Redeeming Airline Miles

[itself]

Hi All,

Anyone have one of those airline credit cards? We are looking at getting one to get free tickets. We have heard that Delta and US Air are the WORST at giving free vouchers. We like and use Continental/United.

Let me know which one has worked for you! Thanks!

[Irulan]

read the policy very carefully for blackout dates.

[tangentgirl]

I have a United credit card and I also get regular United miles. The credit card miles just go on my regular frequent flyer account, so there's never any problem redeeming anything. My BF flies a lot for work, so we have actually had a fair number of *free* trips. I've taken trips with both United and Delta miles.

When redeeming miles, you do need to purchase far in advance, especially for peak times. For example, right now, on November 13, if I wanted to get tickets around Christmas, my choices would be limited. If I wanted to get tickets for Thanksgiving, I'd be SOL.

Another thing to consider is partner airlines. For example, United is part of Star Alliance, so you can redeem (and generate) miles on flights with other SA airlines. Delta has something similar.

I don't have a Delta credit card, but I suspect that it would work the same as United, purchase miles are the same as flying miles.

[malkin]

We have the Amex/Delta one, and have used the miles happily. Brewer takes care of this piece of logistics, because he's good at it, and I'm not. I once made hotel reservations for a year in the past.

[Cataboo]

I have frontier - it's great for getting me out skiing in the winter.

[tangentgirl]

Another thing I like about my card - groceries and gas generate double miles. Since those are things I buy anyways, and since I pay the card off each week, it's a no-brainer.

[jessmarimba]

I have ridiculous amounts of frequent flyer miles on a few airlines and have never managed to redeem them for an actual ticket. I gave up. Hello, magazine subscriptions...at least I have something free to read when I fly for work!

Remember United, U.S. Air and Continental are ALL star alliance now.

[roadie gal]

I have an American Airlines credit card. Since my home airport is Reno, NV I don't have many choices of airlines.

I use the card mostly for upgrades to first class rather than for free tickets. So far it's worked well.

I looked into one of the Capital One cards that are good for any airline. The way they work is that you get a set number of miles/dollar spent. They are ONLY good for free tickets and can't be used for upgrades when you've already purchased the ticket. I called them to verify this.

[malkin]

Right. Delta works out well for us because SLC is a Delta hub and only a couple miles away.

[shootingstar]

I don't have air miles aligned with any credit card.

Just have air miles cumulation by itself. It covered my European trip which now in retrospect, was an excellent thing I did with dearie. I am most grateful for using my air miles wisely for all the stuff I saw, learned and enjoyed.

[maillotpois]

We have American Airlines miles through Citibank, and have redeemed for several trips with no problems.