ArticlesBase.com - Free Articles Directory
Free Online Articles Directory
07.10.2008 Sign In Register Hello Guest
Email:
Password:
Remember Me 
forgot your password?


Earning Free Air Travel with Credit Cards

Author: Jawahn Thompson Author Ranking Bronze | Posted: 31-08-2006 | Comments: 0 | Views: 344 | Rating:  (50) Article Popularity - Green (?) Got a Question? Ask.
Sign Up Now!

As we all know, air travel can be expensive. There are ways to earn free air travel, and one of those ways is to use a card for your day to day purchases which earns free tickets or frequent flyer miles on many of the major airlines.

There are two basic types of credit cards that do this. The first is known as an airline mile card. The miles earned can be used for free tickets on over 250 major airlines. Many of these types of cards also allow the credit card holder to cash in their points for other travel rewards such as rental cars and hotel stays.

The second is known as a frequent flyer card. It allows the credit card holder to earn frequent flyer miles on a specific airline and its partners.

For people who are responsible with card debt, getting a card to earn free travel can be a smart idea. For those who are able to pay off most or all of their credit card bill at the end of the month, charging day to day purchases such as groceries, clothing, and gas makes sense.

So the question is, which card is better? An airline mile credit card or a frequent flyer credit card? The answer lies in the needs of the traveler.

If you need flexibility, an airline mile credit card may be the best choice. Since these cards earn points instead of frequent flyer miles, the rewards are not subject to the same restrictions as frequent flyer miles. Also, since the points can be used on a variety of airlines, you aren't boxed in by the schedule and availability of just one airline.

Some of the airline mile credit cards also allow the credit card holder to convert their points into frequent flyer miles on specific airlines. They can then be added to frequent flyer miles that the credit card holder has accumulated from actual flights and other sources, allowing the traveler to earn free flights more quickly.

The down side of airline mile credit cards is that the rewards may not add up as quickly frequent flyer mile credit cards. Many of them work on a $1 dollar spent = one point system. Since it averages about 24,000 points to earn one free ticket, it may take some credit card users a few years to rack up enough points for a free flight.

If you are a frequent traveler on one specific airline, then a frequent flyer card may be your best choice. Often these cards offer bonus miles just for opening up the credit card account once you've made your first purchase. It's not unusual for the bonus to be 15,000 miles or more which can be added to miles earned from actual flights.

Most frequent flyer cards offer one mile for each dollar spent, but some offer double miles for purchases at specific places. Again, these miles earned can be added to miles earned from flights.

The downside to a frequent flyer card is the limited choices you will have when booking travel. There are often black out dates associated with frequent flyer miles and a limited number of seats available on flights for those redeeming miles.

Whether you choose an airline mile credit card or frequent flyer credit card, it's a good idea to research all of the terms and conditions including all reward conditions, credit card fees, interest rates and late fees associated with the card before you make your choice.

Rate this Article: Current: 0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s).

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/earning-free-air-travel-with-credit-cards-51763.html

Print this Article Print article   Email to a Friend Send to friend   Publish this Article on your Website Publish this Article   Send Author Feedback Author feedback  
About the Author:
The daily Travel air is a website that updates twice a week with the comprehensive and helpful air travel tips and information. For more, visit air travel and frequent flyer creative commons licensed
Submitting articles has become one of the most popular means of generating quality backlinks and targeted traffic to your website. Join us today - It's Free!

Article Comments

Comment on this article Comment on this article
Your Name
Your Email:
Comment Body
Enter Validation Code: Captcha


Related Articles

Planning a Trip? Review These Air Travel Tips Before you Go!
By: Kathy Steinemann | 15/02/2008 | Flights

Too Tired to Enjoy your Vacation? Don't Suffer!
By: Kathy Steinemann | 23/05/2007 | Travel Tips

Holiday Travel Tips; Planning Ahead
By: Jawahn Thompson | 26/10/2006 | Travel
Travel related articles, including flight destinations, hotels and special tours.

Top 10 Plane Travel Tips for Easy Flying
By: George Alarcon | 13/08/2007 | Travel
Travel related articles, including flight destinations, hotels and special tours.

Tips for Air Travel With Pets
By: Sivakorn Siricharoensataporn | 04/06/2008 | Travel
Travel related articles, including flight destinations, hotels and special tours.

How To Make That Long Airplane Journey Fly By
By: Patrick Omari | 10/09/2008 | Flights

Overnight Traveler: Tips for Maintaining a Comfortable Flight
By: Gailen David | 09/11/2007 | Flights

The Art of Getting Bumped
By: Jawahn Thompson | 28/08/2006 | Travel
Travel related articles, including flight destinations, hotels and special tours.

Got a Question? Ask.

Ask the community a question about this article:

Frequently Asked Questions

If i stop making my house payments and it goes ...
By: bunny | 06-09-2008
if i stop making my house payments and it goes into foreclosure, can the mortgage company come in and repossess my furniture, attach a lien to my rental property or force me to cash in the only investments I have that will realize a HUGE penalty?

Annual payment
By: Annie Hales | 06-09-2008
Retiring soon(72). Pension $25,000 a year.  What do I do with that lump sum($25,000) to get through the year? Help! Financial planners want to much to help. Annie

Author of My First Book of Planes
By: Marita | 05-09-2008
Author of My First Book of Planes

Geneva airport transfer to glion above montreux is ...
By: bz | 05-09-2008
geneva airport transfer to glion above montreux is train best or car rental or taxi/car 4 of us will be traveling  THANKS BZ

Any one is using this site: www.orienttrails.com ...
By: rivax | 05-09-2008
Any one is using this site: www.orienttrails.com for tours and guide in Vietnam?

I initially added 3 family members to my family ...
By: Michael | 05-09-2008
I initially added 3 family members to my family under the "Head of Family Bonus Program". Now on second thoughts - can I delete them and apply for individual membership for each of them - so they get the full benefits of the points - rather than me getting only 20% of miles earned by Family members ? Thanks

Q&A Powered by:
Powered by Yedda 

Latest Travel Articles

London is Well-known for Its Exciting Museums
By: Gerlinda Cimeno | 07/10/2008
London boasts 4 World Heritage Sites, which are the palace of westminster, Westminster Abbey and St. Margaret's Church, the Tower of London, considerable Greenwich, and kew's royal botanic gardens.

The First Time You Venture Into London, Go to the Art Galleries
By: Gerlinda Cimeno | 07/10/2008
London's theatres cater to every funds & taste. From cheap eats like Pizza Express, Pizza Hut & Bella Italia, to high end theatres, you will be spoilt for choice. The city also has a vast range of Michelin starred theatres, including Tom Aikens, Umu & G

Loire Valley, France, Holiday Property Rentals
By: Karen Waller | 07/10/2008
The Loire Valley in France is famous for its chateaux and its beautiful landscapes. It's an area rich in history and is a perfect destination for a self catering holiday for all the family. The Loire Valley is also known as the Garden of France and has a wealth of...

Naples: The City of Historical Edifices
By: Christa Kowalczyk | 07/10/2008
Naples is one of the oldest cities in Italy, which holds many historical destinations, attracting many tourists around the world. This makes tourism as one of the major sources of the country's economy. Naples is a city of beauty and abounds in history, culture, and arts. This city belongs to southern...

Travel Guide to San Sebastian
By: Christa Kowalczyk | 07/10/2008
San Sebastian is a historical place and offers many great places to visit, discover, and enjoy. San Sebastian in Spain is a place full of beautiful sceneries for travelers and visitors. It offers broad variety of options one desires. The place is like a paradise full of adorable beaches, fun packed...

Benefits of Travel-related Social Networking Sites
By: Art G. | 07/10/2008
Social networking websites were made for socializing and networking. They were made for like minded people to connect all across the entire world. Most social networking sites are made strictly for people to meet and connect, not to be sold stuff. For those of you that like to travel just...

Tips For Making Connections Online With Other People Who Love To Travel
By: Art G. | 07/10/2008
Traveling is one of the best ways to relax, meet new people, and visit beautiful places you have seen in movies. Many people can only dream of traveling to exotic places and seeing breathtaking views. Traveling has become quite expensive due to the high gas prices and a recession type...

Holiday Property Rentals In Fuerteventura, Canary Islands
By: Karen Waller | 07/10/2008
If you're looking for a holiday filled with sun and sand, then why not head to the beautiful island of Fuerteventura? It is the second largest of the Canary Islands and is the closest Canary Island to the African coast. This island is ideal for a holiday property rental, as it...

More from Jawahn Thompson

T-mobile in the Uk
By: Jawahn Thompson | 09/12/2007 | Cell Phones
T-mobile UK counterpart in the UK understands their customers needs and makes plans and features to fit those needs accordingly.

The Motorola Razr Driver - Oh so Important
By: Jawahn Thompson | 07/12/2007 | Cell Phones
Motorola joins with many other technology companies to provide virtually no customer support, and yet provides a phone with PC connectivity that requires a special driver to function.

The Tivo Series 3. a Great Product With Room for Improvment
By: Jawahn Thompson | 12/10/2007 | Television
When the TIVO series 3 came out, it was a hit but as with most consumer electronics, it has it downfalls but the pluses outweigh the minuses this time around.

Motorola Razr V3 Cell Phone. Big on Performance
By: Jawahn Thompson | 10/10/2007 | Cell Phones
If you are looking for a new mobile phone, this is the one to choose as long as you do the research to find it at a good price.

The Nokia 1100 Cell Phone
By: Jawahn Thompson | 05/10/2007 | Cell Phones
Nokia, the leading phone manufacturer has shipped more than 200 million units of the most popular phone of all time.

The History of Verison Wireless Phone
By: Jawahn Thompson | 04/10/2007 | Cell Phones
There are many things that the Verison Company provides to its users, besides just cell phones.

Dish Vs Directv; Which is Better for your Needs?
By: Jawahn Thompson | 30/09/2007 | Television
When deciding between the two top satellite Tv providers, it's not about who has the lower prices, it's about who has the correct package that suits your household needs.

So What Broadband Options are Available to You?
By: Jawahn Thompson | 28/09/2007 | Internet
With advent of high speed internet comes broadband or cable internet. Now that the top service provider all offer broadband as an options, see who is at the top of the list for bring the highest quality internet service via the cable.

Article Categories






Give Feedback

Sign up for our email newsletter

Receive updates, enter your email below