| I applied for my first airline card nearly nine years | | | | When applying for an airline miles card, there are |
| ago. It was an American Express card that let me | | | | a couple of points to consider: |
| earn points on Delta - the airline I was frequenting | | | | |
| at the time. I loved (LOVED) that card and, I still | | | | 1. Take a close look at the cards/airlines that |
| have it today. It's allowed me to travel for free | | | | serve your geographical region. If you live in |
| on more than one occasion and just last | | | | Poughkeepsie, for instance, getting an Alaskan |
| November, I redeemed several thousand points | | | | Airline Miles card might not be your best option. |
| to fly my son and his finance to the U.S. from | | | | 2. Review the rates and fees. Many airline miles |
| Bangkok, Thailand for the holidays. OK, I'll admit | | | | cards as well as those issued by a bank will |
| that booking their travel was not as easy as | | | | charge an annual fee. And, many will charge higher |
| simply purchasing a ticket but, it saved me nearly | | | | than average interest rates. If you are one of |
| $3,000 by the time it was all said and done. Not | | | | those people who tend to carry a balance, you'll |
| bad, in my book. | | | | want to take a close look to see if what you'll be |
| Whether you travel for business or just for fun, | | | | paying in interest will make the points you earn |
| airline miles cards could be a terrific option that will | | | | worthwhile. |
| allow you to earn valuable rewards. Airline reward | | | | 3. Pay close attention to how miles are earned. |
| cards have evolved over the past few years to | | | | Many of the best programs today allow you to |
| be very user-friendly and very rewarding. | | | | earn double or even triple miles for airline tickets |
| Probably the biggest change in airline cards has | | | | or travel-related purchases. Reading the fine print |
| been that many (though not all) have done away | | | | before you apply will help ensure that you get the |
| with the dreaded "black out dates" and | | | | best offer available. |
| "restrictions." While some of the first airline cards | | | | 4. Black out dates and restrictions. Though most |
| made redeeming your points almost impossible; | | | | miles credit cards have gotten much more flexible |
| that simply isn't the case today. | | | | with their redemption requirements, a few are still |
| Airline miles cards can be broken down into two | | | | pretty restrictive. Carefully consider what you will |
| categories; those cards issued by the airlines that | | | | and won't be able to do before you sign up for |
| offer discounts on a specific airline (and their | | | | your miles card. |
| partners) such as a United Airline credit card or an | | | | While miles cards can be more expensive to the |
| Hawaiian Airline Card and those that are issued by | | | | cardholder; when managed properly, being able to |
| a bank. Typically bank cards will allow you to | | | | use earned miles for travel for you and your |
| redeem points on most major carriers. | | | | family members can be a valuable reward. |