Airline Credit Cards

If you have a Northwest WorldPerks Visa credit card, some changes may soon affect your rewards account. On April, 27, 2009 American Express, the leading provider of airline loyalty program credit cards announced that its SkyMiles airline rewards program was being integrated with Northwest WorldPerks.

What does this change mean for customers of US Bank, the issuer of the WorldPerks Visa card? Well, the merger of the two airline credit cards will be a benefit for those who are looking forward to earning more miles during their membership. Also, those who have already earned an appropriate number of miles, can redeem them for travel rewards like seat upgrades or free flights.

As regards customers who are planning to accumulate more miles through their Northwest WorldPerks airline rewards program, it may make sense for them to apply for a Delta SkyMiles credit card because WorldPerks are actually being integrated into SkyMiles.

David Rabkin from American Express says that the issuer is encouraging customers to switch to a Delta SkyMiles credit card by offering them temptingly attractive incentives. These incentives include no annual fees for the first year of membership, a low APR on balance transfers and up to 25,000 bonus miles for the Gold Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card.

Before you switch, carefully study the new card’s rewards program rules. Pay special attention to the expiration dates and limitations to the number of miles you can earn. Make sure that the method of earning and redeeming the miles is flexible enough. Also, remember that American Express only approves customers with a good to excellent credit score, so if you have made some late payments recently, you shouldn’t apply for the AmEx Gold Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card.

While American Express is upgrading its SkyMiles rewards programto Northwest WorldPerks, US Bank is issuing a new unaffiliated airline credit card. Its most valuable feature will be flexibility that will allow cardholders to redeem their miles for seats without blackout dates or for brand-new merchandise. Miles can be redeemed at more than 150 US airlines with no hassle.

During difficult financial times, it is especially important to save a few dollars for a rainy day, and airline credit cards if used wisely, could be an excellent saving tool. So, before you apply online for an AmEx card or a credit card from US Bank, read the specific terms and conditions that each of them offers carefully. Choose the card with lower rates and the more attractive miles rewards program. Pay your balances in full each billing cycle and you’ll make the most out of your miles rewards.

Bryant Park

Bryant Park is a financial consultant for one of the companies listed on Wall Street. He writes on a variety of topics ranging from credit cards to different loans that can be availed by consumers. He holds a bachelor degree in Financial Services from Dartmouth College.