Welcome to Travel and Leisure


Saturday, December 30, 2006

7 Ways to Get the Best Deals on Airline Tickets

How is it possible that one passenger pays $350 for an airline ticket when another passenger pays almost $900 for the seat right next to him?

It’s all about taking your time and doing your homework before you travel.

Here are 7 tips to help you find the lowest airfares.

  1. Book early. Reserve your seats as soon as you know where you want to go and when. Bookings made 3 weeks in advance of departure dates are often eligible for discounts. Having said that, you can also…
  2. Book Last Minute. Are you footloose and fancy free? Then keep your eyes open for the really great last minute deals available through sites like LastMinute.com. These are often the best travel bargains as airlines and hotels are trying to liquidate unsold space.
  3. Stay the Weekend. Return trips that include a Saturday night stay are often less expensive.
  4. Compare Prices Online. Check fare prices at Orbitz, Expedia and Travelocity… make note of flights and prices, but don’t book your flights just yet!
  5. Call the Airline. I occasionally save between 20 and 100 bucks by calling the airline with the same flights I found online.
  6. Travel ‘Off-Season’. Ed and I travelled to South America just before their peak season and it was our best trip ever. Instead of suffering on tour buses that were full to overflowing, we enjoyed the luxury of private tours - for less than it would have cost us 2 weeks later in the season.
  7. Split Segments.

    Rather than book a hefty multi-trip ticket, consider booking 2 or more tickets. For example, we fly from Vancouver to Hong Kong or Singapore and then pick up an Asia pass for getting to Kuala Lumpur, Borneo, Bangkok

Finding Cheap Flights to Malaga

Cheap flights to Malaga may be available for those who do their research. Malaga is the main airport in the Andalucia region, and is the most common choice for travelers visiting the Costa del Sol.

As travel to this area becomes more popular, more tourists pass through this airport every year. It offers convenient flight schedules and easy access to many international cities. The airport is growing, with a third terminal slated to open in 2008.

Start planning on the internet to find cheap flights. You can also get flight information from a travel agent or directly from the airline. If you choose a discount flight, and you’re flying from North America, you may find that you will make several stops before you arrive in Spain. From Europe, the options are better. You can possibly find a non-stop from many European cities.

A Word about Cheap Fares

If you’re able to get cheap tickets, you may be giving up convenience. It’s important to weigh what’s most important to you against the money you’ll be saving. Are you willing to pay more for a non-stop flight, or are you budget-minded, and are simply interested in finding the lowest fare? You’ll generally find that airlines that offer less expensive tickets may also offer fewer services. You can always spend more on a ticket with a more convenient schedule, on an airline with more frills, but if you can save money, and the sacrifices are manageable, it may be a good idea to consider it.

Another rule that airlines sometimes impose is has to do with baggage. Regular airlines have luggage restrictions, but a discount airline’s restrictions are generally more stringent. When you book your flight, be sure to ask how many bags you’re allowed. If the restrictions are more limited than you can manage, the cheap ticket might not be worth the hassle.

Friday, December 29, 2006

Traveling to the Murcia Airport

The Murcia Airport, as it’s called by locals, is technically 45 km outside of Murcia, in the town of San Javier. This airport may be small, but airplanes as large as Boeing 757s fly into and out of this location. Since 1995, the number of passengers traveling through this airport has increased tenfold. Nearly one million use Murcia airport every year.

Over the years, this airport has grown from a small airport run by the Spanish airport authority, to a large airport that offers international flights. Travelers through this airport are generally headed for the southern region of Costa Blanca. Many of the flights come from the United Kingdom. With the increase in popularity of this airport, more options for flight times and airlines have become available.

More about Murcia Airport

Murcia airport accepts flights from a variety of large airlines as well as discount airlines. It’s a popular choice for chartered planes. Travel agents generally book trips for large groups traveling together. Most of the chartered flights that arrive at this airport are large tour groups going to Costa Blanca on vacation.

Once you arrive here, you’ll need to choose a mode of transportation to take you to your final destination. It’s a good idea to pre-arrange a car or an airport transfer to your hotel. Four companies have rental offices at the airport. A car is a great idea if you’ll be doing a lot of sightseeing in different parts of the country.

Do your research on the internet before you leave for your trip. You may find that different companies offer different rates, and that their terms and conditions differ. Make sure to ask about any additional fees you may be charged. When you decide on a rental company, book your car in advance to ensure one will be available to you when you arrive.

Make Shopping For Round Trip Airline Tickets A Snap

Shopping for roundtrip airline tickets at reasonable prices is almost an art form, but with a little practice, cost savings can be had. The best way to shop is to know the destination you want, look around for the best prices and be willing to take some serious cost savings measures.

To ensure the best prices on tickets, do the following things:

* Shop multiple locations for tickets. This means checking for tickets online,checking with travel agents and airlines themselves. Check early and check often for any updates that might take place that could save you money on tickets.

* Be willing to take off-hour flights. Roundtrip airline tickets that involve flight at bad hours or on off days generally come at a cheaper price. You might be forced to travel at 5 a.m. or midnight, but doing so can result in some major ticket savings.

* Shop specials. Many airlines offer price breaks on a number of flights. There are specials offered all the time on airline tickets. Check with the airlines directly to find out about these, but also scan the online sites that sell tickets.

* Book in advance. The further ahead tickets are booked, the cheaper the prices generally are. Start looking for ticket deals as early as possible. Generally a few weeks in advance can really produce decent ticket savings.

Roundtrip airline tickets can be had for any location in the world. The choices, considering this are many. If you're looking for airline tickets for vacations, business trips and more, here's a breakdown of some of the top destinations:

Business travel

With business centers found the world over, roundtrip airline tickets for this purpose could have you flying just about anywhere. Some of the biggest centers in the United States include New York, Miami, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit and beyond.

International sites for business travel can include such destinations as Berlin, London, Paris, Munich, Sydney, Prague and others.

Vacations come in all shapes and sizes. When you're looking for roundtrip airline tickets for a great vacation, consider the different types of destinations:

Beaches: Fantastic beaches can be reached via roundtrip airline tickets to a number of locations. From Florida to California, Europe and beyond, the world's beaches are just a few hours away from almost any airport.

Mountains: Trips to such locations as Colorado, the Swiss Alps, the Blue Ridge Mountains and more can all be had. Just imagine a destination and it's likely airline tickets will get you there.

Amusement park locations: With great amusement parks found the world over, airline tickets to places such as Florida, California, Europe and more can have you on a roller coaster in no time.

Thursday, December 28, 2006

How To Avoid DVT

How to avoid DVT

DVT is a serious condition where blood clots develop in the deep veins of the legs. It should be distinguished from blood clots in superficial varicose veins in the legs, called phlebitis, which is much less serious.

One in every hundred people who develop DVT dies. The cause of death is usually a blood clot, travelling from the legs to the lungs. This is called pulmonary embolus or PE. When PE is severe it causes the lungs to collapse and heart failure.

What causes DVD?

Flying causes fluid in the blood to move into the surrounding blood vessels and the clotting mechanism gets switched on. Eating foods rich in saturated fat can encourage this process. As does any alcohol and caffeine, which are all dehydrating. Think of what is on your meal-tray during the flight – cheese, pats of butter, creamy sauces, sausage, bacon, croissants, all rich in saturated fats. Some airlines are taking steps to offer lighter options – but it is up to you to make your own choices, complain to airlines, eat before you fly etc. What are DVD-friendly flight options?

If you can, take your own food with you on board. Oily fish (salmon, sardines, tuna); soups, fruits and vegetables; butter free, salad sandwiches are ideal (use a olive oil based dressing instead; also water, (a glass every hour); fruit salad and anything water-rich.

Treatment

Aspirin in low doses, can act as a blood thinning drug and is used to prevent clotting conditions in the arteries like coronary thrombosis. Its benefit in preventing DVT is debatable however and if you are unsure ask a qualified medical doctor. DVT combined with PE or other blood clots is often referred to as Venous Thrombo-Embolism or VTE.

According to government sources, DVT has been associated with any form of long distance travel, whether by air, car, coach or train. In particular long-haul air travel (flights lasting longer than five hours) where passengers remain immobile in the seated position for long periods of time, may be associated with an increased risk.

Who is most at risk?

People with heart conditions.
Pregnant women.
Women taking HRT or anything containing Oestrogen compounds (ie contraceptive pill).
Anyone with a family history of DVT.

The risk of DVT and PE is greater in those...

over 40
if you have had blood clots already
with a family history of blood clots
suffering from or who have had treatment for cancer
with certain blood diseases
being treated for heart failure and circulation problems
who have had recent surgery especially on the hips or knees
who have an inherited clotting tendency.

Consult your doctor before travelling if you have:

ever had a DVT or PE
a family history of clotting conditions
an inherited tendency to clot (thrombophilia)
cancer or had treatment for cancer in the past
had major surgery in the last three months
had hip or knee replacement within the last three months or
ever suffered a stroke.

Some airlines are introducing simple instructions during your flight to encourage movement during your journey. These are usually movements of the feet that stretch the calves, many people ignore this advice.

Yoga Exercise

If you can, stand up and do some yoga stretches, even if you have to queue for the toilets and do them in there.

Preferably standing in bare feet, lift the heels off the floor and come up on the toes. At the same time rise the arms in the air, overhead. Do this 20 times in all, using the in-breath to rise and the out-breath to lower. Next, pointing the toes away from the body lift the leg a few inches off the floor and rotate the ankle, 10 times in a clockwise direction and 10 in an anti-clockwise direction, change feet and repeat on the other side.

If possible, do these every hour, as well as practicing periodically in your seat, avoiding the arm raises!

Turn your head to the extreme right, 3 times and 3 times to the extreme left, with your shoulders pressed against the back of the seat. Hold the arms straight out in front, one at a time. Make twisting movements from the shoulders, 10 times each side.

Stansted Airport Parking Explained – Top Advice to Save Time and Money from a Seasoned Traveler

London Stansted International Airport has now grown into London's' third airport and is the fifth busiest airport in the world. The airport offers 44 scheduled and charter airlines serving 145 destinations in 32 countries and is also the fastest growing airport in Europe. London Stansted Airport handles over 22 million passengers per year, so it’s hardly surprising that finding the right Stansted Airport parking to suit your needs can be such a nightmare – time consuming and expensive. However, the key to finding the right parking for your needs, at the right price, is now divulged for your reading pleasure…

There are various Stansted Airport parking options available to passengers travelling through the Airport depending on budget, length of stay and level of service required. Determining which Stansted Airport parking option will best suit your needs is the first step:

* Standard Stansted Airport Parking

Stansted short term parking is just 200m from the terminal and suitable for stays of up to 5 hours - perfect for collecting or dropping off passengers, or for short trips. Any cars left unattended in the set down or pick up areas, will be towed away by the police and a release fee will be incurred. Therefore, if you need to leave your car unattended, motorists must park in the Stansted short stay car parks available at the Terminal.

* Business Stansted Airport Parking

Travellers that need fast access through from parking to the airport can use the Short Stay Fast Track service. This car park is situated immediately in front of the Terminal entrance and recommended for stays of up to 24 hours, providing extra speed and convenience for business travellers. The Fast Track Stansted parking has a dedicated entry and exit and wider parking spaces. For business travellers with a stay longer than 24 hours, the Mid Term Stansted parking option below is recommended.

* Stansted Mid Term Parking

For passengers travelling on short breaks and business trips, this secure mid term car park is the ideal choice. The car park is served by shuttle buses that run every 10 minutes with a journey time of 5 to 6 minutes.

* Stansted Long Term Parking

For passengers travelling away for more than a few days, Stansted long term parking is recommended. This is where the minefield begins. There are a huge number of different options available for Stansted Airport parking, and many companies competing for your business. The long stay car parks are serviced by regular shuttle bus services to the terminal building, running from every 5 - 20 minutes, depending on the car park you choose. Some car parks only operate a shuttle bus during specified hours, so please check the times carefully if you have a late night or early morning flight. Passengers using this option must leave plenty of time as the transfer to the airport can take from 20 to 50 minutes. Keep reading for tips on how to make your Stansted Airport parking decision and get the best price.

* Meet and Greet Stansted Airport Parking

If you find bus transfers and off-site Stansted Airport parking a hassle, meet and greet Stansted Airport Parking offers customers a convenient valet service. Amongst many benefits, travellers can check-in within minutes of arriving at the airport and drive away minutes after clearing customs.

* Disabled Parking at Stansted Airport

The blue badge scheme applies to car parks only as there is no waiting outside the terminal buildings themselves. All short stay car parks have dedicated parking bays for blue badge holders so ensure you take your badge with you. All mid term and long stay car parks have disabled parking bays situated near the coach shelters, and all coaches are wheelchair accessible. The coach drivers or forecourt marshalls will be happy to provide assistance where required.

Now we’ve looked at all the options, ‘how do I make sure I get the best quote to save me money?’, I hear you ask…

* Choose the best option for your needs: Whether this be standard or business Stansted Airport parking, mid term Stansted parking, Stansted long term parking, meet and greet or disabled parking

* Pre-book: Booking Stansted Airport parking in advance will secure your parking space

* Discounts: Online bookings will normally reward you with a further discount

* Save time, find the right price and compare your options: Use an online Stansted airport parking price checker to make sure you are not paying over the odds. A price checker enables you to compare parking prices online.

Wednesday, December 27, 2006

How to Select a Business Charter Jet Provider?

Many CEOs of large companies like to cut down on travel time and rather be productive. Shareholders are not paying him or her for hanging around in the airport lounge. They pay a CEO to create value. These CEOs turn to charter jet providers in return. But picking a charter jet provider proves to be difficult task for an inexperienced flyer. The easiest way to find a reliable charter jet provider is via referal from a business partner or friend.

But no matter how you find a business charter jet provider, you should ask questions to make sure you pick the right carrier to work with. The following questions will help you eventually to pick your preferred charter jet carrier of the future.

1) How does the Safety Record look like?

Ask for Safety record data including how many years is the company in business and how many miles are flown (total and per year). What are the safety and security systems and procedures? Find out what kind of training the pilots receive and how experienced the pilots are.

2) Customer Service

Will you be assigned a dedicated representative? 24/7 customer service available? How experienced are the customer service reps and how well are they trained to work with rich clients or VIPs?

3) Company History

How long has the charter jet company been in business? What is their reputation? Ask for references and verify this information.

4) The Aircraft Fleet

Does the charter company actually operate aircraft or are they just a broker? Owned or Leased aircrafts? Are all planes in one location or will you have access nationwide or at least regionwide? How old is the fleet? Are the aircrafts on their first ownership or is the fleet used (compare to a used car)?

Small Cabins For A Long Haul

As the number of parties interested in owning their own Private Jet continues to grow, so does interest in the “cheaper” end of the market - i.e. the small cabins sector. This area of the market is often used as a stepping stone to bigger and better Private Jets, and allows people to gain experience about owning their own Jet.

While there are a fair number of companies operating in the small cabins sector of the market, this area is dominated by Citation. Among the Private Jets available are:

Citation CJ1

The Citation CJ1, which holds between 4 and 6 passengers, was introduced to the Private Jet market in April 1991, with full certification following in December 1992. Due to the size of the Jet and the modern day design , the plane is very efficient on fuel consumption and has very low operating costs. This allows the Jet to fly non-stop between the likes of Los Angeles and Aspen, and Washington D.C. and Miami - very useful for corporate America.

The Jet has a very useful baggage capacity and can hold 3-4 Golf Bags, 6-7 Suitcases and 1-4 sets of Skis. A surprising amount for a so called “Small Jet” with dimensions of 11ft x 5ft x 5ft.

The Jet has a typical cruise speed of 350 ktas (although this reduces to 325 ktas on longer flights) with a maximum flight range of 672 miles. Take off and landing distances are around the 3,000ft mark, which opens up access to many airfields not available to the larger Jets.

The Citation CJ1 will set you back between $3m and $4.3m, with fixed annual costs of $340,000.

Hawker 400XP

Raytheon’s Beech Aircraft Corporation acquired the Hawker 400XP in 1985, and continued the impressive work of the previous owners. The original design of the Jet was changed and the fuel system was improved, which created space for up to 9 passengers and increased storage facilities.

The improved design offers space for 3-4 Golf Bags, 6-7 Suitcases and 1-4 sets of Skis, which again is fairly impressive bearing in mind the fairly compact 15.5ft x 5ft x 5ft dimensions of the Jet. The improved fuel consumption allows flights up to 915 miles, which is towards the top end of flight distances in the small cabin market.

For a mere $2.2m - $7.1m, with annual costs of $362,000 per year, this could be yours!!

The small Jet of today, is far bigger than the small Jet of yester-year - but then again the prices are not too comparable!!

Tuesday, December 26, 2006

Tips On Scouting The Best Off-site Airport Parking

It's great to have your car waiting at the airport when you get back home after a business trip or a holiday. Though most airport parking costs are fairly reasonable, you might just get a great deal if you looked at off-site parking. Satellite parking lots usually give away good deals thanks to the competition they face from other parking lots. So if you are quite smart and savvy, you might just end up saving a lot!

How do you get the best deals in parking? If you tend to use a parking lot often, especially for overnight or longer, try and find out from them if they will give you a discount on a certain minimum number of vouchers purchased. Some of them give up to 50% off if you buy the vouchers online or with a credit card.

You can also choose the parking space you want in some parking lots. You might just find that some spaces cost less than the more easily accessible ones. If it is a long trip you are off to, it would make sense to enquire about this because the savings would probably be considerable. Also enquire about daily versus weekly rates. Most parking lots offer considerable discounts for long-term parking. Some even offer facilities for frequent parking, much like the airlines' frequent flier scheme.

There are schemes open to members of certain automobile organizations too. So if you are a member of say, AAA, you could find out from them or their web site whether there are any special offers for the members at certain parking lots. You might just get a hefty discount in some lots or, if you're lucky, you could avail of a service where they pick up your car from the airport when you leave and drive it there when you get back.

Of course, nothing can beat the Internet as far as offers are concerned. Keep tabs on it days or maybe weeks before you leave. You might get very attractive deals. You might even pick up a free day's coupon off the Internet! Or get a day free if you park for two days. With so much competition, parking lot operators want you to try parking at their lot and to feel comfortable there. Once they've got you as a customer, they hope you'll stick around for a long time. So you might as well make use of this and get the best deal out of them. It's worth surfing the Internet and doing a bit of research. All you need to do when you've got a good deal is to pay online, print out the transaction receipt and take it along with you to the parking lot where you will have to submit it. If you do it well in advance, who knows, you might save as much as 60%.

Special holiday season discounts, too, are a good idea and many operators offer them before every holiday season. Sometimes, travel operators either tell you of good deals or give you a good deal like free or discount vouchers themselves. You'll need to spend a bit of time finding out which one is the best deal for you but at the end of it, you'll find the savings more than make up for the time spent!

Logan Airport Parking - Boston Airport Transportation Options

When flying to or from an airport inevitably the question comes up about whether one should park, take a cab or drag a friend out of bed at 5 am to do you a favor. If you are looking for information on boston airport transportation or investigating Logan Airport parking , there are some choices to think about.

Here are a couple of nearby solutions for Logan Airport parking :

Park Shuttle & Fly, located at 320 McClellan Hwy (Rte. 1A), has an outdoor rate of $17.50, and is 1.7 miles from the Boston Logan International Airport terminal.

PreFlight Airport Parking, located at 111 Eastern Ave, has an outdoor rate of $17.00, and is 1.7 miles from the Boston Logan International Airport terminal.

Sometimes you can leave your car at a hotel if you stay there for a couple of days before your flight, so that is always good to research. Also some rental car centers have a place for parking for those going to airports in certain areas so that is worth looking into as you research boston airport transportation ideas.

If you do leave your car at a facility, find out about the security and how often the shuttle is to and from the airport so you give yourself enough time to catch your flight. Also think about what you will be leaving in your car and make sure you are comfortable with their monitoring of your vehicle. If there are items you don't need in your car that may attract attention it is best to leave them at home.

Monday, December 25, 2006

Airport Atlanta Parking - Find Parking Deals

The airport Atlanta parking situation is second to none, with many facilities nearby with convenient locations, free beverages, covered and open-air parking and of course free shuttle services. While parking might not enter your mind till you begin your drive to the airport, it's wise to plan ahead and compare. Some have coupon specials as well.

Scenario Number One.

Bob works middle management in the Atlanta area. And while he doesn't travel often, his boss just informed him, he's needed at the weekend corporate event and should pack his bags and catch a flight as soon as possible. He's rushed, knowing he needs to arrive at least two hours before flight time. He believes he's covered his bases, but hadn't thought about parking, figuring he'd "play it by ear" and find the least expensive parking lot nearby. Bad plan Bob, traffic near the Atlanta airport could makes delays probable and catching your flight questionable. Find out in advance where you can go for airport Atlanta parking to save money.

Scenario Number Two.

Jane also works in the Atlanta area, but she's a savvy traveler, knowing she can reserve ahead of time, avoid the crowds and arrive at the airport via shuttle, all the while sipping coffee and catching up on her notes. After completing her reservation with the ticket agent, she surfs to her favorite site. She figures out where , calls them and adds "I'd like to have my car washed while I'm away". Jane smiles, knowing she'll arrive fresh and rested, leaving the details of parking for the airport Atlanta parking to the professionals.

Planning ahead is crucial in this day and age, and it's no different when choosing where you'll park your car. There is no need to add stress to your life, fighting traffic, checking your watch and wondering if you'll be late. Simply work out the details, then arrive at your appointed time without worrying about where to park and how much you'll owe when you return.

You'll find most parking lots near the Atlanta airport to be staffed by friendly people, secured with lights and fencing and most open 24/7/365, ensuring you'll have a ride home, even if catching the red eye.

Life is filled with stress, don't let the Atlanta parking question be one of the hassles.

Cargo Planes

In today's competitive business world, the fast and efficient transportation of goods is a must. While sea vessels are ideal for transporting bulky goods, airplanes are better suited for speedy transportation over long distances. Initially, planes were not designed as cargo carriers. However, in 1911, planes started carrying cargo in the form of airmail. In mid 1920s, airplane manufacturers had started designing and building aircrafts that were solely dedicated to carrying cargo.

An air plane chiefly designed and used for the carriage of goods, rather than passengers, is known as a cargo airplane. A cargo airplane is easily identifiable, as the role demands a number of special features. Cargo planes in general have a "fat" fuselage, a high wing to allow the cargo area to sit near the ground, and a high mounted tail to allow the cargo to be driven directly on and off the loading truck or crane. A cargo plane also has a large number of wheels to permit it to land in a greater number of locations.

Courier and transportation companies mainly use cargo planes. They help to transfer both light and heavy goods to places that are located far away. These planes are efficient and help to save time, as traveling by plane is the fastest mode of transportation.

At first, cargo planes were only used to deliver airmail to various different places. These were known as the "Early Airmail Craft." There were four different planes made for that purpose. Among the first were the Boeing C-700, Curtis JN4H, De Havilland DH4, and the Douglas M-2. The second generation of cargo aircraft that was manufactured was the "civilian cargo aircraft," which included the Boeing 727, the Boeing 747 freighter, the Boeing 777 freighter, and the Douglas DC-3. The third generation of cargo aircrafts that was built consisted of military cargo aircrafts. These included the Douglas C-54 Skymaster, Lockheed C-69 & C-121 Constellation, and the Boeing C-97 Stratofreighter.

Sunday, December 24, 2006

How Do Planes Fly?

Planes are able to rise to a certain altitude and maintain it by utilizing a combination of the Bernoulli effect and the simple momentum transfer in the airflow to generate airlift. When the internal pressure reduces with respect to the increased stream velocity in a fluid, the phenomenon is known as the Bernoulli Effect. In most cases, the pressure in a fluid decreases as the fluid moves faster. This effect explains in part how wings help to lift an airplane. The cross-section of the wing is designed in a particular way so that the distance from the leading edge and the trailing edge is greater along a path that runs over the wing than under it. This is how the Bernoulli effect generates lift.

As the aircraft is propelled ahead, air flows both over and under the wing. As the air travels a greater distance over the wings, the air pressure above the wing is less than the air pressure beneath it. The variation in pressure between the top and bottom of the wing results in a net upward force, or lift. The air over the wing is forced to expand to a greater volume than the volume of air flowing under it.

Dynamic momentum transfer from the airstream can also generate lift for planes. In the dynamic momentum transfer, the tilt or angle of attack, of the wing in relation to the overall direction of motion causes the flow of air striking underneath the wing to be turned, or deflected, downward. The deflection induced by the wing imparts a downward momentum.

Since the first flight of the Wright brothers, airplanes have come a long way in their development. They have become bigger in size and more technologically advanced. They enable people to commute faster as compared to any other mode of transportation, which helps to save a great deal of time.

Be Cautious when Using Airline Credit Cards

Airline credit cards seem, on the surface, to be a great way to earn free airline miles. This can be the case, however, it makes sense to read the fine print and do a bit of mathematical calculation before signing up for airline credit cards. Airline credit cards typically have a higher interest rate than non airline credit cards and many airline credit cards also require an annual fee for membership.

While all airline credit cards differ in the way in which they accrue fee air miles, almost all of them give the card holder a percentage of the purchase amount back in air miles. The percentage varies according to the program, but the purchase amount that is applied towards air miles on average airline credit cards is somewhere around one and one half percent.

When you consider that many airline credit cards also charge more (typically around six percent more) in interest on average than do non airline credit cards, it becomes obvious that the extra money that has been spent on interest will not cover the gains made in free air miles.

In many cases, the amount of money lost due to finance charges on airline credit cards is much more than the amount gained in free air miles. In addition, many airline credit cards charge an annual membership fee which must be considered on top of other finance charges.

There are other issues that those who are considering applying for airline credit cards should consider. First, it is important to remember that many airlines place upper limits on the number of free air miles that anyone can earn in a particular year. If the card holder goes over the limit, then he or she is paying the higher interest rate when using his or her airline credit cards without receiving any compensation in the form of free air miles.

Additionally, many airlines are making it more and more difficult to use free air miles. Blackout periods and destinations are increasingly common, so even if the cardholder is able to earn a lot of free air miles from his or her airline credit cards, it may not be possible to use the miles in the manner that the card holder desires.

Airline credit cards can be helpful for those who fly frequently and pay off all of their balances monthly. However, for many people, airline credit cards do not make sense and they are better served by traditional credit cards.