One of the key requirements of digital nomadism is to have ease of traveling. With the rising prices, airline miles bring a refined worth to digital nomads. As a digital nomad myself, I’ve benefited greatly from airline miles and the rewards they offer.
However, not all rewards are the same and many credit card miles can offer a higher worth when points are redeemed. In this guide, we’ll be going through all the necessary details and comparing airline miles from different enterprises.
What Are Credit Card Miles?
Credit card miles are rewards given to digital nomads who spend money with specific airlines. Upon buying something using a credit card that is associated with a particular airline, you earn “credit card miles” based on the money you are spending there.
The miles-based credit cards can be used for your everyday purchases, and the best airline credit cards offer 1 reward mile for every dollar spent. Depending on the card, it is also possible for you to earn bonus credit points based on specific purchases.
Why Should I Get An Airline Miles Credit Card?
Being a digital nomad, traveling is quite usual and airline miles credit cards can provide relief on your bank statements in this regard. Essentially, you’d spend money using your credit card as you’d normally do but with the added perk of getting points which will be redeemable for rewards later.
Moreover, they also provide:
- Priority boarding for flights
- Lounge access at airports with perks such as wifi, food, drinks, etc
- Cheap airline tickets
- Companion flights
While the advantages of an airline miles credit card seem attractive, they’re not always right for everyone. How much you spend on your card as well as how much you travel plays a factor when you’re trying to decide if you should sign up for a card.
As a digital nomad, in the end, you’ll have to decide if the benefits outweigh the annual cost. If you’re a digital nomad who doesn’t spend his or her time building up a large value of points, the value of the rewards may not be worthwhile.
Difference Between Airline Points and Miles
Airline points and miles may seem to be interchangeable terms, however, there are noticeable differences between the two.
While both are ways to earn rewards for purchases, miles are generally earned through airline credit cards and are linked to an airline’s loyalty program. Points, however, aren’t usually linked to a specific loyalty program and usually provide more options when we are concerned with redeeming points.
Points can be earned through cards like The Platinum Card from American Express, where points earned can be used to book direct travel with the bank, and can be transferred to hotel partners.
Miles can be earned mostly through frequent flyer programs where the main idea for redeeming is to avail discounts on flights. The ideal situation would be to earn miles rewards when you travel, while points should be preferably earned through regular purchases.
Types of programs
Hotel loyalty programs
Hotel loyalty programs give you miles rather than points when you use their branded credit cards. Redeeming those points can give you discounts on hotel stays and experiences as well as perks on dining and shopping.
Frequent flyer programs
Different airlines offer loyalty programs offered to frequent flyers as the name suggests. The idea is that the more you fly, the more rewards you are going to gain for future flights and travels.
Credit reward programs
While airline and hotel loyalty programs offer plenty of perks, some credit cards have their proprietary programs where miles or points. These can be redeemed in various ways such as by booking a journey through the program’s platform. Some companies even offer cash back instead of travel privileges when you redeem your points.
Interconversion of Miles and Points
Now that the similarities and differences between miles and points have been clarified, how can you maximize their value? What’s the interconversion system for miles and points?
The general value of travel points and miles tends to remain the same. For example, if one point is worth one 30.000 points would give you a redeeming value of $300. If you have a credit card loyalty program, however, the bonuses you earn are also included in the redeemed value so that 30,000 points can be valued at $375 if you’re earning a 25% bonus from your card.
For maximizing points, it is best to transfer these points to a hotel or airline loyalty program. From this, you can get travel in luxury hotels or first-class flights.
Moreover, you can alternatively take advantage of off-season times and blackout dates. Plenty of airline companies offer heavily discounted award flights during off-peak times. Additionally, you should also be sure to take full advantage of any bonuses or welcome offers.
Best Airline Miles Valuation Programs
Okay, so we’ve got the gist of what airline miles exactly are, but which one is the best? As a digital nomad, I like to first take my subjective concerns and requirements before I decide to opt for a program. Depending on where you reside and how often you move between countries, your choice can vary.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Specifications:
- $95 annual fee
- 75,000 miles for an intro offer Pros:
- 5x miles earned on all hotels and rental cars which are booked using Capital One travel
- 2x miles on every purchase
- Easy-to-use rewards Cons:
- Large S. airlines aren’t included in Capital One partners
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
Specifications:
- $95 annual fee
- 60,000 miles for an intro offer Pros:
- 5x miles earned on any travels booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards
- 2x miles on every travel purchase
- 3x miles on dining
- Insurance on lost luggage, car rentals, and flight cancellations
- The great total value offered Cons:
- High annual fee
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
Specifications:
- $0 annual fee
- 20,000 miles for an intro offer Pros:
- 5x miles earned on all hotels and rental cars which are booked using Capital One travel
- No annual fee
- 25x miles on every purchase Cons:
- Large S. airlines aren’t included in Capital One partners
- Higher rewards can be offered by other credit cards
Citi Premier Card
Specifications:
- $95 annual fee
- 80,000 miles for an intro offer Pros:
- 3x miles earned for every dollar spent at gas stations, restaurants, supermarkets, air, hotels, and travel
- Points can be transferred to 15 different airlines Cons:
- No travel protection
Ink Business Preferred Credit Card
Specifications:
- $95 annual fee
- 80,000 miles for an intro offer Pros:
- 1x miles earned for every dollar spent
- 3x points for the first $150,000 spent on travel
- Trip cancellation compensation Cons:
- High spending needed for the sign-up bonus
FAQ
Will My Airline Miles Expire?
After taking into account factors such as how frequently the card that is partnered with an airline offers rewards, you need to also have a sense of understanding of the lifespan of your card.
While the “card” itself doesn’t expire, depending on the company, your account can expire if it’s been dormant for a certain period. If no transactions or points are earned, your account will become inactive.
To ensure that your account isn’t going to be left to expire, make sure you’re staying up to date and constantly checking your inbox. This will help you keep an eye out for any upcoming deadlines and will help you make purchases when necessary to stay active.
Exactly What Things Should You Take With You On Your Trip?
Nomadism isn’t just about traveling. We’ve got to consider other aspects, including items to carry as well.
Racking up on airline miles is great, but when going on a journey, make sure you take these items with you:
- Laptop
- Travel Backpack
- Wi-Fi Booster
- EverSnug Travel Blanket and Pillow
- Travel Wallet
- Luggage Travel Lock
- Hanging Luggage Scale
- Passport Case
- Portable Wireless Charger for Apple Watch
- Folding Travel Mirror
Conclusion
In short, for all digital nomads out there, it is almost confirmed that the ideal expenditure on credit cards would be more than the average person. This makes airline miles credit cards quite appealing for me personally since I can get a huge bonus later on. Plus, they also offer travel perks and sign-up bonuses which can be crucial when you need to integrate flexibility in travel.
In this guide, I went through the main idea of what airline miles essentially are and listed some of the best ones out there. That brings me to the end of this guide. Thank you for reading nomads.