miles

Your Travel Rewards Points Were Stolen. Now What?

Carrie Kirby — Fri, 12 Jan 2018 10:00:06 +0000

A few years ago, I logged on to the website of an airline mileage program to book a flight, only to find that my miles were gone. I called the airline in a panic, and was told that another customer must have given my frequent flyer number by mistake when booking their flight. The miles were soon restored to my account. No harm was done — except to my confidence in the system.

In a time when two-factor authentication and complex passwords are required to conduct so many transactions, it's unusual that many airlines and points programs still allow you to book with rewards simply by giving your membership number over the phone. Booking online does require passwords, but with so many large-scale data breaches happening recently, many of our passwords have been compromised.

So it's no big shock that cybercriminals have been monetizing stolen rewards points on the dark web by selling discounted trips, paid for with stolen points. In fact, some have even been so brazen as to set up travel agencies and travel portals, complete with photos from happy customers, security firm Flashpoint reports.

Here's how you can protect your hard-earned points from sticky fingers.

Exercise "password hygiene"

If you haven't changed all your passwords recently — especially since Yahoo recently disclosed that all 3 billion of its accounts were hacked in 2013 — do it now. Make your new password longer and more complex. If you're not good at thinking up hard passwords, try a password generator like the one offered by LastPass. And keep updating your passwords about twice a year. (See also: Stop Making These 8 Risky Password Mistakes)

Monitor your mileage accounts

I use AwardWallet to keep track of how many miles I have in the dozen or so points accounts that I maintain for my family. Not only can I glance over all the accounts on the software's dashboard, but it actually sends me an alert when my totals change. So if a hacker used my frequent flyer miles to book a flight, I'd get an alert right away. There are other points tracking tools available as well. (See also: 4 Best Tools for Tracking Your Rewards Miles)

Guard those account numbers

Most credit card companies have stopped printing your card number on every bill, but awards programs haven't gotten so guarded yet. I receive junk mail with my frequent flyer number on it, which is bad because mailbox theft is a common criminal tactic. You can ask your points programs to stop sending you junk mail, and you can also consider getting a locking mailbox to prevent this and other forms of identity fraud. Treat those numbers like the sensitive private information they are. (See also: 18 Surprising Ways Your Identity Can Be Stolen)

Don't log onto your points account on a public Wi-Fi connection

Most of us know not to use online banking while sitting in the airport, but we might not think twice about checking our mileage totals. Don't do it. Criminals can set up Wi-Fi connections that scrape users' data while they log in. Doing this at airports and hotels makes a lot of sense from the thief's point of view — if you want to find customers with a lot of miles, try the airport. (See also: 3 Sneaky Ways Identity Thieves Can Access Your Data)

Beware of shifty agents and brokers

There are "mileage brokers" out there who have accrued large mileage totals, and who offer to book you discount flights which they will pay for with miles. Don't bite, because you have no way of knowing whether the miles they are using were acquired legally or stolen. As a personal rule, I wouldn't give my mileage or points account numbers to anyone I wouldn't hand my credit card to.

Contact the program immediately if you suspect a problem

If you aren't able to log onto your account, you might have just forgotten your password — or someone might have changed it. If you notice an unexplained password problem or any other mysterious activity, change your password immediately, and call the security team for your points program.

They should be able to investigate whether there's been a breach, and they may be able to add extra security to your account, such as requiring a password for any reservation change, or adding two-factor authentication for logging in. As with all forms of identity theft, being proactive helps nip problems in the bud. (See also: Don't Panic: Do This If Your Identity Gets Stolen)

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This article is from Carrie Kirby of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

4 Airlines With the Cheapest First Class Seats

Jason Steele — Fri, 29 Sep 2017 08:30:05 +0000

All travelers know the feeling. You're boarding a long flight, and you have to walk past the first class cabin in order to get to your cramped, economy class seats. Everyone wants to fly in first class, but most of the time it's way out of your budget.

But what if you could find flights with affordable first class domestic seats, or business class international cabins? Thankfully, there are a few airlines that have gone out of their way to offer larger seats up front, without the astronomical airfare.

Here are four airlines that offer the cheapest first and business class seats.

Spirit

This is an airline that everyone loves to hate due to its numerous fees and often questionable customer service, but bear with me. Technically, Spirit doesn't offer a first class, but it does give you the option of what it calls the "Big Front Seat." For an additional charge of $12–$175 per flight, you can select a seat that is equivalent to other airlines' domestic first class.

These are seats that are 20 inches wide and have a 36-inch pitch (pitch is the distance from the back of one seat to the back of the next). In contrast, Spirit's standard seat has just 17.75 inches of width, and a knee crunching 28 inches of pitch.

Just note that this charge is per flight, meaning that you'll have to pay it twice for a round-trip, and four times if you have to change planes in each direction. However, the prices are lower ($12–$150) if you book the larger seat in advance. Finally, you should note that the Big Front Seat option offers just that and nothing more. Unlike other airlines' first class, you'll still have to pay for both carry on and checked bags, as well as all food and beverages on board.

La Compagnie

Going to Paris, but not looking to be squeezed into economy class during your transatlantic flight? Consider La Compagnie, an airline so small that it only flies from Newark to Paris using a total of two planes. Both of its planes have 74 business class seats, and no economy section.

To be fair, the airline's business class seats are the 175-degree angled recliners that most other carriers have already replaced with full lie-flat seats. But these seats are still light years ahead of any economy class seats. Best of all, flights on La Compagnie start at a mere $1,300 round-trip. Seats are more expensive than a discounted flight in economy class, but they're far less than most competitors' business class fares.

Norwegian Air

This carrier has been rapidly expanding to a variety of international routes. While its name might suggest that it primarily transports people to Norway, most of its routes from the United States are to London, Paris, and other major European destinations. From these international gateways, you can connect to short-haul flights to secondary destinations if you want.

Norwegian offers a premium section with wider, reclining seats than you'll find in economy class. Premium passengers get two free checked bags, a three-course dinner, and breakfast. As with La Compagnie, Norwegian's premium product is more expensive than discounted economy, but less than the business class service offered by its competitors.

JetBlue

Like the other airlines here, JetBlue doesn't call it's premium product "first class." However, its Mint seats and service are some of the most luxurious offered by any airline. Mint class, which is only offered on select Caribbean and coast-to-coast domestic routes, offers a full lie-flat seat and premium dining options. It also comes with priority check-in, security, boarding, and baggage claim. And all JetBlue flights come with free, high-speed internet service. Mint flights start at $599 each way, which is a bargain for a six-hour flight in this kind of comfort.

Other tips for getting cheap first class

Even if you're not flying one of the airlines listed above, there are ways to save on a premium class experience.

1. Use miles

I've analyzed dozens of airline award charts and in my experience, business and first class seats often cost three to five times as much as a nonrefundable economy class ticket. Compared to that, you can get a relative bargain by redeeming your miles for them. A domestic first class seat usually requires about twice as many miles as economy, while I've seen business class international tickets that require just 60–100 percent more than economy. You also have to consider the price of meals and baggage fees that you can avoid by traveling in business or first class. (See also: 5 Airline Miles Secrets Only Frequent Flyers Know)

2. Consider paying for upgrades after your purchase

After you've already booked your seat, many airlines will offer you a paid upgrade. Check the online forums for frequent travelers and you'll see lots of discussions about how good these offers can be. In short, the cost of a discounted seat with a paid upgrade is often less than the original price of a business class seat. Paid upgrade offers may also be available at check-in.

3. Double check the price at the time of purchase

After years of seeing outrageous prices for first class seats, many travelers have simply given up looking. However, some of the major airlines occasionally discount their first class seats. At the same time, you might be paying a premium for economy class. As a result, it's not uncommon to see first class selling for just a little bit above economy class. And when you factor in luggage charges and the cost of onboard food purchases, you could have a very good deal.

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This article is from Jason Steele of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

How Families Can Earn and Use Travel Rewards

Jason Steele — Fri, 15 Sep 2017 08:30:05 +0000

When it comes to travel rewards, families have different needs than single travelers and couples. For example, families are typically less flexible than other travelers, as they need to work their vacations around school schedules. Families also tend to go to popular vacation destinations during peak travel seasons, while others may be more interested in out-of-the-way destinations. And obviously, families tend to travel in larger groups than singles or couples.

So, if you need to earn rewards that you can use toward a family vacation, consider these award travel strategies. (See also: How to Use Miles and Points for a Big Award Trip)

The Southwest plan

Southwest Airlines is an ideal carrier for family travelers. It offers two free checked bags for everyone, and it doesn't impose fees for changing your reservation once you've purchased tickets. It also features early boarding for families with young children, and an open seating policy that makes it easy for families to ensure that they are sitting together.

Southwest also offers the Companion Pass, which lets you book a second extra ticket at no charge (other than taxes), on every flight including award tickets. To receive a Companion Pass, you need to earn 110,000 points within a single calendar year. Fortunately, Southwest offers various credit cards that help you get there. The pass can significantly cut your family's travel costs for the year.

Earn miles that can be redeemed as travel statement credits

The problem that most families have with traditional frequent flyer programs is that awards are seldom available at the lowest mileage levels. This is especially true at peak travel times when families travel, and for groups of three or more.

Therefore, the best way for families to earn award travel is to use a credit card that offers miles that can be redeemed as statement credits toward any travel reservations. These travel rewards credit cards allow you to book your own travel (flights, hotel, car rentals, cruises, tours, and more) on any booking site you prefer, and then use your points toward those purchases. This gives families the most flexibility in terms of being able to use their hard earned travel rewards for an actual trip. (See also: Best Credit Cards With Easy Travel Redemption)

Earn points that can be transferred to different frequent flyer and hotel programs

Another great award travel strategy for families is to earn flexible rewards that can be transferred to numerous travel partners. This gives you the ability to earn points on your credit card without having to commit to a particular airline or hotel chain.

Cards in this category may allow you to rack up points, and then transfer them when you're ready to use one of several popular airline or hotel rewards programs. While travel statement credits are even more flexible, with those programs your points are usually worth about 1 cent a piece. You can often get a better rate when you transfer to, say, an airline program and book an expensive flight. (See also: Which Airline Rewards Program Has the Best Value for Their Miles?)

Be flexible with travel plans and expectations

Redeeming travel rewards for a trip is not for the faint of heart. While going with the flexible redemption option allows you the most freedom to plan a trip according to your precise preferences, being flexible with your plans will give you the most value out of your hard earned rewards. This means that if you want to get the largest discount off your trip, you'll want to identify the destinations and resorts that are available under that travel program. You might not get the exact hotel you want, or even visit the exact city that you want, but if you can be flexible and open minded, even a large family can take advantage of travel rewards and redeem them for an amazing vacation. (See also: 5 Tricks to Making the Most of Your Reward Miles)

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This article is from Jason Steele of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Don't Carry a Balance? Here's Why You Still Need a Credit Card

Mikey Rox — Fri, 25 Aug 2017 08:00:06 +0000

Anybody can go into debt, quickly. Giving into impulse buys is only a swipe away with plastic in your pocket. It's easy to lose track of how much you're spending, which can spiral out of control before you know it.

For these reasons, maybe you avoid credit cards or feel they aren't worth the hassle. That's one way to stay out of trouble, of course, but even if you're committed to limiting your amount of personal debt and you refuse to carry a balance, there's a case to be made for using credit cards. Take a look.

1. You'll build or maintain a good credit score

If you're interested in building a credit history, owning and using a credit card is often necessary. The trick, of course, is managing the account responsibly.

The way a credit card impacts your credit score and personal finances has everything to do with the way you handle the account. Just because one person you know had a bad experience with credit doesn't mean you'll have the same experience, especially if you stay on top of things.

Paying off your balance every month or making timely minimum payments adds positive activity to your credit report. This is essential to establishing credit. And if you already have a credit history, periodically using a credit card keeps your account active and helps build an even stronger credit score. (See also: How to Use Credit Cards to Improve Your Credit Score)

2. You can receive rewards based on usage

Another reason to use a credit card is the opportunity to earn rewards for every purchase — because who doesn't love a good freebie? Your rewards can come in the form of points, miles, or cash back redeemable for a check, statement credit, airline tickets, hotel stays, gift cards, or merchandise. The more you use the card, the more free or discounted stuff you can score.

The downside is that reward credit cards tend to have slightly higher interest rates than non-reward cards. But if you're disciplined enough to pay off your balance in full every month, you don't have to feel guilty because there won't be any interest to worry about. (See also: Best Cash Back Credit Cards)

3. It'll help you survive an emergency

It doesn't matter how responsible you are with money: Most people go through a rough patch at some point in life. If you hit a financial low or deal with a string of unexpected expenses, a credit card can function as a short-term loan providing cash for urgent situations. You'll pay interest on these charges if you carry a balance, but this option is cheaper than a short-term cash advance loan, and you'll maintain your privacy since you won't have to borrow from friends or family. Just make sure to prioritize paying off this balance when your emergency is handled.

4. It's safer than cash

Using a credit card is also safer than cash, especially when traveling. If you lose or have your wallet stolen, you can't replace the cash inside. But if your credit cards are lost or stolen, your bank can issue a replacement card and remove fraudulent charges from your account.

Since bank debit cards are linked to your bank account, credit cards are sometimes safer than these cards. If someone uses your debit card fraudulently, this person can drain your bank account, resulting in overdraft fees. Your bank will reimburse your money — not all is lost — but it can take up to 10 days to sort through the mess and get your money back. (See also: 4 Reasons Credit Is Safer Than Debit)

5. It'll help you keep accurate expense records

Credit cards also are useful for keeping track of spending for business and tax purposes, especially if you're not the best at saving receipts. Since credit card statements include a record of your purchases, use your credit card for business-related purchases, and then refer to your statement when recording business expenses. For this to work, keep a close eye on how much you're spending throughout the month to avoid going overboard and getting into long-term debt.

6. It buys extra protection

A credit card isn't only practical during an emergency or when you're looking to earn reward points, it also buys extra protection when used for certain purchases. For example, some credit cards offer rental car coverage at no additional cost, which means you can decline a car rental company's optional coverage when booking your reservation.

Some credit cards have an extended warranty policy on select purchases too, giving you an extra year of protection after a manufacturer's warranty expires. Other credit cards may include travel insurance protection which compensates card members for costs incurred due to trip cancellation, lost luggage, travel accidents, etc. (See also: 14 Awesome Credit Card Perks You Didn't Know About)

Benefits vary by card, so contact your credit card company for information on member perks.

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This article is from Mikey Rox of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

How to Evaluate a Travel Program for the Best Rewards Redemption

Jason Steele — Tue, 18 Jul 2017 08:30:16 +0000

Credit cards that offer frequent flyer miles or hotel points can sound like a great deal. Their ads often feature pictures of people taking their dream vacation in paradise, made possible by credit card travel rewards.

But for some users, redeeming their rewards for a trip remains elusive. Airline award seats may be scarce or nonexistent at the lowest mileage levels, and hotels may restrict the rooms available for free night awards during peak travel periods. When you finally realize how hard it is to use your points and miles, you may regret your choice of credit card.

How can you prevent this from happening to you? The key is to closely examine a rewards program and how useful it will be to you before signing up for the credit card. (See also: How to Use Travel Rewards to Get Free Trips)

How to gauge the value of a frequent flyer program

Before you sign up for a credit card that earns rewards from an airline program, you need to investigate how useful its miles will be. For example, select a few destinations that you hope to use your rewards for, and then go to the airline's website and perform an award search. Thankfully, many airlines allow you to search for awards without logging into their site. However, some require you to create a frequent flyer account (at no charge) before you can begin searching for awards. (See also: Which Airline Loyalty Program Has the Best Value for Their Miles?)

What you want to look for are awards at the lowest mileage levels available among a range of dates for flights to your preferred destinations. You also need to make sure there are often enough seats for the number of travelers that would be in your party.

You have to set the same kinds of realistic expectations as you would if you were booking an actual flight. If you are hoping to find four seats on a nonstop flight to a warm weather destination over winter break, then you are bound to be disappointed. You are also likely to come up short if you are always looking for award seats available within a few months of departure. Instead, you need to be flexible with your award travel, and try to book as far in advance as possible.

Your test to check out award availability and cost should also reflect the same realistic expectations. And sadly, there's no guarantee that an award that's available now will also be available in the future.

Finally, you should be aware of frequent flyer programs that offer awards on any flight, based on how much the flight costs. Programs like this include Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards, and JetBlue's TrueBlue program. With these programs, you don't really need to look at the award availability. Instead, you should see how much each point is worth. (See also: Best Airline Credit Cards)

Examining the value of a hotel rewards program

Credit cards that offer rewards in hotel loyalty programs can be extremely valuable, as they often lack the blackout dates and capacity controls that plague airline programs. For example, Starwood, Marriott, Hyatt, and Hilton all promise that all "standard" unsold rooms are available as awards. On the other hand, IHG and Wyndham hotels may restrict the number of standard rooms available for awards during peak travel times. (See also: Benefits and Value of Hotel Rewards Programs and Cards)

But even with the hotel programs that have no blackout dates or capacity controls, there can still be a catch. Individual properties can designate the majority, or nearly all of their rooms as "upgraded" in some way, in a thinly veiled effort to avoid releasing them as free night awards. For example, many hotels in Hawaii have labeled nearly all of their rooms as "garden-view," which are therefore not eligible for awards.

To do a proper "test drive" of a hotel rewards program, you can start by searching for award pricing and availability at a few properties that you are interested in visiting. As with the airlines, you may have to create a free account first. If you find that there aren't any award nights available during holiday periods, but there are still plenty of rooms available for sale, then you will want to avoid the credit cards that earn points in this program. (See also: Best Hotel Credit Cards)

You also want to compare the cost of the room to the number of points needed to book it. If you are getting very little value from your points, you have consider if it's worth earning these rewards from a particular credit card. You could instead put your spending on a card whose rewards provide better value.

By looking at the value of a rewards program before you start earning points and miles, you can make sure that you are choosing the right credit card for your needs.

The easiest ways to redeem travel rewards

Besides signing up for the co-branded airline and hotel credit card, which arguably would give you the most value per mile, but may not net you an actual realized trip, you can use other types of travel rewards credit cards.

The first type is a card that offers ways to transfer points to various travel programs. This allows you to have more options when it comes to airlines to fly on and hotels to stay with. You earn points on these credit cards, then when you're ready, you can either use the card's travel portal to book with points, or transfer to airline or hotel partners, and then log into those programs to book your flights and rooms. (See also: Which Credit Cards Have the Best Travel Redemption Value?)

These cards also have the added benefit of offering bonus points in more everyday categories, like supermarkets and dining. This can mean that you would accrue more points than if you went with an airline or hotel specific credit card, which often only award bonus points for flights and stays. If you aren't a frequent traveler, building up your miles cache may take much longer.

However, what you would be missing out on is that airline and hotel credit cards often have exclusive travel benefits like priority boarding or in flight discounts. You'd have to weigh your preferences.

Finally, another type of travel rewards credit card allows you even more freedom to book the trip you want. You earn points, and when you've got the amount you need, you book your travel through almost any vendor you want. Then simply apply your points as a statement credit, paying off your travel expenses. For those that want simple, easy redemption, these cards provide the most flexible travel redemption option. (See also: Best Credit Cards With Easy Travel Redemption)

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This article is from Jason Steele of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Amazing Destinations You Can Go to With Rewards Points and Miles

Holly Johnson — Mon, 10 Jul 2017 08:30:17 +0000

While credit card rewards may not be life-changing for everyone, for some, they make the impossible possible. With airline miles, hotel points, cash back, or flexible rewards, many people find they can afford to travel farther, and potentially stay longer. And, who knows? Perhaps you can visit a destination you've always dreamed of.

If you're aching to see parts of the world you assume are beyond your reach, researching airline and hotel rewards programs can help you see what's possible. Airline credit cards can help you get free flights, hotel credit cards can help you score free accommodations, and flexible travel cards allow you to use points for all kinds of travel expenses.

Need help jump-starting your wanderlust? Here are five bucket list spots you can absolutely see with rewards.

1. Bora Bora

Bora Bora is undoubtedly the most beautiful island in French Polynesia. A short flight from Tahiti, this island paradise is comprised of tiny islands (motus) that surround a central mountain and an inspiring, azure blue lagoon teeming with sea life. While Bora Bora is perfect for a honeymoon or romantic retreat, it's well known as a fun (albeit expensive) family destination as well.

How to get there

There are numerous ways to get at least part of the way to Bora Bora with airline miles. From Los Angeles International (LAX) to Papeete (PPT), Tahiti, for example, you can fly round trip with Alaska Airlines for 80,000 miles plus taxes and fees. You can also fly round trip using Air France's Flying Blue program for 60,000 miles plus taxes, or 80,000 American AAdvantage miles plus taxes round trip.

No matter how you get to Tahiti, however, you'll have to pay around $400 per person, round trip, for the short flight from Papeete to Bora Bora. The airline that operates this leg (Air Tahiti) doesn't offer a mileage program.

Where to stay

Numerous hotel programs promise to let you stay in Bora Bora for free, including the InterContinental Bora Bora Resort, which you can book with free nights from the IHG Rewards Club. If you build a stash of Hilton Honors points, on the other hand, you can score free stays at the Conrad Bora Bora Nui.

2. Maldives

The Maldives is another tropical destination well known for its crystal-clear waters and overwater bungalows. Smack dab in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives are expensive to visit and quite a trek for most of us to reach. However, there's a reason why so many people travel to the ends of the earth for a stay in the Maldives. According to many who have been there, the water, scenery, and atmosphere make it one of the most beautiful and unique destinations in the world.

How to get there

The best airline strategy for the Maldives depends a lot on where you live. Many would say that Air France is the way to go due to its plentiful award availability and cheap economy redemptions. Currently, you can book round-trip flights from New York City to Male, the capital, for 80,000 Flying Blue miles plus around $400 in taxes and fees.

Cathay Pacific is another option if you have Alaska Airlines miles. For just 60,000 Alaska miles plus taxes you can fly from certain U.S. cities to Male on Cathay. (See also: 5 Amazing Destinations You Thought Were Unaffordable)

Where to stay

Use your Hyatt points to stay at the Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa. Look for bonus offers that include free nights and sign up both you and your partner to add them together to one trip by booking two subsequent reservations, or combine points if possible.

3. Aruba

Aruba is one of the Lesser Antilles islands in the southern Caribbean Sea. Known for its desert landscape and amazing blue waters, Aruba is bursting with hotels, casinos, night life, and water activities galore. While Aruba is popular for land-based vacations, cruise ships bring thousands of passengers to the island weekly. Fortunately, Aruba's location in the Caribbean makes it fairly easy to travel there on points.

How to get there

While you can get to Aruba a few different ways, the easiest strategy is utilizing Southwest Rapid Rewards points. Depending on where you live in the United States, you can usually get to Aruba for less than 25,000 miles plus taxes round trip. Another popular option is Flying Blue, especially if your credit card rewards program transfers to the frequent flyer program. On Flying Blue, you can get to Aruba for 25,000 miles plus taxes and fees round trip.

Where to stay

Most of the major hotel chains let you earn points for free stays in Aruba. Marriott Rewards can help you score free nights at the Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino, the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino, Marriott Aruba Surf Club, and more. You can also stay at the Holiday Inn Resort Aruba with IHG Rewards points, or at the Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort, Spa & Casino with World of Hyatt points.

4. Italy

Italy is a bucket list destination for nearly everyone, well known for its inspiring culture, historical sites, delicious cuisine, and dynamic landscapes, which span from the mountainous north to idyllic beachfronts on the country's western shore. While most people go to Italy to see major sites like Rome's Colosseum and Forum, the Vatican, or the world-famous art spread across Florence, others dream of Tuscan wineries, lazy beach days in Cinque Terre or Sorrento, or a trip to the famous island of Capri.

How to get there

If you're looking for a cheap and easy way to get to Italy, check out American Airlines' AAdvantage program. If you fly coach and travel off-peak (October 15–May 15), you can score a round-trip flight for just 45,000 miles plus airline taxes and fees.

Where to stay

The best part about being in Italy isn't its huge, prestigious hotels; it's the side streets and the intimate culture of the locals. To see the real Italy, we recommend booking an Airbnb or condo, which you can do with a credit card that offers rewards for all kinds of travel purchases.

5. Greece

Greece is home to some of the most wondrous sites on the planet — the renowned Parthenon, Olympia where the world's first Olympic Games were held, the historic Delphi, and the mountaintop monasteries of Meteora. That doesn't even include the famous Greek Islands, such as Crete and Santorini. Fortunately, Greece is also cheap to visit, with plentiful hotels and resorts for less than $100 or even $50 per night.

How to get there

Flying to Greece can be cheap and easy with airline miles. You can fly round-trip economy using United MileagePlus for 60,000 miles plus taxes and fees. If you have American AAdvantage miles, you can score an off-peak fare for 45,000 miles plus taxes and fees.

Where to stay

Greece is another country where it's smart and economical to book a small, independent hotel versus a big chain property. Sign up for a credit card that offers a travel portal through which you can use rewards points to book cheap hotels (with free breakfast). Or, opt for a flexible card that offers travel credit so you can book an Airbnb or a small boutique hotel near the major sites.

Credit cards that will get you there

Ready to get started earning travel rewards points for your dream vacation? Here's a list of our favorite cards to get your started:

And if you want to do more research on getting started with travel rewards credit cards, here are more resources:

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This article is from Holly Johnson of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

The Best Airline Rewards Programs for Trips to Europe

Holly Johnson — Sun, 02 Jul 2017 20:24:55 +0000

If you’ve been dreaming of a trip to Europe but can’t stomach the cost of airfare, now is the perfect time to rethink your travel goals. Scoring a round-trip flight to nearly any European city may be easier than you think. The following airline loyalty programs offer great deals on their award seats.

If you’re trying to decide which airline program to join to get to Europe, consider these (and the credit cards that help you accrue points faster with them). (See also: 6 European Destinations Finally Cheap Enough to Visit)

Air France/KLM Flying Blue

With Flying Blue, a round-trip flight to Europe is only 50,000 points from most American cities. And if you’re worried that Air France or KLM don’t fly out of your home airport, don’t despair. You can book Air France and KLM flights with Delta Air Lines, which is part of the SkyTeam Airline Alliance with Air France, KLM, and others.

For this summer, I booked round-trip flights into Munich, Germany and home from Zurich, Switzerland using 50,000 Flying Blue miles for each of my family members. Keep in mind you’ll still need to pay government-mandated airline taxes and fees in addition to your miles. For our summer trip using Flying Blue miles, our taxes worked out to around $93 per person.

British Airways Avios

British Airways flights to Europe can cost varying amounts based on the class of ticket and when you fly. However, you can find off-peak round-trip tickets to most European cities for less than 50,000 BA points, called Avios, plus taxes and fees.

While anything less than 50,000 miles to Europe is a steal, you must keep an eye on those taxes and fees. British Airways is notorious for its larger-than-life fuel surcharges on transatlantic itineraries, and there’s no way around them. Before you transfer points to British Airways, make sure you have a handle on the fees you’ll pay.

Air Canada Aeroplan

You can pick up an economy flight with Air Canada to most western European countries for 60,000 miles round-trip. You’ll also need to pay government-mandated taxes and fees.

Air Canada is also part of Star Alliance, meaning you can use them to book flights on European partners like Lufthansa. The number of miles you’ll need will vary depending on when you travel and the country you’re traveling to.

Delta SkyMiles

The bad news about Delta Air Lines is that they no longer publish an award chart. The good news is, you can occasionally find round-trip flights to Europe for 50,000–60,000 miles. It helps to do some digging, be flexible with dates and times, and be willing to fly into and out of alternate airports.

Since Delta is part of the SkyTeam Alliance, you can use points to book flights on KLM or Air France. Again, the number of points you’ll need will depend on your destination and travel dates.

Etihad

Award availability on Etihad can be extremely limited. If you’re considering this strategy, make sure to start looking early and stay flexible in terms of dates and times. Once you’re able to find a seat, you can fly round-trip to Europe for 60,000 miles plus taxes and fees.

Credit cards that transfer to airline partners

Joining the loyalty program of an airline that will fly to your desired European destination is just the first step. Loading up on miles and points is the next. The credit cards below transfer to the programs mentioned above. Use them for your everyday purchases and start planning your European adventure. Sometimes the bonus alone (after the spending requirement) can be enough for one round trip ticket!

Tips for getting to Europe with points

Before you dive in, there are a few things you should know. Consider these tips:

Start earning points early. Airline miles are notoriously difficult to use due to limited award availability, blackout dates, and the general wonkiness of their online booking portals. The best strategy for anyone planning to use miles is to start earning them early — then book ahead. Booking at least nine months in advance will make finding the flights you want easier.
Check for award availability before you transfer points. Even if an airline promises you can get to a specific destination on miles, that doesn’t mean it offers the award availability. Before you transfer points to an airline, check to make sure the flights you want are available.
Compare taxes and fees with different transfer partners. Some airlines tack ridiculous fees on award bookings, and these fees can make using your miles especially expensive. Make sure to compare fees and availability with different airlines before you settle on an award flight with high fees.

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This article is from Holly Johnson of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

5 Ways to Turn Credit Card Rewards Into Real Wealth

Holly Johnson — Mon, 22 May 2017 08:30:16 +0000

Using a rewards credit card is an easy way to pocket a few hundred dollars a year in cash back rewards, or earn free travel. And if you're willing to put in the effort, you'll find there are plenty of ways to parlay your points into something more meaningful and long-lasting.

1. Invest your cash back for the long haul

The simplest way to make cash back rewards even more rewarding is to put the money into a retirement account and let compound interest work its magic. For example, we've worked out how to save over a thousand dollars a year using credit cards.

Let's say you banked your $1,000 in rewards and savings and invested them in a Roth IRA each year for 20 years. If you earned an average return of 6 percent, you'd have almost $40,000 after 20 years, before fees.

2. Invest in experiences

Ask any dying person what they value most, and it won't be money they speak of. Most people look back on their lives and cherish the memories they've made — the sight of beautiful places, the laughter of their children, and the life-changing moments they've spent with the people they love.

Travel rewards cards may not help anyone grow rich, but they can help them afford a wide range of experiences that may otherwise be out of reach. An Alaskan cruise may fit into even a modest budget with the smart use of credit card rewards. Meanwhile, a $1000+ economy flight to Europe can be had for as little as 45,000 American Airlines frequent flyer miles, which you can earn with an American Airlines credit card.

Used wisely, travel rewards can help families make memories they'll cherish for a lifetime. At the very least, they make it possible to travel farther, participate in more activities, and stay longer once you're there. (See also: How to Earn a Free Vacation in 9 Months With Credit Card Rewards)

3. Donate rewards to a worthy cause

Even if you aren't remotely interested in spending rewards, you can make a difference. Some credit cards give rewards directly to charities. Other credit card programs let you donate your points to charity, letting you turn your regular spending into a boon for someone else.

While each credit card rewards program works differently, most make it possible to donate your rewards to causes you believe in. And if you don't want to donate through your issuer's official program, you can always simply give the cash back you earn to your favorite charity.

4. Use rewards to pay down debt and save money on interest

If you have credit card debt, you shouldn't be chasing credit card rewards. But if you have other debt that you'd like to pay off sooner, like a car loan, you can rack up cash rewards and make an extra payment each year. This will help you reduce interest on that debt as well as pay it off sooner.

5. Avoid a high-interest loan

If you have a huge expense coming up and need to take out a loan, you can avoid interest payments and earn rewards in one fell swoop. With a credit card that offers 0% APR on new purchases you essentially get an interest-free loan for a limited time.

For example, let's say you plan to finance a roomful of furniture to the tune of $5,000. You want to pay it off over a year or so, and hope to avoid huge interest payments. You can get a card that offers 0% APR for the first 15 months, allowing you to pay off that $5,000 interest free. Remember though that you have to stay committed to your plan to pay off that amount during that period. Rewards cards typically charge higher interest rates. If you don't think you'll be able to pay off your balance, you'll want instead to look into low interest credit cards to keep a handle on your debt. Before you pursue rewards, make sure you're prepared to use credit responsibly.

This article is from Holly Johnson of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

How to Save Frequent Flyer Miles That Are About to Expire

Holly Johnson — Fri, 19 May 2017 08:30:09 +0000

For many of us, earning enough airline miles for that free trip can take a while. Sometimes using a co-branded airline credit card can help speed things up. But while we're waiting to collect enough, we might risk losing what we've already earned. While each frequent flyer program has its own set of rules, most will erase your miles if you don't use them or earn new miles for a period of 12–24 months.

Check your airline's loyalty program to see how long you have before your miles disappear. And if your expiration date is looming, consider one of these strategies.

Join an airline dining program

Since you can "reset the clock" on your frequent flyer miles with even a small purchase, airline dining programs offer an easy way keep your miles alive. While each airline's program includes different restaurants, and the number of miles you'll earn will vary, they all work similarly: You sign up for the program, dine at a qualifying restaurant, then earn bonus miles for each dollar you spend. (See related: Best Credit Cards for Dining Out)

Shop through an airline shopping portal

If you don't want to deal with a complicated dining program or dine at specific restaurants, using a rewards shopping portal is another easy way to save your miles. Nearly all major airlines offer an online mall or portal that lets you earn extra bonus miles for each dollar you spend with e-tailers you access through the site. You simply go to the portal, search for the store you want to shop with, and then "click through" the airline portal to the retailer's site to make your purchase. And remember, any purchase will reset the clock on your airline account. You don't need to spend hundreds of dollars. A simple $5 online purchase (or less!) will do the trick.

Cash in miles for a gift card

While earning more miles can keep your stash of airline currency alive, so can redeeming miles. If you don't have any travel planned or are saving up for a big trip, consider cashing in a small number of airline miles for a gift card. Only certain programs offer this option, and you may also need the program's co-branded credit card to be eligible.

While you usually won't get as much bang for your miles by buying a gift card as you would redeeming them for flights, this can still be an effective strategy for keeping your account active.

Donate miles to charity

Various programs let you donate miles to causes you believe in. Check with your frequent flyer program to see if donating your points is an option and which charities are available. If you aren't going to be able to use your miles, anyway, this is a good way to use them rather than letting them expire.

Buy miles

If none of the other options seem appealing for your situation, there's a final solution to consider: buying miles. By buying miles, you can keep your current stash of airline miles alive.

Unfortunately, it is seldom cost efficient to fork over real cash for airline miles. Then again, it could be well worth spending a small amount to keep a large stash of miles alive if you have no other option.

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This article is from Holly Johnson of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

5 Steps to Picking the Best Airline Credit Card for the Most Rewards Value

Holly Johnson — Wed, 17 May 2017 08:30:07 +0000

If you're ready for a change of scenery but have limited travel funds, an airline credit card might be a dream come true. With an airline card, you'll earn valuable frequent flyer miles you can use to book free airfare and seat upgrades. Some of the best co-branded airline credit cards even offer additional perks that make travel cheaper, such as free checked bags, companion ticket deals, and discounted award bookings.

But with so many airline credit cards out there, choosing one can seem overwhelming. Before you can truly benefit from an airline credit card, you need to learn about these cards and weed out the options that won't work for you.

To get a handle on your choices, you should consider several factors including your airline preferences, your travel style, and your spending habits. Follow these steps, and you'll have the ideal airline credit card in no time.

Step 1: Figure out which airlines you can fly

First things first. To pick the right airline credit card, you need to know which frequent flyer miles you can actually use.

To find out which airlines you should consider — and which you should mark off your list — check your local airport's website. You might discover that nearly every major airline flies into your area, or that only a few do. Finding out which airlines fly out of your home airport is the best way to narrow down your options fast.

Step 2: Ask yourself where you want to go

Now that you know which airlines are at your disposal, you can ask yourself where you want to go. Maybe you have family that you fly to visit frequently, or you have a list of dream vacations that you want to tackle. Knowing where you want to fly in the near- to medium-term is key to narrowing down which airline's frequent flyer program you'd like to concentrate on.

Larger and more established carriers such as American Airlines and United Airlines fly almost everywhere. Smaller regional carriers often offer limited travel schedules, but they may be the best option for your home airport or for the airports you'd like to fly into.

Searching airline websites for flight availability is the best way to figure out which local airlines offer fares to destinations you desire.

Don't forget about airline partners. Some airlines are owned by the same parent company, which allows you to use points from one airline program to get award seats on another. In addition, most airlines are part of a larger network, which will also allow you to use points from one airline program for another. (See also: How Airline Partnerships Work and How to Use Them to Get More from Your Rewards Points)

Step 3: Compare credit card rewards earning programs

Once you know which airlines operate nearby and whether or not they fly to your preferred destinations, you can begin comparing airline credit cards in terms of their earnings structures and any bonus points you can earn by signing up for the cards.

Most airlines have several credit cards to choose from. They differ in the amount of rewards and perks each offers, and the more the card offers, the higher the annual fee. If you can take advantage of all those extra benefits, the annual fee will be well worth it. These cards let you earn miles faster, and give you a better travel experience. But if you aren't a frequent flyer and just want to be able to slowly earn points through your usual spending, you'll want to stick to their basic, no fee card.

Step 4: Take a closer look at annual fees and perks

Plenty of other perks are worth considering as you narrow down the list. For example, some cards offer free checked bags for cardholders and a certain number of guests on domestic flights. If you plan to fly within the U.S. often, this perk can save you $50 per round-trip ticket, or more, each time you fly. Some airlines don't charge for checked bags at all. Knowing some of this information ahead of time can help you determine which airline cards offer the best value. Other travel perks credit cards offer discounts on in-flight purchases, priority boarding, free upgrades, and airport lounge access.

Step 5: Choose the airline card that makes the most sense

Tally up the rewards points you'd earn with each card, consider the additional benefits and perks (and the costs), and decide which card will give you the most value. Sometimes it makes sense to pay that higher annual fee, if it'll get you to your vacation sooner, and you'll enjoy the extra benefits. But sometimes you can get the card that gives you fewer rewards, at a lower cost, so that you can save that annual fee for something else. (See also: How to Get a Free Vacation in 9 Months With Credit Card Rewards)

Alternative Option: Consider a flexible travel credit card

If you're still unsure which airline credit card might leave you better off, a flexible travel rewards credit card is worth considering. These credit cards give you more options for redeeming rewards for travel. Some allow you to book travel through any airline or travel site, and you can redeem points as statement credit to pay for it. Others let you transfer your points to a selection of airlines at a favorable ratio. (See also: Airline Credit Card or Flexible Rewards Card: What's the Best Way to Earn a Free Flight?)

See our guide to choosing the best travel rewards credit card if you are unsure which is the best for you.

This article is from Holly Johnson of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

12 Times Your Credit Card Has Your Back

Carrie Kirby — Fri, 05 May 2017 09:00:09 +0000

Many of us view credit cards as much more than just a way to pay for things. They can help us accrue miles and status in rewards programs, get us into airport lounges, and even help us snag hard-to-get theater reservations.

But did you know that calling your credit card company can be like calling your dad when things go wrong? Glitzy perks like concierge service get most of the attention, but the perks that kick in when things go wrong may actually be the most valuable. Let's look at services some credit cards offer when you're in an accident, have a problem with a purchase, or are facing other dire straits. (See also: 14 Awesome Credit Card Perks You Didn't Know About)

(As you might imagine, credit cards place restrictions on all of these benefits, such as per-claim and per-year reimbursement ceilings. If you need access to one of these benefits, consult your card agreement and/or call customer service.)

1. Return protection

You buy a beautiful rug. When you get it home, you realize it's way too big for your room. Now the retailer won't take it back. What do you do?

If you're using a card with return protection, you can file a claim and get reimbursed for some or all of the purchase. One typical limitation: no holiday decorations (so don't even think about returning your Christmas tree in January).

2. Extended warranty

You buy a grandfather clock with a one-year warranty. As your luck would have it, 53 weeks later, the thing stops working. If you purchased it with a card that offers extended warranty coverage, any repairs covered under the original warranty may now be paid for by your credit card's extended protection. Make sure to call the card issuer before you pay for any repairs.

3. Purchase security

You buy a new bike, and the next day, it's stolen! Your homeowners insurance won't help, since the cost of a replacement is lower than your deductible. Are you out of luck? Maybe not.

If you bought the bike with a card that offers purchase security, and you submit all the required documentation, you could get reimbursed for the stolen bike. Besides theft, purchase security can cover damage due to fires, plumbing leaks, vandalism, and a number of other threats. Most cards require you to file the claim within a certain window — generally within 90 days of the incident.

4. Price protection

This has got to be one of the most underutilized protections that credit cards offer. Make a mental note to save all of your receipts and try it this year!

You splurge on new TV. A month later, you see the same TV advertised for hundreds of dollars less. Instead of throwing the remote at the screen, call up the credit card you used to buy it and ask if they offer price protection, which could get you a full or partial refund of the price difference, subject to per-item and annual limits. One typical restriction is that the lower price must appear in a printed ad, not just online.

5. Travel insurance

You are planning to fly your family to Paris, but your daughter breaks her leg and you have to cancel at the last minute. The tickets are nonrefundable. If you purchased them with a card offering travel insurance, the policy might reimburse you for the flights you can't use.

The same policies might also provide a lump-sum payment if you are injured (or killed) on the trip, as well as also cover the expense of buying new clothes or belongings if your bag arrives a few days later than you do. Some policies will even replace baggage that's permanently lost.

Restrictions abound. I recently tried to use this coverage when I had to cancel an Airbnb stay due to an Amtrak delay (which was in turn due to flooding). The agent at my credit card company told me their policy would only cover airline tickets or fees, not lodging. However, other cards state that they cover the cost of lost tours and lodging as well as airfare. (See also: The Best Premium Credit Cards)

6. Roadside assistance

Like with AAA, a card that offers this benefit may dispatch someone to your house to jump start your car, or they may tow you from the side of the highway to the nearest repair shop. Check the fine print; there may be limitations on how far they will tow you or how many times a year you can use the service for free. (See also: Best Credit Cards for Road Trips)

7. Rental car damage waiver

Many credit cards offer rental car insurance. If you're paying for a rental in full using one of these credit cards, you can decline the damage waiver offered by the rental company.

With this perk, your credit card's rental coverage is secondary to your personal auto insurance. For example, let's say you are in such a hurry to get on the road in your rented PT Cruiser that you accidentally drive right through the exit gate, causing thousands of dollars in damage to the car. If you used a card that offers a collision damage waiver, you'll first need to file a claim with your auto insurer. From there, your card may cover the deductible as well as any fees the rental car company charged. Your auto insurance will pay the rest.

If you don't have personal auto insurance, any credit card that offers secondary coverage will become primary, and should cover the whole cost of an accident. It's extra important to note restrictions in this case, since the out-of-pocket costs for anything the service doesn't cover could be really high. There may be limits on how long of a rental period this covers, as well as on the kind of vehicle it covers or even the countries you are covered in. Most importantly, these policies don't cover personal injury or liability, so you'll need to purchase some kind of liability coverage as well.

8. Primary rental car insurance

A few cards offer this benefit, which is better than the standard collision damage waiver because it acts as a primary auto insurance policy for your rental car. This means that if you swerve to avoid a wombat on your Australian vacation and accidentally total the Holden Caprice you rented, you don't have to file a claim with your auto insurance. This could save you on rates in the future.

9. Airline fee credits

I've made some very expensive mistakes booking air travel. One time, when calling an airline to ask if I could change a flight because I'd booked the wrong day, I found out that the change fee was more than the cost of the ticket. If I had booked the flight using a card that reimburses me for airline fees, the ticket might have been salvageable. Instead, I had to abandon it and buy a new, more expensive ticket.

This benefit typically comes with cards that have higher annual fees, and has an annual limit, such as $200 in fee reimbursements each year. Besides change fees, they're typically good for other costs, such as baggage fees, airline lounge passes, and upgrades to seats with extra legroom. (See also: 12 Travel Perks You Didn't Know Your Credit Card Had)

10. Identity theft hotline

If your credit card offers this service, you can call for help if you're ever a victim of this obnoxious crime. Typical services include sending you the form you need to file with the credit bureaus, having the credit bureaus place an alert on your account, and providing you with form letters you can use to cancel checks or other accounts. (See also: Best Credit Cards that Offer Free Credit Scores)

11. Assistance in a travel emergency

You're in another country. You don't speak the language. You wake up in the middle of the night with unbearable stomach pains. What do you do?

If you hold a card that offers travel assistance, you can call their international hotline, where they may direct you to the nearest appropriate hospital, and get a translator or U.S. doctor on the phone if necessary. They may even arrange for money to be wired to you, or send messages home to your family. If the emergency is of a legal nature, they can connect you to a lawyer — or a bail bond provider, if necessary. They're not going to pay for your doctor or lawyer or post your bail, but they can make the connection.

12. Trip delay reimbursement

The first leg of your international trip goes fine, but when you arrive at the gate in Taipei, you find out that your flight to Beijing is canceled until tomorrow. The airline offers no hotel vouchers. Where are you supposed to stay, on the terminal floor?

Good news: If you booked the trip with a card that offers trip delay coverage, your hotel and meals may be a reimbursable expense.

This article is from Carrie Kirby of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Airline Credit Card or Flexible Rewards Card: What's the Best Way to Earn a Free Flight?

Holly Johnson — Thu, 27 Apr 2017 08:30:14 +0000

When it comes to strategizing how to earn free airfare with travel rewards credit cards, there are two main schools of thought. On one hand, you can sign up for your favorite airline's frequent flyer program and get their co-branded credit card to earn miles through regular spending and flying. Or, you can get a credit card that lets you earn flexible travel rewards good for any airline instead.

Both strategies can be advantageous depending on your travel style and goals. Still, earning a free flight becomes easier when you're able to make an informed decision about what type of travel rewards card is right for you.

So, which should you choose? Airline miles or travel credit?

Airline frequent flyer programs

While each airline loyalty program works differently, they all follow a similar format. When you pay for a flight, you earn frequent flyer miles based on the cost of your paid airfare and/or the many miles you fly. You can get more points by using the airline's credit card to pay for it.

The upside of earning airline miles is obvious; through regular flying, credit card spending, or a combination of the two, you can earn miles and redeem them for flights around the globe. With the American AAdvantage program, a round-trip domestic flight costs as little as 25,000 miles while a round-trip flight to Europe can run as little as 45,000 miles. Since the average domestic flight costs around $400 and the average flight to Europe can cost $1,000 or more, you can score an exceptionally good value for your miles with this program (points are worth 1.6 cents and 2 cents respectively). (See also: Which Airline Loyalty Program Has the Best Value for Their Miles?)

Keep in mind that, on top of your miles, you'll need to pay government-mandated taxes and fees. These fees are usually $5.60 per leg for domestic flights, but can range in the hundreds of dollars for flights abroad. The fees also differ with airlines. Do your research before you settle on the airline program to pursue miles with. Other factors include where they fly and their partner airlines that you'd be able to get use miles for. Also, blackout dates and award seat availability are factors, too.

How to choose a frequent flyer program

These are the things you should look for when considering a frequent flyer program to join.

No blackout dates or seat limitations

The best programs allow you to redeem your miles for any seat on any flight as long as they haven't been sold. Some programs designate a specific number of award seats per flight (or on select flights), or they impose blackout dates when you can't use miles at all. Unless you are a solo traveler with very flexible plans on when and even where to go, you'll end up very frustrated at your options and may see a lot of your points go unused due to the lack of availability. (See also: 10 Ways to Get Free — or Almost Free — Flights)

Multiple ways to earn miles

Being able to earn miles through other ways than flying with that airline makes racking up miles easier and faster, which means free flights faster. Airline credit cards will often give points for all spending, and maybe even bonus points for additional categories.

Travel perks

Nothing is better than getting priority boarding, airport lounge access, and top notch service when traveling through the airport. Additionally, the best credit cards will include free checked bags, and a variety of travel insurance and protections. Some will include elite status (or give you a head start on getting there) so that you can enjoy the most luxurious perks like free seat upgrades. (See also: Travel Perks You Didn't Know Your Credit Card Includes)

Travel partners

Most airlines are part of a network that includes travel partners. This means you may be able to use your miles to get a free flight on their partner airline, or even a hotel stay and car rental. This provides more options for your travel plans. The ease of getting award seats and stays for partners differ between programs. Some make it very difficult and you have to call someone to inquire about availability. Others will let you book on your own through their portal. (See also: The Secret to Redeeming Travel Rewards With Airline Partners)

Flexible travel programs

If you don't want to be tied down to a particular airline or deal with restrictions and limitations on using your miles, there are travel rewards credit cards that allow you to accrue points through spending, which you redeem via a statement credit toward your travel purchases. For example, if you have 40,000 points, you can book a flight through any airline or booking service on your credit card, and then apply the 40,000 points (which comes out to $400) to pay for it. It will appear as a statement credit on your account. There are many benefits to this.

Benefits of flexible travel programs

What are those benefits? Let's have a look.

No restrictions

Book any type of travel reservation you want. You don't need to go through the program's portal website. You aren't limited by airline or award availability. You can choose to book through a travel site like Orbitz or Airbnb. If you have specific travel plans you'd like to stick with, as well as companions, this type of travel program will be the best way for you to use your rewards for travel.

Pay the difference

While there are some programs that allow you to pay for additional miles if you don't have quite enough, or pay the difference in cash, most frequent flyer programs do not allow this. This means that if you only have enough for one flight, but you have two travelers, you'd have to pay for one ticket with miles, and then do a separate transaction for the second ticket. That's only when you're able to split up a purchase like that. Maybe you are just shy of 100 miles for that flight to Europe. Or that all inclusive vacation package. Some programs simply won't allow you to book. But with a flexible travel program, you can make a $450 travel reservation, use 40,000 points for a $400 credit, and then pay for the $50 balance.

Works for non-frequent flyers

For those who don't often travel, it's hard to build up a balance of miles through a frequent flyer program. Credit cards that offer statement credits on travel purchases allow you to earn points through regular spending, even offering bonus points for everyday categories like dining and groceries. This is the best way for non-frequent flyers to be on their way to travel redemption faster.

The inbetween option

There is an option that stands between the two. These are travel rewards cards that have their own rewards program. For example, Chase cardholders earn Ultimate Rewards Points. American Express users earn Membership Rewards Points. Each program has its own set of travel partners and includes a travel portal that allows you to book flights, hotel stays, car rentals, and vacation packages with points. Additionally, you may be able to transfer your points to airline or hotel loyalty programs, many times at a 1:1 ratio so you don't lose a single point of value.

Using these credit cards can be a strategic option for those who want a little more flexibility in their travel options but also want to optimize the value of each point. When you use points for a statement credit, they are always worth one cent per point. But if you can use miles or points in a loyalty program, those points are often worth more than one cent (as shown above with the American Airlines example). Furthermore, these exclusive travel portals offer discounts and deals that are not available to the public. (See also: 7 Ways Anyone Can Travel for Free)

What's right for you?

The best way to decide which program and credit card is right for you is to determine your travel goals and preferences. Are you dedicated to one particular airline? Are you traveling in a large group? Do you have flexibility in your travel dates and destinations? Do you enjoy special travel perks and benefits? These questions will help you choose the best travel rewards card for you.

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This article is from Holly Johnson of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Once-In-A-Lifetime Experiences I've Earned With Credit Card Rewards

Holly Johnson — Fri, 21 Apr 2017 08:30:10 +0000

As a travel rewards enthusiast, I've burned through well over a million points and miles in the last few years alone. While I've cashed in some of our credit card points for boring stuff (think motel stays and flights to work conferences), my family and I have also enjoyed once-in-a-lifetime excursions that have helped us see the world in new ways. (See also: 5 Steps to Getting a Free Vacation in 9 Months)

The best part is, these experiences have all been free, thanks to travel rewards credit card points and airline miles. Here are some of the most memorable adventures we've checked off our bucket list using rewards points.

Snorkeling with stingrays in Grand Cayman

In May of 2016, I surprised my husband with a trip to Caribbean island of Grand Cayman. We used points from the Starwood Preferred Guest program to stay at The Westin Grand Cayman, and we paid for our flights with American Airlines AAdvantage miles.

The highlight of the trip: an excursion to Stingray City, a famous stretch of sandbar that's home to dozens of huge stingrays. I booked this excursion with Chase Ultimate Rewards points so it didn't even cost a dime.

Once we arrived by boat to the sandbar, we were surrounded by enormous stingrays within minutes. We climbed down a ladder into the crystal-clear water, and the stingrays approached all around. Some let you hold them and even kiss them, while others just swam around our legs. The entire trip was a hoot, and we got awesome pictures of ourselves holding stingrays as big as five feet across. (See also: How to Use Travel Rewards Cards to Get Free Trips)

Luxing out at the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme

A few years ago, we used two free nights from my Hyatt credit card to book a weekend stay at the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme. Considering the fact that rooms here usually cost $800+ per night, this isn't just any hotel. (See also: How to Stay in a 5-Star Hotel for Less Than the Cost of a Motel)

The lobby is pristine, with art and décor that screams Parisian elegance. The large rooms are decorated in gold leaf, while the whole hotel reeks of luxury and seclusion. The breakfast, which we got for free, was regularly more than $100 for two people. And the service was impeccable.

Because the hotel was the most luxurious I have ever stayed in, it was an experience in itself. (See also: Benefits and Value of the Best Hotel Rewards Programs and Cards)

Exploring Athens on an electric bike

When my husband and I visited Greece in 2016, we wanted a fun and interesting way to see the city. While we did a lot of exploring on foot, we were stoked when we found an electric bike tour we could book through Chase Ultimate Rewards.

The weather was perfect the day of our trip, making breezing through ancient Athens fun and comfortable. On our electric bikes, we viewed the Acropolis and its famous Parthenon from afar, visited other historic sites like the Roman Agora and the Temple of Zeus, and zipped through busy streets lined with locals and tourists dining al fresco.

We thought the bike tour was the perfect way to see parts of the city up close and can't wait to do something similar again. (See also: Are Airline or Travel Rewards Credit Cards the Better Deal?)

Touring ancient Tuscany on rewards

When we went to Italy a few years ago, we wanted to see some of the countryside near Florence without renting a car. We found the perfect solution: a day trip to three ancient cities throughout Tuscany, which we booked using Chase Ultimate Rewards points.

After we boarded our bus near the train station in Florence, we set off to experience the unique charms of San Gimignano, Pisa, and Siena.

Our visit to the medieval town of San Gimignano was a wander back in time. The walled city is home to beautifully preserved tower homes — the medieval equivalent of skyscrapers. After climbing 200+ steps to the top of the highest tower, we were rewarded with some of Tuscany's best views.

In Pisa, we of course saw the Leaning Tower of Pisa and its adjacent baptistery. And yes, we got a silly picture of ourselves pretending to hold up the tower. Our last stop was Siena, where we visited the beautiful gothic cathedral known as the Siena Duomo, strolled through the famous Piazza del Campo in the heart of the city, then explored the winding city streets on our own. (See also: Which Airline Miles Have the Best Value?)

Snorkeling through Cenotes in Mexico

Another excursion we loved was snorkeling within three separate ecosystems in Mexico. This is yet another trip we booked with points through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal, and it was a great one.

After the bus picked us up at our Playa del Carmen hotel, we went to swim in a freshwater cenote — a natural sinkhole formed where a cave ceiling has collapsed. There, we saw tons of tiny tropical fish and zip-lined from a platform high above. Next, we snorkeled in a freshwater cave with catfish and amazing rock formations. Lastly, we headed to a protected ocean reef where we snorkeled with vast schools of fish and sea turtles. While there, I dove down to the quiet ocean floor and observed stingrays and huge parrot fish. It was an unforgettable experience. (See also: How I Redeemed a $12,000 Family Vacation With Credit Cards in 2 Months)

Plan your own amazing rewards adventure

When it comes to credit card rewards, don't forget to think outside of the box. Sure, you can use your points for a regular flight or hotel stay, but there's so much more you can do.

With the right card, you could take a hot-air balloon ride to see the Loire Valley's famous castles, dive for pearls off the coast of Hawaii, or spend a few nights in a hotel you could otherwise never dream of affording. If you're ready to boost your vacation fun with credit card rewards, be sure to compare travel credit cards to find an option that will help you see the world your own way. (See also: Get Started with Travel Rewards in 4 Simple Steps)

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This article is from Holly Johnson of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

6 Ultimate Money-Saving Tips for Travelers

Amanda Gokee — Mon, 17 Apr 2017 08:30:14 +0000

If you're addicted to travel like I am, you know that travel expenses can rack up fast. Between airfare, accommodations, and food, cost is one of the biggest factors that prevents people from traveling as much as they'd like to.

But with a little bit of research and legwork upfront, there are easy ways to travel for much less than you may have thought possible. (See also: 6 Easy Ways to Get Free Travel)

1. Sign up for a travel rewards credit card

Maybe you've heard this tip before, but if you're still on the fence, it is high time you join the club. You can save a lot of money just by signing up for a credit card. That's because travel rewards credit cards often offer a big welcome bonus that can earn you free travel when you meet a spending requirement within a fixed amount of time. (See also: How to Get a Free Vacation From Credit Card Rewards in Nine Months or Less)

Use your card for purchases you would make anyway to collect rewards and before you know it, you'll have enough to book your next trip.

2. Own a business? Get a business credit card that will reward you with travel

Business credit cards often come with higher rewards bonuses, though you will often have to meet a higher minimum spending requirement, too. Put all your business expenses on a card that offers travel rewards and pool them together with your personal card for even quicker returns.

3. Never pay an overpriced ATM fee again

ATM fees can add up quickly, especially overseas. When you make a withdrawal outside your bank network, you may be charged an out-of-network withdrawal fee by your bank, a non-customer withdrawal fee by the ATM owner, and a foreign transaction fee by the debit card networks such as Visa and MasterCard.

One solution: Open a checking account with Charles Schwab. The bank and brokerage house automatically refunds any ATM fees you accrue at the end of every month. The checking account is linked to a Schwab One brokerage account, and both accounts are free with no minimum account balance requirement.

Alternatively, with a Capital One 360 checking account you'll have access to fee-free withdrawals at 55,000 ATMs in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Puerto Rico, Australia, and Mexico.

4. Sign up for flight deal alerts

If you feel frustrated that you're not getting the best deals on airfare, you can easily start saving by subscribing to airline newsletters, which announce all of their sales. You can also sign up to receive news of flight deals from websites such as the Daily Flight Deal and Scott's Cheap Flights. They scour the web and pass along the best deals to subscribers.

5. Buy your domestic ticket two months before your trip

According to research done by CheapAir.com, the cheapest time to buy a domestic airline ticket is 21–112 days in advance, with the average being 54 days. The website based its figures on a study looking at 1.3 billion airfares.

The best time to book an international ticket varies widely, depending on your destination. For Canada, Mexico, and the rest of Latin America, the best time is 70–75 days in advance, on average. For Europe, it's about four months; Asia, 160 days; and for the Caribbean and South Pacific islands, it's 320 days — nearly 11 months out.

6. Book accommodations with a vacation rental site

Hostels might not be your idea of a good time, but there are other "budget" accommodation options you should be considering to save money on your next trip.

Airbnb and other vacation rental sites allow you to stay in an individual's spare room or even a whole house or apartment, often at competitive rates that can undercut costly hotel stays. Check out these cities where Airbnb can save you big time compared to hotel rates.

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This article is from Amanda Gokee of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

5 Myths About Credit Cards That Won't Go Away

Damian Davila — Tue, 21 Mar 2017 10:31:11 +0000

The idea of evaluating a person's creditworthiness goes back as early as 1899, when Equifax (originally called Retail Credit Company) would keep a list of consumers and a series of factors to determine their likelihood to pay back debts. However, credit cards didn't make an appearance until the 1950s, and the FICO score as we know it today wasn't introduced until 1989.

Due to these timing differences, many U.S. consumers hold on to damaging myths about credit cards. Let's dispel five of these widely held but false beliefs and find out what to do to continue improving your credit score.

Myth #1: Closing unused cards is good for credit

Remember when United Colors of Benetton used to be all the rage and you shopped there all the time? Fast forward a decade; you don't shop there anymore, and you're thinking about shutting down that store credit card. Not so fast! Closing that old credit card may do more harm than good to your credit score.

Your length of credit history contributes 15 percent of your FICO score. If that credit card is your oldest card, then closing it would bring down the average age of your accounts and hurt your score. This is particularly true when there is a gap of several years between your oldest and second-to-oldest card. Another point to consider is that when you close a credit card, you're reducing your amount of available credit. This drops your credit utilization ratio, which makes up 30 percent of your FICO score.

What to do: Keep those old credit cards open, especially when they are the oldest ones that you have. Just make sure that you're keeping on top of any applicable annual fees and they're not tempting you to spend beyond your means.

Myth #2: Holding a credit card balance is good for credit

The amount you owe lenders accounts for 30 percent of your FICO score. The smaller your credit utilization ratio (the amount of debt you hold compared to your total available credit), the better your score. This means if you can avoid carrying a balance, you should do so. However, responsible use of a credit card allows you to buy big ticket items, such as a kitchen appliance or laptop, that you can't pay off all at once. So, sometimes you will have to carry a credit card balance. When you do, credit lenders recommend that you keep your credit utilization ratio below 30 percent -- the lower, the better. Keeping a low credit utilization ratio demonstrates that you're more likely to be able repay your debts, positively affecting your credit score.

What to do: Pay back your credit card balance in full every month as much as possible. When you're not able to do so, then seek to maintain a debt-to-credit ratio below 30 percent across all your credit card debts. (See also: How to Use Credit Cards to Improve Your Credit Score)

Myth #3: Paying the cellphone bill builds your score

Since some cellphone carriers may run a credit check to decide whether or not to approve you for financing, you may think that those cellphone carriers report your on-time payment history back to the credit bureaus. Payments to service companies, such as cellphone carriers, electricity providers, and natural gas providers, aren't reported back to the credit bureaus. (However, Experian does provide eligible renters the option to make their rent payments count toward their credit history.)

What to do: Don't sign up for a cellphone plan thinking you'll get a boost in your credit score. Do continue paying your cellphone bill (and all other bills!) regularly on-time. If your cellphone account were to be sent to collections, then the cellphone company would surely report that info to all credit bureaus.

Myth #4: Choosing a popular card will benefit you

A 2016 study of 20,206 credit card users by J.D. Power found that at least one in five credit card holders have a card which has fees or rewards not aligned with their actual purchase habits.

In the hunt for bigger and better rewards, 20 percent of credit card holders end up with a card that doesn't match their needs and would be better served by a different rewards card, or even one without any without rewards at all and a lower interest rate. Here's an example from the study: One of the reasons that 44 percent of airline co-branded card holders appear to have the wrong card is that those individuals aren't spending at least the necessary $500 per month to gain enough rewards to cover the average annual fee of $75. (See also: Cash Back vs Travel Rewards: Pick the Right Credit Card for You)

What to do: You don't just want to follow the crowd when choosing a credit card. Stack up your current credit card against others and figure whether or not it's time to find a new card more suitable to your lifestyle. Check out our guides on how cash back cards really work and choosing the best travel rewards credit card to find the card that fits your lifestyle.

Myth #5: Believing there's only one credit score

That free credit score on your credit card statement may not be the same one used by a lending officer reviewing your application for a mortgage or car loan. Did you know that there more than 50 different types of FICO scores? Lenders have several options to choose from depending on their industry and preferred credit reporting agency.

What to do: If you get a free credit score through your card, check with the card issuer whether or not that score is a FICO score and what type of FICO score it is. This will help you know whether or not you can do an apples-to-apples comparison with the one used by your lender. Also, inquire with your lender if they can give you a target range for your loan to be approved. (See also: FICO or FAKO: Are Free Credit Scores From Credit Cards the Real Thing?)

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This article is from Damian Davila of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

miles

Your Travel Rewards Points Were Stolen. Now What?

Exercise "password hygiene"

Monitor your mileage accounts

Guard those account numbers

Don't log onto your points account on a public Wi-Fi connection

Beware of shifty agents and brokers

Contact the program immediately if you suspect a problem

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4 Airlines With the Cheapest First Class Seats

Spirit

La Compagnie

Norwegian Air

JetBlue

Other tips for getting cheap first class

1. Use miles

2. Consider paying for upgrades after your purchase

3. Double check the price at the time of purchase

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How Families Can Earn and Use Travel Rewards

The Southwest plan

Earn miles that can be redeemed as travel statement credits

Earn points that can be transferred to different frequent flyer and hotel programs

Be flexible with travel plans and expectations

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Don't Carry a Balance? Here's Why You Still Need a Credit Card

1. You'll build or maintain a good credit score

2. You can receive rewards based on usage

3. It'll help you survive an emergency

4. It's safer than cash

5. It'll help you keep accurate expense records

6. It buys extra protection

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How to Evaluate a Travel Program for the Best Rewards Redemption

How to gauge the value of a frequent flyer program

Examining the value of a hotel rewards program

The easiest ways to redeem travel rewards

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Amazing Destinations You Can Go to With Rewards Points and Miles

1. Bora Bora

How to get there

Where to stay

2. Maldives

How to get there

Where to stay

3. Aruba

How to get there

Where to stay

4. Italy

How to get there

Where to stay

5. Greece

How to get there

Where to stay

Credit cards that will get you there

Read More

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The Best Airline Rewards Programs for Trips to Europe

Air France/KLM Flying Blue

British Airways Avios

Air Canada Aeroplan

Delta SkyMiles

Etihad

Credit cards that transfer to airline partners

Tips for getting to Europe with points

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5 Ways to Turn Credit Card Rewards Into Real Wealth

1. Invest your cash back for the long haul

2. Invest in experiences

3. Donate rewards to a worthy cause

4. Use rewards to pay down debt and save money on interest

5. Avoid a high-interest loan

How to Save Frequent Flyer Miles That Are About to Expire

Join an airline dining program

Shop through an airline shopping portal

Cash in miles for a gift card

Donate miles to charity

Buy miles

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5 Steps to Picking the Best Airline Credit Card for the Most Rewards Value