booking electric vehicles. Imagine ditching a gas-guzzling vehicle and roaming around in a cute electric scooter. You would be able to capture some Instagram-worthy moments while ensuring a lighter carbon footprint. And nothing gets more sweeter than saving or earning money back.
Programs Created to Offset Carbon Footprints:
Some credit card companies have partnered with organizations that plant trees or invest in renewable energy projects to lower the carbon footprint of your purchase. In basic words, as you swipe, they will plant more trees, which is a win-win situation. Thus, it will allow you to travel without causing any harm to the mother nature.
Sustainable Materials:
The most important thing about these cards is that they are made out of recycled materials, which further lowers the environment impact. It may seem to be a small detail, but every little bit counts, isn’t it?
How to Find the Perfect Eco-Friendly Travel Credit Card for Yourself?
As the demand for eco-friendly credit cards is increasing in the market, it is important to choose the right one that can suit your travel style and spending habits. These cards are a great way to blend your love for travel with the desire to ensure a healthy and clean planet. You should also understand the variety of benefits they have, along with the environmental causes they support. But at the same time, you should also know which card suits your needs in the best manner. This will further help you save a lot of money and lower your carbon footprint. So, here are some important things you should consider while getting a credit card for your eco-friendly adventures:
Reward Structure:
Ever felt that sweet satisfaction of gaining rewards on various purchases? Well, this satisfactory feeling will get sweeter when you are spending money in an environmentally conscious manner. You just need to get a credit card from a company that offers rewards for travel, cash back, or donations for eco-friendly causes. This will help you earn a lot of points, which you can spend any time.
Green Travel Categories:
You should also know the kind of sustainable travel rewards you get from your credit card. Whether it is for using public transportation or an environment-friendly Limo Toronto, eco-friendly hotels, or lowering carbon offsets, it will help you understand how you can save more on your travel and contribute to the environment. Do you imagine yourself travelling in the Tokyo Subway System or relaxing in a beach resort run on solar power? Then, you need to choose a card that suits your travel preferences.
Annual Fees:
Some eco-friendly credit card companies offer higher annual fees. However, since they are made to lower the carbon footprint, their benefits can outweigh the cost if you travel quite often. You can consider it as an investment for your guilt-free travel expeditions.
Credit Score Requirements:
Well, before choosing any credit card, don’t you look at the requirements for their credit score? Well, you can do the same thing when choosing an eco-friendly credit card for travel purposes. Before applying for these cards, you need to ensure your credit score is in good shape, which will further make the application process easier.
By considering these factors, keep in mind that you can get the best credit card, which will help you travel around the world while keeping your carbon footprint low.
Top Eco-Friendly Credit Cards You Can Consider
Now that you know the benefits of having such kinds of credit cards, we have some of the best options. This will help you ensure a travel experience that won’t harm nature, given below:
The Green America Rewards Platinum Visa Card:
If you are looking for a credit card that supports environmental and social justice, this card is the right option for you. It donates a portion of your spending to such causes and is a great option for travelers who want to explore every place and lessen the ecological impact caused by traveling in a not-so-eco-friendly manner.
Doconomy DO Black Card:
Tree huggers rejoice. This credit card is the first in its segment that sets a monthly carbon footprint limit for your purchases and helps you lower your environmental impact with the help of UN-certified projects. Well, this will keep your traveling karma squeaky clean.
Citizen Bank Eco Rewards Mastercard:
This card is especially great for those who want to travel and cause as little harm to the environment as possible. A portion of its fees when you make purchases using the card are donated to various environmental initiatives. You can earn points that can be redeemed for travel, cash back, or donate to various charities. Most importantly, it doesn’t charge an annual fee.
Apart from all these things, you can do things to help you lower the environmental impact while traveling.
Eco-Friendly Hacks for Your Adventures
Eco-friendly credit cards are really great if you want to embark on a sustainable adventure. However, you can do further things that will help you lower the environmental impact while on the road. So, here are some additional tips that will help you achieve a lower carbon footprint while on your expedition:
Packing Light:
The heavier your luggage, the more fuel your plane has to burn. Plus, carrying those heavy suitcases around while traveling is always a pain in the neck and back, right? So, it is better to pack smartly and travel without carrying bulky luggage that can also leave you tired.
Try Traveling Slowly:
You should remember that you are on a journey, not competing in a race (Formula One or LeMans). One thing you can do is stay in one place for a longer period of time. You can choose to explore the local culture and the whole locality rather than getting on the next big tour. Furthermore, you can walk as much as possible to use transportation to reduce the footprint.
Choose Accommodation Facilities That Follow Eco-Friendly Practices:
To help create an eco-friendly trip, you can always opt for hotels and accommodation facilities that are committed to sustainability practices like the use of renewable energy, water conservation programs, and serve food that is locally sourced. This will help you lower the ecological impact, which the hospitality industry is notoriously famous for.
Exploring Like a Local:
Well, if you think we told you to walk, use bicycles, and use public transportation, you heard that right. This will help you explore the city from a different perspective, avoid getting stuck in congested traffic, and save some money while traveling around. By doing so, you can do your part to protect the environment while getting to know the region better.
If you follow these tips, you can save a lot of money and reduce your impact on the environment. You can also help to ensure the future generation breathes cleaner air and ensure they have the same resources you have in the future.
Final Words
Environmental conservation is a huge responsibility that everybody should diligently follow. However, our own negligence has increased the environmental impact that could deplete our resources and leave future generations with unclean air and water. However, with eco-friendly traveling, such things can be possible, and you can still see the world. We all should travel in a way that lowers the ecological impact to a significant level and ensures every non-renewable resource is conserved in a better manner. Furthermore, with the help of eco-friendly credit cards, we can earn points and redeem them for a good cause and contribute to the planet while seeing the world.