Five Steps to Making the Most of Your Airmiles
Choosing a good credit card can sometimes feel like a big hassle. There are so many out there it can feel tiresome just to wade through the cards you don’t want in order to find the cards you do want. Even when you find the cards you truly want, it is likely there will be several you will have to compare and contrast all the way down to the little details. Only with close attention and determination can you find that one card that fits just right.
1. The Card
The secret to getting the most out of airline miles starts first with seeking out a good airline miles card. Research the cards that have the best miles per dollar ratio. The miles can range from 1 for every $1 spent to as much as 2 miles for ever $1 spent. The key here is to pay attention to what the conditions claim is an eligible dollar. For the most part, a regular purchase will count. Returns, balance transfers, cash advances, credits, fees and finance charges will not count toward your mileage. A trip to the grocery will.
2. The Restrictions
Getting the most out of your miles means knowing how and when you can use them. In recent years, credit card companies have decided to do away with blackout dates, airline restrictions, and mile expirations. Keeping customers happen became the top priority because happy customers spend more money. However, in the fine print there might be a few catches you may not realize. Some cards may have a limit to the amount of miles you can obtain per year. Checking the fine print will reveal this information and can make all the difference.
3. Keep It Together
Thinking you can get more miles by using two credit cards is essentially a waste of time. Are you willing to spend more money on both credit cards to get the miles? Odds are that will simply land you in larger debt. Instead, keep all your eggs in one basket. If you are extremely responsible, you can use your credit card to pay for just about everything as long as you pay off the entire balance once your monthly statement comes around. For example, if you usually spend $100 on groceries every week and usually pay with cash, check, or debit card, that is $100 you could easily convert into miles. Just remember to set money aside to pay off the bill later.
4. Plan Carefully
As long as there are no blackout dates and airline restrictions, you can use your miles whenever you like. However, you will still be paying for everything else; food, hotel stays, entertainment, and so forth (unless your card gives you extra incentives). Opt for a place you really want to go and try visiting when tourism and travel are not at their peak. This means cheaper rates for just about everything, and less people to battle as well when you go sightseeing. You want all your hard work finding the right card and utilizing it to be worthwhile instead of shelling out a fortune when you arrive at your destination.
5. Go For It!
Once you have made your card decision, go for it! As long as you have a good credit history, you might be able to pick up some pretty good rates from the credit card company, which can be great in case you know you will be carrying a balance on your card. As long as you use your card right, make smart financial moves, and create well-made plans, you should be well on your way to enjoying the freedom of airmiles.