5 things you should know about your Credit Card Air Miles

In 2013, I redeemed two round-trip tickets from Singapore to Barcelona with my credit card air miles! Just this year in March, I redeemed another ticket to Tokyo (and I could have redeemed a pair of tickets if not for the fact that my husband was not free).

Well, today I’m here to share the 5 most important things you should know before you start hoarding those miles.

1. Not all miles are earned equally

Some cards give you flat rates, while others reward specific spending categories. Always check if your miles have an expiry date, as some cards have a "rolling" expiry while others reset annually.

2. Reward Points vs Air Miles

Understand the conversion ratio. Sometimes, it is more beneficial to keep your points until you have enough for a specific redemption flight rather than converting them early and losing them to inactivity.

3. Read the Fine Print

Fuel surcharges and airport taxes are rarely covered by miles redemption. Calculate the "actual" cost of your ticket before redeeming.

4. Lounge Access

Many premium travel cards come with complimentary lounge access. Use these strategically to make your travel experience much more comfortable.

5. Travel Insurance Perks

Check if your credit card provides travel insurance when you charge your flight tickets to the card. This saves you from buying a separate policy for every trip.