Gabi Logan
The Platinum Card® from American Express Credit Card Review
Who Is the Platinum Card From American Express Good For?
Though American Express has recently introduced a line of EveryDay cards, aimed at the more run-of-the-mill credit-card-holding public, it was previously known for its premium cards, which conferred lavish benefits on big spenders. And the Platinum Card from American Express is one of the most popular holdovers from this heyday, particularly for people looking forKorean Air SKYPASS Review
As a North American traveler, you might not think Korean Air’s SKYPASS is the best frequent flyer program for you, but you might be surprised.
Gold Delta SkyMiles From American Express Credit Card Review
Who Is the Gold Delta SkyMiles Credit Card From American Express Good For?
Delta is a polarizing airline for many travelers. It is known for its limited saver award availability and an award booking website that is not always accurate, so many frequent flyers scorn the airline on principle.Reward Credit Card Lingo
In our series on points and miles terminology, you’ve learned about the lingo used by airlines, frequent flyer programs and for award bookings. Here are the words you need to know to maximize your points and miles earning through credit cards.
Virgin Australia Velocity Program Review
Australia is one of the few places in the world where frequent flyer programs are as developed as in the U.S., particularly in terms of earning opportunities.
Capital One Venture Miles Rewards Credit Card Review
Who Is the Capital One Venture Miles Rewards Credit Card Good For?
If you watch television, you are no doubt familiar with the Capital One travel credit cards, which offer rewards with “no blackout dates for “any seat. In reality, Capital Ones program does not convert your spend toFrequent Flyer Program Lingo
Air travel is, by necessity, a jargon-filled industry. There are countless technical abbreviations used by pilots, airline officials and aviation geeks, but the lingo used in frequent flyer programs can be equally overwhelming. The dozens and dozens of programs out there tend to each have their own way of approaching these terms.
How to Book Alaska Airlines Awards
For a domestic airline, Alaska Airlines is a bit of an odd duck. It’s the only regional airline that hasn’t disappeared in the past decade of consolidations, and it’s not part of any of the major alliances. However, it functions in many ways like a legacy carrier.
Qatar Airways Privilege Club Program Review
Qatar Airways has been in the news in recent years. You may have heard about them joining the oneworld alliance and completely revamping Qatar Privilege Club, its frequent flyer program. Or more recently you might have heard the name because of the ongoing saga over the delivery of its long-awaited Airbus A380s, the biggest, most comfortable planes in the sky.
Ink Plus Business Credit Card Review
Who Is the Ink Plus Business Credit Card Good For?
Ink Plus is a line ofAward Booking Lingo: 25 Terms You Need to Know
Here’s some lingo you should know when booking an award flight using points or miles. These 25 booking terms can help you sort through the jargon like a pro.
How to Book Airline Awards with Starwood Preferred Guest
Starwood Preferred Guest is unlike other
Gulf Air Falconflyer Program Review
For North American flyers, its easy to be confused by all the luxurious Middle Eastern carriers and their provenance.
Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard Credit Card Review
Who Is the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® Good For?
If you’re looking for a co-branded American Airlines card that’s relatively low on fees and high on perks, the Platinum Select card is probably a great fit for you.For just $99 a year, you’ll receive a decent sign-up bonus of at least 50,000 miles, earn a $125 American Airlines Flight Discount and save up to 7,500 miles on select flights with American’s Reduced Mileage awards. You’ll also get a free checked bag, preferred boarding and in-flight discounts on American flights.
If you often fly on American, this could be the right card for you.
| AIRLINE TRANSFER PARTNER | American Airlines |
| ANNUAL FEE | $99 (waived for the first 12 months) |
| RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE | 750+ |
| TYPE OF CARD | Mastercard |
| ISSUER | Citi |
Sign-Up Bonuses:
This card’s standard bonus is for 30,000 miles, but a 50,000-mile offer usually comes up more than once a year for several months at a time. Occasionally American will throw in a couple Admirals Club passes, too.The spend required to earn the bonus miles can vary significantly, with the 30,000-mile offer typically requiring only a $1,000 spend and the 50,000-mile offer between $2,000 and $3,000. You usually have three months to reach the minimum spend.
Points Earned:
- 2 miles per dollar spent on American Airlines
- 1 mile per dollar on everything else
- plus, 2x miles in other categories like restaurants or gas stations, that may change from time to time.
What Do Your Miles Get You?
American Airlines miles can easily be redeemed online for flights on American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, British Airways, Finnair, Hawaiian Airlines, Qantas Airways and other oneworld alliance members and partner airlines.Though American charges a late booking fee and relatively hefty change fees, it has pretty reliable availability booking in advance or close-in (except for big holiday seasons like Christmas) and incredibly low off-peak award rates internationally, so your American Airlines miles can be more valuable than those of other domestic carriers.
Usage Perks:
- First checked bag is free on domestic American Airlines flights for the cardholder and up to four companions on the same reservation
- Preferred boarding on American Airlines-operated flights for the cardholder and up to four companions on the same reservation
- 25 percent off in-flight food and beverage purchases on American Airlines
- Access to a monthly selection of awards discounted at 3,750 miles each way
Usage Quirks:
- Miles expire in 24 months, which is standard for many programs. However, primary AAdvantage® credit cardmembers will not be subject to the 24-month qualifying activity period for as long as their card account is open.
How Far Do Your Points Dollars Go?
When you use off-peak awards to destinations in Eastern Asia, such as Japan, you’ll pay starting from 70,000 miles roundtrip. If you bought that same flight in cash, you’d pay somewhere from $1,328.
With monthly special awards at 7,500 miles off per roundtrip you can get to select U.S. destinations for 17,500 miles rather than 25,000. At that rate, a $425 round-trip flight from Detroit to San Francisco would get you a 2.4 cents per mile value.
How to Book Chase Ultimate Rewards Awards
In the world of travel credit card transfer programs, Chase Ultimate Rewards is still a relatively new kid on the block. Its made a name for itself, though, by offering key perks that travelers crave: extremely valuable partners, instant transfers, and an ability to use your points on any flight at any time even when award seats aren’t available.
Etihad Guest Program Review
If you’ve heard the buzz about the three-room apartment in the sky complete with personal butler The Residence you’ve gotten a little taste of how Etihad is pushing the limits of what travelers expect from their airline. That difference also extends to its reward program, Etihad Guest, which includes many of the familiar perks you enjoy in other programs, such as Miles+Cash awards and no blackout dates, along with some innovations, like the ability to cash out your miles directly into money if you so choose.
Barclaycard Arrival Plus World Elite MasterCard Credit Card Review
Who Is the Barclaycard Arrival Plus World Elite MasterCard Good For?
Though Barclays partners with quite a fewEmirates Skywards Program Review
A good way for North American frequent flyers to understand Emirates is to think of it as akin to Alaska Airlines. They are both hometown airlines that have slowly grown through strategic partnerships and smart market choices into major global forces. But they always put the expectations of local passengers first. In the case of Emirates, that means impeccable style and service.
Amex EveryDay Preferred Credit Card Review
