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Finding the Best Mileage Cards
You may notice all the great incentives that the major airlines are offering with their own mileage cards, however, you may learn if you investigate a bit more than you can find some even better deals for your choice of mileage cards. Many people are now choosing these mileage cards over the major airline cards and with good reason.
The mileage cards that are so popular are the ones that allow you to earn air miles or points when you make purchases with your mileage card, sometimes even doubling the benefits. What this really means is that you, in some cases, can earn points in two separate ways on the same flight, if you use your mileage card to book the flight. These points or air miles that you earn are not just good for redeeming toward an airline ticket but can also be used for hotel accommodations or car rentals. Some of these unique mileage cards can earn you points when you purchase items from some retailers and even food at restaurants that have nothing whatsoever to do with your trip.
There are four major types of mileage cards, which people use when traveling. You may wish to choose a mileage card that has collaborated with your favorite airline or hotel chain. If you only use one airline or prefer a certain hotel, this is probably your best bet. Even major credit card companies such as Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, and Diners Club also offer mileage cards with many great incentives and benefits and normally have more freedom when it comes to choosing an airline or hotel for your stay. Your own bank may also offer mileage cards with their own set of benefits. Some people just prefer to use their debit card, which normally does not have any type of rewards for benefits.
It can be very hard to decide which mileage cards are best for you and your particular lifestyle, so you may wish to read all the fine print to learn about the pros and cons of each mileage card before you apply.
As for airlines that offer mileage cards, American Airlines and United Airlines, both offer mileage cards. American Airlines along with Citibank offers the AAdvantage mile program. With this mileage card, you earn one AAdvantage mile for every dollar you charge on your mileage card. The United Airlines Card is known as the Mileage Plus First Card, which offers close to the same. Other airlines that also offer mileage cards include Northwest with the WorldPerks Visa and Delta Airlines with the American Express Optima.
There are many great incentives and benefits offered with mileage cards but these are usually only for people that travel quite a bit. The fees annually can be very expensive from $25 to $125. Not only are the annual fees more expensive but the interest rates are normally around 17% as well.
Now you must decide whether your travel habits will aid you in receiving the benefits from mileage cards so you can earn that great vacation.
The Lowdown on the Toys R Us Credit Card
Designed for users equipped with a good credit rating, the Toys R Us Visa Platinum Card offers cardholders great rebates. With a 4% rebate for Toys R Us and Babies “R” Us store purchases plus no annual fee, this card is ideal for parents intending to enjoy great savings, while still getting that toy which their children have been asking for.
Purchases made with the Toys R Us Visa Platinum Card at www.toysrus.com, www.babiesrus.com or anywhere Visa credit cards are accepted receive a 1% rebate for each transaction. When the rebate values reach $10, the cardholder will then be sent certificates that can be used to redeem for products at Toys “R” Us® and Babies “R” Us stores, as well as through their websites. The certificates will expire after one year but the amount of rebates that can be earned is limitless.
Now we get to the dirt. For a Platinum card, the Toys R Us Credit Card doesnt provide any exclusive perks on top of the usual benefits which are also by other cards. The APR is also relatively higher for less qualifying applicants, with the 0% APR intro period dependent on your credit history. The real stinker is the way finance charges are determined, which is the “Two Cycles Average Daily Balance” method which results in higher interest payable than the usual Average Daily Balance configuration.
Nevertheless, this should not be a hindrance to you if you have good payment habits, a great credit score and continue to be financially responsible. With this, the interest tabulation will have minimal effects on your costs of using the Toys R Us Credit Card. Otherwise, it may be better for you to get alternate cards which utilize a better way of tabulating interests.
Overall, the Toys R Us Credit Card would be suitable for you if you plan to make a lot of purchases at Toys “R” Us® and Babies “R” Us® stores in addition to taking advantage of that 4% rebate. Otherwise there may be better Platinum Cards out there for you.