Airline Mile Credit Cards
By FederatedCreditCards.Com
Copyright © 2008 |
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Airline Mile Credit Cards are arguably the most convenient of the three major categories of travel reward credit cards. Unlike frequent flyer cards, with Airline mile cards you actually earn points per dollar spent rather than miles. Points work like miles; they can be accumulated, then used for flights, --but also for other travel perks such as car rentals and hotels. The major attraction with the point system is card owners have more options; they can redeem their points with several vendors and carriers, unlike the Frequent Flyer Credit Cards which normally bind you to one airline.
Things to Consider:
Expiration
Do unused travel points ever expire and if so when? It's not uncommon for unused points to expire after 3 years but this can vary by credit card contract. Do understand any limitations before signing up.
Points Accumulation
How many points do you earn for every dollar you spend. Unlike Frequent Flyer Credit Cards, which the majority is a mile per dollar, Airline Mile Credit Cards are a little bit more varied and complex. Also, confirm which purchases qualify for bonus points, or double points, --many companies offer special bonus points for certain purchases.
Restrictions For Use
Do read the credit card fine print to understand exactly where you can or cannot redeem your points. What airlines, hotels, car rentals, etc. Are there any blackout dates, --restrictions using points over holiday weekends? Are popular air routes and vacation spots excluded? Do your research before signing up to insure the card will work for your travel lifestyle.
How Many Points Are Required
To really know if an Airline Mile Credit Card will be useful to you consider your spending habits to estimate how many points you will likely earn, and contrast that to how many points are needed to acquire various travel services. Some card plans require you accumulate 7,500 points for a free flight while others can require as many as 50,000 points for a free flight. Understand the details before signing up.
