Travel rewards credit cards have been pretty magical for me.
Over the past 10 years, theyve helped me visit destinations I otherwise wouldnt have been able to afford.
I dont think its an exaggeration to say my life would be a lot different without them.
Do you have atravel rewards card?
Awesome, butchances are youre not making the most of it.
Here are seven mistakes Ive made and some you might be making right now.
Carrying a Balance
Just NO.
If you have a travel rewards credit card, yo dont carry a balance.
Probably not as good as youd like.
It always seems like an uphill battle to build (and keep) a decent amount in savings.
But what if your car breaks down, or you have a sudden medical bill?
Ask one of these companies to help…
If you cant, then the answer is simple: Dont get one.
(Here aresix other ways to earn frequent flyer miles!)
It makes the servers life much easier and I earn a boatload of rewards.
Some common benefits include coverage for:
Lost Luggage
Did the airline lose your bags?
Heres a list ofcards and their lost luggage benefits.
Trip Delays
Unfortunately,airline delaysare a way of life.
Rental Cars
Dont believe what therental caragents tell you thevast majority of credit cardsinclude insurance.
To be certain about what coverage is offered, check with your card issuerbeforeyou get to the rental agency.
Using Your Points to Buy Flights or Merchandise
Yes, you might use your pointshowever you like.
The closer in you get, (usually) the more expensive the flights will be.
To ensure youre maximizing your rewards, its also wise to do research before booking.
(Ive traveled this route, and it was awesome!)
Paying Foreign Transaction or Annual Fees
Fees suck, so I do my best not to pay them.
And you might think annual fees are unavoidable, but theyre not.
This strategy preserves yourline of credit, while still freeing you of expensive fees.
I useAwardWalletto warn me when my miles are about to expire.
Avoid these common travel rewards mistakes, and youll be flyin high in no time!
Your Turn: Have you made any of these mistakes?
Which ones did I miss?
Susan Shain, senior writer for The Penny Hoarder, is always seeking adventure on a budget.
Visit her blog at susanshain.com, or say hi on Twitter @susan_shain.
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