Slide Show | December 2007
What You Need To Know About Travel Rewards Programs
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By Mark Solheim What You Need To Know About Travel Rewards Programs
Slide Show
What You Need To Know About Travel Rewards Programs
Earning miles is a cinch. using them is tough.
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AAdvantage, American Airlines' frequent-flier plan, won't let you. Delta's SkyMiles and United's Mileage Plus limit purchases to elite members. Other than award tickets, the best way to use up those miles is to buy an upgrade to first class, says Tim Winship, editor of FrequentFlier.com. Earning miles is a cinch. using them is tough.
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What You Need To Know About Travel Rewards Programs
Swapping points is a losing proposition.
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The typical frequent-flier mile is now worth about 1.2 cents (down from 2 cents a few years ago), but at Points.com it's worth a fraction of that. For example, among recent offers, you could swap 14,000 Alaska Air miles to get 1,353 American miles. Swapping points is a losing proposition.
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What You Need To Know About Travel Rewards Programs
All Rewards cards aren't created equal.
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For that, you have to choose an airline-affiliated card. Sign-up bonuses can be generous-as many as 25,000 miles, according to a recent offer for a US Airways Visa from Bank of America-but annual fees can run as high as $90. Tip: Ask the card issuer to waive the fee for the first year. All Rewards cards aren't created equal.
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What You Need To Know About Travel Rewards Programs
Elite status is for road warriors only.
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But that still doesn't mean you'll be upgraded-ever notice how small the first-class cabin is? All those other wannabes have a zillion miles, too. Upgrades on international flights are even harder to get. Elite status is for road warriors only.
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What You Need To Know About Travel Rewards Programs
Fees and restrictions are creeping up.
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Slide Show
What You Need To Know About Travel Rewards Programs
Can't find a cheap flight? Pick up the phone.
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