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PNC Bank Credit Cards – How to Earn & Redeem PNC Points

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What Are PNC Points?

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PNC, also known as PNC Bank, is one of the largest banks in the U.S. With locations primarily in the Northeast and headquarters in Pittsburgh, this bank has a tremendous customer base across its 2,500+ branch locations.

PNC participates in numerous operations, including asset management, retail banking, and lending services (both consumer and commercial). Although we mostly cover banks with transferable rewards programs such as Chase , American Express , Citi , and Capital One , we’d be remiss in not discussing PNC’s rewards program PNC points .

Although there are no transfer partners available, there are still opportunities to make the most of your PNC rewards. And if you already have a relationship with PNC, it’ll be even easier to use its rewards system.

In this guide, we’ll be discussing what PNC points are, which cards earn PNC points, and all of your main redemption options. We’ll then review how PNC points stack up to other rewards programs. Let’s get started!

PNC points are the main rewards currency earned by a trio of PNC credit cards, both business and personal. You do not need to be a PNC Bank customer to open a PNC points credit card.

Cardmembers are auto-enrolled in the program and can earn up to 5x PNC points per dollar spent in specific categories. PNC points expire at the end of the 48th month after the month in which they were posted to your points account. Alternatively, they are forfeited if your account is closed.

The redemption value that you get will vary depending on which option you use. Generally, the best value you’ll get is on booking travel , followed by redeeming for gift cards.

Unfortunately, PNC points can’t be transferred to other loyalty programs, including airlines and hotels.

PNC Points Credit Cards

You’ll automatically earn PNC points with a few different PNC-issued personal and business credit cards. You can only apply for a PNC credit card if you live in one of these states (plus the District of Columbia):

• North Carolina
• Pennsylvania
• South Carolina
• West Virginia

Alternatively, you can live elsewhere and apply for a PNC credit card as long as you have an active deposit account with PNC in good standing.

Let’s examine each of the credit card options that earn PNC points.

The first card we’ll be talking about is the PNC Points card. This credit card is the only personal card that offers the ability to earn PNC points.

The PNC Points card earns 4 points per $1 on all purchases , excluding gift cards or other cash equivalent products, purchases with a convenience check, cash advances, or balance transfers.

On the surface, it’s an excellent offering to put everyday spend on. Additionally, you can access a welcome bonus when applying through PNC.com. This welcome bonus is typically around 50,000 points after making at least $750 in purchases during the first 3 billing cycles after account opening.

There is no annual fee for this card, and you’ll often find compelling 0% APR on purchases and 0% APR on balance transfers (this does not include balance transfer fees) for the first 12 billing cycles on top of the welcome bonus.

This card has a 3% foreign transaction fee.

Hot Tip: You can earn more PNC points by using Purchase Payback , which gives you bonus offers for shopping at specific merchants, much like Amex Offers does.

The PNC Points Business card is the business version of the PNC Points card.

The main difference is you’ll earn 5 points per $1 on all purchases , excluding gift cards or other cash equivalent products, purchases with a convenience check, cash advances, or balance transfers.

So by switching your attention to the business credit card variant, you’ll already earn 25% more points than you would with the PNC Points card.

The only reason you wouldn’t sign up for the PNC Points Business card is if you don’t have a business. But you might be able to apply and qualify for a business credit card without knowing it!

Of course, this business credit card comes with many of the perks that any other business credit card would have, such as the ability to add or remove employee cards , set individual spending limits for employee cards, and download transactions into Excel, Quicken, or QuickBooks for easy bookkeeping.

One other benefit is the Cash Flow Insight benefit, which gets you access to the Spend Analysis tool to automatically assign business categories and help you monitor, plan, and budget for business needs.

This business credit card also comes with extended purchase protection , doubling the time period of the original manufacturer’s written U.S. warranty up to 1 full year on warranties of 3 years or less.

Also, Purchase Security will replace, repair, or reimburse you for eligible personal property items in the event of theft or damage within the first 90 days of purchase.

There is no annual fee, and there is usually a 9-billing cycle 0% introductory purchase APR and balance transfer APR period (this does not include balance transfer fees).

The PNC BusinessOptions card is the most premium PNC business credit card, so you’ll see the most perks when you examine this card.

You’ll earn the same 5 points per $1 spent on all purchases as the PNC Points Business card, but you’ll find more perks. Remember, purchases exclude gift cards or other cash equivalent products, purchases with a convenience check, cash advances, or balance transfers.

The PNC BusinessOptions credit card is recommended by PNC Bank for “companies with annual credit card spend of $50,000 or more.”

With this card, you can choose from 3 rewards programs, including cash rebates, PNC points, and travel rewards:

• Cash rebates — credited quarterly to your card statement with no category restrictions; earn 1.5% cash-back on net purchases with the revolving credit option and 1% cash-back on net purchases with the pay-in-full option
• PNC points — earn 5 PNC points for every $1 on purchases, excluding gift cards or other cash equivalent products, purchases with a convenience check, cash advances, or balance transfers
• Travel rewards — earn 1 mile for every $1 on purchases; each mile is worth up to 1 cent

You may also find a generous welcome bonus of around $750 in statement credits after making $25,000 during the first 3 billing cycles following account opening.

Additionally, the annual fee charged depends on your annual total of net purchases:

One of the questions you might have is, “if the annual fee is based on the total of net purchases for the previous 12 billing cycles, how much is it for the first year I sign up?”

The answer is: free . There’s no annual fee for the first 12 billing cycles. The annual fee will be charged starting from the 13th beginning cycle after account opening.

There are also no additional fees for extra cards.

The card’s credit limit comes with a “pay-in-full option with a credit limit up to $250,000” or a “revolve option with a credit limit up to $50,000.” In this sense, this card can act as a charge card with up to $250,000 in credit (you have to pay off your bills in full every month) or a credit card with up to $50,000 in credit (you can hold a balance).

You can also add your custom logo to cards for $350 (includes logos on all cards, not just 1 card).

One of the unique benefits of this card is the ability to limit individual employee spending by merchant or purchase category. This is useful if your employees should only be transacting with restaurants, for example.

There are no foreign transaction fees , and you have enhanced expense allocation features from PNC’s Advanced Reporting Tool .

This card is also a Visa Signature card, which comes with unique benefits, such as:

• Auto rental collision damage waiver
• Emergency card replacement
• Emergency cash disbursement
• Lost luggage reimbursement
• Lost/stolen card reporting
• Roadside Dispatch , a pay-per-use roadside assistance program
• Purchase Security and extended protection
• Travel accident insurance
• Travel and emergency assistance services
• Visa Signature Concierge

One of the best ways to earn more PNC points per dollar spent is to also have a deposit account with PNC — only available to cardholders of the personal PNC Points card.

You can earn a bonus of 25%, 50%, or 75% of all base points, depending on which personal checking account you have.

Hot Tip: You will not earn relationship bonuses on top of any Purchase Payback  deals or other promotional points offers. 

You can earn PNC points on interest charges, but this can be done only on a different credit card we haven’t discussed — the PNC Flex Visa Signature Credit Card .

This is not a recommended option, but you will earn 100 points for every $2 in non-promotional interest, provided that you have a qualifying deposit account and maintained a combined average monthly balance of $500 to $1,499.99 on the last day of the billing cycle. If your monthly deposit balance is higher than that, you’ll earn 100 points for every $1 in non-promotional interest.

Non-promotional interest means that it must not be a part of an introductory APR offer or any other special promotions.

Bottom Line: The ceiling for earning PNC points is 7 points per dollar using a 75% relationship bonus with the PNC Points card. You’ll earn 5 points per dollar with either of the PNC points business credit cards discussed above, which are both not eligible for relationship bonuses. 

How to Redeem PNC Points

PNC offers numerous ways to redeem points, but they can generally be categorized into 4 buckets:

• Travel (best value)
• Merchandise

Regardless of how you redeem your points, you’ll first need to visit the PNC points dashboard to use your points.

Generally, the best-value redemption method for PNC points is to redeem for airfare . For example, if you look at this United Airlines basic economy ticket from Chicago to Washington, D.C. on June 1, 2021, you’ll see that the cash price is $174 on Google Flights .

If you search for the same flight on PNC’s travel center (click Book Now under Travel ), you’ll find the same flight bookable for 57,700 points, inclusive of taxes and fees.

In this example, you’d be receiving 0.3 cents per point in value from PNC points. Similarly, you’ll receive approximately the same value when redeeming PNC points for hotel stays.

The points price for a 3-night stay from June 1, 2021, to June 4, 2021, at the Hyatt Regency Dulles is 65,819 points per night.

If you paid cash for the same booking, you’d be quoted $189 plus taxes and fees.

Points prices don’t include taxes and fees for hotel bookings, so the $189 per night cost translates directly to a ~0.28 cents per point value .

You can also book car rentals, activities, cruises, and inclusive vacations using the PNC travel center.

You can also turn your PNC points into gift cards across numerous merchants. To redeem for gift cards, all you have to do is click  Start Shopping under Gift Cards in the PNC points portal .

The main gift card categories are:

• Charitable Organizations
• Fuel and Auto
• Gourmet and Floral
• Grocery and Pharmacy
• Movies and Entertainment
• Online and Gaming
• Restaurants
• Retail Stores
• Salon and Spa
• Subscription Services
• Travel and Experience

The exact value of your gift cards will vary, but you can expect to redeem PNC points at a value of 0.22 to 0.25 cents per point for gift cards. For example, check out the $500 Amazon gift card, which requires around 223,748 points, a value of 0.223 cents per point.

On the other hand, it’s possible to get slightly better value at different merchants, but you’ll have to look closely. For example, check out this $100 Bloomingdale’s gift card for 41,593 points, a value of 0.24 cents per point:

You can also purchase merchandise using your PNC points, though the value you’ll get is generally significantly less — 0.10 to 0.25 cents per point depending on what items you purchase.

To get started browsing, visit the PNC points portal and click Explore More under Apple Store and Other Merchandise. You’ll be redirected to the PNC points merchandise portal where you can browse and redeem your points.

You can browse for goods in any of these categories:

• Bags & Luggage
• Bed & Bath
• Computers & Tablets
• Electronics
• Home & Garden
• Musical Instruments
• Office Products
• Sporting Goods
• Video Game Hardware
• Video Games

And the list of merchandise you can buy is truly gargantuan. For example, check out this massage chair you can redeem PNC points for:

If you paid cash for this massage chair, the best deal you’d get is approximately $3,500, which is approximately 0.15 cents per point of value.

If you’re looking for smaller price-tag items, check out this Farberware microwave, which retails for $170 including tax.

This purchase will net you a value of around 0.17 cents per point.

The last option is to use your PNC points as cash-back in the form of statement credits. Cash-back redemptions require a 3,000 point-minimum. However, it makes more sense to redeem PNC points above the minimum because you’ll only receive 0.13 cents per point in value if you redeem 3,000 points for a $4 statement credit.

Once you increase the number of points you use, you’ll notice that your cash-back statement credits are worth 0.20 cents per point . For example, redeeming 50,000 PNC points is worth a $100 statement credit.

PNC enables you to rack up lots of points with its generous spending categories.

However, you’ll find that the value of the points is a fraction to other points we normally think of, such as Chase Ultimate Rewards or American Express Membership Rewards , which are worth around 2 to 2.2 cents each according to our travel points and miles valuations .

On the other hand, PNC points are usually worth around 0.2 to 0.3 cents per point, which is just a small percentage of what other points are worth.

In general, we would recommend putting your credit card spending on other rewards systems, however, PNC points can be worth it if you already have a PNC relationship and you’re looking for simple credit card options that’ll earn points regardless of the spending category. Otherwise, PNC points fall flat on their reward offerings compared to the titans of the points world.

The information regarding the PNC Points ® Visa ® Credit Card, PNC Flex Visa Signature Credit Card, PNC Points ® Visa ® Business Credit Card, and PNC BusinessOptions ® Visa Signature ® Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.  The information regarding the PNC Points ® Visa ® Credit Card, PNC Flex Visa Signature Credit Card, PNC Points ® Visa ® Business Credit Card and PNC BusinessOptions ® Visa Signature ® Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is 50,000 pnc points worth.

50,000 PNC points can be worth anywhere from $100-$150.

How do I redeem my PNC points?

You can redeem your PNC points by visiting the PNC points portal .

Do PNC points expire?

Yes. PNC points expire at the end of the 48th month after the month in which they were posted to your points account.

How do PNC credit card points work?

PNC points is the name of one of PNC’s rewards program. The points that you earn and redeem are called PNC points, and you can use them to book travel, get gift cards, buy merchandise, or get cash-back in the form of a statement credit.

What can you do with PNC points?

In general, you can do 4 things with PNC points:

• Book travel (best value)
• Trade for gift cards
• Buy merchandise
• Get cash-back in the form of a statement credit (worst value)

How much is a PNC points point worth?

PNC points are worth different amounts depending on how you use them. You can get anywhere from 0.11 to 0.3 cents per point in value, but most commonly, you’ll get around 0.2 to 0.3 cents per point in value.

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PNC points® Visa® Credit Card

Card details

Nerdwallet review.

Earn 4 to 7 points for every $1 in purchases

Earn even more points with PNC Virtual Wallet or an eligible PNC Checking account when you meet additional requirements

Redeem your points for thousands of valuable rewards – including cash, travel, merchandise, gift cards and more

No annual fee

Introductory offer on purchases and balance transfers.

Rates, fees & offers

Rewards rate, bonus offer.

0% intro APR on Purchases and Balance Transfers for the first 12 billing cycles

Ongoing APR

APR: 18.24%-30.24%, Variable

Cash Advance APR: 30.24%, Variable

Penalty APR: Up to 34.24%, Variable

Balance transfer fee

$5 or 4% of the amount of each balance transfer, whichever is greater.

Foreign transaction fee

3% of each foreign transaction in U.S. dollars

Recommended credit score

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Compare to other cards

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Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This may influence which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

Rating details

Editor's overall rating, pros and cons.

New cardholder bonus offer

Intro APR period

Low rewards rate

Limited availability

Complicated redemptions

The PNC points® Visa® Credit Card earns 4 points for every $1 you spend. In terms of the  number  of points you get back, you'd be hard-pressed to find a flat-rate card that tops it.

But the $0 -annual-fee card stumbles in terms of the value of those points. For cash back and gift cards, a PNC point is worth 0.2 cents (and potentially less for merchandise). That's a pitiful valuation when compared with many other rewards cards that earn points valued at a full penny or more each.

For more information, see NerdWallet's full review of this card .

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PNC points® Visa® Credit Card

*The information about the PNC points® Visa® Credit Card has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.

Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.

A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.

Intro offer

Earn 50,000 bonus points after you make $750 or more in purchases during the first 3 billing cycles following account opening of a PNC points Visa Credit Card.

Offer valuation

Offer valuation is not available for this credit card.

Rewards rate

Earn 4 points for every $1 in purchases

Regular APR

On This Page

• Pros and cons
• Current offer details
• Key cardholder perks
• Understanding the fees
• PNC points Visa Credit Card vs. other rewards cards
• Is this card worth getting?

The PNC points® Visa® Credit Card Overview

The PNC points Visa looks pretty appealing from the outside, and some may find it very practical for their banking needs. Since it comes from a regional bank, the PNC points Visa may not even be available to you. Even if it is, you may find you already have a card giving you better rewards.

What are the pros and cons?

Earn points on nearly all purchases

Intro APR offers

No annual fee

Bonus point opportunities

Only available in areas with PNC physical presence

Foreign transaction fee

Points carry a relatively low cash value compared to other cards

A deeper look at the current card offer

Quick highlights.

• Rewards Rate : 4 points for every $1 on qualifying purchases
• Welcome Offer : 50,000 bonus points for spending $750 within the first three billing cycles
• Annual Fee : None
• Purchase Intro APR : 0 percent APR for the first 12 billing cycles
• Balance Transfer Intro APR : 0 percent APR for the first 12 billing cycles, plus a fee of $5 or 3 percent of the balance if balances are transferred within 90 days of account opening
• Regular APR : 11.99 percent to 21.99 percent APR variable

Current welcome offer

If you’re approved for a new PNC points Visa Credit Card, you can earn an additional 50,000 points when you spend $750 within the first three billing cycles.

While not a spectacular bonus, it’s solid nevertheless, and there are thousands of options when it comes to redeeming. Since $750 isn’t a huge threshold to clear, this is something you may want to consider if you live in an area where PNC operates.

Earning rewards points with the PNC Points Visa Credit Card is easy if you have an account with PNC (or open one) and meet the requirements to earn bonus points. You can always check the number of points available with your PNC credit card login credentials.

Earning rewards

You will earn four PNC rewards points for every $1 in qualified spending, which is almost everything except gift cards and other cash equivalent transactions. When this card is your daily go-to for spending, you can find yourself with a nice stash of points pretty quickly.

Let’s say you put $1,000 on your credit card each month. That gives you 4,000 points at the end of the month. Now, if you have a PNC account, this is where the point earnings really start to add up, as you’ll see below.

Redeeming rewards

With so many redemption choices, you’ll find earning them easier than spending them. Do you want to book an exciting travel getaway? Treat yourself to a spa experience? Donate to your favorite charity? Or use them on some new items for your home or wardrobe? The online rewards page is easy to navigate. Chose the category of reward you want to look at and browse through the offers.

Beware though: points expire 48 months after they are earned. To avoid losing them, after you open your account, set a reminder for 46 months from that date. That will give you a two-month buffer to decide how you’ll spend your points before they vanish from your account.

Other cardholder benefits

The benefits for this card, while not outstanding, are solid. Current PNC customers, or those who are open to banking with them, enjoy the most rewards.

Opportunity to earn bonus points every month

PNC gives you bonus points on the base points you earn with your card if you maintain specific accounts.

• Earn a 25 percent bonus when you maintain a Virtual Wallet, Virtual Wallet Performance Spend, Virtual Wallet Performance Select, Performance or Performance Select checking account.
• Earn a 50 percent bonus points when you maintain a Performance Checking account or Virtual Wallet with Performance Spend and meet the minimum balance or direct deposit requirements for this award level.
• Earn a whopping 75 percent bonus when you maintain a Performance Select Checking account or Virtual Wallet with Performance Select and meet the minimum balance or direct deposit requirements.

Seamless integration with PNC online banking and Virtual Wallet

Streamline your finances when you pair this card with other banking options from PNC. Access your account information in one location with your PNC visa login. You can easily check your balance and points available with your PNC Bank credit card login info anytime and anywhere.

How much are points worth?

These points are, sadly, not very valuable when you consider their cash equivalent. Many rewards programs have points or miles worth 1 cent each, but PNC points work out to less than a quarter of a cent each.

Here are three examples we compared:

• Round-trip flight from Chicago to New York City : $197 when you pay with cash, or 66,067 points, making each point worth $0.29.
• LG Stylo 6 phone : Best Buy sells the 64 GB model for $299.99, but you can get sans cash with 184,583 points. This works out to 0.16 cents per point.
• Walmart gift card : A $100 gift card costs 45,980 points, making each point worth $0.21.

Rates and Fees

This card offers an intro 0 percent APR for 12 billing cycles on new purchases and balance transfers made within the first 90 days of account opening. After that, the rate goes up to a lower-than-average among rewards credit cards rate of 11.99 percent to 21.99 percent variable, depending on creditworthiness.

Balances transferred within the first 90 days incur a fee of $5 or 3 percent of the total, whichever is greater. After the intro period, the fee increases to the greater of $5 or 4 percent of the total balance transferred.

You’ll also pay a 3 percent foreign transaction fee on international purchases. The late and returned payment fees can be up to $38. Cash advance fees are 10 percent of the total amount or $5, whichever is greater.

How the PNC Points Visa Credit Card compares to other rewards cards

This $0 annual-fee card does come up short when it comes to the length of the 0 percent intro APR. However, it shines when it comes to the number of points it earns day in and day out. Additionally, it has one of the lower spending thresholds that need to be reached to get the welcome bonus.

Recommended Credit Score

Citi Double Cash® Card

Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.

Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, for a limited time, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/24.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠. 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries. 2x on all other travel purchases. 1x on all other purchases.

A balance transfer request must be made within 120 days from account opening to qualify for the introductory APR. 

Best cards to pair with the PNC Points Visa Credit Card

With so many specialized rewards cards available, it’s helpful to have a few in your wallet to maximize your rewards-earning potential. The PNC Points Visa pairs well with cards that earn cash back or give extra rewards for travel spending and redemption, like the Citi Double Cash® Card or the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card . That way, you can cover all of your bases when it comes to getting rewarded for your purchases.

Bankrate’s Take — Is PNC Points Visa Credit Card worth it?

We like the PNC Points Visa Credit Card overall, but unless you already are a PNC customer and can take advantage of the bonus earning opportunities, this isn’t one of the best credit cards on the market today.

All information about the PNC Points Visa Card and Wells Fargo Propel American Express® card has been collected independently by Bankrate and has not been reviewed or approved by the issuer.

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Is the PNC Points Card a Good Deal for Travel?

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Million Mile Secrets reader, John Young, commented :

Do you have any information about the PNC Points Visa from PNC bank ?  I was targeted to earn  50,000 PNC points after spending $500.  But there is NO information on their website about how many points it takes to redeem for an airline ticket. I called them and was transferred to 3 different people.  None of them gave me any information on the value of the points when redeemed for an airline ticket.  All they told me was it takes a minimum of 50,000 PNC points to redeem for an airline ticket. This may be a good card or it could be the biggest credit card sham going on.  I can’t tell because they won’t give me the information.

Excellent question, John!  There’s a reason you don’t hear about this card very often.  That’s because it’s NOT a good deal.

I’ll explain why.  And give you better options for cash back and travel rewards cards!

The PNC Points Visa Is NOT a Good Deal

The card offers 4X PNC points on all purchases.  And you earn bonus points if you have certain PNC checking accounts, a minimum amount of direct deposits, and/or a minimum balance in your account.

You can redeem the points through their online rewards catalog for airline tickets, gift cards, merchandise, and more.

Even though you’ll earn 4X PNC points per $1 spent, each point is worth ~1/5 to ~1/4 of 1 cent , depending on how you redeem them.

So that effectively makes this card a 1% cash back card at best .  Even with the 75% bonus you’ll receive with certain checking accounts, it still doesn’t compare to other cash back credit cards that do NOT have those strict requirements.

And as John already found out, the customer service with PNC   is bad.  They wouldn’t give John (or me!) any information about their PNC points program.  I recommend sticking with banks that make their award redemption policies easily available!

I was able to find out (after speaking with multiple people, as John found out) that 50,000 PNC points are worth $100 toward the cost of a coach flight on any US airline.  At that level, the value you’ll receive is 1/5 of 1 cent per point.  So this is NOT a good card to use for Big Travel!

How Do PNC Points Compare to Other Cards?

According to PNC, the most popular points redemption is for gift cards, including hotel gift cards.

Let’s take the Hyatt gift card as an example.  You can redeem 47,000 PNC points for a $100 Hyatt gift card.

At 4X PNC points per $1 spent, you’d have to spend $11,750 on purchases to earn a $100 Hyatt gift card.  And even if you jumped through hoops for the bonus points, the least you’d have to spend is close to $7,000.

I’ve written about other cash back cards and how much you can get back.

Here a few better options:

1.   Chase Freedom

Link:   Chase Freedom

You’ll always earn at least  1% cash back with the Chase Freedom.  The best perk of this NO annual fee card is  5% cash back in rotating quarterly categories.

All of the points earned are worth at least 1 cent per point .  You can increase their value when you pair the Chase Freedom with another card , like the Chase Sapphire Preferred , Chase Ink Plus , or (the no longer offered) Chase Ink Bold.  That’s because Chase Ultimate Rewards points are valuable for Big Travel.

Even without the bonus categories and transfer options, you’d still earn more cash back than the PNC Points card.

2.   Citi Double Cash

Link:   Citi Double Cash Card

With the Citi Double Cash card you’ll get 1% cash back on all purchases.  Then another 1% cash back on payments , as long as you meet the minimum payment.  Get all the details on this card and see how it stacks up to other cash back cards in my review .

Because it earns 2% cash back , it offers a better earning rate than the PNC Points card.

3.   Discover it Cash Back

Link:   Discover it® Cash Back

The Discover it Cash Back card recently announced double cash back for the 1st card year for new members.  You’ll have the opportunity to earn up to 10% cash back .  And currently you earn  $50 after your 1st purchase.

When you consider the double cash back and quarterly 5% bonus categories, it comes out way ahead of the PNC Points card.  Especially the 1st year.

Check out my review of the card .

4.   US Bank FlexPerks Travel Rewards Visa

Link:   US Bank FlexPerks Travel Rewards Visa

This card earns 3X points when you give to a charity and 2X points on the category where you spend the most (airline, gas, or grocery) and most cell phone expenses.

If you want to redeem FlexPerks for flights , you’ll get a far better value than the PNC Points card.

5.   Barclaycard Arrival Plus

Link:    Barclaycard Arrival Plus

And if you want a points system with easy award redemptions, the Barclaycard Arrival Plus  is a good choice.

The Arrival miles you earn with the Barclays Arrival Plus card can be redeemed  starting at 10,000 miles for $100  as a statement credit towards a $100+ travel purchase  (plus 5% miles back).

You effectively get 2.1% cash back on travel purchases with this card.  So if you have a lot of $100+ travel expenses, this is probably the best cash back card!  Although, I prefer cards that earn miles & points for Big Travel .

Bottom Line

The PNC Points Visa card is NOT a good option for cash back OR travel rewards.  There are many better cards available that earn more valuable points.  Like the Chase Freedom , Citi Double Cash , or Discover it Cash Back cards.

When you compare how much you’ll have to spend in purchases on the PNC Points card to similar cards , the terrible value of PNC points becomes clear.

I love to get Big Travel with Small Money and I’ll always tell you about the best deals.  The PNC Points card is NOT 1 of them.

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Moscow Itinerary: How To Spend 3 Days In Moscow

By: Author Lotte

Posted on Last updated: March 2, 2023

Categories Trans Mongolian Express

Moscow is the capital of Russia and there are few cities in the world that have played such a significant part in history.

Home to the Kremlin, the Red Square, the colorful St. Basil's Cathedral, and many more famous landmarks, Moscow is a city like no other.

This Moscow itinerary will help you plan your trip and make the most of your time in Moscow. From the best places to see in Moscow to how to get around, this post has got you covered.

Moscow itinerary

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Moscow 3 day itinerary: map with highlights

Click here for the interactive map .

What to do in Moscow in 3 days

• Day 1: The Red Square, GUM Department Store, St. Basil's Cathedral, Lenin's Mausoleum, and the State Historical Museum.
• Day 2: The Kremlin, the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, Gorky Park, and the Bolshoi Theatre.
• Day 3: Izmailovsky Market, Bunker 42, and Zaryadye Park.

Important things to know when planning a trip to Moscow

The best time to plan a trip to Moscow is April-May and September-October . During these months temperatures are (generally) quite comfortable, though even in April there can be a bit of snow! The summer months are hot, both in regard to temperature as well as activities in the city. While it's a nice time to visit, it's also the busiest time of the year to visit Moscow. Hotel prices reflect this as well and summer definitely isn't a great time for budget travelers to visit Moscow. Winter in Moscow is cold, and I mean seriously cold (-15°C isn't rare). However, if you can withstand the subzero temperatures and freezing winds, it can be a magical time to visit. A snow-covered St. Basil’s Cathedral is a sight you will never forget. Keep in mind that days are short in winter and be sure to bring plenty of warm winter clothes!

The official currency in Russia is the Russian Ruble (₽ or RUB). Here you can find the current exchange rates, at the time of writing €1 is approximately 70RUB and $1 is around 62RUB.

Yes, you probably do. Getting a visa for Russia requires a bit of time and effort. You need to fill out several forms and provide a detailed travel itinerary and information about your accommodation. Also, you will need a Visa Support Letter which can be provided by your travel agency or your hotel. Depending on your nationality, there may be additional requirements, please refer to the information provided on the website of your country's Embassy in Russia.

While most of the things to see in Moscow listed in this post are within walking distance of each other, sometimes you will have to travel a bit further afield. The best way to get around in Moscow is by metro. It's cheap and efficient and a sightseeing activity in itself, because Moscow has the most beautiful metro stations in the world ! Among the most exquisitely decorated stations are Komsomolskaya, Novoslobodskaya, Mayakovskaya, Taganskaya, and Prospect Mira Station, but there are many more worthwhile stations to be found in the Moscow underground. You can purchase a single ticket from one of the ticket machines or get a rechargeable Troika Card when you plan on taking the metro several times. Read more details on how to use the Moscow metro here . If you prefer to get around by taxi, that's possible too. We used the Gett app to order a taxi (similar to Uber) to avoid confusion about our intended destination and having to negotiate in Russian. A convenient extra for families is the Gett Kids option, these cars are outfitted with a car seat.

The best things to do in Moscow

While you could easily spend a week in Moscow (or more), most of us, unfortunately, don't have that much time available.

This 3-day Moscow itinerary will guide you to the most popular and important places to visit in Moscow, as well as to some of the more unusual things to do in Moscow.

Below you can find the list of the Moscow sightseeing highlights included in this post.

The Red Square

Gum department store, st. basil's cathedral, lenin's mausoleum, the state historical museum, the kremlin, cathedral of christ the saviour.

• The Bolshoi Theatre

Izmailovsky Market

Zaryadye park.

Plan your trip like a pro with these tools: ✈️ Find the best flight deals on Kiwi.com . ? Get the best car rental deal for your road trip on Rentalcars.com . ?️ Find your dream accommodation on Booking.com or Agoda . ? Book the best tours via Get Your Guide , Viator or Klook . ? Plan your journey with the  Lonely Planet . ?️ Travel safely and get reliable travel insurance from Safety Wing .

Moscow itinerary day 1

There is no better place to start your first day in Moscow, than at the world-famous Red Square.

This square is considered the central square of Moscow, not just because all the major streets start here, but also because no matter where you look when standing on this square, there are historic buildings all around.

Starting with the impressive GUM store and going clockwise, there is the colorful Saint Basil's Cathedral, the Kremlin, Lenin's Mausoleum, the State Historical Museum, and the Kazan Cathedral.

However, before entering any of these Moscow must-see attractions, allow yourself a moment to take in the view and let it sink in that you're standing on historical grounds (and a UNESCO site).

The Red Square was the official address of the Soviet government and played an important part in history. Many military parades have been held (and are still being held) here. It's the place where protests have taken place, as well as high-profile concerts from famous international artists.

All in all, it's one of the places in Moscow you can't miss during your Moscow city trip!

Yulia from That's What She Had: it might seem like visiting a department store is not something you’d do on the first visit to Russia’s capital.

But GUM is not like any other department store and is well worth your time, if only for its unique architecture.

First of all, it’s located right on Red Square which makes it an easy stop on your Moscow trip itinerary. Second, GUM is not a simple mall, but an institution built in the late XIX century.

The abbreviation stands for  Glavniy Universalniy Magazin or Main Universal Store. Its impressive facade extends for over 240 meters along the eastern side of Red Square.

Inside you’ll find a beautiful glass ceiling supported by a metal framework, not unlike the ones found in the old train stations of Great Britain. 

While shopping in GUM will cost you an arm and a leg, there’s one reason why tourists and locals come here anyways:  traditional Russian food  at Stolovaya #57. Stolovaya is Russian for canteen and this is where you can get your  pelmeni , borsch , and  pirozhki  fix!

Afterward, don’t forget to get the famous  plombir  ice cream in one of the kiosks on the ground floor.

Saint Basil's Cathedral with its colorful domes is easily recognizable and one of the most popular Moscow tourist attractions. The building, built on orders from Ivan the Terrible, was completed in 1561 to commemorate the victory over Kazan and Astrakhan.

Until the construction of Ivan the Great Bell Tower (which can be found within the walls of the Kremlin), it was the tallest building in Moscow.

The design of St. Basil's Cathedral is truly unique; it's shaped like the flame of a bonfire and not one building in a similar style can be found in the whole of Russia.

A legend tells the story of how Ivan the Terrible had the architects of the Cathedral blinded so they could never build anything comparable.

This is a myth, however, but the fact remains that Saint Basil's Cathedral is one of a kind and it's not surprising it has become the symbol of Russia.

Wendy from The Nomadic Vegan: Lenin Mausoleum is hard to miss. It's a stepped-pyramid construction that sits right at the base of the Kremlin walls on the western side of Red Square.

Entrance is free but note that opening hours are quite limited, with visiting hours lasting only from 10 am to 1 pm on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday.

If seeing Lenin's embalmed body is important to you, be sure to take this into account when planning your itinerary in Moscow.

One of my  top tips for travelers to Russia  is to arrive early, well before the mausoleum opens, as the queue is usually quite long. However, usually, the queue does move pretty quickly.

This is especially true now that they have lifted the ban on bags and cameras.

It used to be that all cameras, smartphones, and bags of any size had to be checked at a left-luggage office nearby. But now you can bring a small handbag or backpack as well as your camera and phone.

Photography inside the mausoleum is still strictly forbidden, but you are allowed to take photos of the graves of various other important Russian figures that line the path leading to the mausoleum.

Once you finally enter the mausoleum, the atmosphere is surprisingly peaceful and uncrowded. It doesn't feel nearly as rushed as when visiting Mao Ze Dong's tomb in Beijing or Ho Chi Minh's body in Hanoi , for example.

The illumination of the body is very well done and would make for superb photography if it wasn't forbidden. As an added bonus, just after you exit, you'll see the grave of Joseph Stalin outside.

Rai from A Rai Of Light: the imposing crimson building at the northern end of the Red Square is the State Historical Museum.

By decree of Alexander III, the museum was built with the support of Russian historians, philosophers, and artists. The red brick building, dating from 1875, was designed in the Russian revival style by Vladimir Shervud.

The National Museum of Russia houses a collection of over four million items, devoted to the history of the country's ancient and imperial period.

The exhibitions include many items previously owned by members of the Romanov dynasty, such as documents, artwork, personal items, furnishings, and decorations from the palace interiors.

Another exhibit features relics of the prehistoric tribes that once inhabited this region.

Notable items include ancient manuscripts, birch-bark scrolls, a longboat excavated from the banks of the Volga River, and the largest coin collection in Russia, sourced from the museums in St Petersburg .

The State Historical Museum is open daily from 10 am to 6 pm. The entrance fee is 700₽ per adult.

Moscow itinerary day 2

When listing the best Moscow things to do, one cannot miss the Kremlin! The Kremlin houses the current seat of power in Russia and has done so for several decades.

Within its walls, the offices of the Russian Government can be found. During Soviet rule, the Kremlin was where all the important decisions were made but its history goes back for many centuries.

The first mention of the Kremlin in history books was in 1147, however, the current citadel dates from the 16th century.

The Kremlin is one of the major fortifications found in Europe, with walls that are up to 6.5 meters thick and 19 meters high in particular sections.

Inside the complex, there are many government buildings, however, these aren't accessible to the public.

Around Cathedral Square you'll find (as the name suggests) many churches and cathedrals, such as the Cathedral of the Archangel, Annunciation Cathedral, the Church of Laying Our Lady's Holy Robe, and Ivan the Great Bell-Tower.

While Cathedral Square is definitely worth visiting, the highlight of the Kremlin is a visit to the Armoury.

Inside you can find an impressive collection of Faberge eggs, beautiful dresses worn by Catherine the Great, intricately decorated thrones used by the Tsars, and much more. Unfortunately, photography is forbidden inside the Armoury.

Practical information about visiting the Kremlin

In order to visit both Cathedral Square and the Armoury, you will have to buy two separate tickets. A ticket to Cathedral Square costs 700₽ and a ticket to the Armoury is 1000₽. Prices mentioned are for adults, children below 16 years old are free.

Tickets can be bought at the ticket office onsite on the same day, however, there's no guarantee tickets will be available, especially during peak season.

Conveniently, tickets can be bought online as well, which is highly advisable if you want to make sure you'll be able to visit the Kremlin during your city trip to Moscow.

How much time to spend at the Kremlin

Be sure to allow plenty of time to explore the Kremlin, at least half a day but it's easy to spend more time as there is so much to see.

Please note there isn't any food sold inside the Kremlin, so bring a snack and enough water (especially in summer when it can get pretty hot).

Luggage storage

Backpacks aren't allowed inside the Kremlin, they can be stored (for free) in the cloakroom, but you can bring your camera and a small purse.

We could also take our Babyzen Yoyo stroller inside, which was very convenient as our 10-month-old son could take a nap while we explored the sights.

After the original Cathedral of Christ the Saviour was demolished by Stalin in 1931, a new version was completed in 2000.

The imposing building is the tallest Orthodox Christian church in the world (103 meters high), and is beautiful on the outside as well as on the inside.

Visiting the Cathedral is free of charge and it's open any day of the week from 10 am to 5 pm (except on Mondays when the opening hours are 1 to 5 pm).

When visiting the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour it's important to dress appropriately. For men, this means no shorts or tank tops.

Women can't enter with mini skirts or shorts, strap tops, or anything too revealing. Also, women are advised to cover their heads with a scarf as a sign of respect.

Inside the Cathedral photography isn't allowed, but believe me when I say there is plenty to see. There are beautiful frescoes, colorful icons, impressive statues, and other vivid decorations.

For a beautiful view over Moscow, walk up the stairs to the 40-meter high observation deck (entrance fee 400₽).  

Visit Gorky Park

Helen from Holidays from Hels : Gorky Park, named after the Soviet writer Maxim Gorky, has recently undergone extensive regeneration to become Moscow's central leisure hub for young Muscovites.

Every day of the week you can find many Moscow residents strolling along the banks of the river in the summer, hiring bikes, picnicking on the grass, or dining at one of the many restaurants.

Open-air cinemas, petanque, and ping pong are all on offer. Not to be missed is the iconic white stone entranceway and museum, complete with columns carved with Soviet hammers and sickles.

In winter, look out for the ducks waddling across the frozen Moskva River, and watch boats attempting to navigate through the cracked ice. However, the real winter highlight is to try ice skating on one of the biggest rinks in Europe!

Ice skating in Gorky Park

The park’s maze of pedestrian pathways is transformed into one huge skating rink, which can play host to up to four thousand skaters. 

Not surprisingly, Russians are talented ice skaters and there is a good chance you will find yourself next to a pirouetting ballerina.

Handily, you will find you will already be wearing most of what you need – gloves, hat, scarf, and thick socks and you can hire skates on-site. Lockers are included in the price if you don’t fancy skating with your day pack.

Disco tunes fill the air, and the whole arena is backlit in spectacular neon lights. Rest your weary legs and warm up at one of the cafes dotted along the frozen pathways, with the added bonus of not having to take off your skates.

Opening times

The rink is open from 10 am until 11 pm on weekdays and until midnight at weekends but closes between 3 and 5 pm. Like most attractions in Moscow, the rink is closed on Mondays. 

The prices range from 350-650₽ and go up in the evening, which is the best time for the light show. Arriving at 5 pm, just as the rink opens for the evening session will give you time to find your ice legs before it fills up with more confident skaters.

Whilst waiting for the rink to open, try out the nearby tubing track where you can shoot down a snowy hill on an inflatable ring repeatedly for a very enjoyable half an hour!

How to get to Gorky Park by metro

The nearest metro is Park Kultury Station, on the other side of the river. As always, check out in advance what this looks like in the Russian Alphabet so you know when to get off!

Bolshoi Theatre

James Ian at Travel Collecting : one of the best places to go in Moscow is the famous Bolshoi Theater, located only a short walk from Red square. Bolshoy means big in Russian, and the theatre is not only big but also beautiful.

There are two ways to see the theater: on a guided tour or by watching a performance .

Take a guided tour

• English tours are held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 11:30 am. Tickets for these tours can be bought (on the same day) at the ticket office located in the Historic building of the theatre (door #12).
• A ticket costs 2000₽ per person, tours last one hour, and the number of people on a tour is limited to a maximum of 20. The tour takes you inside the theater and to the historic main stage.

Watch a performance

My favorite way to see the theater, though, is to enjoy a performance and experience the theater as a patron.

The entrance is a little underwhelming when you first arrive, the street lobby is small and quite plain and you will be immediately directed up to your floor.

There are helpful attendants on each floor to guide you to the correct door. Arrive a little early and head up to the Grand Salon on the top floor where you can enjoy a glass of champagne while people-watching (Russians dress up for the theater).

Then head to your seat and take in the stunning theater before enjoying the famous Bolshoi Ballet or another performance.

Be sure to book a show at the historic stage, there is a modern stage as well but that isn't nearly as much fun.

Moscow itinerary day 3

Karen from WanderlustingK : one of the most interesting Moscow places to visit is the Izmailovsky Market .

This flea market and tourist attraction a bit outside of the tourist center is a recreation of a Tzar’s Palace, known as a Kremlin, produced in a colorful 16th-century style.

The market is filled with tiny stalls that sell everything from snacks to kitsch to authentic items from Soviet times such as hats, pins, and other pieces of memorabilia.

You'll also find authentic antiques such as vases, paintings, and other religious items if you're looking to splurge within the interior parts of the market.

Negotiating in English is not always possible as many vendors only speak Russian, so be sure to practice your Russian numbers and see how well you can do with haggling.

It's important to carry cash when you visit given that many vendors do not accept cards. We ended up purchasing a series of hats at the market, along with a beautiful hot tea glass with a metal holder with a typical Russian scene.

Elsewhere in the market, you’ll also find a few tourist shops that sell typical Russian products. It takes a few hours to see the market in full, so arrive early as the best items go quickly! 

Lindsey from Have Clothes, Will Travel : Bunker-42 was once a top-secret, Soviet military complex. Stalin commissioned its construction after the United States succeeded in creating a nuclear bomb.

An impressive 65 meters (or about 213 feet) underground, was the desired depth to protect Russia’s top officials from a nuclear attack.

Bunker 42 became operational in 1954. Fortunately, it was never needed for its true purpose, and instead it was used as the command center of strategic bombers for nearly 30 years.

Nowadays it's a museum dedicated to the Cold War and visiting is a truly unique experience!

You will need to join a tour in order to see the museum. You can call ahead to book your tour (the number is: +7 499 703-44-55), there are several English tours throughout the day that are held at 13:30, 16:30, and 18:30 (the price is 2200₽).

On Mondays, there is an extra tour at 17:30, which lasts an additional 30 minutes and costs 2800₽ per person. There is also the option to book a private tour. However, I am unsure of the price for this.

You will have to wait until exactly 15 minutes before your tour begins before you'll be admitted inside. After paying for your tickets and a quick restroom stop you will descend 65 meters underground…

Another option for visiting Bunker-42, if you would rather not do the tour, is to visit the restaurant inside Bunker-42. Actually, I highly recommend visiting the restaurant before or after a tour as well!

While the food is not that great, it’s worth visiting for a drink. The restaurant is also located within the bunker and is decorated in the old Soviet style.

From time to time there will be live performances and visiting Bunker 42 is definitely an experience worth having while in Moscow! After all, how many people can say they've had a drink in a top-secret Soviet military bunker?

If you’re visiting Moscow during peak season (June-July-August), it would be worth making a reservation, to avoid having to wait. Otherwise, I would not say you need to worry about a reservation at the restaurant.

Bunker-42 is a short cab ride away from Red Square (10-15 minutes). But I recommend taking the metro to get there. The closest station is Taganskaya, which is a beautiful metro station very much worth visiting.

Park Zaryad'ye or Zaryadye Park is a lovely place for a stroll and a nice place to relax after a day of sightseeing in Moscow, especially when exploring Moscow with kids.

There are many things to see and do in this park, but I recommend starting your visit at The River Overlook , a 70-meter-long boardwalk with beautiful views over the river and the Kremlin.

Other interesting places to visit in Zaryadye Park are the Ice Cave, The Museum of Nature, and The Glass Crust. But most importantly, do as the Muscovites do and find yourself a nice place in the park to sit down and relax.

Enjoy the view, do some people-watching, and take a moment to think back about all the Moscow top sights you've seen in the past couple of days.

Where to stay in Moscow

There is a huge amount of hotels in Moscow, ranging from budget hostels to exquisite 5-star hotels. Below you can find three well-reviewed Moscow hotels (rating of 8.5+ on Agoda and  Booking ).

3-star hotel in Moscow: MIRROS Hotel Mokhovaya

This 3-star hotel is one of the best budget Moscow hotels and is all about location! From the hotel, it's just a 10-minute walk to the Kremlin and only 600 meters to the Christ the Savior Cathedral.

Set in a historic 19th-century mansion, the hotel features classic rooms with ensuite bathrooms.

The staff is friendly and there is a metro station nearby (Borovitskaya), making it easy to get to the Moscow attractions a bit further afield.

Click here to book

Modern hotel in Moscow: Barin Residence Myasnitskaya

The Barin Residence Myasnitskaya is a newly built hotel, located about 1.2km from the Red Square (about a 15-20 minute walk).

The rooms and bathrooms are very modern and clean, the beds are comfortable and room service is available. This hotel is an excellent choice for travelers looking for a nice hotel without a hefty price tag.

Luxury hotel in Moscow: Hotel National Moscow

Hotel National is potentially the best Moscow hotel. It's a gorgeous 5-star hotel located just a stone's throw away from the Bolshoi Theater, the Red Square, and the Kremlin.

The building was designed by architect Alexander Ivanov and completed in 1903 and has been welcoming international travelers ever since.

With its imperial architecture, luxury design, and charming classic rooms (some with a view of the Kremlin!), the Hotel National is a unique property.

Furthermore, you can enjoy an indoor pool, sauna, and fitness center as well as the well-reviewed Beluga restaurant that serves both Russian and European dishes.

While this hotel doesn't come cheap, your stay at the Hotel National will make your trip to Moscow an unforgettable experience.

Moscow itinerary and travel guide: in conclusion

I hope this guide to Moscow will help you plan a trip to this interesting Russian city. Feel free to ask any questions you may have by leaving a comment or  sending me an email !

Below you can find my other posts about the Trans Mongolian Express , and the stops we made along the way:

• St. Petersburg itinerary
• Irkutsk and Lake Baikal itinerary
• Ulaanbaatar itinerary
• Trans-Mongolian Express travel guide

This post was updated in December 2020.

Bucket list travel on a budget: Expert tips for airfare, loyalty programs, credit card perks and more

Many travelers have their sights set on summer getaways , but with everything from baggage fees to fuel costs impacting the price of a ticket, "Good Morning America" is asking travel experts to share tips for booking bucket list destinations on a budget and finding savings along the way.

Travel expert Nicky Kelvin, senior director of content for The Points Guy, offered his tips for affordable travel techniques.

Where to find the best flight deals

Kelvin encourages travelers to utilize Google Flights and other free price-tracking tools to compare fare prices and snag the best deal.

He also suggests using both the calendar and map features within Google Flights to see which airports, dates and destinations how the lowest fare.

From the Google Flights homepage on a computer, click "explore destinations" and select a departure city without adding a destination. Then zoom out on the map to see the best prices for destinations all over the world.

Get the most out of free travel loyalty programs

Travelers should be earning points for anything and everything that they are buying or booking from airline and hotels to car rentals, Kelvin said.

In addition to the points that can can help travelers earn free flights and hotel stays, Kelvin said to look for extra perks just for joining.

Hyatt rewards, for example, offers all guests free breakfast.

For Thrifty Car Rental and Dollar Car Rental, he said you can add your spouse or domestic partner as an additional driver for free.

Loyalty programs are great for airlines too. JetBlue, for example, allows enrolled customers -- even if they don't have enough points for a flight -- to use points for discounts. Plus, with any airline, as you accumulate points to earn status, you can get free seating upgrades.

Travel credit cards with cash back perks

Along with earning points, travel credit cards give you protection for your trip like insurance to help with lost or damaged baggage and trip cancellation protection

Chase debuts new airport lounge: Gourmet menus, sleek interiors, free facials redefine hospitality for airport travel

As for credit cards, The Points Guy team suggests the Capital One Venture Rewards credit card as an all-around pick -- you get 75,000 miles after meeting your minimum spend in the first three months. Which Kelvin said is a value of over $1,300.

If you're looking to earn the most miles, he said look to the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card.

"You'll earn the most points on all your purchases with this one," he said.

Finally, if you want a credit card with no fee, Kelvin suggested the Bilt Mastercard, which he said is particularly great for renters because you can earn points on what's likely someone's biggest expense.

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Save money on international phone plans for summer trips

If someone's trip is taking them out of the country, using a cell phone internationally can cost $10 to 15 per day. For a family of four, that's more than $400 for a week.

If your phones support eSIM, Kelvin suggested purchasing a data plan for your destination through an app such as Airalo, Truphone or GigSky.

For example, one of Airalo's global SIM plans costs $9 for one week, which could save a family close to $350 dollars, depending on their existing international coverage.

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How to get to Moscow

The most common way to get to Moscow is by plane, with some tourists arriving in the capital by train.  Find out how to get to the Russian capital !

Find the main ways to travel to the Russian capital on this guide:

Getting to Moscow by plane

Getting to Moscow by plane is the most comfortable, quickest and cheapest way . Moscow has several international airports that connect the city with almost every corner of the world, and with some budget airlines operating flights there from London, you can often find an economical option. If you're flying from elsewhere in the UK, you'll probably have to make a stop in another European city on the way. From the USA, direct flights can be found from New York from around 500 US Dollars.

To get the best price on the flight to Moscow, it is best to book as far in advance as possible.

Check out our cheap flights search engine here!

Once you have booked your flight, the next step is finding how to get to Moscow city centre from the airport.

How to get to the centre of Moscow from each airport?

Domodedovo international airport (dme), sheremetyevo international airport (svo), vnukovo international airport (vko), getting to moscow by train.

A popular way to travel around Russia is by train , especially by the famous Trans-Siberian or Trans-Mongolian Railways. Moscow has a number of important train stations including  Leningradsky , with trains to Saint Petersburg; Kazansky , for trains to Central Asia; and Yaroslavsky , from where trains depart for Siberia, Mongolia and China.

If you're travelling from St Petersburg , you can reach Moscow by train in about 9 hours, but if you're short on time, it's best to take one of the fast trains which connect the two cities in less than 4 hours for around ₽ 3,500 ( US$ 37.90).

You can check prices , timetables and book tickets through the Russian Railways website.

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Museum of the Great Patriotic War

The Museum of the Great Patriotic War, located in Victory Park and also known as the Victory Museum, is a history museum showcasing Russia's participation in World War II.

Domodedovo Airport (DME) is Russia's second busiest airport after Sheremetyevo Airport. Discover how to reach Moscow city centre after arriving there!

What to do in Moscow

Ballet at the bolshoy, cathedral of christ the saviour, drinking & nightlife, entertainment, house-museums, the museum of modern history, the new tretyakov gallery, novodevichiy convent, patriarch’s ponds, the pushkin museum of fine arts, sandunovsky baths, the tretyakov gallery.

Travel in Moscow is easier than you might think: the city’s general layout is a series of concentric circles and radial lines emanating from Red Square and the Kremlin, and the centre is compact enough to explore on foot. Moscow’s sights can also be mapped as strata of its history: the old Muscovy that Russians are eager to show; the now retro-chic Soviet-era sites such as VDNK and Lenin’s Mausoleum; and the exclusive restaurants and shopping malls that mark out the new Russia. A CityPass is a good bet if you plan on seeing several of the city's heavyweight attractions.

Despite its size, Moscow's concentric layout is easier to grasp than you'd imagine, and the city's famous metro ensures that almost everywhere of interest is within fifteen minutes' walk of a station. Red Square and the Kremlin are the historic nucleus of the city, a magnificent stage for political drama, signifying a great sweep of history that includes Ivan the Terrible, Peter the Great, Stalin and Gorbachev. Here you'll find Lenin's Mausoleum and St Basil's Cathedral, the famous GUM department store, and the Kremlin itself, whose splendid cathedrals and Armoury Museum head the list of attractions. Immediately east of Red Square lies the Kitay-gorod, traditionally the commercial district, and originally fortified like the Kremlin. Stretches of the ramparts remain behind the Metropol and Rossiya hotels, and the medieval churches of Zaryade and the shops along Nikolskaya ulitsa may tempt you further into the quarter, where you'll find the former headquarters of the Communist Party. Take a private Kremlin tour to skip the lines for the Kremlin grounds and cathedrals.

The Kremlin and Kitay-gorod are surrounded by two quarters defined by rings of boulevards built over the original ramparts of medieval times, when Moscow's residential areas were divided into the "White Town" or Beliy Gorod, and the humbler "Earth Town" or Zemlyanoy Gorod. Situated within the leafy Boulevard Ring that encloses the Beliy Gorod are such landmarks as the Bolshoy Theatre and the Lubyanka headquarters of the secret police – with its "KGB Museum" – while the Zemlyanoy Gorod that extends to the eight-lane Garden Ring is enlivened by the trendy old and new Arbat streets, with three Stalin skyscrapers dominating the Ring itself.

Beyond this historic core Moscow is too sprawling to explore on foot. Krasnaya Presnya, Fili and the southwest describes a swathe which includes the former Russian Parliament building (known as the White House); Tolstoy's house and the Novodeviche Convent and Cemetery; Victory Park, with its war memorials and Jewish museum; and Moscow State University in the Sparrow Hills – the largest of the Stalin skyscrapers.

Across the river from the Kremlin, Zamoskvorechye and the south are the site of the old and new Tretyakov Gallery's superlative collection of Russian art. Private guided tours are recommended for art enthusiasts. Here too you'll find Gorky Park, the Donskoy and Danilov monasteries that once stood guard against the Tartars, and the romantic ex-royal estates of Tsaritsyno and Kolomenskoe – the latter known for staging folklore festivals and historical pageants.

Taganka and Zayauze, east of the centre, likewise harbour fortified monasteries – the Andronikov, Novospasskiy and Simonov – and the erstwhile noble estates of Kuskovo and Kuzminki, but the main lure for tourists is the Izmaylovo art market. Inside the Izmaylovo Kremlin, a cultural centre, there are also a range of attractions, from the Bread Museum and the Vodka History Museum to the fascinating Museum of Russian Toys.

Moscow's Northern Suburbs cover a vast area with a sprinkling of sights. Foremost is the Memorial and Museum of Cosmonautics and VDNK. For anyone interested in the glory days of the space race, and its monumental landmarks and propaganda, a visit is a must, like on this guided tour . In the vicinity are the Ostankino Palace, Moscow's Botanical Gardens and TV Tower. West from here, the Museum of Soviet Arcade Machines will appeal to visitors with an interest in Soviet social history, too.

Outside Moscow there's scope for day-excursions to the Trinity Monastery of St Sergei, the Abramtsevo artists' colony, Tchaikovsky's house in Kiln, Lenin's estate at Gorki Leninskie, and the battlefield of Borodino, where the battle is re-enacted every September. You can also head out to the village of Aksakovo for a beautiful two-hour troika ride. Further afield, the historic towns of Vladimir and Suzdal are graced by splendid cathedrals and monasteries attesting that they were the seat of a principality when Moscow was merely an encampment. Suzdal is one of the loveliest towns in Russia, and definitely merits an overnight stay. It's also possible to visit the Aviation Museum at Monino air base, en route to Vladimir, if you take the trouble to get permission ahead of time.

This article includes affiliate links; all recommendations are editorially independent.

Top image: Komsomolskaya metro station © Gubin Yury/Shutterstock

While Moscow's Bolshoy Ballet (also spelt "Bolshoi") is going through uncertain times, plagued by infighting and rivalries (not least the recent acid attack on Artistic Director Sergei Filin), few would deny themselves the chance to see this legendary company. During the season, evening performances start at 7pm, and Saturday and Sunday matinees at noon; there are no shows on Monday.

You can see what’s on currently and for a few months ahead on the Bolshoy’s website – although the English version sometimes lags behind the Russian one. The ballet company is usually abroad over summer and sometimes also in the autumn, leaving the junior corps de ballet to entertain visitors – although star dancers are certain to be in Moscow for the opening of the new season in September. For more on Russian ballet visit www.for-ballet-lovers-only.com . For those not interested in ballet but more in the historical aspect of the Bolshoy theatre, take a guided historic tour of the grounds.

If you're more interest in Folk Dances, visit the Kostroma Folk Dance show , the most authentic one in Moscow.

Built as a symbol of gratitude to divinity for having aided the Russians’ defeat of Napoleon in 1812, the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour (daily 10am–6pm), opposite the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts at Volkhonka ul. 15, was demolished in 1931 in favour of a monument to socialism. The project was soon abandoned and years later, under Krushev’s rule, the site was turned into the world’s largest public swimming pool. In 1994 the Cathedral was rebuilt and is now a symbol of Moscow’s (and Russia’s) post-Communist religious revival.

Moscow isn’t a city that goes to bed early. Many venues act as a café by day, restaurant in the early evening, and both bar and club at night. This can cover anything from an arthouse café with a spot of live music to a dance warehouse, or a fancy nightclub with a restaurant and casino. Most cater to a certain crowd, whether it’s creative professionals, students, shell-suited "flatheads" or designer-draped models. While formal dress codes are rare, face control (feys kontrol) is widespread. Russians distinguish between “democratic” face control (aimed at keeping out hooligans and bandits), and the kind that favours the rich (never mind how they behave). It’s unwise to rile club security staff, however rude they might be.

There are scores of trendy bars and clubs on Krasny Oktyabr, a former chocolate factory building located across the river from Kropotkinskaya and now home to some of Moscow’s hippest nightlife.

Learn how to walk, talk, drink and party like a Russian on a small group with Russian spirits.

Moscow's gastronomic scene has improved enormously over the last five years, with hundreds of new cafés and restaurants offering all kinds of cuisine and surroundings, aimed at anyone with a disposable income – from mega-rich New Russians and expense-account expatriates to fashion-conscious wealthy teenagers.

For cheap eats head to a canteen, where you can compile a tray of dishes smorgasbord-style. Take advantage of the great-value business lunches offered by cafés and restaurants during the week between noon and 4pm.

For well over a century, Moscow has been one of the world’s great centres of classical music, opera and ballet, most famously represented by the Bolshoy Theatre but also by its orchestras and choirs. Theatre can be tricky for non-Russian speakers though circus and puppetry surpass the language barrier. Moscow’s film industry and annual international film festival dwarf St Petersburg’s, but at other times most cinemas screen Hollywood blockbusters.

All this can be surprisingly good value, provided you ask for the cheapest ticket available ( samiy deshoviy bilyet ).

Gorky Park on ul. Krymskiy Val 9 (R100; Park Kultury) is a large park occupying an area of over 700 acres along the river. In the winter the frozen-over paths become one of the city’s largest ice rinks, while in the summer Muscovites stroll the area savouring an ice cream.

Admirers of Bulgakov, Chekhov, Gorky and Tolstoy will find their former homes preserved as museums. Anton Chekhov lived at Sadovaya-Kudrinskaya ul. 6, in what is now the Chekhov House-Museum (Tues, Thurs & Sat 11am–6pm, Wed & Fri 2–8pm; R100, student R60; Barrikadnaya), containing humble personal effects, while the Gorky House-Museum (Wed–Sun 11am–6pm, closed last Thurs of the month; free; Arbatskaya) on the corner of Povarskaya ulitsa and ulitsa Spiridonovka is worth seeing purely for its raspberry-pink Art Nouveau decor. Leo Tolstoy admirers should head to the wonderfully preserved Tolstoy Memorial Estate on ul. Lva Tolstogo 21 (Tues, Wed & Fri 10am–6pm, Thurs 1–9pm, Sat & Sun 11am–6pm; R200, student R60; Park Kultury) where the Tolstoy family lived after moving to Moscow from their country estate in 1881, and where the novelist wrote War and Peace . The Bulgakov Museum at Bolshaya Sadovaya ul. 10 (Sun–Thurs 1–11pm, Fri & Sat until 1am; free; t 495/970-0619; Mayakovskaya), is the house where the novelist lived from 1921 to 1924. There are nightly tours (1–6am; R550; phone a week in advance for tour in English).

The Museum of Modern History at Tverskaya ul. 21 (Tues, Wed, Fri 10am–6pm, Thurs & Sat 11am–7pm, Sun 10am–5pm, closed last Fri of the month; R100; Tverskaya) brings the Communist past alive with striking displays of Soviet propaganda posters, photographs and state gifts, although there’s a frustrating lack of English translation.

Opposite the entrance to Gorky Park at Krymskiy Val 10, the New Tretyakov Gallery (Tues–Sun 10am–7.30pm; R360, student R220; Park Kultury) takes a breakneck gallop through twentieth-century Russian art, from the avant-garde of the 1910–1920s to contemporary artists. Full and illuminating commentary in English is a bonus.

A cluster of shining domes above a fortified rampart belongs to the lovely Novodevichiy Convent (daily 10am–5pm; closed Tues & last Mon of month; R150; Sportivnaya), founded by Ivan the Terrible in 1524. At its heart stands the white Cathedral of the Virgin of Smolensk. In its cemetery lie numerous famous writers, musicians and artists, including Gogol, Chekhov, Stanislavsky, Bulgakov and Shostakovich.

One of Moscow’s most exclusive neighbourhoods, Patriarch’s Ponds is a pleasant spot (there’s actually just one pond) for a summer stroll or an ice-skate on its frozen waters in the depths of winter. The area is also known for being the location of the opening scene of Mikhail Bulgakov’s magical realist novel The Master and Margarita .

Founded in 1898 in honour of the famous Russian poet, the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts at Volkhonka ul. 12 (Tues–Sun 10am–7pm; R150–300, separate fee for Impressionist wing; Kropotkinskaya) holds a hefty collection of European paintings , from Italian High Renaissance works to Rembrandt, and an outstanding display of Impressionist works.

Get the city grit out of your skin at the exquisitely elaborate Sandunovsky baths (Neglinnaya ul. 14 bldg 3–7 w www.sanduny.ru ; Teatralnaya), patronized by Muscovites since 1896. Join Russian businessmen and socialites in the banya , a wooden hut heated with a furnace, where you are invited to sweat out impurities, get beaten energetically with birch twigs, and finally plunge into ice-cold water. Men’s and women’s baths are separate, with the women’s section more like a modern spa. A three-hour session costs R1000. Daily 8am–10pm.

Founded in 1892 by the financier Pavel Tretyakov, the Tretyakov Gallery at Lavrushinskiy per. 10 (Tues–Sun 10am–7.30pm; R360, student R220; Tretyakovskaya) displays an outstanding collection of pre-Revolutionary Russian art. Russian icons are magnificently displayed, and the exhibition continues through to the late nineteenth century, with the politically charged canvases of the iconic realist Ilya Repin and the Impressionist portraits of Valentin Serov, including The Girl with Peaches , one of the gallery’s masterpieces.

To see Soviet triumphalism at its most prolific, visit the Exhibition of Economic Achievements, or VDNKh (Prospekt Mira; VDNK/Prospekt Mira), with its statue upon statue of ordinary workers in heroic poses. Adding to the scene is the permanent trade-fair-cum-shopping-centre housed in the grandiose Stalinist architecture of the All-Union Agricultural Exhibition of 1939, and the People’s Friendship Fountain, flanked by Soviet maidens, each symbolizing a Soviet republic. One of the most hubristic Soviet monuments ever built is the Space Obelisk , which bears witness to Soviet designs on the stratosphere. Unveiled in 1964 – three years after Gagarin orbited the earth – it’s a sculpture of a rocket blasting nearly 100m into the sky on a plume of energy clad in shining titanium. Moscow’s giant Ferris wheel, small amusement park and numerous food vendors help to create a fairground-like atmosphere. For a fantastic view over the VDNK, take the lift to the 25th floor of Hotel Cosmos across Prospekt Mira.

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written by Rough Guides Editors

updated 26.04.2021

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