With so many credit cards out there on the market offering airline miles, how do you know which option to choose? As with any financial decision, you should weigh your options carefully, and always…ALWAYS read the fine print. I was once told by a wise person, when it comes to buying something…the smaller the type, the more important it is. Here’s an overview of what an airline miles credit card can do for you and a couple of the most popular ones out there.
An airline miles credit card is like a regular credit card in that you can buy now and pay later. The difference is that if you buy certain items, shop at certain restaurants, and more importantly—fly with certain airlines, you will earn points. Points are used as means of measuring progress towards a free flight (or other incentive). So what are some of the most popular ones out there? What are some trusted names in the airline miles credit card industry?
The JetBlue Card from American Express is a nice card if you do most of your traveling in the United States. They offer a straightforward one point per $200.00 you charge. It takes 100 points to receive a flight at no expense. The downside is that they do not fly outside the country (with the exception of Bermuda or the Caribbean). Another card worth exploring is the AAdvantage World MasterCard, a platinum card offered by Citi. They have points that never expire so long as you don’t go over a year a half without using the card or buying a ticket to fly with them.
And these are just a couple of good names out there…there are others. I suggest asking some friends who don’t mind telling you their experiences with certain companies. Also, read consumer reports about the ups and downs of each promotion. If one person complains, that’s one thing. But if half the comments are negative, you should probably look elsewhere. Finding the best airline miles credit card comes down to three simple things: research, timing, and of course, reading the fine print.
