Comparing Travel Rewards Cards
By using travel rewards credit cards you can actually earn a free ticket to any destination, as long as you can clock in an average of 24000 miles to your card, that is. All you have to do is to charge purchases to your travel rewards card: every dollar earns you one mile. In addition to this pre-requisite for travel rewards card, there are also other benefits to using travel reward credit cards. It’s best that you evaluate these elements when deciding the travel reward card that will best fit your needs.
0% Annual Percentage rate
One of the most common rewards offered by credit cards is the 0% annual percentage rate. This means that you will not be charged any interest on your outstanding balance. However, these 0% offers are only available for a short period, usually between 6 and 12 months. The APR after the period may be relatively high as compared to other travel cards.
Travel-related benefits and privileges
Some rewards come in the form of travel accident insurance, travel assistance and delivery of emergency cash. Other rewards allow you to redeem your mileage points with any airline affiliated with your card company. In addition, affiliations of these credit cards with major hotels, car rental companies and selected restaurants allow you to gain more airline miles from purchases made here.
First purchase bonus miles
Some companies offer an immediate award of 5000 to 17500 miles upon the first purchase you make with the card. However, these immediate awards are usually limited to just a single airline. Also, be wary of blackout or expiry dates for you to redeem your mileage points.
More miles per dollar
That 24000-mile goal may be harder to achieve than many would realize. Thus, it is a good thing that some card companies make it easier by allowing their users to earn up more for each dollar. Card users can earn up to twice as many points at certain affiliated stores while others can earn up to 6 miles per dollar spent at restaurants.
Other fantastic rewards
Due to the competitive nature of the credit card industry, certain credit card companies offer other fantastic rewards such as class upgrade certificates, reduced mileage rewards, bonus miles awarded upon online approval, half-off on companion ticket upon card approval and also service fee waivers for the first year.