credit cards airline rewards programs

[slides]

I’m looking at getting a credit card that I can redeem for flights and vacations. Right now I’m leaning towards delta sky miles since there is a hub in Minneapolis and it seems to be a pretty good program. Does anyone else us a credit card for miles, which brand and why?

 

[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.

 

[fxoffroad]

Getting an airline branded credit card is a dying art.

Better to get a Barclays Arrival+, Capital One Venture or Chase Freedom/Sapphire - where you can use your rewards anytime, anyway - w/ no black out dates and less BS than an airline card.

 

[NoDak]

NerdWallet's Best Airline Credit Cards, 2015 - NerdWallet

The Best Credit Cards for Earning Rewards

The Credit Cards That Give You Free (or Cheap) Companion Plane Tickets


just some articles. not all inclusive

 

[mxer]

I would rotate through all the airlines. Most (at least Southwest) gives you 2 free tickets when you spend a certain amount in the first 3 months. Do it, get your miles, get your free tickets, then cancel the card before you pay the annual fee. On to the next airline.

 

[RandyDaytona]

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.

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.

 

[techno]

I have a card with United. I've been happy with it so far, although it has a $90 annual fee. I timed getting the card with several major purchases and ended up getting lots of miles which so far have taken me across the country twice and international once so I feel like I have gotten my moneys worth. Other things that are nice are free passes for their airport lounge, no foreign transaction fees and some travel insurance perks. Not sure I would recommend it if you're spending less than $20k per year on it.

 

[blkcloud]

I love my venture card.. double points on each dollar spent.. went last year to hawaii for free!!

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Just got offered a decent deal on a Venture Card.

 

[Range]

^^^^Like BW just said. We have a Capital One Venture card and its been great. You can use the points for any airlines and or just buying things. You do have to have very good credit though.

 

[ads2539]

I have had a Chase Bank-issued United Airlines mileage plus VISA card for a long time. 6+ years ago, I was flying from Chicago to Southeast Asia often, and I would get a free round trip after buying ~3 round trips. The mileage plus program is much worse now - it’s not even a true mileage plan anymore, and maybe a free round trip after 10+ trips now. Mileage is often earned based on the price of the ticket, not the miles flown, especially if it is a long flight, e.g., any major US city to Tokyo, Seoul, Bangkok, Manila, etc. One of the good things about UA miles is that they can be used to buy tickets on any Star Alliance airline, like ANA, Korean Air, Lufthansa, SAS, Thai Airways, etc. In my opinion, the non-US airlines have better service/amenities (and more legroom in economy) than United.