Who on ATOT uses a credit card to build up airline miles?

[LakerGod]

Should i get a credit card specifically to use when i buy airline tickets? Is it only worth using if you fly a lot, or can the casual traveller see an advantage to using a credit card to gain miles.

 

[erub]

my parents swear by it (my mom uses Citi AAdvantage card, earning AA miles) and my dad uses Southwest Rapid Rewards..they seem to accumulate both free tickets pretty often, although they both spend a good amount..both have annual fees around $50-60

it depends on how much you charge whether its a good deal..the flexibility offered by the airline tickets (especially the old southwest ones, although thats changing) is great..you might do better with a free cashback card (I have Chase Cash Rewards & Citibank Dividend) if you prefer money with no annual fee

 

[RossMAN]

In your situation I don't think it's worth it.

Frequent flier airline cc's have an annual fee of $40 - $80 per year. Normally you need at least 25,000 miles ($25,000 in charges) to get a free roundtrip domestic ticket. Do you plan on charging and paying back $25,000 in credit card charges anytime soon?

CitiBank Dividend or Chase Cash plus offers 1%/5% with no annual fee!

 

[DaveSimmons]

I have an Amazon visa since I'm more likely to use an Amazon gift cert than a seat class upgrade or take a restricted free trip. 1% back general purchases, 3% back on Amazon purchases.

 

[Chunkee]

i have a business capitalone...i can use them for rewards, or airline tickets. There is no annual fee either. I use it for business...my clients pay me cash, i charge on my credit card, then pay it off, accumulating the miles.

jC

might as well get something back.

jC

 

[LakerGod]

Originally posted by: RossMAN
In your situation I don't think it's worth it.

Frequent flier airline cc's have an annual fee of $40 - $80 per year. Normally you need at least 25,000 miles ($25,000 in charges) to get a free roundtrip domestic ticket. Do you plan on charging and paying back $25,000 in credit card charges anytime soon?

CitiBank Dividend or Chase Cash plus offers 1%/5% with no annual fee!

You answered my question perfectly. I was planning to do a lot of travelling htis year, but not 25k worth. I'm currently enjoying the benefits of my citibank divident card. :beer:

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: LakerGod

Originally posted by: RossMAN
In your situation I don't think it's worth it.

Frequent flier airline cc's have an annual fee of $40 - $80 per year. Normally you need at least 25,000 miles ($25,000 in charges) to get a free roundtrip domestic ticket. Do you plan on charging and paying back $25,000 in credit card charges anytime soon?

CitiBank Dividend or Chase Cash plus offers 1%/5% with no annual fee!

You answered my question perfectly. I was planning to do a lot of travelling htis year, but not 25k worth. I'm currently enjoying the benefits of my citibank divident card. :beer:

You could still try it as long as you don't mind the annual fee. Some merchants offer double miles but still $25,000 in charges is A LOT just to get a plane ticket. IMHO it's not worth it.

 

[erub]

Southwest gives you 1 segment for every $1200 you charge, 16 segments per free ticket = 19200 but thats assuming you aren't flying any, you can earn 2-4 segments per trip

 

[Sundog]

Originally posted by: RossMAN
You could still try it as long as you don't mind the annual fee. Some merchants offer double miles but still $25,000 in charges is A LOT just to get a plane ticket. IMHO it's not worth it.

If one is disciplined enough to pay off their balance each month then IMO it is worth it. Problem is most schlubs are not.😉

I need 8000 more miles for two first class tickets to Hawaii (using extra miles for rulebusters). Total of 150K miles/points.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: Sundog

Originally posted by: RossMAN
You could still try it as long as you don't mind the annual fee. Some merchants offer double miles but still $25,000 in charges is A LOT just to get a plane ticket. IMHO it's not worth it.

If one is disciplined enough to pay off their balance each month then IMO it is worth it. Problem is most schlubs are not.😉

I need 8000 more miles for two first class tickets to Hawaii (using extra miles for rulebusters). Total of 150K miles/points.

I totally agree with you but that's not the issue. I just don't think the OP will be charging enough to take advantage of free tickets anytime soon. If I knew they were going to charge A LOT on their cc ($2k+) and pay it off every month, then yes I'd recommend an airline cc.

Of course CitiBank has a $300 rewards limit per card, so that's something else to consider.