How to Compare Air Miles Rewards Credit Cards
So you have decided to choose a credit card with a travel air miles rewards program and now need to narrow your selection down to the right travel rewards program for your needs. What are the considerations to be made when you compare air miles rewards programs? The types of travel rewards credit card programs vary greatly. Some credit card programs are aimed at international business travel, other cards focus on regional air travel, and still others focus on national hotel credit card programs. In this article we will compare programs geared toward air travel and the accumulation of air miles rewards points.
There are many regional airline credit cards programs offered and should only be considered if the majority of your travel is with a regional airlines. Among all other air travel programs the following information should be compared and considered:
- How many air miles are earned per dollar spent?
- Is there a limit to the number of air miles that can be earned within a calendar year?
- Does the travel rewards program have "black out" dates—dates when air miles cannot be redeemed?
- Are there bonus airmiles points offered for signing up with the credit card company?
- Are additional bonus air miles points offered by the credit card issuer based on additional criteria, such as spending a certain amount on the card within a calendar year?
- Does the credit card program offer free companion tickets and what are the criteria for use of the companion tickets?
- Do the air miles expire after a certain number of years if they are not used?
- How many airmiles points are required to earn a free international airline ticket and how many are required for a free domestic airline ticket?
- What is the yearly fee for maintaining the credit card?
- How do the benefits compare to the yearly fee expense?
- When using the card in a foreign currency is there a percentage rate added on to the exchange rate?
- Are the participating airlines ones you are likely to use?
- What is the monthly interest rate (APR) charged?
In consideration of the amount of interest charged, as with all other rewards credit card programs, in order to avoid interest payments the credit card should be paid off in full each month. If you maintain a zero balance or a minimal balance each month than an air miles rewards credit card program will be an advantage for you. But if you pay interest on a large balance each month then the costs of the card may out weight the benefits earned.
With these questions in mind lets compare some of the top rated air miles rewards credit cards. The following is a list of credit cards with outstanding airmiles travel rewards programs, yet each program is very unique and offers very different options:
American Express® Business Gold Rewards Card
American Express® Platinum Business Credit Card
Capital One® No Hassle Miles Rewards Card
Miles by Discover® Card
Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express®
Compare the Best Air Miles Credit Cards
Compare Air Miles Rewards Programs: American Express® Business Gold Rewards Card*
The American Express Gold Card is famous the world over and these are just some of the reasons:
- Up to 40,000 bonus air miles offered in the first year and up to 25,000 added bonus airmiles offered in subsequent years depending on how much you spend
- Air miles rewards points have no expiration date and no limit to the number of points earned in a year
- 21 participating airlines, 50 cruise programs, and hundreds of participating hotels world wide
- Your air miles can be converted into the frequent flyer programs of many participating airlines
- Use points to upgrade to business class or first class tickets.
- Emergency card replacement within 24 hours, Global Assist Hotline and more
- The annual fee is waived in the first year
*Please see the terms and conditions for the latest offers
Compare Air Miles Rewards Credit Cards: American Express® Platinum Business Credit Card*
This business credit card is frequently used by business travelers because it offers exceptional travel rewards as well as ongoing travel bonuses for both international and domestic flights.
- Free companion ticket every time you purchase an international first class or business class ticket
- Free companion ticket with purchase of a domestic airline ticket with a value of $299 or more. This opportunity can be used 4 times a year.
- Complimentary airport club access for Continental, Delta, Northwest and American Airlines
- Your air miles rewards points have no expiration dates
- Many travel protection services offered with the card
- Comes with expense management tools
- Over 30 participating airlines
- 5000 welcome bonus points with first purchase
*Please see the terms and conditions for the latest offers
Compare Air Miles Rewards Programs: Capital One® No Hassel Miles Rewards Card*
This is one of the most popular air miles rewards credit card programs and these are some of the reasons:
- You earn 1.25 miles for every dollar spent (and with the Capital One® No Hassel Miles Ultra for Professionals you earn 2 miles for every dollar spent!)
- A free airline ticket can be redeemed for as low as 15,000 miles
- There are no blackout dates and no seat restrictions
- You can book your flight any way you choose
- If you are traveling internationally many credit cards will add 2-3% to your purchases for converting other currencies into dollars. Capital One does not charge for converting foreign currency purchases into dollars.
- 24 hour travel and emergency assistance and travel accident insurance programs
- No expiration date on miles and no limit on the miles you can earn
*Please see the terms and conditions for the latest offers
Compare Air Miles Rewards Programs: Miles by Discover® Card*
Discover Credit card customers are happy customers. Discover has one of the highest customer satisfaction ratings of any credit card company. And the following are a few of the reasons those who choose the Discover Card for their air miles rewards program are happy travelers:
- Travel unrestricted with no black out dates and no advanced booking
- Book with any airline online or with any travel agent
- No annual fee
- 1 air mile redeemed with every dollar spent and the first $3000 dollars spent on travel and restaurants each year is double miles
- up to 12,000 bonus miles in the first year: 1000 bonus miles each month you make a purchase for the first 12 months
- When traveling internationally Discover will not charge you a percentage for currency exchange. Many credit cards will charge you 2-3% every time you make a purchase in a non US currency
- In addition to these there are the usual Discover card benefits that so many Discover Card customers are happy about: easy online service options, 24/7 customer service, email payment reminders etc.
*Please see the terms and conditions for the latest offers
Compare Air Miles Rewards Credit Cards: Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express®*
This credit card offers outstanding hotel rewards as well as air mile rewards. It is often voted the most popular by frequent travelers and here are some of the reasons:
- Earn 10,000 Starpoints® with Your First Purchase - Enough for Up To 3 Free Nights at a Category 1 or 2 Hotel
- Earn 15,000 Bonus Starpoints® After You Spend $15,000 In 6 Months
- Use Starpoints® for Free Nights and Upgrades at over 860 Participating Starwood Hotels and Resorts in 95 Countries
- Transfer Starpoints® Almost Always on a 1:1 Basis to the Frequent Flyer Programs of over 30 Major Airlines
- Earn One Starpoint® for Every Dollar You Spend and Double Starpoints® at Participating Starwood Properties and Retail Partners
- No Annual Fee for the First Year and $45 Thereafter
- Express Approval. Get a Decision in Less Than 60 Seconds
- Every time you convert 20,000 points into airline miles, you get a 5,000-point bonus which means you're really earning 1.25 miles per dollar on most airlines
*Please see the terms and conditions for the latest offers
All credit card programs are constantly being revised and updated. For this reason you should always read the "terms and conditions" section of the credit card application when you compare air miles rewards programs to learn the latest card features and rewards program opportunities.
There are a wide range of benefits and a wide range of possible snags when using an air miles rewards credit card. But armed with this kind of information you can now make a more informed decision. You know what kinds of questions to ask and what kinds of opportunities to look for. In addition when you compare air miles rewards programs you need to consider the usual credit card issues such as the monthly interest percentage charged and the annual fees charged on the card etc. So start reviewing credit card options and enjoy your travels!