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Frequent flyers
Frequent flyer credit cards earn you points when you use them for eligible purchases. These cards earn a set number of points for every pound spent (e.g. one point per £1), which is known as the earn rate. This means the more you pay with plastic, the more frequent flyer rewards you can get. Depending on the type of rewards credit card you use, there are different ways to earn and redeem points. Some cards credit points directly to your frequent flyer account and others allow you to transfer points to a variety of eligible frequent flyer accounts.
If you’re interested in getting a frequent flyer credit card, weigh up these pros and cons. Please keep in mind that these factors may vary depending on the card.
Credit card fee structures can get fiddly, so the APR’s designed to benchmark the yearly cost to borrow, with a view to helping consumers compare cards against each other. It takes into consideration the default interest rate plus any mandatory, regular account fees.
There’s a big catch though: the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) states that this rate must be what 51% (or more) of people accepted for a card receive. That means that up to 49% of those accepted for a credit card may end up paying a higher rate. This is why it’s often called “Typical” or “Representative” APR.
Frequent flyer credit cards often come with an annual fee, so the APR will be higher than other types of cards. However, the APR doesn’t take the rewards you earn into account, so it’s missing a pretty big part of the story. While it’s still a handy figure to work out the cost of borrowing with your credit card, it shouldn’t be the only factor you consider when comparing credit cards.
The mix of frequent flyer credit cards on the market gives you a chance to compare options and find one that suits your individual goals and circumstances. Go through the checklist below to find out what factors you should consider when looking at credit cards that earn frequent flyer points.
Points are a key factor when choosing and using a frequent flyer credit card, and there are two main options to consider:
1. Direct earn cards. These credit cards are partnered with specific airline rewards programmes, earning points that are credited directly to your associated air miles account. Direct earn cards generally have a better earn rate than other options, so you could potentially get more rewards for your spending if you’re loyal to one frequent flyer programme.
2. Indirect earn cards. These reward credit cards earn points that can then be transferred to external air miles programmes for a wider variety of rewards. Unlike direct earn frequent flyer credit cards, the point values of these cards may differ when transferred to a frequent flyer account.
The amount of points (or ‘miles’) you need for a reward varies depending on the frequent flyer programme and the type of reward you choose. There are two main categories for rewards: 1) Airport/ flight benefits and 2) retail/ lifestyle rewards.
There are many frequent flyer programmes based all around the world, and you have a handful of these programmes to choose from if you’re interested in getting a UK credit card that earns frequent flyer points.
Choosing a credit card to earn Virgin Flying Club points will depend on your spending habits, your income and the credit card features you are looking for. Frequent flyer credit cards often include additional perks, with airport lounge passes, complimentary travel insurance and bonus points offers. As a result, these cards can come with a much higher annual fee compared to other types of credit cards, so it’s important to compare and read the terms and conditions. Some of the benefits you can expect from a Virgin Flying Club credit card include:
The best credit card to earn Avios Air Miles varies depending on factors including your spending habits, income and the other features you want on a credit card. It’s also important to consider the costs of the card, such as annual fees and interest rates, and any specific requirements associated with complimentary extras. Reading the credit card terms and conditions will help you understand the ongoing responsibilities and charges so that you can choose a card that is convenient and affordable for you. Some of the benefits you can get with a credit card that allows you to build Avios Air Miles include:
If you want to find the best credit card to earn Emirates Skywards Miles, you’ll need to consider your spending habits, income and the credit card features you’re interested in. It’s also important to consider the interest rates and annual fees of credit cards that offer Emirates Skywards Miles, so that you can make sure the benefits outweigh these charges.
If you want to find the best credit card to earn Miles & More points, you’ll need to consider your spending habits, income and the credit card features you’re interested in. It’s also important to consider the interest rates and annual fees of credit cards that offer Miles & More, so that you can make sure the benefits outweigh these charges.
Frequent flyer programmes have networks of partner and alliance airlines that let you earn and redeem points all around the world. Here are two of the most popular alliances:
These alliances and partnerships give you more options for redeeming flights and flight upgrades. So even if you choose a frequent flyer credit card that’s linked to one airline programme, you may be able to use your points for flights with another airline through these partnerships.
Credit cards have become one of the most popular ways to earn frequent flyer points, with both direct and indirect methods for boosting your point balance. Now that you know more about how they work, the potential benefits and pitfalls and what you should consider when comparing credit cards, you can make a more informed decision about the next credit card you apply for so that it really works for you.
Since frequent flyer credit cards provide many benefits and features, choosing one can be a challenging task. Here, we answer the most popular questions from our users about frequent flyer credit cards and how to earn/redeem air miles.
If you fly regularly from the UK to Australia or New Zealand with Qantas, find out how you can earn and spend points.