Airlines Credit Card - How To Find the Best Available

Posted by Nick Niesen on October 29th, 2010

Just because one of your friends says they have the best airlines card does not mean it will be the best one for you. In order to find the best available, there are a few things you must look at before deciding which airlines credit card is the one that fits you perfectly. You will need to not only look at the airline cards and what they have to offer but also at your spending habits and traveling habits.

First look at the applicable interest rates of the airlines credit card that you you wish to apply for. Most airline cards have higher interest rates than ones without any type of rewards program. If you normally carry a balance on your card from one billing cycle to another, then airline cards may not be the right answer for you. If you still wish to reap the benefits offered by airline cards, then you should be sure to choose one with the lowest interest rates.

Some airline cards offer you points for every dollar spent while others only give you points if you purchase at certain stores or make certain purchases. If you only get points for shopping at certain stores and they are not ones you normally use, then the card will be worthless to you. The same goes for which airline you normally use. Some airline cards are only for one airline, if you do not use that airline or seldom use it, then you will not be accumulating points that you can redeem and use.

There are also restrictions placed on airline cards, such as how many points you can receive in a year and many have expiration dates on the points earned. You could be saving up thousands of points and they may expire before you ever get to use them.

Now look at your overall purchases in one year that you place on your credit card. If you normally only spend $15,000 with your credit card but you need to spend $20,000 to receive a free trip with your earned points then the airline card will not be the one for you, unless you wish to spend thousands more to reap the rewards. Remember, bundled into paying off your debt you will also be paying higher finance charges and annual fees and you may never get that free trip.

If you travel quite a bit then airline cards are well worth your time to check into, however if you only travel a couple of times per year it may not be worth the higher interest rates, higher finance charges and annual fees that come along with an airlines credit card. Some companies offer extra incentives such as a free companion ticket, but if you normally travel by yourself then this offer is one you will not need.

You will find than an airlines credit card in some cases will offer you an upgrade if you travel a lot giving you the luxury of first class, but you may find out that you will receive more points with an airlines credit card that does not give upgrades.