Quote:
Originally Posted by AKmoney
I used to have an Alaska Airlines mileage VISA. In the end I gave it up; airlines have way too many blackout dates and restrictions and it seemed like unless I planned my trip 6 months in advance there were never any reward seats available with the international carriers I wanted to fly on.
I avge it up and went with a simple BofA Cash Rewards card. Just give me the cash back and I'll use Expedia to book my travel, plus no annual fee.
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Back when I flew a lot and lived in AK and WA, I had an AK Airlines Visa, as well. Now I don't fly as much, so it's not really worth it (to me, anyway). Slightly off topic, but I recently got a nasty-gram for AK Airlines telling me to use my 28,000 remaining miles or lose them forever. I figured it would be a no-brainer to just transfer them to my wife's account. But awhen she researched it, I apparently have to
pay them to do that (WTF?). Or...I can get about 50 subscriptions to Golf, Instyle, some some other useless magazine. Thanks (for nothing) Alaska Air. Rant over.
I think airline programs are best for people who fly ALL the time. Or, at least a lot more than I did. I was flying 3 or 4 times a month back then and even with that kind of frequency, I'd get a free ticket ever year or so (
if I could use it when I wanted/needed to).
But the vacations and bigger benefits never really materialized. People who fly back and forth from NY to Chicago 20 times a month or who routinely travel around the country to visit various work sites are the real benefactors of these programs, I think. Personally, I'll drive across the entire planet before I set foot on a plane, again, but that's another story.
I now use only my Cabela's visa, which has no annual fee and has not significantly changed their program or threatened me with a loss of points in the 15 years I've been with them. I currently have almost $1,000 in points that I can use for hunting, fishing, camping and outdoor gear. Last time I had them stored up, I spent $500+ in points on a gun (yes, they let you do that - there seem to be very few restrictions).
I'd choose any card with no annual fee, which allows you to redeem awards for things you'll actually use, and which has fairly liberal rules on how and when you can redeem them. If a company isn't willing to do that, their program is just smoke and mirrors to get you to use their services, IMO.