Around the world with 80 gadgets - Around the world with 80 gadgets

 Some credit card companies award bonus points whenever you use their card to buy something. We're talking only 1 % or so of the purchase price here, but it actually adds up nicely after a year or two. A very important issue here is of course to pay the bill in time!!

If you pay tons of interest for this service, you will end up paying for spending your money, which is not a good thing. And don't go crazy with all the available spending money.

I chose a credit card connected to a flight company. The bonus points can be used for buying tickets with them, and this company is the one I'm using for my first flight - from Oslo to London. In Norway it's very common to pay by card for almost everything, even for a pack of gum in the supermarket. It was important to me that it was free to use (i.e. no transaction costs) because I'd use it a lot. It did have a yearly fee, but my bonus points in just one year added up to at least 5-6 times this amount. In conclusion, I was very happy with it.

If you're still not convinced, here are some highlights:
- you spend money anyway, so why not earn a bit while doing it?
- you will get some interest on your savings/earnings account (not much these days, but every penny counts, right?)
- an extra credit card could come in handy if you get robbed or lose one of your cards
- paying travels by credit card often includes travel insurance (possibly not when you're out of your native country for more than a given period of time, always check this with your insurance agency)
- if your credit card is abused or used in a scam, you are more likely to get your money back than with a debit card
- makes it easier to travel with work as well (plus you'll get points for all your refundable expenses).

For triple "just in case"-safety I have thought of getting a 3rd card. As a Eurobonus member I can try the Diners Club card for a year without paying the annual fee. This card also gives you access to a number of airport lounges with Wifi, refreshments, snacks and shower priveleges, which could be nice after some serious time on the road. Or just when you have a lot of time on your hands in an airport (they are usually boring, crowded and expensive).

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