Six ways to get travel bargains with your frequent flyer plan

by Charles Brown

The ultimate tools in a smart travelers toolbox are the various loyalty programs offered by airlines and hotel chains. Yet it absolutely baffles me how many people ignore these golden opportunities to get bargain travel deals.

I was spurred to write about this topic after reading a great article in the Fort Worth Star Telegram, called Staying power for frequent-flyer plans. It was about how American Airlines invented the frequent flyer program 25 years ago, and how these plans have changed the travel industry.

Following Americans lead, all the other airlines quickly created their own loyalty programs, and later, the hotel industry created their own versions as well, becoming a win-win for both the companies who wanted customer loyalty, and the travelers who wanted discount travel opportunities.

But how can a traveler or even a person who wants to travel in the future, make the most (ie get the most travel deals) out t of these plans? Here are a few tips”

–Double dip whenever you rent a car or check into a hotel. It boggles my mind how many experienced travelers neglect to do this. If, for example, you are a member of the Hilton Honors program and an airline frequent flyer program, you can earn hotel points and airline miles for the same stay.

–Book your award flights well in advance. This is particularly true for flying to Hawaii or traveling anywhere in December. It is not unusual to see people booking these flights nine to eleven months in advance. The best travel deals in the world cant help you if you cant get on the airplane.

–It is your job to give the airline your frequent flyer number when you travel. Believe it or not, they do not have the means to magically know who you are and what your number is when you fly with them. If you dont identify yourself as a frequent flyer member, you wont receive credit for the flight.

–Take advantage of every non-flight opportunity the airline or hotel gives you to earn miles or points. Become familiar with their websites and learn who their partners are. For example, most airlines are now affiliated with a credit card company. This means you earn miles for every dollar you spend on that card. Think of all the gas you pump, groceries you buy and other expenses you incur on a regular basis that you could be earning miles for that trip to Hawaii.

–Be VERY aware of the programs expiration policy. Most programs will allow you to go up to three years without activity before your miles expire. Activity is defined as anytime you put a mile into the program or take a mile out by spending it on a flight. Because the airlines offer you so many ways to earn miles through their partners and non-flight activities, dont expect a lot of sympathy if you let your miles expire. In most cases they will refuse to reinstate them unless you are willing to buy them back. The point here is that the program is called a frequent flyer program. A member who falls off their radar for three years is about as desirable to the airline as someone who repeatedly bounces checks is to a bank.

–Become familiar with the ins and outs of the program. Most of this information is available on their websites. For example, you will want to know how many miles are needed to fly to certain places at certain times of the year. You will want to know when new partners are added, so you can keep on top of new ways to earn miles.

COPYRIGHT (c) 2005, C.H. Brown, All rights reserved.

C.H. Brown is a former attorney who now spends his time indulging his passion for travel and shares the unique travel destinations and unbeatable travel bargains he uncovers on his blog, Guerrilla Traveler - Adventure on a Budget, www.guerrillatraveler.blogspot.com.

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Miles Credit Cards: Getting The Most Out Of A Frequent Flyer Credit Card

by Jeff Weber

Airline miles credit cards are among the most popular types of rewards credit cards. However, only a handful of frequent flyer miles credit cards provide great rewards and value. The reason for this is quite simple: most airline specific credit cards charge astronomical annual fees and high interest rates. Now, if you travel often and spend more than $10,000 a year, just about any airline credit card will earn you miles. However, if you want to get free miles, airline flexibility, and save money on interest and annual fees, there are only four miles credit cards you should consider: The Miles Card from Discover, The Value Miles Platinum Visa Card, American Express Blue Sky and the Citi PremierPass. Here, we will examine all four cards. First, however, we will examine the average airline specific credit card.

The lure of the “average” airline specific frequent flyer credit card is the bonus mile offering. Who wouldnt want 15,000 miles? In addition to the substantial free miles offered, the average airline credit card also waives the annual fee during the first year. The combination of free miles and a no fee first year draws in many consumers. However, the initial perks are generally offset by the money it will cost to maintain your credit card after the first year. First, the average annual fee charged by these credit cards is $75. Ouch. And the average interest rate? More than 17%. Sure, you get a lot of miles upfront, but is it really worth paying 5% more in interest and a substantial annual fee? Not when there are much better offers available.

The Miles Card from Discover is a no annual fee airline rewards card that offers a 0% interest rate for 1 year, a low long term interest rate, and the opportunity to earn 1 mile for every dollar spent. The miles you earn can be redeemed on any airline with no blackout dates. Plus, you get 5,000 bonus miles when you make your first purchase. The interest rate on this credit card is over 6% less than that of the “average” frequent flyer card. Plus, you pay no interest on purchases or balance transfers for up to 1 year. Although you get 10,000 less miles, youll probably end up with a lot more money to spend on traveling with this card than you would with the “average miles card.”

The Chase Value Miles credit card is a no annual fee airline rewards card that allows you to fly on any airline with no blackout dates. They do not give away free miles, but they also dont charge an annual fee or a high interest rate. Like the Miles Card, the Value Miles card offers a 0% interest rate for up to 1 year and offers an interest rate that is 5.5% lower than than “average miles card.” And, although the Value Miles Card does not offer any free miles, you can get a ticket to fly anywhere in the continental U.S. for only 24,000 miles. This is 5,000 to 10,000 miles less than the “average miles card” charges to get a free ticket. You dont get free miles, but your miles do have more value.

The Citi PremierPass offers two levels of airline rewards. The regular PremierPass MasterCard offers 5,000 free miles, charges no annual fee, and offers an interest rate that is 4.25% lower than the “average miles card.” Additionally, you can earn 1 flightpoint for every three miles you fly on any airline with a ticket purchased with your card.

The Citi PremierPass also offers an elite level. Now, there is an annual fee of $75. However, you receive 15,000 bonus miles, earn 1 flightpoint for every single mile flown, and double miles on everyday purchases. The interest rate is still 4.25% less than the “average miles card,” plus, this card offers a 0% interest rate for up 1 year.

The BlueSky credit card from American Express does not try to lure you in with free miles. Instead, they offer value. For every 7500 points earned, you receive $100 that can be used for any travel expense, including car rentals, hotels, online travel sites, and cruises. The value here is that every point you earn is worth 33% more than than the average point. Plus, you can use your rewards for all of your travel expenses, not just airline tickets. Additionally, this card offers a 0% interest rate for 6 months, charges no annual fee, and offers a low long term interest rate that is 5% lower than the “average miles card.”

As you can see, airline credit cards offer a variety of perks at a variety of prices. For some, an “average miles credit card” with an annual fee of $75 and an interest rate over 17% might provide the best overall value. However, most credit card users will end up paying more money in interest and fees on their credit card than they would if they simply paid for their ticket in cash. The real value in frequent flyer credit cards can be found with the general miles credit cards that charge no fees, offer low interest rates, and offer more travel flexibility.

2006, Credit Card Depot Inc.

The author is president and CEO of Credit Card Depot Inc. His website, http://www.credit-card-depot.com, features detailed information and links to applications for every frequent flyer credit card mentioned in this article as well as over 70 other credit card offers. To apply for a credit card online, visit http://www.credit-card-depot.com

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Leaping Miles with Airline Miles Credit Cards

by Willard Roberts

Introduction of an airline credit card proved to be an amazing discovery and a boon for frequent travelers. Airline credit cards were aimed at fulfilling the needs of the travelers and thereby encouraging the consumer to spend. Constant and collaborative efforts of credit companies and various airline companies led to the creation of an airline credit card.

Airline miles credit cards is another innovation which allows frequent fliers to count each mile. These cards work on the same lines as normal credit cards, but differ only in the variety of services they offer and of course their ability of buying an air ticket. Both the cards follow similar procedures for fees and transactions. Types of Airline Credit Cards

Gold, Platinum Cards are the various forms of popular airline credit cards that are available. Different cards grant a variety of Bonus Miles on the initial credit charged to the card. A Bronze airline credit card gives 5000 Bonus Miles on the first credit card charge and awards a mile for every $2 expended. 15000 Bonus Miles are offered on Platinum airline credit cards for the first credit card charge while1 mile is awarded for every $1 that is spent. Airline Miles Credit Card Incentives

Airline miles credit cards also allow the usage of a points system where each mile traveled is counted as a point. Frequent flyers can gather mileage points after every flight. Once they touch a particular points figure, travelers get the incentive of taking free flights to different places of their choice. Hence airline miles credit cards allows the consumers to avail a facility where they can convert the rewarded points at the rate of one mile for every 1 or 2 dollar charged to the credit card. This allows frequent flyers to build up miles at a quicker pace, which in turn can be bartered for flights, lodging, or even for renting a car.

Many credit companies offer lucrative sign-up incentives to their airline credit card holders. Some of them include attractive sign-ups without charging any yearly fees. Other perks include a 5000 Miles bonus on every first purchase by the airline credit card, a 0% APR charge for the initial twelve months and on every $1 expense a reward of one mile. Transfer of balances is also allowed on the airline miles credit cards.

However, APR rates keep on varying and but are valid for any airline, any seat and also do not impose blackout dates. An airline miles credit card gives the liberty to plan a trip without any worry and provides excellent facilities if you have a good credit record. Every second airline credit card offers incentives that are subject to change and also allow association with other airline companies. Some airline miles credit card allow exchanges with selected airlines all over the world, with the major car rentals, and also with some selected hotels. A relatively high regular APR after the completion of the 0% APR period is a drawback. Nevertheless, with only a good credit rating required, this card may be easier to obtain as compared to competitor airline credit cards

These credit cards also find their efficient use in shopping malls, carwashes, and hotels. Airline miles credit cards can be set to a maximum value by the airline companies to limit the monthly expenditure of the cardholders. Clients can avail of any choice from the list available. Airline companies offer various limits which are cost-effective and rational. Airline credit cards can be accessed through the internet like the other credit cards. One can do away with the pains of traveling to the nearest airport for getting an air ticket. So an air ticket is just a mouse click away by using your airline credit card.

For more information on finding the best airline miles credit cards, Willard Roberts recommends that you visit CreditCardAssist.com.

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Get More Miles When You Apply for an Airline Credit Card

by Alan Bernstein

How does an airline credit card work? Well, the idea of airline credit cards was conceived when credit card companies decided to collaborate with airlines to produce better incentives to encourage consumer spending. At that time, the concept of frequent flyer miles had caught on, resulting to increased customer loyalty amongst travelers. Those on a frequent flyer program could accumulate mileage points on every flight they made. Once specific point levels have been acquired, travelers get to claim free flights to various destinations.

In this sense, airline credit cards offer consumers a reward program that allows them to convert their reward points into frequent flyer miles at a rate of one mile for every $1 or $2 charged to the credit card. This way, consumers get to accumulate their frequent flyer miles at a much faster rate, which can be redeemed for flights, hotel accommodation or even car rentals. Thus, this works splendidly for travelers who spend and travel frequently.

How does your airline credit card offer you more miles?

As the credit card market becomes increasingly competitive, many airline credit cards are offering consumers with very attractive sign-up incentives. A review on the current airline credit cards reveal perks that work wonders in drawing consumer attention.

For instance, one of the airline miles credit cards entices new sign-ups with no annual fees, 5000 Bonus Miles upon first purchase charged to the card, a 0% APR rate for the first 12 months and 1 mile for every $1 spent. Apart from that, balance transfers are allowed and the current regular APR rate is low at 10.99%. However, this may vary as APR rates fluctuate all the time. Whats more, these airline miles are also applicable for any airline, any seat and with no blackout dates imposed. This is truly an airline credit card that offers one of the best privileges around, as long as you have an excellent credit report to back you up.

Airline credit cards are also offered in multiple forms - Gold, Platinum and Browse Cards. Each of these cards offer varied Bonus Miles upon first credit charge to the card. For example, a Bronze airline credit card offers 5000 Bonus Miles upon first credit card charge, with 1 mile awarded for every $2 spent. On the other hand, a Platinum airline credit card offers 15000 Bonus Miles for the first credit card charge and awards 1 mile for every $1 spent.

Finally, it is obvious that alternate airline credit cards offer variable incentives, as well as collaboration with different airline companies. One airline credit card allows redemptions with any 25 worldwide airlines, major car rental companies and also a few hundred hotels. However, one of the drawbacks is the relatively high regular APR of 17.49% after the 0% APR period is over. Nevertheless, with only a good credit rating required, this card may be easier to obtain as compared to competitor airline credit cards.

Alan Bernstein recommends Find Credit Cards to apply for an airline credit card today.

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