Airlines Credit Card – Pros and Cons
Posted on 19 November 2008 by Werner Michael Heus
Travel from here to there whether for business or pleasure has become very expensive, especially if you travel a lot or do not have in your possession an airlines credit card.
An airlines credit card normally works in a way that you earn points for every flight that you take with the airline. These points can earn the airline card holder future flights, free stays in hotels, car rentals, and other unique rewards just for using the airline card. You should compare the points that you receive per flight before you choose your airlines credit card. On average a 25,000 points per flight is charged.
Many airline cards do give great incentives for all flyer miles per trip and do give a charitable point total for every flight. However, not all airlines credit cards are the same, so you should compare before you make that final decision.
When you begin your search for an airlines credit card, you may also wish to look under mileage credit cards, as some airlines prefer to call them by this name. Practically, all airlines offer these airline cards and some even have the option of choosing which airline you prefer to use instead of always flying with the same airline. This will give you more options and possibly save you money when one airline is running a special to your destination and the one you normal use is not. Either way you will be gaining points for those great rewards.
A few major airlines offer an airline card with added benefits that may give you more than choosing one with several airlines, such as earning a specified amount of points for every flight taken instead of them putting stipulations on your flights. However, you must use their airline for all flights to ensure you receive your points and rewards.
There are a few disadvantages of an airlines credit card such as the points must be used in a certain amount of time, normally one year. Therefore, if you do not travel enough you will never accumulate enough points to enjoy the rewards. You may also wish to keep racking up the points to get a larger reward just to learn that the points have expired. So, be sure to learn about the expiration on points earned.
Most airline cards do charge a higher interest rate and annual fees than a regular credit card. However, if you do travel quite a bit, then the rewards may just outweigh the charges. This is something you should put pen and paper to before deciding on an airlines credit card. Will you be spending more in interest rates and annual fees then you will be getting back in the rewards program?
How to find the best available Airlines Credit Card
Posted on 01 November 2008 by Werner Michael Heus
Just because one of your friends says they have the best airlines card does not mean it will be the best one for you.
In order to find the best available, there are a few things you must look at before deciding which airlines credit card is the one that fits you perfectly. You will need to not only look at the airline cards and what they have to offer but also at your spending habits and traveling habits.
First look at the applicable interest rates of the airlines credit card that you you wish to apply for. Most airline cards have higher interest rates than ones without any type of rewards program. If you normally carry a balance on your card from one billing cycle to another, then airline cards may not be the right answer for you. If you still wish to reap the benefits offered by airline cards, then you should be sure to choose one with the lowest interest rates.
Some airline cards offer you points for every dollar spent while others only give you points if you purchase at certain stores or make certain purchases. If you only get points for shopping at certain stores and they are not ones you normally use, then the card will be worthless to you. The same goes for which airline you normally use. Some airline cards are only for one airline, if you do not use that airline or seldom use it, then you will not be accumulating points that you can redeem and use.
There are also restrictions placed on airline cards, such as how many points you can receive in a year and many have expiration dates on the points earned. You could be saving up thousands of points and they may expire before you ever get to use them.
Now look at your overall purchases in one year that you place on your credit card. If you normally only spend $15,000 with your credit card but you need to spend $20,000 to receive a free trip with your earned points then the airline card will not be the one for you, unless you wish to spend thousands more to reap the rewards. Remember, bundled into paying off your debt you will also be paying higher finance charges and annual fees and you may never get that free trip.
If you travel quite a bit then airline cards are well worth your time to check into, however if you only travel a couple of times per year it may not be worth the higher interest rates, higher finance charges and annual fees that come along with an airlines credit card. Some companies offer extra incentives such as a free companion ticket, but if you normally travel by yourself then this offer is one you will not need.
You will find than an airlines credit card in some cases will offer you an upgrade if you travel a lot giving you the luxury of first class, but you may find out that you will receive more points with an airlines credit card that does not give upgrades.
Airline Credit Cards – Guidelines to Choose the Right Card
Posted on 18 October 2008 by Werner Michael Heus
An airlines credit card earns credits or points whenever the card is used.
Simple enough, right? Choosing the airline card will not be difficult, if you travel frequently with a certain airline. If you use various airlines, then it is wise to select the airline cards that give more flexibility in its redemption and reward system. The bottom line is that, in most instances, an airlines credit card is very well suited for frequent business travelers.
Since selecting the right airline card is an important task, you need to ask yourself some preliminary questions before considering an airline credit card.
1. Which is the airline you frequently fly or prefer to fly?
The first question is to determine your most frequented airline. If you prefer to travel by a selected carrier, it is better to check whether they have their own airline credit card. Since most of the airlines today have partnered with credit card companies, the chances are that they will have their own card. However, if you tend to fly by the cheapest or easily available carrier at the time of your travel, you will have to consider an airline card that offers greater flexibility. Some cards have alliance partnerships with various airlines, offering greater flexibility to you.
2. What is the frequency of your air travel per year?
These cards are based on a point accumulation system with the accumulated points expiring after a certain period. If you are not a frequent flyer, then you may not benefit from these cards, as you will not be accumulating enough points to earn reduced or free travel. Conversely, if you are a frequent flyer, then ensure that the card you have chosen has no blackout dates and no cap or limit on the number of points that can be earned.
3. What are the benefits versus fees on the card?
In general, airline cards have high interest rates and annual fees. It is important to evaluate the annual fees paid versus the reduced or free mile travel earned per year. An airlines credit card is not attractive if the annual fee is more than what you will earn as free or reduced travel. In addition, you could be paying hefty finance charges, if you are not able to pay the balance on the card in full every month. In which case, it is better to choose a credit card with a low interest rate and no frills attached than the rewards program.
It is important to research the number of points required to accumulate in order to qualify for free air travel. To get maximum benefits from your airlines card, you should also consider the following points prior to making the choice:
4. Flexibility of the Card – Your card has to be flexible to be used in many places including restaurants and shopping malls. Points are added everytime you make a purchase using the card but sometimes certain purchases add more points.
5. Cap on Accumulated Points – Most cards have a cap on the number of points that can be accumulated. If you are a frequent flyer, it is better to read this fine print. Most of these cards have rewards based on predetermined level of points.
6. Redemption Criteria – Mostly during peak travel season, airlines and hotels do not encourage redemption of miles or use of free or reduced travel pricing.
7. Annual Fees – It is essential to do a cost benefit analysis on the various airlines credit card offers before selecting one. If you do not travel a great deal, it is better to go for a card with lower annual fees and a modest rewards program. If you are a frequent flyer, you can choose one with higher annual fees and benefit from the unlimited travel rewards that are possible.
8. Other Services – Certain cards give travel insurance and discounts on car rental and hotels. Some also provide cash advances in emergencies. You have to compare various cards on these to get the best one suited to your lifestyle.
Competition in the market forces credit card and airline companies to frequently change their Airlines card product offering. However, it is recommended that once the right Airline card is chosen, it be not changed unless there are huge benefits in doing so. If you consider signing up for an Airlines credit card, it is better take informed decision based on long-term benefit, rather than be carried away by the marketing and promotional gimmicks of these companies.
