Simplicity and flexibility aren't easy to find in credit cards these days. Most cards force you to book through a specific portal to maximize your earning rates. And instead of simple benefits, you sometimes need calendar reminders just to use them effectively.
That's what makes the Flagship Premier Visa Signature® card from Navy Federal Credit Union such an appealing option.
I recently headed out west for an early-fall getaway to Park City, Utah — and saw just how valuable this card is.
Earning rewards with Flagship Premier
One of the first appealing features of the Flagship Premier card is the earning rates. For starters, new cardholders can earn 50,000 bonus points (a $500 value) after spending $4,000 within the first 90 days. This offer expires on Jan. 3, 2027.
And when you use the card for everyday purchases, you'll earn at the following rates:
- 4 points per dollar spent on all travel purchases
- 3 points per dollar spent on dining
- 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases
Two things stand out about the travel bonus category. First, the card covers a wide range of travel purchases — including airlines, hotels, vacation rentals, cruises, car rentals, ride sharing services, parking, tolls and even campgrounds and RV parks.
Even better: there's no requirement to book through a specific portal to unlock that earning rate.
That's why I booked my flight to Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) directly with Delta, a purchase that qualifies for 4 points per dollar.
A direct ticket purchase like this also triggers another key benefit on the card: the $100 annual airline credit. Every year, when you spend at least $100 on eligible airline purchases, you'll receive a statement credit of $100.
This isn't limited to certain fees, and you don't have to designate a specific airline. You can even make multiple smaller purchases, like baggage fees or in-flight food and drinks. As soon as your cumulative airline spending hits $100, you'll see the statement credit post within 6-8 weeks.
Traveling to Park City
My trip to Utah started with a drive to Orlando International Airport (MCO). I incurred tolls on the way and parked my car at my favorite off-site lot — both of which qualify to earn 4 points per dollar on the card.
As a Platinum Medallion member with Delta SkyMiles, I quickly checked my bag (for free) and was through security in minutes, thanks to TSA PreCheck®, another key benefit of the card.
Every four years, you'll receive up to $120 in statement credits when you charge a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee to the Flagship Premier card.
(TPG tip: Go for Global Entry, since it includes TSA PreCheck.)
I popped into the Delta Sky Club at MCO before boarding my flight to SLC, where I settled into my Comfort+ seat thanks to an upgrade that cleared shortly after booking.
After landing and collecting my bag, I proceeded to the rental car garage, another purchase eligible for 4 points per dollar spent. Like my flight, I had booked this directly with Avis, which meant I could use my Avis President's Club status to skip the line and head straight to my car.
Sure enough, my name was on the board. I was assigned a Hyundai Santa Fe, which was waiting for me in space C35.
One of my favorite things about visiting Park City is its proximity to the airport, as just 40 minutes after pulling out of the parking garage, I was checking into my hotel for two nights: the Pendry Park City.
Here again, I didn't need to go through a specific portal to book this hotel to earn 4 points per dollar. Instead, I opted to book a Virtuoso rate that included complimentary breakfast and the chance of a room upgrade — and what an upgrade it was.
I received a beautiful one-bedroom suite upon check-in, complete with a full kitchen and a really comfortable living room.
This gave me the perfect base to explore everything that Park City has to offer.
On the ground in Park City
The rain was coming down on my first night in town, so rather than venturing out, I tried the tasting menu at Kita, Pendry's on-site restaurant. It was convenient and delicious, and I charged the meal to my room so it would be included in my final hotel bill.
Thankfully, the weather cleared overnight, and I was lucky enough to catch the tail end of some of the area's outdoor activities.
After a quick breakfast at the hotel, I started the day at Park City Mountain Resort, where there are several mixed-use paths for hikers and mountain bikers. The first on my list was the Armstrong Trail, which turned out to be a fantastic choice, mixing forest shade with panoramic views of the town as I climbed higher.
I must admit there was something surreal about passing by ski lifts and crossing ski runs without a lick of snow in sight.
I only saw a half dozen other people by the time I cut across the Ham trail and eventually came down the Spiro trail, but I had worked up an appetite after more than 6 miles of hiking. I ended up right next to Silver Star Cafe, where I enjoyed a delicious elk burger with a view of the Park City Golf Course.
With the Flagship Premier card earning 3 points per dollar on dining, lunch was a great way to get rewarded as I fueled up for the afternoon adventure: mountain biking.
After lunch, I headed to White Pine Touring, a highly rated outdoor shop with reasonably priced gear for rent. The friendly salesperson helped me pick a beginner-friendly mountain bike and recommended a route for a first-timer.
Before I knew it, I was zipping down the Rail Trail — a wide, two-lane path on which Union Pacific trains ran for over a hundred years. My destination? Round Valley and the Big Easy. This six-mile loop offered a great introduction to off-road biking, and it felt like I had the place to myself again, as I only encountered maybe 10 other bikers on the trail.
The entire ride, including the various access trails to reach the Big Easy, covered about 13 miles.
Needless to say, I had burned off my lunch by that point, so after a quick shower back at the Pendry, I grabbed a Lyft — another travel expense eligible for 4 points per dollar — and headed to Park City's historic downtown for shopping and dinner.
I stopped into Dugins West, a T-shirt shop and souvenir boutique, and picked out a shirt for my daughter and a brand-new Park City mug for me — all other purchases on the Flagship Premier card earn 1 point per dollar — and then I headed to Cafe Terigo, a low-key but fantastic dining spot right along Main Street.
It was a beautiful evening, so I opted to dine alfresco on the patio. The server was spot on with her recommendation to start with the ricotta appetizer and then move on to the herb-crusted trout filet — both of which were exquisite as I took in the early evening glow over the mountain to the west.
Even though my flight home wasn't until late the following afternoon, I checked out of the hotel around 10 a.m. to visit another outdoor spot: the Utah Olympic Park. This site hosted events in the 2002 Winter Olympics, and will do so again in 2034. However, during the warmer months, the facility is transformed into an adventurer's playground, complete with zip lines, tube rides down the ski jump hills, an alpine slide and even a wheeled bobsled run.
And yes, I had to experience all of them.
My visit coincided with one of the last weekends of the park's Gold Pass, which offers unlimited access to most activities on the grounds. This doesn't include the bobsled run, though I was able to add that for a discount upon arrival.
All of the activities were fun, but the bobsled was a standout, as we hit speeds of 74 miles per hour while pulling up to 4 Gs going around some of the turns. It was truly a memorable experience.
Even if you don't want to spring for the activities, the museum is free for visitors and gives a great overview of the Games' history.
Traveling home
After finishing up at the Olympic Park, it was time to head back to the airport. I filled the rental car tank at the on-site gas station before dropping off the car, checking in for my flight and breezing through TSA Touchless ID at SLC.
Since I had booked my flight directly, it was super easy to apply a Regional Upgrade Certificate on the way home, which bumped me to first class and made for a very comfortable flight.
And given my late-night arrival, I decided to book a room at the Hyatt Regency inside the Orlando International Airport. Once again, I booked this directly with Hyatt to keep me on track for requalifying for Globalist status — yet another purchase that was eligible for 4 points per dollar on the Flagship Premier card.
Bottom line
I had a fantastic getaway to Park City, complete with delicious food, a comfortable hotel and great outdoor activities. My trip really highlighted the simple, flexible value delivered by the Flagship Premier card. I booked my flight, hotel and rental car directly with each provider rather than through a specific portal, and I enjoyed some fantastic meals on the ground — all of which were eligible for elevated earning rates.
Between the TSA PreCheck credit and the $100 annual airline credit, this card cuts travel costs while making every trip more enjoyable and rewarding.
Visit this link to learn more about the Flagship Premier Visa Signature® Card.
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.