This article has tips on how to choose the best airline credit card.
When an airline credit card is used, it earns credits or points. Should be easy, right? If you travel often with a certain airline, it won't be hard to choose an airline card. If you use more than one airline, it's best to choose a card that lets you redeem and earn rewards in a variety of ways. In the end, most of the time, a credit card from an airline is a great choice for business travellers who fly often.
Since choosing the right airline card is important, you should ask yourself a few questions before you even think about getting one.
- Which airline do you fly most often or like best?
The first question is to find out which airline you fly most often. If you prefer to travel with a certain company, you should check to see if they have their own credit card. Most airlines today work with credit card companies, so it's likely that they will have their own card. But if you usually fly with the cheapest or most convenient airline at the time of your trip, you might want to get an airline card that gives you more options. Some cards have partnerships with different airlines, which gives you more options.
- How many times do you fly by plane each year?
These cards work on a point system, and the points you earn will expire after a certain amount of time. If you don't travel often, you might not get much out of these cards because you won't earn enough points to get discounted or free travel. On the other hand, if you fly often, make sure that the card you choose doesn't have any blackout dates or limits on how many points you can earn.
- What are the benefits of the card and what are the fees?
Most airline cards have high annual fees and interest rates. It is important to compare the annual fees paid to the number of free or discounted miles earned each year. A credit card from an airline isn't worth it if the annual fee is more than what you'll get back in free or cheap travel. Also, if you can't pay off the balance in full every month, you might have to pay a lot of money in finance charges. If that's the case, it's better to get a credit card with a low interest rate and no extra perks than one with a rewards programme.
It is important to find out how many points you need to earn in order to get free air travel. Before choosing an airline card, you should also think about the following things to get the most out of it:
- Other Services: Some cards come with travel insurance and discounts on hotels and car rentals. Some also let you get cash in an emergency. You have to compare different cards to find the one that fits your life the best.
- Limit on the Number of Points You Can Earn: Most cards have a limit on how many points you can earn. If you fly a lot, you should really read this fine print. Most of these cards have rewards that depend on how many points you earn.
- Redemption Criteria: Most of the time, airlines and hotels don't want you to use your miles or free or cheaper travel when it's a busy travel season.
- The card needs to be flexible so that you can use it in many places, like restaurants and shopping malls. Every time you use the card to buy something, you get points, but sometimes some purchases give you more points.
Competition in the market means that credit card companies and airlines have to change the products they offer often. But once the right airline card has been chosen, it's best not to change it unless there are big reasons to do so. If you're thinking about getting an airline credit card, it's best to make a decision based on how it will help you in the long run instead of letting marketing and sales tricks sway you.
