If you love to travel, an airline credit card could be your fastest route to a free trip. Just about every airline now offers a credit card to its passengers, and some of those cards come with excellent perks and other benefits.
The advantages of credit cards for the airlines is obvious. Airlines can use their credit cards to build loyalty and encourage passengers to fly their lines exclusively. The banks affiliated with those airline credit cards can do quite well also, benefiting from interest charges, merchant fees and other income.
Passengers can benefit a great deal as well, as long as they use that credit wisely. Passengers who are able to pay off their entire balances in full each month can enjoy all of the rewards those airline cards offer, without paying any money in interest or losing any funds to other charges.
If you already have a favorite airline, it is a good idea to look at the types of credit cards they offer. Some airlines offer a variety of different cards, with each geared to a different type of consumer. Keep in mind that some airline credit cards come with an annual fee, so you need to be aware of that as you shop. In some cases the fee is waived for the first year, so you may be able to rack up the miles and get a free ticket before you have to pay any fee.
Many airlines offer bonus miles and other incentives for new customers. It pays to be on the lookout for those promotions, since they can help you get to a free ticket a lot more quickly. In some cases airlines will offer flight credits or bonus miles especially for new customers. Smart consumers can use those promotions to get a free ticket and see the sights for less.
It is a good idea to review the fine print carefully before you sign up for any airline credit card. Some airlines place severe restrictions on how those bonus miles can be used, and that could restrict your ability to turn those bonus miles into a free airline ticket. It is also important to watch out for blackout dates airlines routinely place restrictions on free tickets during major holidays, weekends and other popular travel days. Other airlines are more liberal, making it easier to get the free ticket you want.
Holders of airline credit cards also need to watch for promotions and specials that could allow them to accumulate miles more quickly. Some credit card issuers will offer bonus periods during which customers can get extra miles for everyday purchases, as well as extra miles for gas, groceries and other categories. Keeping an eye on those specials is one of the best ways to boost your miles and get the free travel you want.
No matter which airlines you prefer or where you want to go, an airline credit card can boost your fun and cut your travel costs. The key is to shop around carefully and watch for bonus offers that could get you in the air faster.
Author Sam Jones believes that everyone should undertake a regular credit card comparison. He suggests that uSwitch.com comparison site is one of the best resources for comparing cards and obtaining the best deals available
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