January 1, 2010
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2009 Rewards Awards, Pt.2
Would you like to fly?B) The Sky's the Limit!
Airline & travel credit card rewards programs work great for business travelers. First-up here is Citi Premier Pass credit card rewards program. Note, these rewards only offer the lowly 1% redemption and even those must be used toward future travel (usually air-miles). The points themselves, however, can accumulate in multiple ways. In addition to credit card purchases, miles flown also accumulate at triple the pace of purchases (one point for every three miles). The redemption limit is $1,000/yr (100K points or 300,000 miles worth of flying). One trip to the moon should do it (see Ralph Cramden for details).
This is obviously a niche market. Busy airports are always teaming with credit card vendors catching the main flow of traffic in the corridors with little trinkets. The trinkets only cost the time to apply for credit cards like these. They’re a good deal to frequent fliers but don’t offer much to occasional fliers. It used to be, even an occasional flier could save points over the years and, eventually, redeem them. That’s all but gone today, however, and these points must be redeemed within just a few years. So, obviously, they will chiefly benefit someone who flies quite a bit. Unless your boss or business is picking up the tab (or you’re Floridian politician) however, your chances are probably better with the lottery.
The runner-up here (again, as selected by CreditCards.com) is PenFed Premium Travel Rewards American Express Card. Beyond some ethically-challenged politicians, many government personnel have need to travel a lot. Their purpose is not for recreation but, serving their country. So, members of the Pentagon Federal Credit Union are one such niche group. Because they must travel so much, they can qualify for this travel rewards credit card. It offers up to five bonus points for each dollar spent.
The rewards can come in many forms. They may be redeemed in the form of special deals for hotel upgrades and discounted access to executive lounges at airports worldwide. Eligibility to join this credit union is not limited only to veterans. Americans enrolled in the National Military Family Association also qualify.