Frequent Flyer Credit Cards

Have you been considering applying for frequent flyer credit cards?  If you love to travel, or find yourself traveling often for business, you’ll appreciate the rewards many of these cards offer.  There are many frequent flyer credit cards to choose from, and it can be confusing trying to decide which card to apply for.  If you take some time to compare each of these cards, however, you can find the card that works best for you.

The first thing to look at when comparing frequent flyer credit cards is how many miles you can earn by using the cards.  With some cards, cardholders can earn miles with every purchase they make.  Some award extra miles when the card is used to purchase airline tickets.  You should also consider how many miles each of the frequent flyer credit cards awards as a bonus for signing up, and you’ll also want to know how many miles you need to accumulate before you earn a flight.

Frequent Flyer Credit Cards

Chase Flexible Rewards Platinum Visa Card Intro APR - 0% Intro Period - 12 Months Regular APR - 13.24%  Blue Sky From American Express Intro APR - 0% Intro Period - 6 Months Regular APR - 13.24%  Miles by Discover Card - Top Travel Rewards Card Intro APR - 0% Intro Period - 6 Months* Regular APR - 10.99%

Finance rates and annual fees are another thing you’ll want to consider when comparing frequent flyer credit cards.  Many cards offer a 0% APR initially.  This is a wonderful advantage, but make sure you check out what the APR will be once the initial period is over.  A finance rate that is too high may not make the introductory rate worthwhile in the long run.  You’ll also want to find out whether or not the frequent flyer credit cards charge an annual fee.  This varies from card to card with some applying no annual fee and others charging $100 a year or more.

Another question to consider when comparing cards is where you can redeem your miles.  There are some frequent flyer credit cards that only allow you to redeem miles with one airline.  Other cards will allow you to use their miles at more than two hundred  major airlines.  This is an important point, because being able to use miles when purchasing tickets from any airline will allow you more flexibility in your travel schedule, and it will also allow you to take advantage of discounts and specials airlines are offering.  You may also want to find out if the cards you are comparing allow you to redeem your miles on more than just airline tickets.  Some frequent flyer credit cards allow you to use the miles you earn for other travel rewards such as hotel accommodations and car rentals.  Some cards allow you to redeem miles on things like tickets to sporting events, concerts, and shows.  This means if you earn enough miles, you may be able to finance an entire vacation including airfare, hotel, car rental, and some fun activities with the miles you’ve earned.

Blackout dates and seat restrictions are another item you should take into consideration when comparing frequent flyer credit cards.  Some frequent flyer programs have dates that you are not able to use; usually, these fall on the most popular travel dates such as over the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.  Seat restrictions may also apply for using frequent flyer miles.  If you want to be flexible on the dates you can use your miles, or feel limited by having restrictions placed on where you sit, ask questions before you apply for a card about seat restrictions or blackout dates.

A final thing to look at when comparing offers from frequent flyer credit cards is whether or not there is an expiration date on the miles you earn or a limit on the number of miles you can earn.  Ideally, the card you choose should not have an expiration date.  This is especially important if you don’t travel very frequently.  Having no limit to the number of miles you can earn is also ideal.

Although there are many frequent flyer credit cards out there, they are not all created equal.  Different cards offer different benefits to their holders.  Take a little time to shop and compare cards, and there is no doubt that you’ll find a card that works perfectly for you.