Get Frequent Flyer Perks With The Right Credit Card
If you think of the term 'frequent flyer' as an elite status, think again. Some frequent flyer programmes like the Singapore Airline KrisFlyer programme are actually free to join, and you can consider yourself a frequent flyer even if you like flying on budget airlines.
With so many travel credit cards out there, many of these cards can even give you much more travel-related privileges compared to a frequent flyer membership.
Here GET.com will show you some ways to enjoy frequent flyer benefits just by using the right travel credit card:
Earning Miles
If you are obsessed about earning air miles, using a credit card that lets you earn miles on your daily spend is definitely faster than earning miles on a frequent flyer programme (especially if you don't fly so often!).
Cards such as The American Express® Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Gold Credit Card, UOB PRVI Miles World MasterCard Card, OCBC Voyage Card all provide a great way to earn air miles with your credit card spending.
While some of these cards require you to pay a conversion fee when you convert the reward miles to the air miles of your choice, it is worth highlighting that most of the points you earn on your credit card have a longer expiry date than frequent flyer miles.
For instance, Citi PremierMiles Visa Card earns you Citi Miles that never expire, while the Krisflyer miles expire after 36 months, after which you will need to pay a fee of US$12 to $20 to extend their validity or let them go to waste.
Another way to get more miles through a credit card is to look out for free miles as a sign-up offer, or renew your credit card by paying the annual fees to earn 'free' miles.
Access Airport Lounges
One of the nicest benefits of a frequent flyer programme is to be able to access an airport lounge before a flight or during transit.
Lounges are a nice way to relax before getting on a flight- the environment is quieter, there is usually some complimentary drinks available and you can even take a shower during transit.
The good news is that a number of credit cards give you access to airport lounges – ANZ Travel Visa Signature Credit Card is one of them, as well as Maybank Horizon Platinum Visa Card.
Priority Check-in
If waiting in a long queue at the check-in counter at the airport is your top concern, there are many other ways to get past this problem without needing a frequent flyer membership. You can check in online, which is the easiest method for me, or simply, arrive early!
If you are flying budget, there are now ways to avoid check-in at all.
Jetstar's straight to gate allows passengers on selected Jetstar Asia flight to check-in online and proceed to the boarding gate directly.
Tigerair launched a similar service last year as well, for customers travelling out of Singapore to neighbouring countries such as Hong Kong, Maldives, Bangkok and Vietnam.
Changi Airport recently installed around 25 self-service check-in kiosks for SIA and Silkair at Terminal 2. While this may not mean shorter queues, the large number of check-in kiosks has a potential for faster check-ins.
As a personal opinion, I find getting travel credit cards a much better way to earn miles compared to frequent flyer memberships. Other than having more ways to earn air miles more quickly, there are in fact a host of perks that credit cards offer that frequent flyer programmes lack.
For instance, free travel insurance, exclusive deals with hotels and rebates with travel partners offer me a more tangible reward compared to purely earning miles with flights.
However, if you travel a lot for work or leisure, a frequent flyer programme could be more attractive in helping you climb the membership tiers to greater prestige!
What do you think? Share your comments with us below!
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