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Here’s how to choose a credit card that rewards traveling

Credit cards let you make your purchases without cash, on a credit basis with a repayment period of one month. In addition to giving you interest-free money for this period, there are several other offers and rewards you can avail along with every swipe for purchases made on your credit-card. The offers can be discounts on certain brands, goods purchased in particular stores, or cash back amounts, etc. You can also earn airline miles or credit points as a reward for travel tickets bought using the credit card etc. So, you can choose a credit card that earns airline miles and suits your needs or one that is based on the type of purchases that you make most often.

If you are a frequent traveler, who spends quite a lot of money on air travel or uses rental cars during your travels, having credit scores that are either good or excellent with a minimum FICO credit score of 670. Having the financial capacity to make on-time payments of your credit card balances, then it makes more sense to opt for a credit card that earns airline miles. Not just that, staying at hotels that have a tie-up with the credit card issuer can earn bonus points with credit cards. These points earned with your credit card can be redeemed for free flights tickets or enable you to use travel perks offered by airlines like free checked baggage, priority boarding, seat upgrades, concierge services, access to members-only airport lounges, etc. with your credit card. There are mainly two types of credit cards that earn airline miles for you. They are:

A co-branded/affiliated credit card
If you are a traveler who flies in the same airline most of the time, then these credit cards that earn airline miles would be the best option for you. Pick a card issuer who has a tie-up or co-branding with the airline of your choice which can let you earn and redeem the highest-level rewards for that specific airline. However, these cards can limit your options on getting rewarded due to the tie-up they have with a particular airline, brand, website or another affiliate partner. These benefits are tied to a loyalty program offered by the specific airline, and the value of every earned mile or point depends on the flights booked.
Travel rewards cards/Non-affiliated credit cards
If you are a frequent traveler who does not have an affinity towards any particular brand or airline, then these cards are ideal as these cards can offer a more extensive selection of airfare. Every related purchase made using your travel reward card can earn you points or miles which can be used in exchange for flights, hotels stay, rental cars, merchandise or even cash back without any restrictions on a brand. However, the disadvantage lies in the fewer rewards earnings and perks as compared to those available with a co-branded airline card. The value of the miles earned do not vary much like the co-branded cards, and the rewards can be used or redeemed at multiple airlines or for different options.
While choosing a card that offers the right rewards program for you is the most important part, it is equally important to know the earning potential of your credit card. And then it requires a good understanding of the travel benefits; bonuses offered on sign-up and redemption value along with other related factors of judging a normal credit card like annual fees, interests, etc.

Some of the benefits offered by the credit cards that earn airline miles are:

Earning travel points
Rewards points can be earned by frequent flyers on travel tickets, or purchases made onboard that airline or with other affiliated brands for travel-related stores, dining, entertainment, groceries, etc. using the credit cards that earn airline miles. Additionally, look out for sign-up bonus offers like additional points, miles, cash back or free flights.
Discounts on flight tickets
A particular co-branded card or a limited period offer run by some airlines in association with some card issuers or travel websites can offer you certain discounts in the flight ticket prices without even requiring you to redeem your miles.
Additional privileges
There will be several privileges or perks reserved for particular co-branded credit card holders on-board that airline. This includes free check-in bags, dedicated check-in lines, early or priority boarding, free seat upgrades, discounted in-flight purchases and companion tickets and access to members only / private airport lounges with complimentary beverages, snacks, internet access, and workspaces, etc.
Special travel perks and protections
Certain frequent flyer perks may include zero foreign transaction fees, extended warranties and longer return periods on purchases made with the card, concierge services while booking restaurants, purchasing gifts or planning travel, late checkout at participating hotels and resorts, etc. Additionally, certain insurance protections may be offered during your travel like insurance coverages against trip cancellation, auto rentals, any loss of baggage, roadside assistance, etc.

But all advantages come with its share of disadvantages. Some of them to consider while making a credit card that earns airline miles selection are the complicated rewards structure, fewer promotional offers, high rewards requirement to offset annual fees, high purchase, and balance transfer APRs, strict credit score requirements and restrictions on earnings and redemptions.

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