Airline credit cards may save you big on flights
- Details
- Published on Tuesday, 06 September 2011 09:07
Have you ever considered getting an airline credit card? There are some that are really worth your money.
When you see a credit card offer, where there is an annual fee, chances are you just run the opposite direction.
How about flying right toward several credit cards, because they can save you big bucks?
Travel agent Melisa Keiser is the owner of Carmel Travel Company.
She found three airline credit cards with good deals.
So, how do you use them?
First, check out US Airways Premier World Master Card. There is an $89 annual fee, but you can earn up to 40,000 bonus miles, getting a round-trip ticket. Additionally, you can receive two $99 companion tickets and double miles on US Airways purchases.
There are also several cards with huge annual fees.
The American Express Platinum card has an annual fee of $450. However, if you are going overseas, especially with someone else, the card will instantly pay for itself.
“They waived foreign transaction fees,” said Keiser. “You get a free companion airfare. They also waive some of the airline fees with a $200 credit and upgraded hotels, which makes the card easily pay for itself.”
It is much less expensive is Southwest Airlines’ new Rapid Rewards Premier card from Chase. For their $99 annual fee, you get 25,000 points after your first purchase. That is enough for $400 worth of tickets in their widely available 'Wanna Get Away' fare class.
However, you have to be careful in how you use any of these cards. If you are late on any payment, the interest rate increases substantially right away. That may easily double your interest rate, costing you hundreds of dollars if you have a balance that is not paid off monthly.
If you are getting the card purely to get one free flight, cancel the card right after you go on your trip to make sure you do not pay another annual fee several months down the road.
It is easy to forget you have the card, until you get the bill. You can easily research credit cards offer to find their fees, what they offer and if you qualify.
Source: fox59.com, by Scott Jones
