Personal Finance Tips

Flying has become an increasingly common and convenient way to travel. Whether you frequently travel by air or want to fly to your next vacation destination, airline rewards credit cards can help you out. Read on to learn how airline rewards credit cards work and find some of the best offers available.

Earn the Miles

Airline rewards credit cards come in many shapes and forms, but the majority of them share the same basic principles. Most airline rewards credit cards allot you one mile for each dollar spent. Once you have earned a certain number of miles, you can exchange them for a plane ticket.

Besides earning miles through purchases, many airline rewards credit cards grant you bonus miles when you sign up. They may also offer special deals for you to earn additional miles once you have the card. Some award double points for making purchases at select places, such as restaurants and movie theaters.

Most major airline carriers offer a co-branded card, which is issued in partnership between the airline and a bank or credit card company. These cards allow you to earn additional miles when you purchase plane tickets through them or use their airline partner services, such as hotels and car rentals.

Reap the Rewards

Once you have an airline rewards credit card, you can keep track of the miles you earn on your card statement. Each card company sets the number of miles needed to earn free plane tickets. Usually fewer miles are required to travel domestically, while more are needed for international flights. Some cards allow you to redeem your miles for other items, include hotel stays, cruises, or car rentals.

While the rewards are fantastic, airline rewards credit cards also include certain terms and conditions. Most of them come with a higher interest rate and charge an annual fee. However, if you pay off your balance each month, the travel rewards will far outweigh the fees.

Best Offers Available

It is important to consider your travel interests and lifestyle as you look for the right airline rewards credit card. If you want the flexibility of flying any airline, the Discover Miles Card is a good choice. It offers benefits for signing up, including 0% interest on purchases and balance transfers for the first twelve months. Also, you can earn an additional 1,000 miles each month, just for using the card. That can total up to 12,000 bonus miles over the first year! You earn one mile for every dollar that you spend. And with Discover Miles Card there is no annual fee involved.

Another airline rewards credit card with plenty of flexibility is the Chase Travel Plus Platinum Visa card. This card allows you to choose from over 250 airlines. Chase Travel Plus Platinum Visa comes with 0% interest on purchases and balance transfers for up to twelve months. With a low annual fee of $29 and reward options including flights, hotel stays, car rentals, cruises and more, this card is well worth the investment.

Airline rewards credit cards offer enticing benefits. By making purchases on your card, you can earn miles that can be used for free travel. Look over your vacation plans. Then apply online today for an airline rewards credit card. Soon you’ll be turning in those miles for tickets. Happy flying!

Feeling down about your rising gas bills? Gas rewards credit cards can help! These cards offer you a chance to earn money back on your fuel purchases. There are plenty of reward plans to choose from. Before you apply, here’s what you need to know about gas rewards credit cards.

How Gas Rewards Credit Cards Work

Gas rewards credit cards are similar to cash back cards. Most operate on a percentage system. Every time you purchase fuel, a certain percentage of cash is returned to you. This usually ranges from 1 to 6%. So if you spend $200 on fuel each month and have a card that offers 5% cash back, you will receive a reward of $10 each month. How’s that for pumping fuel?

Some gas rewards credit cards operate on a point system. You earn points based on your fuel purchases. These points can then be redeemed for dollars. Your cash is returned to you either through a check in the mail or as a credit to your card statement.

Plenty of Options

Gas rewards credit cards come in many varieties. Some card companies offer gas cards that earn rewards only at certain gas stations. If you regularly fill up at one place, this may be a good choice for you. Other companies allow you to earn cash back at any gas station. If you tend to vary where you purchase gas, this type of card will work better for you.

Some gas rewards credit cards also allow you to earn points or cash back on purchases besides gas. These may include a 5% cash back offer on gas purchases and 1% cash back on others. Or they could include a higher percentage back on both gas and auto maintenance purchases. If you want to use your card at a variety of stores and gas stations, one of these plans may benefit you the most.

Most gas rewards credit cards offer an initial introductory period with extra benefits. This might include a 0% or low APR for the first few months. Also, your card may offer extra points or a higher percentage of cash back on purchases for the initial period. This gives you a way to earn extra cash right from the start. If you are traveling more than usual or are already putting in plenty of miles on the road, the gas reward credit card can give your wallet an added boost at the beginning.

What’s Right for you

Keep in mind that most gas rewards credit cards require you to have good or excellent credit. Also, many of them include a higher interest rate than other credit cards. So if you pay off your credit card bills each month, you can reap the rewards. However, if you usually carry a balance from month to month, a different credit card may work better for you.

Evaluate your spending habits and travel budget. If your fuel bill is usually high, gas rewards credit cards are an excellent option for you Look through the different gas rewards credit cards available and find one that will benefit you the most. Then apply online for a gas reward credit card. It is a great way to get some money back for a needed expense.