Air Miles Credit Cards to Suit Your Needs and Ditch the Winter Blues

It's the middle of the winter, and this is the time of year that cabin fever sets in for many people. If you're feeling the winter blues and need an escape, why not consider a credit card that provides benefits for travel? One of the benefits of credit cards is the perks they can offer. From cash back to gas points and everything in between, credit cards that reward you for use can be very beneficial. If you travel frequently, an air miles credit card is one of the best options for you. 

What are airline credit cards? 

Air miles credit cards give you points, or "miles," based on the amount of money you spend. Certain purchases, including airline tickets or rental cards, earn you double points. Once you have a certain amount of points, you can redeem them towards your travel expenses. 

Miles cards are sponsored either by a bank or by an airline. Airline sponsored cards, such as US Airways or United, are usually only redeemable on the specific airline. A bank-sponsored card from somewhere like Chase or Citi allows you to earn mileage from any airline, and you can redeem them on any airline or travel-related purchase. 

Choosing an air miles credit card

There are a few things you need to consider before you purchase an air miles card, including:

• Type of card. Deciding whether you want an airline-sponsored card or a bank-sponsored card is the first thing to take into account. If you frequently fly the same airline, their card will probably give you the most benefits. However, if you like to fly different airlines, a bank-sponsored card that gives you more flexibility may be your best bet.
• Fees. Pretty much every airline card is going to charge an annual fee, so keep that in mind while shopping for a card.  Most of these fees range between $50 and $100 a year. However, many of them, including Southwest, will waive the fee the first year. Additional points can be cashed in to offset the fee as well.
• Other perks. One of the great things about airline miles cards is the additional perks they offer. Most of them allow you to redeem your miles on hotel stays and rental cards, but with some you can also cash your points in for gift cards if you won’t be using them on travel. Other perks frequent travelers may enjoy are waived baggage fees or membership into the airline’s airport lounges.
• Expiration dates. Be aware of expiration dates on the miles you accrue. In order to stay competitive, many of the major air mile credit cards offer miles that don’t expire. However, this isn’t always the case, so make sure you check.

Creditcardxpo.com allows you to compare different cards, so you can weigh the features and benefits of several before deciding which one is the best for your needs.

If you’re ready to ditch the winter blues and get away for a much-needed vacation, consider an airline miles credit card that rewards you for travel.