Sijun Forums :: View topic - Question about credit cards (w/ flight miles)

[Shizo] · member Member # Joined: 22 Oct 1999 Posts: 3938

Oy!
I wanted to know how these cards work, but nobody knows.. so i thought: "fellow sijuners might help!"
I plan on traveling to a few countries next year, and it would be really great to save money on plane tickets. However, i don't know if it's a good deal or a trick with getting "flight miles" credit card. They keep sending me Capital One ads.

Anyway, i just wanted to know how it works. The ads dont explain the details. Can i buy the tickets online? Then how can i use the points on the card? Can i have a part of the price paid by the mile points, or does it have to be enough points to cover 100% of the ticket price?

Jimmyjimjim · member Member # Joined: 12 Dec 2002 Posts: 459

Hey Shiz-

If I were you I wouldn't bother with credit cards that provide free miles unless you have the card as a business account. Genererally, you get points that are exchangeble as free miles based on your balance.

For cheap flights, just do expedia or something like that.

For everyday use, the interest you pay on the card for the balance is going to cost you more than just buying the tix outright.

Best thing for anyone is to stay credit card free, or get something with a $500-$1000 limit from a credit union with a low APR to help build your credit history. Charge it up and pay it off a few times.

Then again, I've charged the shit outta my card since going back to school, so feel free to call me a big fat hypocrit.

[Shizo] · member Member # Joined: 22 Oct 1999 Posts: 3938

I see.. ok. I'll just use my old VISA.
I had it for a few years now, and i think credit is up the wazoo liek $7000. I just thought i could save some money on tickets..

Drunken Monkey · Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2005 12:35 pm

where you going now?
_________________
"A fear of weapons is a sign of retarded sexual and emotional maturity" - Sigmund Freud

[Shizo] · member Member # Joined: 22 Oct 1999 Posts: 3938

Now i'm just saving up money for the trip i'm going on next year. It should be China-Thailand-Russia, but it can change..

[Shizo] · member Member # Joined: 22 Oct 1999 Posts: 3938

Haha it just changed!!

I'm gonna go to China (Beijing) in November for 2 weeks or so. The roundtrip ticket is $850, but i wondered something.. on priceline.com there is a "Name your own price" option, and it seems like i can get tickets for $600 or so.. but i wonder, have anyone used this before? It's like buying tickets blindfolded (you dont know departure times) but is it worth it?

Jimmyjimjim · member Member # Joined: 12 Dec 2002 Posts: 459

Priceline is usually pretty good. Check your departure times and locations carefully, though. Sometimes they will put your connection at a different airport with no way to get between the two (taxi-time!)

-E-

[Shizo] · member Member # Joined: 22 Oct 1999 Posts: 3938

Ok.. i also checked expedia, and the same tickets seemed $20 cheaper. Don't know.. Actually, they might not give me the 2 weeks off at work. So right now i'm thinking what to do.. quit the job? Or wait? Or what.... *thinking* Shocked