With travel costs on the rise, it pays to look around for a good deal before booking your next flight. And a good deal is exactly what you'll find with an airline rewards credit card. By applying for one and using it on a regular basis, you can save hundreds of dollars on airfare. Here's how to make the most of airline rewards credit cards.



Find the Right Rewards

Airline rewards credit cards come in many shapes and forms. Some cards grant you miles toward a specific airline, while others let you choose which company you'd like to travel with. Interest rates, annual fees, and the actual rewards programs also vary from card to card.

To determine which rewards are right for you, consider your travel needs. If you tend to travel on a very rigid schedule, look for a card that lets you book flights with no blackout dates. If the airport near you is the hub for a major airline, consider signing up for a card that gives you miles toward that particular airline. For those that need flexibility, find a card that rewards points or miles in general. You can apply these toward the airline of your choice.

Use the Card

Once you receive your airline rewards credit card, start looking for ways to use it. Perhaps you can make monthly payments for certain bills with it. Or try using it when you go grocery shopping. To earn sufficient travel rewards, you'll want to use it on a regular basis.

Most cards award you points or miles every time you use the card. You might earn one mile for every dollar you spend on the card. Take careful note of how much you spend, and watch to see how your travel rewards accumulate.

While you want to use the card, make sure that you do not overspend. If you carry a high balance from month to month, you may pay more in interest charges than the amount of rewards you earn. So keep track of your expenses, and work hard to pay them off at the end of each month.

Redeem the Miles

This is perhaps the best part about having a rewards credit card: redeeming your points or miles for a ticket. Your monthly statement will show you how many points or miles you have. When you have enough rewards to use toward a ticket, start looking for dates to travel. If possible, plan your trip a few months in advance. Some cards include blackout dates, meaning that you will only be able to fly for free on certain days. Available slots often fill up fast, so plan ahead of time to make sure you can get the flight you want.

While the exact number of miles needed to fly sometimes varies, domestic flights usually require around 20,000 or 25,000 miles. International flights use between 45,000 and 60,000 miles. Some cards offer bonus miles for signing up, so take this into consideration as you search for the right card.

By getting an airline rewards credit card, you can make your next trip a very inexpensive one. Start looking online today for a card. As soon as you get it, you can start planning your next vacation, courtesy of the rewards program.