The X1 Card is getting a sibling — the X1+ — which is able to function distinctive journey rewards and perks for an annual payment of $75.

(Image courtesy of X1)
Like the unique X1, the X1+ shall be a metallic bank card issued by Coastal Community Bank, with an underwriting course of that locations a great quantity of weight on revenue to find out eligibility. There’s no arduous credit score verify to see whether or not you pre-qualify, although you’ll be able to count on a tough inquiry when you formally settle for your provide.
X1, the corporate behind each playing cards, has opened the waitlist for the travel-focused X1+ however with no particular date for distribution. The card will roll out in phases by precedence, primarily based on your house in line, in keeping with Deepak Rao, co-founder and CEO of X1.
Here’s what to know concerning the X1+ Card.
What the X1+ Card will provide
The X1+ will share some options discovered on the unique X1 Card. You’ll be required to hyperlink a checking account by a third-party service supplier to indicate proof of revenue. The emphasis on revenue within the utility course of could make it doable to qualify for a better credit score restrict than is obtainable on different bank cards, in keeping with Rao.
But the X1+ Card could have a protracted record of travel-focused options that distinguish it from the unique X1 Card and account for the “plus” in its title.
Rewards
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4 factors per $1 spent on Expedia, Hotels.com and Vrbo.
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2 factors per $1 spent on different purchases. (You can increase this to three factors per $1 after spending $1,000 on eligible purchases in a month. Terms apply.)
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10 factors per $1 spent with a handful of choose retailers, however solely if you store within the X1 app.
🤓Nerdy Tip
The authentic X1 Card earns a flat 2 factors per $1 spent. But each playing cards function methods to spice up your reward charges, both by referrals to pals or by hitting a spending threshold.
Travel redemption and advantages
As with the unique X1 Card, rewards you earn with the X1+ Card are redeemable for money again at a price of 1 cent per level or for assertion credit score towards purchases with choose retailers. But the X1+ Card’s record of qualifying retailers may also function travel-specific firms just like the Four Seasons, Intercontinental, Westin, Emirates, Hawaiian Airlines and JSX (a jet service for personal journey). Points are additionally price a penny every for these travel-related redemptions.
Other options of the X1+ will embody:
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Complimentary lounge entry for flight delays: Cardholders and as much as 4 further passengers will have the ability to get complimentary entry to Priority Pass airport lounges if their flight is delayed by one hour or extra.
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On-demand lounge entry: Cardholders will have the ability to purchase lounge entry at over 1,000 Priority Pass lounges at a reduced price, in keeping with Rao.
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Travel advantages: For delayed baggage, cardholders will get $100 per day in safety for 3 days. For misplaced baggage, cardholders will get $3,000 in safety per journey. Trip cancellation protection may also be supplied as much as $5,000 per individual, per journey. And main protection shall be out there for home and worldwide automobile leases.
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Purchase safety: The card will cowl as much as $10,000 per incidence, together with porch piracy, with a restrict of $50,000 per cardholder.
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Design choices: The X1+ will provide three design choices that embody silver, gold and rose-gold metallic. Cardholders can also select whether or not to choose out of getting a visual quantity on the cardboard.
Base options
Future X1+ cardholders can even count on the next:
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No overseas transaction charges.
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An APR vary between 15.25%-27.50% (as of this writing).
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Virtual bank card numbers that can be utilized one time to buy anonymously or pay for free trials.
Is it a great deal?
The X1+ Card packs some distinctive, extremely particular options that you simply’re not more likely to discover on different journey bank cards at or close to its worth level, particularly when it comes to its lounge entry advantages. And it could possibly be precious for many who choose to make journey purchases by way of on-line aggregators like Expedia, versus reserving immediately with an airline or lodge web site.
But for probably the most half, you’ll have to rely on one thing going unsuitable together with your journey plans to make full use of the cardboard’s journey advantages. And even with the cardboard’s elevated 4x price, you’d must spend not less than $1,875 per yr on journey to offset the cardboard’s $75 annual payment. (And keep in mind, you may earn that price with solely three particular websites.)
And whereas it is troublesome to not possible to seek out comparable lounge perks on journey playing cards in its class, the X1+ Card notably lacks one thing that its opponents do provide: a wealthy, upfront, easy-to-earn sign-up bonus, which may go a great distance towards funding your subsequent trip. The X1+ presents referral bonus factors solely when somebody you already know indicators up for the cardboard and will get authorised.
If lounge entry and journey advantages are what you’re after, different journey bank cards can provide extra profitable choices that may offset the price of their increased annual charges. But if the thought of paying greater than $100 for an annual payment is a deal-breaker, the X1+ could be a first rate different for many who worth journey protections and handy options that simplify spending.