Credit Card Flight Miles

Perks associated with credit cards have always been a gimmick to get our attention.  We may not be seeing the zero percent balance transfers in the next few months, but there is always something to lure us back into the credit card world.  Rewards are the newest thing for credit cards in which you get vouchers, cash back and air miles for spending on your credit card.  The air miles have been the most popular offer from credit cards for the last ten years, with more than a dozen providers offering the special deal.  The amount you spend of course to earn those miles, will differ from card to card.

Credit cards with air miles are not equal.  You could try to get a round trip ticket to Paris which would generally cost 3,900 pounds when you use the Buy and Fly MasterCard from Morgan Stanley.  You could spend 20,000 pounds with Citi A Advantage Visa for the same trip.  Royal Bank of Scotland’s Platinum Visa and NatWest’s Platinum card offer miles to Paris for 9,000 pounds spent.  The rewards also come with plenty of restrictions and strings.  There are deadlines in which you can use the points, especially with Morgan Stanley.  In fact these points can expire.  Citi A Advantage and British Airways offer one mile per pound, but this is usually not a good idea.  The amount you would have to spend for the air miles is much greater than just buying the ticket.

Cash back may seem more attractive as long as you pay your bill on time and in full every month to avoid the interest charges.  It is often easier to get the cash back stocked up within the months, making it a better deal all around.  Cards offering such a deal are Capital One, Lloyds TSB, Egg, Mint, Scottish Windows, and Smile Cards.  Cash back works in a way that you actually see a return.  The best way to use the card is by paying it off, and that is a lot easier when you’re not trying for a reward that is going to cost you a lot.  The flight miles are earned so slowly, that before you realize it to get the flight you have spent a great deal.  The vouchers for cash back are also a variety of options rather than relate to a specific purpose, which can help you when you have different needs.