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At Frankford We Deal in Facts
Did you know that most travelers spend more of their money on hotel stays than on airline tickets?
Given this fact, it might be to your advantage to use a Travel Rewards Card instead of an Airline Credit Card.
The benefits, rewards and savings offered by Travel Rewards Cards outweigh Airline Cards. Explore your options, check out Travel Rewards Credit Cards – They are a very smart alternative to Airline Credit Cards.
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The Benefits of Airline Credit Cards
From American to United, all the major and minor air carriers offer frequent flyer or airline credit cards. If you travel frequently for business, or just make your day-to-day consumer purchases, airline credit cards will reward you handsomely with rewards, bonuses, airline mileage, airline mileage points, free tickets, upgrades and complimentary companion fares.
Business travelers aren't the only ones who can reap the rewards of airline credit cards. The average consumer can also benefit. If you use your card for day-to-day consumer purchasing, take a lot of vacations or are saving up for the trip of a lifetime—airline credit cards can help you achieve your goal quickly and easily.
Which airline credit cards are the best?
Traditional airline miles reward cards are now issued by major financial institutions and allow miles to be applied toward the purchase of a ticket on any airline. Miles are usually earned at a standard rate of one mile per dollar spent on the card, as with the major airline-specific credit cards.
The following "traditional" frequent flyer credit cards are best in category because they offer zero percent introductory APR, low ongoing APRs, no blackouts dates, no annual fees, top sign-up bonuses and quick airline mileage accumulation.
1. Chase Value Miles Platinum Visa? Card:
• Fast: You only need 24,000 Miles to earn a ticket on domestic flights.
• Flexible. Fly major U.S. airlines no blackout dates.
• Extras: Platinum benefits, travel insurance, travel assistance and value miles.
2. Citi Premier Pass MasterCard?:
• Good rates: Zero percent APR on balance transfers for 12 months and the ability to maximize points.
• Flexible: No blackout dates.
• Extras: Redeem points for merchandise or travel on any airline.
3. The Miles Card from Discover? Cards:
• Good rates: Zero percent APR and no annual fee.
• Flexible: No blackout dates.
• Extras: 5,000 bonus miles with your first purchase; a nifty free Discover 2 Go card that snaps onto your key chain for convenience when traveling.
If you're a United Airlines frequent flyer, check out the Chase United Mileage Plus Signature Visa? Card:
• Helpful: Emergency cash and card replacement; up to $1,000,000 in travel and accident insurance
• Premium offers: Dining privileges, airport parking, and concierge services
• Flexible: No preset spending limit; trip delay reimbursement
What about sign-up bonuses?
Most airline credit cards offer sign-up bonuses. Many offer 5,000 miles or points with your first purchase. Some cards even offer 7,500. The Gold Delta Skymiles American Express credit card offers 10,000 miles upon your first purchase. Citi Platinum tops the list with 15,000 bonus miles when you apply here. With these deals, you'll have a free ticket in no time.
What are the risks?
Keep in mind that airline rules are subject to change at will. For the seasoned and savvy traveler that keeps up with the news, the benefits outweigh the risks.
Does an airline credit card make sense for you?
The best candidates for airline credit cards have above average to excellent credit and the ability to pay their card's balance in full each month. Here's why:•
• Some Airline cards charge higher interest rates than other non-rewards cards about five or six percent more.
• Some Airline-specific frequent flyer cards may charge an annual fee.
• To accrue the maximum points you need to spend money. On average, the rate is one mile earned for every dollar charged.
• Charging your day to day consumer purchases will help you get the miles and rewards you desire faster.
What's the bottom line?
If you're one who salivates at the thought of free miles and upgrades, check out our reviews of airline credit cards, special offers, and bonuses.
If you have average credit, apply for Chase Value Miles with zero percent introductory APR and no annual fee, it's the next best thing to perfect credit.
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Frequently Asked Questions regarding Airline Credit Cards
The following are the most frequently asked questions about airline credit cards:
Q: What are airline credit cards?
A: Also called "frequent flier credit cards," "affinity credit cards," or "airline mileage credit cards," airline credit cards enable you to earn air mileage credits (also known as “points”) by charging purchases to your card. If you travel frequently for business or pleasure, or just use them for all your daily consumer purchases, these cards can offer rewards and major savings.
Q: Who benefits from airline credit cards?
A: Airline credit cards can benefit anyone, from an average Joe planning a family vacation, to seasoned business and pleasure travelers. Making the most of your airline credit card will ultimately net you free tickets—and who doesn’t like free travel?
Q: Do airline credit cards charge an annual fee? If so, why?
A: Sometimes. You can count on “airline-specific” or “affinity” cards charging an annual fee while "traditional" ones may or may not. Annual fees are one of the key differences between airline credit cards and other types of rewards and cash-back cards.
According to the card issuers, the high cost of frequent flyer programs makes annual fees necessary to remain profitable. Keep in mind that the fees are generally small and, all things considered, definitely worth it!
Not all airline cards charge annual fees. Both the Chase Value Miles Platinum Visa and the Citi Bronze AAdvantage? MasterCard entice users with a "no annual fee" pledge. See more cards without annual fees on our airline credit card comparison page and to apply for a card!
Q: What are points and how do I earn them?
A: By using your airline credit card, you earn points for which you will receive miles, upgrades and free tickets. The easiest way to get free points is simply to use your card as much as possible. Remember, you need upwards of 20,000 points to get a free ticket.
Q: How exactly will I earn miles with an airline credit card?
A: Generally, you earn miles at a rate of one mile per dollar charged on your airline credit card. Please note that there are some exceptions to this rule.
Q: How do I redeem my earned airline miles? Will they expire if I don't use them in a specified time frame?
A: Once a month, your airline credit card issuer converts your points into miles and transfers them to your designated frequent flyer account once per month. Keep in mind that airlines can make changes at will and that blackout dates are sometimes applied. Once points have been converted to miles and are in your airline frequent flier account, they are subject to the airline's rules—not the credit card issuer's. However, expiration dates aren't usually a problem.
Q: Besides miles, what are the typical rewards associated with airline credit cards?
A: In addition to free travel, rewards include: travel flexibility, access to exclusive airline lounges, travel insurance, travel assistance, emergency cash delivery and discounts on hotels and car rentals.
Q: How are airline-specific credit cards different than the traditional ones? Which is better?
A: Both airline-specific and "traditional" airline credit cards usually earn at the same rate of one mile per dollar charged. Both types of cards provide enticing rewards and good value.
The key difference between airline-specific credit cards and traditional airline credit cards is that airline-specific cards offer more ways to earn points and often have special deals with hotels and rental car companies. Also, airline-specific cards usually have an annual fee, unlike the traditional cards. While neither type is "better" than the other, airline-specific cards make sense if you have an airline preference. On the other hand, traditional airline cards give you the flexibility to travel with a variety of air carriers.
Q: Are there any risks involved?
A: Remember that airline rules are subject to change at any time. Some airlines also have blackout dates that can impact when you can use your miles. But when you stay informed with your card's terms and conditions and the airline rules, the benefits can outweigh the risks.
Q: What are the requirements for an airline credit card?
A: Good credit and the financial means to make timely payments. Using your airline credit card often will help quickly get you the miles and rewards you desire and deserve..
Q: What are blackout dates?
A: Blackout dates refer to days during high-traffic seasons and holidays when airline travel is restricted or unavailable.
The following airlines don’t have blackout dates:
• Aer Lingus
• Aero Mexico
• Air France
• Air New Zealand
• Aloha Airlines
• American Airlines
• British Airways
• Continental
• Delta Air Lines
• El Al
• Hawaiian Airlines
• Iberia
• KLM
• Lufthansa
• Malev
• Mexicana
• Midwest Express
• Northwest Airlines
• Singapore Airlines
• South African Airways
• Thai Airways
• United Airlines
• Vanguard Airlines
• Virgin Atlantic
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Maximize your Airline Card Rewards points for a free trip!
What is the best way to get a free airline ticket, upgrade or companion ticket using your airline credit card?
Leverage the incentives! Whether you hold an airline-specific card like the Chase United Mileage Plus Signature Visa Card or Gold Delta SkyMiles Credit Card, or a traditional airline credit card, such as Chase Value Miles Platinum Visa Card or Citi Premier Pass MasterCard there are ways to significantly maximize your points potential.
Here are some tips for getting points and a free ticket as quickly and easily as possible:
• For airline-specific credit cards, you can earn points by using the hotel and car rental services associated with your card issuer when you travel for work or pleasure just be sure to pay for them with your airline credit card
• Check out packaged vacation deals for even more points. Many times, buying a package will net you over 25,000 points.
• Use a traditional airline credit card and accumulate miles on the airline of your choice.
• By far, the fastest way to travel for free is to fly as much as possible and, of course, charge your tickets to your airline credit card this will quickly get you tens of thousands of points. This is an especially sweet deal for the business traveler, who doesn't have to pay for his own tickets! But remember, it's not all about ticket purchasing...using your card for all of your day-to-day consumer purchases will help you accumulate points fast.
• Use your airline credit card for everyday spending like groceries, gas, online shopping, entertainment, etc..
• Also consider using your airline credit card for recurring payments like utilities, subscriptions, rent, car payments and gym memberships. You can even sign up for automatic online bill pay. The more you charge, the more points you will accrue!
• An advantage to paying with your card is that you can see exactly where your money goes each month when you receive your statement. Imagine that getting rewarded rather than punished for using your credit card.
Did this article help you understand Airline Cards? Share it with friends & family....Bookmark this page and e-mail them the URLKezia Pearlman, Analyst, Frankford Financial ?2008
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