» This card is no longer available
The Orbitz Rewards® Visa® Card was discontinued by the issuer in 2021. See our best travel credit cards or best hotel credit cards for other options. Below is our review from when the Orbitz Rewards® Visa® Card was still available.
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If you’re a diehard fan of Orbitz and its loyalty program, the Orbitz Rewards® Visa® Card can boost your rewards. But for everybody else, this card’s complex rewards system probably requires too much effort and will lead to frustration.
Like a few other co-branded travel cards, the complexity comes from awkwardly weaving together rewards earned via the credit card and rewards earned via an existing loyalty program. The card has 10 different rewards rates based on what you’re buying with it — and sometimes based on whether you purchase using the Orbitz app or via its website in a browser. And those rewards, while potentially generous, are also limiting:
One of the highest rewards rates is for hotel reservations, but only if they’re prepaid.
Rewards expire in a mere 12 months unless you use the card to reset the clock.
Rewards can be used only on one type of travel expenditure on Orbitz: hotel bookings.
On the plus side, the card has an annual fee of $0, and its rewards for non-bonus categories — the “everything else” category — is the equivalent of a healthy 2% back on spending.
But before you apply for this card, consult NerdWallet’s roundup of best travel rewards credit cards, or our picks for best airline or hotel cards. Many travel rewards cards have some built-in complexity, but the Orbitz Rewards® Visa® Card takes it to the stratosphere.
» MORE: Credit cards with potentially confusing rewards programs
Orbitz Rewards® Visa® Card: Basics
Annual fee: $0.
Sign-up bonus: Receive a $100 statement credit when you spend $1,500 with your Orbitz Rewards® Visa® in the first 90 days of account opening..
Ongoing rewards:
Rewards earned on the Orbitz Rewards® Visa® Card are called "Orbucks," and they come on top of the Orbucks you earn by being a member of the separate Orbitz Rewards Program. (Program membership is free, but if you're not already a member, Orbitz will ask you to join in order to apply for the credit card.)
Read below for specifics, but generally, here are the rates you can earn through that combination:
9% back (in Orbucks) on eligible prepaid hotel stays and activities booked on the Orbitz mobile app.
8% back on eligible prepaid hotel stays and activities booked on Orbitz.com.
7% back on eligible flights and travel packages booked on the Orbitz app.
6% back on eligible flights and travel packages booked on Orbitz.com.
5% back on all other qualifying Orbitz purchases.
2% back on all other purchases. (Rental-car bookings and non-prepaid hotel bookings are not bonus categories. They earn this 2% “everything else” rate of rewards.)
Orbucks can only be used to book hotel stays on Orbitz. Each Orbuck equals $1 when redeeming it for a hotel booking. Orbucks expire unless you use your card at least once every 12 months.
Interest rate: The ongoing APR is 17.49%-26.49% Variable APR.
Foreign transaction fees: None.
Balance transfer fee: Either $10 or 5% of the amount of the balance transfer, whichever is greater.
Other perks:
Automatic Gold status, which can get you free Wi-Fi and breakfast at certain hotel properties.
Travel protections, including lost and stolen baggage coverage and accident coverage.
Cardholders who qualify for additional Visa Signature benefits will also receive free room upgrades at Visa Signature luxury hotels, exclusive discounts at top retailers and access to select sporting events and other experiences. You also get a six-month Clear trial membership and $60 off automatic renewal.
» MORE: Best credit cards to use on discount travel websites
How the rewards program works
For bonus categories, part of your rewards rate is earned from the Orbitz loyalty program, and part is earned from the Orbitz credit card. The card gives you 5 extra percentage points (in Orbucks) on top of what you'd earn via the rewards program, in four bonus categories:
The card also adds 2% back in Orbucks on “everything else."
Adding to the complexity, when you book travel through Orbitz with your Orbitz Rewards® Visa® Card, you'll earn rewards at different rates based on whether you book through the Orbitz mobile app or on the web at Orbitz.com.
Here's how the rewards break down:
Type of booking via Orbitz | | With the extra 5% from the Orbitz Rewards® Visa® Card |
|---|
Prepaid hotels and activities | 4% via app 3% via Orbitz.com
| 9% via app 8% via Orbitz.com
|
Flights/prepaid packages | 2% via app 1% via Orbitz.com
| 7% via app 6% via Orbitz.com
|
Cruises and other qualifying Orbitz purchases | None | 5% |
All other spending on the card | N/A | 2% |
» MORE: Why the Orbitz Rewards® Visa® Card is worthwhile for Orbitz loyalists
FAQs
The Orbitz Rewards® Visa® Card will soon splash down for good. The Comenity-issued card, which had been closed to new applications since April 2021, is being discontinued entirely. As of Oct. 4, 2021, existing cardholders will no longer be able to use it to make purchases.
How many credit cards are too many? ›
Owning more than two or three credit cards can become unmanageable for many people. However, your credit needs and financial situation are unique, so there's no hard and fast rule about how many credit cards are too many. The important thing is to make sure that you use your credit cards responsibly.
What are the benefits of the Orbitz credit card? ›
Orbitz Rewards® Visa® Card: Basics
- 9% back (in Orbucks) on eligible prepaid hotel stays and activities booked on the Orbitz mobile app.
- 8% back on eligible prepaid hotel stays and activities booked on Orbitz.com.
- 7% back on eligible flights and travel packages booked on the Orbitz app.
You may view the expiration date of all earned, unexpired, and unredeemed Orbucks in the “My Orbucks Activity” section of “My Account.” Expiration occurs at 11:59 p.m. Central Time on the date listed. If Your account is deactivated, Orbitz reserves the right to expire all of Your Orbucks.
Why was Orbitz discontinued? ›
Why Did Orbitz Fail? The flavor of Orbitz was reminiscent of fruity cough syrup, and although the orbs were an enhancing touch, having to chew through each sip resulted in its novelty fading rather quickly.
Why did credit card stop working? ›
The quickest way to do so is to contact your card issuer immediately. Your credit card could get declined for a variety of reasons, including an expired card, exceeding your credit limit or fraud prevention.
What is a 5 24 rule? ›
What is the 5/24 rule? Many card issuers have criteria for who can qualify for new accounts, but Chase is perhaps the most strict. Chase's 5/24 rule means that you can't be approved for most Chase cards if you've opened five or more personal credit cards (from any card issuer) within the past 24 months.
Does cancelling a credit card hurt your credit? ›
Closing a credit card could lower your credit score. That's because it could lead to a higher credit utilization ratio, reduce the average age of your accounts and hurt your credit mix. Before closing a credit card, it's wise to consider these factors and the potential impact on your credit score.
Should you cancel credit cards if you have too many? ›
Having a lot of credit cards won't necessarily hurt your credit score significantly if you handle them responsibly. However, if you need to cancel a card, do your best to reduce all your credit card balances first (preferably to $0), so you can either minimize or avoid any credit score damage.
Does Orbitz have a loyalty program? ›
Orbitz has a rewards program
It's free to join and you can earn rewards called Orbucks on most travel purchases, including: Flights. Hotels. Activities.
All you have to do is join our free Orbitz Rewards program. Plus, check out all current promo codes here, and see the latest offerings below to cash in on all Orbitz has to offer—yes, it's that easy.
What is VIP access on Orbitz? ›
VIP Access is a collection of high-quality properties that offer extra perks for our most loyal members. Great reviews. These top properties are beloved by customers like you. Top perks. Gold and Platinum members get perks like free breakfast and spa credits, plus room upgrades when available (Platinum only).
Which is better, Expedia or Orbitz? ›
Orbitz redemptions are limited to hotel bookings; if they're a large part of your travel expenses, Orbitz is probably the superior program. Expedia points are more varied, however: They can be redeemed to pay for hotels, airfare, rental cars, and attractions.
What are the tiers of Orbitz rewards? ›
Orbitz Rewards elite status. The Orbitz Rewards elite status program entails three tiers: Silver, Gold and Platinum.
Why isn't Orbitz working? ›
One of the main causes of Orbitz website down is actually your connection to the Internet. When you have a slow or unreliable connection, Orbitz may not be able to work properly. Sometimes, you may not even realize that you have a connectivity problem until you try and use the service.
Why no one is giving me credit card? ›
If your credit card application has been denied, it's important to fix the possible reasons, such as a low credit score, low income, limited credit history, irregular payment, etc. By following healthy financial practices, you can reduce the likelihood of future credit card application denials.
Is Orbitz now Expedia? ›
First of all, Expedia owns Orbitz; it's literally the same company. It's even the same booking engine from the hotel-side of things. If you ask me to look up your Orbitz reservation and I can't find it on my end for some reason, I'm going to the Expedia booking portal to find it. Same with Hotels or Travelocity.
Do credit cards get discontinued? ›
There are a few reasons why credit card issuers choose to discontinue their credit cards. It could be because not enough consumers are applying for that specific credit card and the credit card issuer isn't making enough money from it.
