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[F886]Frequent Flier Credit Card

by Ann Wilson, Ann

What Kind of Travel Reward Credit Card do You Own? If you own a travel reward credit card, take a look at it and see if it's a frequent flier card or a generic mileage credit card. Remember that generic mileage credit cards give you the option to purchase tickets or redeem your travel reward points from several choices of airlines. On the other hand, if your credit card uses a specific frequent flier program, you're only allowed to redeem your miles points from one particular carrier.

Racking Up Your Points

Applying for a frequent flier credit card is recommended for those who travel a lot. If you're not a frequent traveler, it may be best to apply for a different type of rewards credit card. For instance, you can earn rewards more easily with a cash back credit card or a gas station credit card.

On the other hand, the best way to collect miles points on your frequent flier account is by purchasing airline tickets from your affiliate carrier. Thus, if you really don't travel much, it may take a very long time before you qualify for a free travel. If that's the case, be sure your frequent flier card doesn't impose black out dates or you can end up losing all the points you've collected.

Another way to rack up those points is by using your credit card not only on your purchases but on paying your bills as well. Use your frequent flier card to pay your electricity bills, cable, telephone and other subscriptions. Use it whenever you refuel in gas stations as well. The important thing to remember while using your credit card in making payments is to pay off your charges in full each month.

Remember, you don't want to end up paying for high interest rates just because you delayed or missed on your credit card payment. The purpose of getting a reward credit card is to get incentives for your usage. But if you usually pay for the interest, you may be paying for more than what you get from your credit card.

One final reminder, if you're using a frequent flier miles credit card, keep in mind that the available seats for your affiliate carrier are only limited. If you're going to a tourist destination or if you're traveling during holiday seasons, you may experience difficulty placing your reservation. To avoid hassles, as you reach your qualifying miles points, coordinate with your credit card issuer in advance and make sure that you'll be able to book your flight early with your affiliate airline. By making plans and preparations in advance, you can enjoy your free travel reward without headaches or complications.

Copyright (c) 2008 Ann Wilson

In the old days when the connectivity with the flights to various destinations was still evolving the flight operating companies had a snooty approach to the customer. But the things have now undergone total transformation. Now with multitude of airlines vying for the attention of the customers, the customer has become the king. The king is being pampered with the frequent flier credit cards; more you fly more rewards you get. The concept has its genesis in building up a loyal customer base for the frequent fliers. There is a very fundamental difference between a journey by the train and that by the rail.

In case of plane, once it has taken off, the seat which is vacant cannot be filled, but not so with the train. Therefore, to fill up as many seats as possible some kinds of incentives have to be given, and these incentives were in the form of frequent flier credit cards. The frequent flier credit cards are a form of co-branded cards, which are issued by the airlines, the concerned bank that is issuing the card and one of the card institutes like Visa or Master. The objective is to develop a band of loyal fliers, more so the fliers who make more than five-six trips on a monthly basis for the business purposes.

Every time a frequent flier credit card is used, it is converted into certain tangible and intangible benefits to the user. The first benefit for a frequent flier credit card user is that he can tele-check in by quoting his frequent flier number. For a business traveler to be able to confirm his boarding on the flight is a big boon, as you might be held up to the last moment and on landing at the airport it might be difficult to check in, in the flight. The flip side of this is the fact that you may be able to extend your meeting till the last moment, as you know that you have confirmed your arrival to the concerned airlines.

The frequent flier credit card user also has the advantage to get his seat confirmed once tele-check in has been done. You just have to land at the airport, collect the boarding pass, and off you are to the destination, it is that simple. The frequent flier credit card also provides benefit of access to concierge lounges, especially when you are traveling outside. The access to concierge lounges, without having to pay for it is a big boon as one can easily pass away the intermittent time between catching one flight and the other by passing the time at the lounge. Every tele-check in also provides some bonus points to the holder of the frequent flier credit card. The first reward to a frequent flier credit card holder is the up gradation from the economy class to the business class, or even first class without paying anything for the differential.

It is a reward so to say for using a particular flight to travel. The second advantage that comes to a frequent flier credit card holder is the complimentary travel vouchers that you can claim when you are a frequent flier. This complimentary travel voucher is a gift with which you can also impress your wife who otherwise would be peeved at your frequent disappearance. It seems the issuers of frequent flier credit cards understand this and that is why the complimentary cards that they issue also extends the benefit of choosing that particular airlines to the wife as well.

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Both Ann Wilson & Devin Gilliland are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Ann Wilson has sinced written about articles on various topics from Student Credit Cards, Credit Cards and Airline Credit Cards. provides consumers with valuable reviews and information. Ann Wilson's top article generates over 14800 views. to your Favourites.

Devin Gilliland has sinced written about articles on various topics from Gardening, Credit Cards and American Express Card. This article is courtesy of Credit-Wisdom.com, where you can compare offers and exchange reviews on our. Devin Gilliland's top article generates over 201000 views. to your Favourites.