Tips for Comparing & Choosing an Air Miles Credit Card

Air Mile Credit Card Best Buys Thomas Cook Credit Card » Up to 2 Travel Pounds for every £100 spent Commission free use abroad Commission free foreign money 0% for 3 months on Thomas Cook travel Why? "The Thomas Cook credit card wins top marks for its well paid travel reward scheme, as well as offering bundles of savings on foreign money, spending abroad and even 0% for 3 months on this year's Winter sun holiday." % APR Read our Review » | Apply Now » British Airways Credit Card » 1 BA Mile for every £1 spent 3,000 bonus BA Miles up for grabs No annual fee Why? "The British Airways credit card allows you to earn BA Miles on all your purchases, additional miles on flights, plus up to 3,000 bonus BA Miles up for grabs, that will soon see you on your way to free flights across the world with British Airways and their partners." % APR Read our Review » | Apply Now » Virgin Atlantic White Credit Card » Up to 2 Flying Club miles for every £1 spent 3,000 bonus Flying Club miles up for grabs Complimentary companion flights and flight upgrades No annual fee Why? "Earn Flying Club miles on all your spending and additional miles when you fly or spend with Virgin Atlantic or Virgin Holidays. A huge 3,000 bonus Flying Club miles will get you off to a flying start!" % APR Read our Review » | Apply Now » Air Mile Credit Card FAQ's Have a question? Send in your question and we'll do all we can to help answer it. Where appropriate user questions will be added to the FAQ's for future use.

These cards are best for...

• If you regularly travel abroad and want to help lower the cost with a credit card reward scheme.
• If you currently fly with the participating airline.

These cards are not suitable for...

• If you do not want travel rewards, you may want to look at credit card reward schemes offering cash back or retail rewards.

What to look for...

• Which airline can the air miles be used with?
• Tip: Choose an airline that you currently fly with, or a generic air miles program if you don’t want to be limited to 1 airline.
• Tip: Some air mile credit cards offer additional miles when you use the card to pay for flights on the participating airlines.
• What can you redeemed the air miles for?
• Tip: Air miles can be redeemed for free travel including flights, hotel stays, brochure holidays, car hire and days out.
• How many air miles will you earn for each £1 spent in purchases?
• Tip: You can usually earn more miles to the pound on specific airline cards, but generic programs offer a wider range of travel rewards.
• How many air miles will you need to earn for a reward?
• Are there any bonus miles on offer?
• Tip: Some air mile credit cards offer bonus miles as a joining incentive to help get you started.
• What is the interest rate, or typical APR, for purchases?
• If you're switching cards, does it offer a good balance transfer deal?

What to watch out for...

• Are there any limitations or conditions on redeeming air miles?
• Is there a maximum amount of air miles that you can earn?
• Do the air miles expire?
• Is there an annual fee to pay, and if so, how much is it?
• How much is the foreign transaction fee?
• Tip: Most credit cards charge you a fee when you purchase goods or services, and when you withdraw or buy cash in a foreign currency.

Don't forget!

• Some air mile credit cards may have a maximum limit on air mile earnings each year.
• Some air mile programs have expiration dates on miles, so find out if your air miles expire and redeem them before they do.
• You cannot earn air miles on cash withdrawals or balance transfers.

Make the most of your card...

• If you regularly fly with a particular airline, you may be able to earn additional miles when you use your air miles credit card to pay for flights with their airline/s.
• Increase your earning potential by using your air miles credit card to:
• Pay monthly bills and direct debits.
• Pay for your everyday shopping including food and petrol.
• Pay for larger purchases including holidays, home improvements or a new computer.
• Set up additional cards for immediate family.
• Tip: Remember to budget your income so you can pay off your credit card balance each month.
• Find out if your credit card offers free travel accident insurance, if it does you will automatically receive this insurance when you pay for your trips abroad on your credit card.

Compare air mile credit cards