Premium Credit Cards in Smaller Cities: How to Make the Math Work

friends doing a wine tasting

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High-end credit cards are increasingly embracing “lifestyle” perks, such as entry into exclusive events, credits toward pricey hotels and fancy gyms, even memberships to a chain of medical practices that offer same-day appointments. When you live in a major city with access to merchants that partner with credit card companies (and access to large airports), it’s easy to imagine how you’d use many of these benefits.

I once fit this archetype — an urban-dwelling young adult with disposable income. I DoorDashed, Ubered and Lyfted. I joined friends for classes at luxurious gyms. I traveled frequently from the three airports near my home that offered nonstop flight options to much of the world.

Originally published on nerdwallet.com, part of the BLOX Digital Content Exchange.