Best credit card to use for airline miles?

**homemaker66** · 10-20-2009, 07:05 AM

I would like to look into of getting a cc for airline travel points. We are very good with our cc and we would purchase our monthly bills then pay it off so we can get the points. We love to travel alot durning the winter so I thought the points would help with the tickets. Does anyone else do this? Can I get some feedback on this question. Thank you.

**craftypam** · 10-20-2009, 08:46 AM

Thanks for this I would like to know the same information. I'm going to google it!

**Greebo** · 10-20-2009, 08:59 AM

http://www.bankrate.com

With CC's being ever more sneaky these days, I'd wait until after the new legislation goes through, at a minimum. Although in my case, my personal feelings are that no amount of rewards is worth the risks associated with CC use.

**monkeywrangler71** · 10-20-2009, 09:50 AM

We do this, and it can really pay off if you have a lot to charge. Back when my husband was travelling for work, we would easily charge 60-70K a year on our credit card. Now we only do about 20. We put everything on the card, including utility bills and charitable donations. We pay it off every month, have never had an interest charge in the 11 years that we have been doing this, and we do not base our spending decisions on our method of tender. I'm not really sure why some people overspend with credit cards, but obviously those people shouldn't do this. Otherwise, it can be a great way to supplement your travel budget.

We used our points for our trips to England and Arizona, several trips home, some merchandise, cash back, and currently have about $1000 worth of points that we are going to trade in for investments.

Two things you need to look at when you select a card - what does it cost to earn points and how much do you get when you cash them in. Consider annual fees, and the number of points per dollar spent - avoid the fees unless it is something you would pay for anyway (we pay for the rental car insurance). Many times a free card with a lower number of points per dollar will be a better deal, particularly if you are a low spender. Look at how far you will get on your points - not all miles are created equal, some go farther on less, some have too many restrictions, some go by zones while others go by actual distance, some can be used for things other than travel.

If you can book your own trips with seat sales and deals, you will get farther on a decent cash back card, rather than a travel card.

**homemaker66** · 10-20-2009, 03:55 PM

Thank you for the input. Moneywrangler71 what card do you use? I have been looking into citi bank for the reward points. I am going to keep looking. I hope we can get some more feedback on this question.

**monkeywrangler71** · 10-20-2009, 04:15 PM

I'm in Canada, so we don't have the same banks to choose from.

**PrairieRose** · 10-21-2009, 01:12 PM

We do this with Southwest Visa but are looking into a Visa that gives rewards through Continental as well. We get to travel tons b/c of this....never pay a fee or interest, always pay of the balance before the due date......

It's a great way to get rewards as long as you are diligent.

**homemaker66** · 10-21-2009, 02:57 PM

Today I called my Discover card and they have reward point program with no block out dates and you can pick the airlines that has the best deal. I already has reward money coming to me so they just converted it over to points. For every $1.00= 100 points. I was surprised that they done this for me. I have been a costumer for eight years so I have a good credit with them so it was no problem. My DH and I travel alot so this is how we are going to get our tickets from now on. We could never fly because we had to many children to pay for each ticket. Now the kids are grown and gone and it is just the two of us so now we can fly. I know there must be other great offers out there but I did not want to open another account and have another CC to worry about so this worked out great for us.