Why Use Frequent Flyer Miles Over Rewards Points?

If you want to make sure that you make the most savings the next time you book your vacation, one of the most popular travel hacks is to apply for some credit cards with frequent flyer miles rewards.

Credit cards with reward points and credit cards with frequent flyers miles will allow you to build up points towards your vacation** while completing your everyday purchases**. And many travel credit cards also come with great travel perks such as airport lounge access, credit for Global Entry or TSA Precheck, and cash back on travel purchases.

Because of this, offering travel credit cards have become a highly effective way for banks to entice new customers. But with so many different cards and travel perks on offer, it can be difficult to decide which credit cards are best for your requirements.

One of the biggest decisions you will have to make is to decide between a credit card that offers flexible reward points which can be spent with various companies, or credit cards with frequent flyer miles for a specific airline.

But before we get started, let's answer the questions: "What are Credit Card Rewards Points?" and "What are Credit Cards with Frequent Flyer Miles?"

What are Credit Cards with Rewards Points?

Certain credit cards offer reward points to their customers for using the card to make purchases. Once you have collected a large number of these points, you can redeem them against gift vouchers, cash back, air miles, and eligible merchandise purchases.

What are Credit Cards with Frequent Flyers Miles?

Credit cards with Frequent Flyer Miles will allow you to collect frequent flyer points with each purchase you make with the card. These cards will be linked to a specific airline where you will be able to redeem your points. Depending upon the airline, you may also be able to redeem the points with certain partner airlines, retailers or car rental companies.

What are the Benefits of Using Credit Cards with Rewards Points over Credit Cards with Frequent Flyer Miles?

The main advantage that credit cards with rewards points have over frequent flyer cards is their flexibility. Rewards point credit cards will let you spend your points on a variety of various products such as cash back, merchandise, hotels, rental cars, travel gift cards, and airline purchases.

Where you can spend your rewards points will depend upon the credit card you choose, so make sure to read the terms and conditions beforehand to make sure you are selecting the best card for your lifestyle.

What to Consider When Using Credit Cards with Rewards Points?

You should also keep in mind that how much your reward points are worth can vary. You will often find that you can get more for your points when redeeming them against travel purchases during airline promotions. In comparison, you will find that your reward points are usually worth the least when redeemed against cash-back offers and merchandise purchases.

You may also find that the value of your award points can vary according to which credit card partner you are spending them with.

What are Credit Cards with Frequent Flyers Miles?

Credit cards with Frequent Flyer Miles will allow you to collect frequent flyer points with each purchase you make with the card. These cards will be linked to a specific airline where you will be able to redeem your points. Depending upon the airline, you may also be able to redeem the points with certain partner airlines, retailers or car rental companies.

What are the Benefits of Using Credit Cards with Rewards Points over Credit Cards with Frequent Flyer Miles?

The main advantage that credit cards with rewards points have over frequent flyer cards is their flexibility. Rewards point credit cards will let you spend your points on a variety of various products such as cash back, merchandise, hotels, rental cars, travel gift cards, and airline purchases.

Where you can spend your rewards points will depend upon the credit card you choose, so make sure to read the terms and conditions beforehand to make sure you are selecting the best card for your lifestyle.

What to Consider When Using Credit Cards with Rewards Points?

You should also keep in mind that how much your reward points are worth can vary. You will often find that you can get more for your points when redeeming them against travel purchases during airline promotions. In comparison, you will find that your reward points are usually worth the least when redeemed against cash-back offers and merchandise purchases.

You may also find that the value of your award points can vary according to which credit card partner you are spending them with.

What are the Benefits of Using Credit Cards with Frequent Flyer Points over Credit Cards with Rewards Points?

Using a credit card that offers frequent flyer miles with a specific airline should not be overlooked as a possibility, particularly if you often find yourself using the same airline frequently for business or vacations.

You'll often get substantial frequent flyer programs boost when you spend a set amount on the card within the first quarter. For example, with the American Airlines AAdvantage card, you will be able to earn 50,000 bonus miles points after you spend $2,500 within the first three months.

Airline credit cards also often come with substantial airport perks such as priority boarding, free checking of bags, and access to airport lounges. So, if you often find yourself using the same airline, you could find yourself making a substantial saving year or year on your travel and may find a frequent flyers card to be more beneficial overall.

What to Consider When Using Credit Cards with Frequent Flyer Miles?

The value of the points you earn can vary, as airlines do sometimes adjust their rewards programs. So, before you book anything, you should make sure to double-check and make sure you are getting the most value for the points you have collected.

You should also remember that your frequent flyer miles may only be transferable to a limited number of partner airlines, or it is possible they may not be transferable at all.

What Else Should You Consider When Picking Your Travel Credit Card?

Before you get too excited about the fantastic travel benefits certain credit cards bestow, you should always make sure to read the small print. Here are some things you will need to factor in when making your choice.

• Look at the rates and fees you will need to pay on the card, including the Annual Fee for the card.
• Check if there are any expiration dates for the rewards points of air miles you collect with the card.
• See if you will suffer high foreign transaction fees when using the card abroad.
• Research whether the card offers pre-approval services, to make sure credit scores aren't affected before you apply.

Summary – Why use Frequent Flyer miles over Rewards Points?

By now, you should have a fair idea of the answer to what credit card rewards points are. And you should also have a fair idea about whether a frequent flyer credit card or rewards points credit card is the best choice for you.

Whether you should apply for credit cards with rewards points or credit cards with frequent flyer points will depend upon your regular travel choices. If you regularly use one specific airline, then choosing a card that allows you to earn points towards flights with that carrier can be beneficial.

However, if you need a little more flexibility in where you can spend your rewards , then it might be better to opt for a credit card with reward points. You will be able to spend your points with several retailers, hotels, airlines, and rental car companies, depending upon the card.

When deciding which is better for you— credit cards with rewards points or credit cards with frequent flyer miles —you need to decide which card would allow a larger overall reduction in your outgoing travel costs.