| Choosing an airline credit card is easier than you | | | | cards that do not place a cap on the number of |
| might think. When sorting through all of the | | | | points you can earn. Many place restrictions on |
| many options available, there are three main | | | | the number of points that can be earned each |
| questions you need to ask yourself: What airline | | | | year. Or, they might have "black out dates" |
| do I use the most often? How many times per | | | | during which you cannot take advantage of your |
| year do I fly? And, are the fees associated with | | | | free or reduced travel privileges. Check into this |
| the card worth the benefits? | | | | information before applying for an airline credit |
| What Airline Do I Use the Most Often? | | | | card. If there are black out dates, make sure |
| The first thing you should determine when | | | | they are not dates that will adversely affect |
| selecting an airline credit card is what airline you | | | | you. Similarly, if there are caps on how much |
| frequent the most. If you have an airline that | | | | travel you can earn, be sure the cap is acceptable |
| you prefer to ride on all trips, find out if they | | | | to you. |
| have their own airline credit card. Many airlines | | | | Are the Fees Associated with Airline Credit Cards |
| today have partnered with lending institutions to | | | | Worth the Benefits? |
| offer their own cards, so the chances are pretty | | | | Generally, airline miles credit cards have annual |
| good that the airline you frequent offers a special | | | | fees. In addition, they tend to have higher |
| card. | | | | interest rates than non-airline credit cards. Sit |
| If, on the other hand, you tend to fly on | | | | down and determine how much free or reduced |
| whichever airline is cheapest or most available for | | | | travel you believe you can earn in a one year or |
| the time you want to travel, you might want to | | | | two year period from your airline credit card. |
| choose an airline credit card with more flexibility. | | | | Then, determine how much you will pay in annual |
| Several of these cards work with a number of | | | | fees. If the annual fees are more than the free |
| different airlines and this will be the best choice | | | | or reduced travel you will earn, it is not worth it |
| for you and your lifestyle. | | | | for you to get an airline credit card. |
| How Many Times Per Year Do I Fly? | | | | You also need to determine if you will be able to |
| You should also analyze how often you fly before | | | | pay the balance of the airline credit card in full at |
| choosing an airline credit card. If you only fly | | | | the end of each billing cycle. If not, you could be |
| once every few years are so, you most likely will | | | | paying a great deal in finance charges. Once |
| not benefit from airline miles credit cards. This is | | | | again, the cost of finance charges can be more |
| because most of these cards work on a points | | | | than the rewards you earn with the card. In this |
| system. After accumulating a pre-determined | | | | case, it is not in your best interest to use an |
| number of points, you are eligible for reduced or | | | | airline credit card. |
| free air travel. With many cards, these points | | | | If you will be able to pay your card in full at the |
| expire after a specific amount of time. | | | | end of each billing cycle and you will be able to |
| Therefore, you might not be able to take | | | | take full advantage of the airline credit card |
| advantage of the points you earn if you do not | | | | rewards program, then it is a good idea to get |
| fly frequently. | | | | one of these cards. If not, go for a credit card |
| If, on the other hand, you fly often during the | | | | without a rewards program that has a low |
| year, you want to be sure to select airline credit | | | | interest rate instead. |