6 Souvenirs You Won’t Regret Buying (and 5 You Might)

For some travelers, shopping for souvenirs is a vacation highlight. Whether along a street of indie boutiques in a big city or at a craft market by the beach, hunting for items that you won’t find back home can be a thrill. What’s more, every time you use or wear your purchases — or spot a friend with something you gifted them — can trigger happy memories of the place you explored.

Unfortunately, it’s all too easy to come home with overpriced trinkets that you quickly tire of or even regret. Being more thoughtful about the types of souvenirs you bring home from your vacation can make your trip more memorable and save you some money. While the “best” souvenirs will depend on your own specific likes, interests, and budget, these tips can help you shop smarter.

How Much Should You Spend on Souvenirs?

Just as with any other part of your finances, you will want to have a budget for your travel souvenirs. Without one, you’re likely to end up spending more than you intend.

But how much to spend on souvenirs? The exact amount depends on what’s important to you.

•   One strategy is to decide beforehand what kind of souvenirs you want to bring back from your trip. Let’s say you’re heading to California and are excited to visit a certain clothing shop you’ve been following on social media. You may want to designate the cost of a typical, say, shirt or pair of pants in your budget.

•   If you’ve already maxed out your budget on plane tickets and a boutique hotel, however, you may want to allocate just $20 or so for a little something to remind you of your trip. (Note: Don’t fool yourself with book now, pay later travel plans; you definitely need to account for those charges you will owe and not overspend when traveling.)

•   Another thing to keep in mind is budgeting for children’s souvenirs. One way that families can afford to travel is by keeping the overall souvenir budget low. Souvenirs may be even more meaningful for kids than parents, so one strategy is to give each child a set budget beforehand if they are old enough to do basic math. That way, instead of having them constantly asking for souvenirs during their trip, they know that they have a specific budget and can plan accordingly.

What Are the Most Popular Souvenirs?

Here is a list of some of the most popular souvenirs that travelers bring home from their vacation. While they tend to be mass-produced (and have no real connection to the location where you buy them), they also make inexpensive gifts for friends and coworkers:

•   Fridge magnets

•   Shot glasses

•   Christmas ornaments

•   Postcards

•   T-shirts or other clothing

•   Photo frames

If you’re looking for ways to stretch your souvenir budget a little further, consider using credit card rewards as a way to help pay for these small gifts.

Meaningful Souvenirs You Won’t Regret

Because there’s such a wide variety among travel souvenirs, you want to make sure to get ones that will be meaningful. While the exact definition of “meaningful” will vary for each person, here are a few items to consider:

•   Postcards: These can be a great option, especially if you write a meaningful memory on it and mail it to yourself. You can frame it when you get home. Another plus: Postcards are super lightweight and easily packed.

•   Handcrafted items: If you’re saving money on hotels by staying somewhere local, you may have extra money to buy, say, a small carved wooden box from Costa Rica.
Artwork: Continuing with local inspiration, another possibility is local artwork. Just make sure you have a reliable way to get it back home.

•   Foreign currency & coins: When you’re traveling internationally, consider keeping a small amount of foreign currency or coins as a memento of your trip.

•   Something practical: Another option to consider is something practical like a locally printed beach towel or tote bag. Not only will it bring back great memories, it’s also something you can regularly use.

•   Photos: Just don’t let them sit in your hard drive: Print them out to give as gifts or display at home. Consider a local photo frame to show off some of your best shots.

Recommended: Where to Keep a Travel Fund

Souvenirs to Avoid

Here are a few souvenirs that you’ll want to avoid:

•   Shells, coral, wildlife, and animals: While seashells and coral might seem like great souvenirs from a beach vacation, it’s not eco-friendly to remove these items from the local habitat. Many locations even have laws about removing such natural wonders from the beach.

And even though you may encounter many adorable stray dogs or cats while traveling, remind yourself of what a big commitment it can be to own a pet (and then potentially travel with a pet).

•   Coffee mugs: Mugs are generally fragile and not locally made. Plus, how many coffee mugs do you really need?

•   Food and alcohol: While eating and drinking locally can be a great way to get into the vacation spirit, bringing home food or drink runs the risk of your souvenirs getting seized by customs.

•   Things you can buy cheaper at home: Do some research before you buy — if you can buy it cheaper online, it’s probably not a great souvenir.

•   Key rings: This is similar to the coffee mug problem. Sure, they’re cute and widely available, but how many do you need?

Tips for Souvenir Shopping

Here’s some advice to help increase the odds that you souvenir-shop for items you’ll treasure for years to come:

•   Research your destination’s signature products before you leave. If you’re heading to Venice, you might want to bring back a small glass pendant from Murano (the nearby “Glass Island”), where you can watch artisans at work; this has been a local tradition for centuries.

•   Set a souvenir budget and decide before you go what you want to bring back as a souvenir. This can help prevent you from overspending and blowing your budget in the moment.

•   Think small, and look for products that are locally and ethically sourced.

•   Another idea is to pick a theme for your souvenirs (inexpensive bracelets or bumper stickers), or use a travel credit card or cash back rewards credit card for your purchases that can reward you for spending.

Recommended: How Does Credit Card Travel Insurance Work?

The Takeaway

For many people, bringing home souvenirs is one of the best parts of a trip. While the perfect souvenir will be different for each person, there are a few things that you can do to get meaningful mementos without breaking the bank. Make a plan and set your budget beforehand, and look for items that are specific to the area, ethically sourced, and perhaps handmade. Chances are, you don’t need another coffee mug, but a locally crafted item might be just the thing to remind you of your travels.

SoFi Travel is a new service offered exclusively to SoFi members. Earn 2x rewards when booking with your SoFi Mastercard or debit card. Then apply those rewards to your next trip when you book through our travel portal. SoFi makes planning a getaway fast, easy, and convenient — perfect for people on the move.


SoFi, your one-stop shop for travel.


Photo credit: iStock/ArtMarie

1See Rewards Details at SoFi.com/card/rewards.

**Terms, and conditions apply: The SoFi Travel Portal is operated by Expedia. To learn more about Expedia, click https://www.expediagroup.com/home/default.aspx.

When you use your SoFi Credit Card to make a purchase on the SoFi Travel Portal, you will earn a number of SoFi Member Rewards points equal to 3% of the total amount you spend on the SoFi Travel Portal. Members can save up to 10% or more on eligible bookings.


Eligibility: You must be a SoFi registered user.
You must agree to SoFi’s privacy consent agreement.
You must book the travel on SoFi’s Travel Portal reached directly through a link on the SoFi website or mobile application. Travel booked directly on Expedia's website or app, or any other site operated or powered by Expedia is not eligible.
You must pay using your SoFi Credit Card.

SoFi Member Rewards: All terms applicable to the use of SoFi Member Rewards apply. To learn more please see: https://www.sofi.com/rewards/ and Terms applicable to Member Rewards.


Additional Terms: Changes to your bookings will affect the Rewards balance for the purchase. Any canceled bookings or fraud will cause Rewards to be rescinded. Rewards can be delayed by up to 7 business days after a transaction posts on Members’ SoFi Credit Card ledger. SoFi reserves the right to withhold Rewards points for suspected fraud, misuse, or suspicious activities.
©2024 SoFi Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender. NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC), (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org).


Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.


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How to Get a Travel Visa, and Where You Need One

Sometimes, travel involves more paperwork than just your passport and boarding pass. Travel visas are documents that grant you the privilege to travel to a given country. Depending on where you’re coming from, where you’re headed, and why, you may or may not need a visa to get there — but it’s important to find out whether you do as part of your travel planning.

If you need a visa, you’ll have to apply for one with the country you’re planning to visit. What’s more, the application will likely come with a fee.

To help you figure out the wide world of visa requirements, read on, and learn:

•   What the different types of travel visas are

•   Which travel destinations require a visa

•   How to get a visa

•   How long it takes to get a visa

Types of Travel Visas


While there are dozens of visas available for different purposes, they can be broken down into four categories: tourist, immigrant, student, and work.

•   Tourist visas are for travelers visiting a country for a short time. This is most likely what you’re looking for if you’re planning a vacation. Some countries don’t require United States citizens to apply for this type of visa ahead of time, but there may still be restrictions that apply to your travel.

For example, as long as you have a valid U.S. Passport, you can travel to most parts of Europe without applying for a visa beforehand. But you can only stay within the borders of the Schengen Zone for 90 out of 180 consecutive days. The passport stamp you receive on arrival is your visa. (The Schengen Zone encompasses most of the EU countries, some Scandinavian ones, and a few others.)

•   Immigrant visas are for people who are hoping to establish permanent residence in their destination country. Applying for this type of visa can be a lengthy, multi-step process, and getting a visa doesn’t guarantee you’ll be granted citizenship. Still, it’s an important first step toward emigrating to a different country.

•   Student visas are for those studying in a foreign country. To apply for one, you’ll need to prove that you’re enrolled in a legitimate, qualified school in the destination country.

•   Work visas allow their holders to accept employment in a country outside of their citizenship. These visas are usually temporary but can be renewed if the employment continues.

Many visas can be applied for online; these are known as e-visas. Increasingly, many countries are moving toward online visa applications. Exceptions are made for those who can’t apply online due to a disability or other extenuating circumstance.

Recommended: Guide to Saving Money on Hotels

How to Apply for a Travel Visa


If you are planning a trip and realize you need a travel visa, here’s how to spring into action. You’ll want to apply for it with your destination country’s government travel agency. During the application process, you’ll be asked to provide basic identifying information and, if applying online, you may be asked to upload a photo of your passport. The U.S. Department of State is a great resource for up-to-date information on which countries require a visa and how to apply for them.

Seems simple, right? It is, but with a couple important caveats when contemplating how to get a visa.

•   Having a valid passport isn’t always enough to enable travel. Many countries require your passport to have at least six months left before the expiration date at the time of your trip.

•   Applying for a passport in the first place can be a somewhat lengthy process; it may take as long as 11 weeks to get your passport in the mail after you apply. Even expedited processing, which comes with an additional fee, starts at five weeks of lead time. All of which is to say, make sure you have your passport ducks in a row well before you’re getting ready to actually apply for your visa.

Which Countries Require a Visa for U.S. Citizens?


Visa requirements change regularly. A case in point: The United Kingdom, which has long allowed U.S. citizens to travel without a visa, will soon require visitors to go through an online application system.

For the most up-to-date information — and before you lock in flights for a family vacation — check with the U.S. Department of State or your destination country’s travel agency to make sure you have everything set up for success before you head to the airport. At that time, you can also find out how long it will take to receive your visa. For e-visas, it may take just a couple of days.

That said, here are a few popular travel destinations that do require visas for U.S. travelers, along with notes to help you plan.

Country Application Process Fee Duration of Visit
Australia Apply online with the Australian Department of Home Affairs AUD20 processing fee Up to 3 months at a time over 12 months
China China requires U.S. citizens to apply for a visa ahead of travel. Regular processing takes 4 days, and express service takes 3. You must have at least 6 months of validity on your passport and may need to meet other requirements, such as providing proof of round-trip air travel. $140 Single, double, and multi-entry visas are available over the course of 6 months, and 12 months or more
India You can apply for a visa online; processing may take 5 business days or longer $25-$80, depending on visa duration Not more than 180 days of any calendar year
Kenya E-visa required, along with proof of yellow fever vaccination $51 Visa is valid for three months from the date of issue and may be extended for 90 days
Russia The U.S. Embassy calls Russia’s visa program “restrictive and complicated,” and it can take up to 20 days to get an exit visa if your visa expires during your visit. Still, it’s possible to apply for a visa ahead of time if you have your heart set on a visit, though the process will take research, time investment, and several steps. $160 90 days in any 180-day period
United Kingdom As mentioned above, the U.K. will soon require an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) of U.S. travelers. This is different from, but similar to, a visa. Processing will take a few days, but the application only takes a few minutes. Free 180 days
Vietnam You must apply for an e-visa online before arrival. Urgent processing is available, but normally processing takes 2 business days. $17-$65 depending on visa duration One-month single and multiple entry, and 3-month single and multiple entry visas available

Visa-Free Places for U.S. Passport Holders


To repeat the caveat again: The best way to know for sure if a visa is required is to research your specific destination ahead of time. That said, here are some popular destinations that are currently visa-free for U.S. passport holders. Note: This list is not exhaustive, and time restrictions may still hold.

•   American Samoa

•   Antigua and Barbuda

•   Argentina

•   Aruba

•   Belize

•   Bermuda

•   Brazil

•   Botswana

•   Canada

•   Chile

•   Colombia

•   Costa Rica

•   Curacao

•   Ecuador

•   Europe: Much of Europe allows visa-free entry for up to 90 days

•   Dominican Republic

•   Haiti

•   Honduras

•   Jamaica

•   Japan

•   Mexico

•   Morocco

•   Namibia

•   Nicaragua

•   Panama

•   Peru

•   Puerto Rico

•   Philippines

•   Scandinavia: Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Norway don’t require visas for stays of 90 days or less

•   Singapore

•   Senegal

•   South Africa

•   Thailand

•   Trinidad and Tobago.

Recommended: Where to Keep Your Travel Fund

Tips to Help Your Travel Plans Run Smoothly


Making sure you have the visa you need is only one part of travel planning. While you’re getting organized, here are a few more things to think about:

•   See if your furbaby needs a visa. Those traveling with pets may need to bring certain documentation in order to get their crate past customs. Otherwise, you might be unpleasantly surprised by a lengthy quarantine requirement.

•   Make sure your money is ready to travel, too. For international travel, it’s pretty key to have a travel credit card or cash back rewards credit card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees.

•   Get rewarded for air travel. If you usually fly with a specific airline, applying for an airline credit card could help you stack miles — and fly further for less.

•   Find ways to save. No matter how you slice it, international travel is expensive. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to save on everything from lodging to rental cars — so you don’t eat through your travel fund all in one go.

The Takeaway


U.S. nationals are lucky to have a long list of countries that don’t require a visa for them to visit. However, some countries do (including popular destinations), so it’s important to research requirements. Find out if you need a visa for your trip well before your travel dates so you don’t run into unexpected delays.

SoFi Travel is a new service exclusively for SoFi members. Through a partnership with Expedia, we make it easy to find the lowest rates and book your reservations — for flights, hotel rooms, car rentals, and more — all in one place. Earn 2x rewards when booking with your SoFi Mastercard or debit card. And when you redeem your SoFi rewards for travel, you get a 25% bonus: $100 of reward points are worth $125.


Wherever you’re going, get there with SoFi Travel.


Photo credit: iStock/minemero

1See Rewards Details at SoFi.com/card/rewards.

**Terms, and conditions apply: The SoFi Travel Portal is operated by Expedia. To learn more about Expedia, click https://www.expediagroup.com/home/default.aspx.

When you use your SoFi Credit Card to make a purchase on the SoFi Travel Portal, you will earn a number of SoFi Member Rewards points equal to 3% of the total amount you spend on the SoFi Travel Portal. Members can save up to 10% or more on eligible bookings.


Eligibility: You must be a SoFi registered user.
You must agree to SoFi’s privacy consent agreement.
You must book the travel on SoFi’s Travel Portal reached directly through a link on the SoFi website or mobile application. Travel booked directly on Expedia's website or app, or any other site operated or powered by Expedia is not eligible.
You must pay using your SoFi Credit Card.

SoFi Member Rewards: All terms applicable to the use of SoFi Member Rewards apply. To learn more please see: https://www.sofi.com/rewards/ and Terms applicable to Member Rewards.


Additional Terms: Changes to your bookings will affect the Rewards balance for the purchase. Any canceled bookings or fraud will cause Rewards to be rescinded. Rewards can be delayed by up to 7 business days after a transaction posts on Members’ SoFi Credit Card ledger. SoFi reserves the right to withhold Rewards points for suspected fraud, misuse, or suspicious activities.
©2024 SoFi Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender. NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC), (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org).


Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.



Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

This article is not intended to be legal advice. Please consult an attorney for advice.

External Websites: The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third-party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. Links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement.

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When Is the Best Time to Book Holiday Travel?

If you are planning on traveling over the winter holidays, join the club: So are many of your fellow Americans, with the Sunday after Thanksgiving typically being the very worst, most overcrowded day to pile onto a flight. But don’t let that deter you from having a great time with friends and family during the season. Instead, be a smart planner and learn the best times to book your trip.

This guide will help you get the best deal possible, covering such need-to-know topics as:

•   When to book holiday flights

•   When to book a holiday cruise

•   When to book a holiday car rental

•   Holiday travel tips

Why Holiday Travel Is So Chaotic

There are several reasons why holiday travel is inherently more hectic than any other time of year.

•   The skies are filled with people who are infrequent travelers, flying only around the holidays or perhaps not having flown at all in a few years. These travelers are less familiar with the airports and airlines (plus details like baggage requirements). That translates into their taking longer to check in, go through security, and board their plane, causing some bottlenecks.

•   There’s also the sheer volume of holiday travelers that can make getting to and from your destination challenging. To give you an idea of the order of magnitude here, about 54 million Americans traveled for Thanksgiving 2022. That kind of volume can mean airports, airplanes, and hotels may be at full capacity, and rental car lots can be empty. Not a big problem when everything is running smoothly, but throw in a winter storm or other disruption, and there’s no slack left in the system.

•   When Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve roll around, it’s a big deal: Everyone wants to travel at the same time. With spring break, different school districts get out at different times, but Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year holidays only occur once on each calendar. And it’s not like travelers can just reschedule their holiday plans if there’s a delay.

When to Book Holiday Flights

So, agreed: The holidays are a super popular time to travel. Every year, budget-conscious travelers look to save money by trying to precisely time their purchase of holiday flights. Here’s some intel that can help you have the most choice and pay the best price.

Recommended: How Families Can Afford to Travel

Domestic Flights

For domestic flights, the best time to book them is often as early as possible. Most airlines will open their schedules up about 11 months in advance, and you can often find the least expensive flights at that time. Other airlines (like Southwest) release their schedules in batches, often around six or eight months in advance. When the schedule is released, you’ll have the largest choice of itineraries, and often the least expensive tickets.

Before the pandemic, most airlines imposed very high fees for changes and cancellations. That gave travelers an incentive to try to time their purchases to when they think the prices will be lowest. But now, many major airlines have dropped their change and cancellation fees, giving travelers the opportunity to make reservations sooner, knowing that they can rebook their flights if the price drops.

Booking early can also give you a jump on nabbing those sought-after free or discounted seats that can be obtained by getting the most out of your credit card rewards.

International Flights

For international flights, some airlines still impose change and cancellation fees, so the timing becomes more important. And the best time to purchase an international flight can vary based on your destination. According to a survey done by CheapAir.com, it’s best to buy tickets to Europe, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Asia about 10 months out, though you might get lucky with a booking window of a month and a half to two months before your travel dates.

However, these figures were for travel year-round, and holiday travelers might wish to book as far out as possible, especially if you plan on using credit card rewards.

Recommended: What Is an Airline Credit Card?

Booking Hotels for the Holidays: Advance vs Last-Minute

When it comes to saving money on hotels during the holidays, you are almost always better off booking in advance. Holidays are peak travel times at leisure destinations, and you can expect many hotels and resorts to be sold out as you approach December.

Having a hotel credit card may help sweeten the deal, as you’ll be eligible for perks like late checkouts and room upgrades, plus earning points.

How Far in Advance to Reserve Rental Cars for the Holidays

There’s really no reason not to book a rental car as soon as you make your holiday plans. Rental cars have been in very short supply and quite expensive since the pandemic. At a minimum, you’ll likely want to lock in a set of wheels three to six months prior to your travel dates, when prices tend to be most competitive.

When to Book a Holiday Cruise

Just as with hotels and rental cars, you will often receive the best pricing and availability when you book your holiday cruise as early as possible. In fact, some cruises are available for booking over a year in advance.

You’ll usually find the best prices and perks if you book during what is known as “wave season,” which typically runs from January to March.

Best Time to Book Tours, Sites, and Activities

Certainly, if there’s a show or other high-demand activity you have your heart set on (such as seeing the Rockettes’ Christmas Show at Radio City Music Hall in New York), then you’ll want to book it at least several months in advance.

But if it’s not a major tour or attraction, then you might be able to book it just a few weeks out, or be spontaneous and book it at the last minute. Aside from the holidays, winter is usually the low season for most places, except warm-weather destinations. That’s why you might be surprised to find activities available at the last minute.

Tips for Holiday Travel

Here are some holiday travel tips to help make your winter vacay as affordable and stress-free as possible:

•   To make the most of your holiday travel, accept that you’ll be one of tens of millions of holiday travelers and systems will be on overload. Ideally, you can pack light and avoid checking a bag, which can be a major cost both in time and money, as well as one more thing that can go wrong.

•   Join TSA PreCheck, which allows you to speed through airport security without taking off your belt or shoes, or removing your liquids or electronics. Thankfully, many travel credit cards and airline credit cards reimburse travelers for the application fee, which is $78 for five years.

•   Of course, avoiding peak days, like the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Sunday after, can make travel a little less daunting. And if you don’t celebrate a particular holiday (say, Christmas), traveling on that day can often result in a smooth, crowd-free experience.

•   If you know you have holiday travel coming up, it can be wise to start a travel fund in advance. You might set up automatic transfers into it the day after every payday.

•   Planning some pricey travel (say, a family reunion in Florida for New Year’s Eve) that you don’t have the funds for? Look into your options. A vacation loan could be an alternative to consider vs. putting the cost of the trip on your credit card.

The Takeaway

Holiday travel is an American tradition, which means demand (and stress) can be sky-high. By planning your trip as far in advance as possible and taking into account the crowds, you can afford a family vacation that makes the most of the season. Knowing when and how to get the best deals can help you enjoy the most wonderful time of the year.

SoFi Travel has teamed up with Expedia to bring even more to your one-stop finance app, helping you book reservations — for flights, hotels, car rentals, and more — all in one place. SoFi Members also have exclusive access to premium savings, with 10% or more off on select hotels. Plus, earn unlimited 3%** cash back rewards when you book with your SoFi Unlimited 2% Credit Card through SoFi Travel.

SoFi Travel can take you farther.


Photo credit: iStock/svetikd

**Terms, and conditions apply: The SoFi Travel Portal is operated by Expedia. To learn more about Expedia, click https://www.expediagroup.com/home/default.aspx.

When you use your SoFi Credit Card to make a purchase on the SoFi Travel Portal, you will earn a number of SoFi Member Rewards points equal to 3% of the total amount you spend on the SoFi Travel Portal. Members can save up to 10% or more on eligible bookings.


Eligibility: You must be a SoFi registered user.
You must agree to SoFi’s privacy consent agreement.
You must book the travel on SoFi’s Travel Portal reached directly through a link on the SoFi website or mobile application. Travel booked directly on Expedia's website or app, or any other site operated or powered by Expedia is not eligible.
You must pay using your SoFi Credit Card.

SoFi Member Rewards: All terms applicable to the use of SoFi Member Rewards apply. To learn more please see: https://www.sofi.com/rewards/ and Terms applicable to Member Rewards.


Additional Terms: Changes to your bookings will affect the Rewards balance for the purchase. Any canceled bookings or fraud will cause Rewards to be rescinded. Rewards can be delayed by up to 7 business days after a transaction posts on Members’ SoFi Credit Card ledger. SoFi reserves the right to withhold Rewards points for suspected fraud, misuse, or suspicious activities.
©2024 SoFi Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender. NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC), (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org).


Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.



Members earn 2 rewards points for every dollar spent on purchases. No rewards points will be earned with respect to reversed transactions, returned purchases, or other similar transactions. When you elect to redeem rewards points toward active SoFi accounts, including but not limited to, your SoFi Checking or Savings account, SoFi Money® account, SoFi Active Invest account, SoFi Credit Card account, or SoFi Personal, Private Student, Student Loan Refinance, or toward SoFi Travel purchases, your rewards points will redeem at a rate of 1 cent per every point. For more details, please visit the Rewards page. Brokerage and Active investing products offered through SoFi Securities LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC. SoFi Securities LLC is an affiliate of SoFi Bank, N.A.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

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What Does Annual Income Mean When Applying for a Credit Card?

When you apply for a credit card, the credit card issuer will ask you for your annual income. They want to be sure you have the means to pay your bills on time. Issuers may ask you to calculate your income in specific ways. For example, they may ask for net income or gross income when filling out an application.

If you’re single and work a salaried job, this may be fairly easy to figure out. However, for many people, income can be complicated and comes from a wide variety of sources. It also might be shared with a spouse.

Here’s a look at what you need to know about what annual income means on a credit card application, and how to know what types of income to include if you have multiple sources.

Key Points

•   Annual income is crucial for credit card applications to ensure applicants can pay bills.

•   It includes wages, tips, bonuses, and other earnings like pension benefits and alimony.

•   Gross income is total earnings before deductions; net income is what remains after.

•   For credit card applications, it’s important to accurately calculate and report gross or net income.

•   Misrepresenting income on applications is illegal and can lead to severe penalties.

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What Counts as Income?

For the most part, any money that is paid to you directly and that you have reasonable access to counts as income. This includes money you received from an employer or, if you’re self-employed, from clients. It can also come from other sources, such as investments or retirement benefits. Note that income tends to vary by age, and it is not the same as net worth.

The following are some examples of types of income credit card issuers may consider:

•   Salary and wages

•   Commissions

•   Tips

•   Bonuses

•   Income from a spouse or partner

•   Pension benefits

•   Social Security benefits

•   Public assistance

•   Alimony and child support payments that you receive

•   Interest

•   Dividends

You may not have to include alimony or child support payments as income on a credit card application. The reason? Credit card issuers understand that those payments may already be earmarked for the support of an individual.

Recommended: What’s the Difference Between Income and Net Worth?

What Is the Difference Between Gross and Net Income?

When it comes to calculating income, it’s helpful to know what gross income and net income mean.

Your gross income is the total amount of money you make before any other deductions are taken from it. Deductions may include things like taxes, 401(k) contributions, and health insurance premiums. Your gross income represents income from all sources.

Your net income, on the other hand, represents how much money you have once all deductions have been made. For individuals, this is their “take-home” pay, which can be considerably smaller than gross income. Credit card issuers may ask for net income as it represents money that you can access and isn’t earmarked for other purposes.

Tools such as spending apps can help you organize and manage the money you earn.

How to Calculate Your Gross Annual Income

Calculating gross income is relatively simple. You’ll need to add up income from all sources. For tax purposes, this will include wages, tips, bonuses, commission, capital gains, dividends, alimony, pension payments, interest, and rental income. You can find your adjusted gross income by subtracting above-the-line tax deductions, such as contributions to 401(k)s and traditional IRAs.

Credit card issuers can look at other income that’s not necessarily taxed, such as life insurance payouts of gifts. So be sure to include that in your calculation for a credit card application.

How to Calculate Your Annual Net Income

Calculate your net income by taking your gross income and subtracting deductions, including taxes, such as income taxes, capital gains tax, and employment taxes. You’ll also need to subtract contributions to retirement accounts and insurance premium payments.

If you receive a paycheck, there may be a line that spells out net income.

Recommended: How to Calculate Your Net Worth and Wealth

What Types of Income Don’t Count on a Credit Card Application?

There are some types of income that you can’t include on a credit card application. Generally, these are forms of income that you don’t have access to. For example, if your wages are being garnished to pay off a debt, you cannot include that amount of the garnished wages as income, as that money belongs to your creditor. Similarly, you can’t include money that goes toward alimony or child support payments or that you need to use to pay off tax debt.

What Happens If I Lie About My Income on a Credit Card Application?

It may be tempting to fudge your income on a credit card application. After all, tacking on a few thousands dollars to your income may be the difference between being approved for a credit card and being rejected. That said, you should never lie about your income on a credit card application. If you do, you’re committing fraud, and it’s a federal offense. So while it may not seem like a big deal to give your income a little boost, if you’re caught, you could face up to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million.

What Other Information Does a Credit Card Application Require?

In addition to income, you can expect a credit card issuer to ask for the following information on a credit card application:

•   Legal name and a valid U.S. address

•   Housing costs, which help the issuer determine how much debt you can afford to pay back

•   Your Social Security or Individuals Taxpayer Identification Number, which is needed for the credit card issuer to make a hard pull on your credit report to check your credit score

Issuers consider your credit score when they determine whether to extend credit to you. A high credit score shows lenders that you have a history of responsibly managing debts and paying your bills on time. Lower credit scores indicate that a borrower is less likely to make on-time payments, and lenders may be less likely to approve them for a card.

The best way to maintain a healthy credit score is to always pay your bills on time. You can receive a free credit report each year from the three major credit reporting bureaus: Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax. Check your credit report regularly to ensure there are no mistakes that could be dragging down your score. Report mistakes to the credit bureaus immediately.

The Takeaway

Credit card companies look at your annual income to determine how much credit you can afford and to assess their risk in extending you credit. Some may specify how they wish you to calculate your annual income, frequently asking for gross or net income. Gross income is the total amount of money you make before any other deductions are taken from it. Net income represents how much money you have after deductions have been made.

To calculate either figure, you’ll need to gather information about all your income sources. A money tracking app can help you keep tabs on your finances. The SoFi app connects all of your accounts in one dashboard so you can get a bird-eye view of your finances, track income and spending, and monitor your credit score.

Stay up to date on your finances by seeing exactly how your money comes and goes.

FAQ

What does it Mean when a credit card application asks for annual income?

Credit card companies may specify how they want you to report your annual income. They may ask for gross income, which includes all income before taxes and deductions, or net income, which is income after taxes and deductions have been subtracted.

What counts as annual income?

Annual income includes all money that you can say you reasonably have access to. This typically includes salary and wages, commissions, tips, bonuses, income from a spouse or partner, pension benefits, Social Security benefits, public assistance, alimony and child support payments, interest, and dividends.

What doesn’t count as annual income?

You cannot include income that you don’t have access to, such as garnished wages, alimony and child support payments you’re required to make, or money that must be used to pay off tax debt.


Photo credit: iStock/max-kegfire

SoFi Relay offers users the ability to connect both SoFi accounts and external accounts using Plaid, Inc.’s service. When you use the service to connect an account, you authorize SoFi to obtain account information from any external accounts as set forth in SoFi’s Terms of Use. Based on your consent SoFi will also automatically provide some financial data received from the credit bureau for your visibility, without the need of you connecting additional accounts. SoFi assumes no responsibility for the timeliness, accuracy, deletion, non-delivery or failure to store any user data, loss of user data, communications, or personalization settings. You shall confirm the accuracy of Plaid data through sources independent of SoFi. The credit score is a VantageScore® based on TransUnion® (the “Processing Agent”) data.

*Terms and conditions apply. This offer is only available to new SoFi users without existing SoFi accounts. It is non-transferable. One offer per person. To receive the rewards points offer, you must successfully complete setting up Credit Score Monitoring. Rewards points may only be redeemed towards active SoFi accounts, such as your SoFi Checking or Savings account, subject to program terms that may be found here: SoFi Member Rewards Terms and Conditions. SoFi reserves the right to modify or discontinue this offer at any time without notice.

Checking Your Rates: To check the rates and terms you may qualify for, SoFi conducts a soft credit pull that will not affect your credit score. However, if you choose a product and continue your application, we will request your full credit report from one or more consumer reporting agencies, which is considered a hard credit pull and may affect your credit.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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How to Fly with Special Items, From Formal Dresses to Tennis Rackets

My family is planning a trip to Europe this summer, during which my daughter, who plays cello, will attend an international music camp. A cello is cumbersome, fragile, and valuable. Should we carry it on the plane?

If you’re debating whether to bring your lucky racket or how to transport that gorgeous bridesmaid dress, know that you’ll need packing skills, some room in your travel budget, and a bit of patience at security. But if you’re determined, it turns out that most special items can be accommodated on flights.

Knowing your airline’s policies and planning carefully will help you get where you need to go with your cargo safe and sound. Here are some tips for how to handle many specific items.

Things to Keep in Mind when Flying With Special Items

Before booking flights online, call ahead to find out airline policies about your bulky must-bring thing. Know which of the company’s fare tiers will allow you to carry on an extra item, as well as the cost of checking it. And be sure you understand any restrictions for the ticket you book: Deep-discount airfares often allow for only a “personal item,” like a backpack.

Recommended: Apply for an Unlimited Cash Back Credit Card

What Do Airlines Consider Special Items?

The airlines, both domestic and international, have a list of categories that are considered “special items.” When in doubt, call your carrier to ask how your item must travel before heading to the airport.

By the way, traveling with pets is a whole other story.

Here are some of the biggies:

Musical Instruments

My family isn’t alone in wondering what to do with a cello. “When I have students traveling internationally, I encourage them to try to rent a cello at their destination,” advises Erich S., a professional cellist. While he has traveled with his instrument, he says, “I have always had to buy a seat for it.” But that’s not an option that will help us afford family travel.

A fiddle or flute should be small enough to qualify as a carry-on, traveling in an overhead bin. Any traveling instrument should be hard-cased to protect it from bumps, and you should expect an out-of-case inspection at security.

Garment Bags

Some airlines have in-cabin spots to hang garment bags, but not all. Got a big dress to transport? Experts recommend carrying it on — the gown and all accoutrements, including shoes and jewelry — especially if you’re a bride heading to your “I do” destination. (Even the best credit card travel insurance can’t help you if your outfit gets on the wrong flight.)

Most wedding dresses can be contained in carry-on luggage. Place the gown in a clean garment bag, tri-fold it vertically and carefully roll it. You’ll want to arrange for a steaming upon arrival.

Sports Equipment

A tennis racket can be bubble-wrapped and sandwiched between clothing in a suitcase, or just cased and tucked headfirst into your tote. But when it comes to hefty equipment, expect to incur costs. Of course you’d rather shred the mountain on your skis, but bringing them along can be pricey.

“When my kids were little,” says Suman D., a CEO and his crew’s head ski bum, “I threw everything in a box and shipped it ahead.” Now that his children are teens, it isn’t as easy — or economical. On a recent college-scouting trip to Vancouver, the family planned to hit the slopes. Their discount carrier, Porter Airlines, charged $50 for an oversize snowboard bag at airport baggage check-in — less than the cost of a resort gear rental. On other airlines, Suman says, it’s proven cheaper to rent when they arrive.

What other equipment might you bring?

•   A fishing pole: It’s allowed, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) website says. (Hooks must be wrapped and secured in a checked bag.)

•   Hockey sticks may be checked in sports bags. First, enclose them in a hard tube or securely tape them together.

•   Surfboards can cost a pretty penny to fly — as much as $300 — but “surfer-friendly” airlines include KLM, Virgin, Qantas, and Singapore, all of which allow boards to go in the hold as normal checked baggage. (Note: if you are renting a car at your destination, that economy car likely won’t do!)

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Computers and Media Equipment

Everybody has a smartphone and laptop these days, and they’re no odd object to travel with. Devices containing lithium metal or lithium ion batteries — basically any kind of computer device and some games — should be carried on. Be sure the batteries are charged, as a TSA agent may ask you to power up to pass security. Some airports have such good tech that you can leave your tablet or notebook in your bag when you go through checkpoints.

Wine and Liquor

The easiest way to transport spirits via plane is to purchase it in-airport at a duty-free shop. Did your summer travels take you under the Tuscan Sun? You can tuck bottles of beverages with less than 24 percent alcohol by volume into your checked bag.

For a whole case, expect a fee (best to have a pro pack the bottles) at the airport baggage check-in. (According to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website, “duty on wine and beer is generally low, $1-2 per liter.) In your carryon, the limit is 3.4 oz, and the container must be in a sealed plastic bag.

Fragile Items

If you’ve been to an auction or art fair, you’re surely bringing home goodies. Know how to fly with fragile items and carry them accordingly. Place well-padded (bubble wrap saves the day!) glass and other crackable objects in a hard-walled carry-on. Yup, you can bring that painting on the plane — so long as it fits in the seat you’ve booked for it.

Recommended: How to Exchange Foreign Currency

Strollers and Car Seats

Gear for kids gets on every flight free. Breast pumps and accompanying cooler bags are also allowed. To avoid hassles, bring a doctor’s note.

Medical Devices and Wheelchairs

The U.S. Department of Transportation protects your right to travel with medical equipment you require to stay mobile and healthy. You can bring your device onboard if there’s a space to stow it — otherwise, the airline will check it for free.

Recognized assistive devices include crutches, canes, walkers, braces and prosthetics, and wheelchairs. You may also carry hearing aids, portable oxygen concentrators (POCs), and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines. Prescription meds are allowed, as well as any implements needed to administer those medications, such as syringes or auto-injectors.

Perishables

Like to rack up credit card rewards at fancy food shops? Many countries have no restrictions regarding edibles, but the U.S. does: Agricultural products including fruits, vegetables, plants, and meat coming from other countries are banned (read: confiscated) at customs, according to their website. Baked goods, cheeses, teas, and spices are generally good to go.

Recommended: Apply for a Rewards Credit Card

Tips for Keeping Luggage Safe

The best way to ensure your items are secure is to keep them with you. Check plane seat pockets and bins, and count your bags before deboarding. Tracking fobs, TSA-approved locks or zip ties, cellophane wraps and a sturdy ID tag may keep your checked items safer — but when a bag is out of your hands, it’s exactly that.

The Takeaway

Whatever you take with you, know your airline’s policy on transporting it. Pack properly, and if that item is vital, bring certification or a doctor’s letter of necessity. Beyond that, pack light — you’ll need a spare hand to manage your valuable things.

SoFi Travel is a new service offered exclusively to SoFi members. Earn 2x rewards when booking with your SoFi Mastercard or debit card. Then apply those rewards to your next trip when you book through our travel portal. SoFi makes planning a getaway fast, easy, and convenient — perfect for people on the move.


SoFi, your one-stop shop for travel.


Photo credit: iStock/AzmanL

**Terms, and conditions apply: The SoFi Travel Portal is operated by Expedia. To learn more about Expedia, click https://www.expediagroup.com/home/default.aspx.

When you use your SoFi Credit Card to make a purchase on the SoFi Travel Portal, you will earn a number of SoFi Member Rewards points equal to 3% of the total amount you spend on the SoFi Travel Portal. Members can save up to 10% or more on eligible bookings.


Eligibility: You must be a SoFi registered user.
You must agree to SoFi’s privacy consent agreement.
You must book the travel on SoFi’s Travel Portal reached directly through a link on the SoFi website or mobile application. Travel booked directly on Expedia's website or app, or any other site operated or powered by Expedia is not eligible.
You must pay using your SoFi Credit Card.

SoFi Member Rewards: All terms applicable to the use of SoFi Member Rewards apply. To learn more please see: https://www.sofi.com/rewards/ and Terms applicable to Member Rewards.


Additional Terms: Changes to your bookings will affect the Rewards balance for the purchase. Any canceled bookings or fraud will cause Rewards to be rescinded. Rewards can be delayed by up to 7 business days after a transaction posts on Members’ SoFi Credit Card ledger. SoFi reserves the right to withhold Rewards points for suspected fraud, misuse, or suspicious activities.
©2024 SoFi Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender. NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC), (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org).




Members earn 2 rewards points for every dollar spent on purchases. No rewards points will be earned with respect to reversed transactions, returned purchases, or other similar transactions. When you elect to redeem rewards points toward active SoFi accounts, including but not limited to, your SoFi Checking or Savings account, SoFi Money® account, SoFi Active Invest account, SoFi Credit Card account, or SoFi Personal, Private Student, Student Loan Refinance, or toward SoFi Travel purchases, your rewards points will redeem at a rate of 1 cent per every point. For more details, please visit the Rewards page. Brokerage and Active investing products offered through SoFi Securities LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC. SoFi Securities LLC is an affiliate of SoFi Bank, N.A.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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