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Apache is functioning normally

Airline credit cards are credit cards that are used by frequent flyers for their airline-specific perks. They are provided by card issuers, working jointly with a particular airline to reward their customers for both their loyalty and for paying for their travel and other expenses using the card.

With airline credit cards, you earn a certain number of miles for the amount you spend on the carrier and other qualifying services. You can then redeem your rewards to book flights, pay for services, or make eligible travel purchases. 

Various airline credit cards vary in the perks they offer, as well as in fees and costs. This means that not every airline credit card is suited for every traveler. Also, not every traveler will benefit from airline credit cards.

That said, you can make a better decision by comparing the pros and cons of airline credit cards. 

The Pros of Airline Credit Cards

Attractive Sign-up Bonuses

Most airline credit cards come with attractive welcome bonuses, some of which are large enough to pay for a flight. It is worth noting that you gain the bonus after meeting certain requirements- usually spending a certain amount of money within a specific time of account opening or opening a new credit account.

Hassle-free Way to Earn Miles

As a frequent flyer, airline credit cards provide an avenue for you to earn rewards while doing what you would be doing anyway.

Money-Saving Perks

These will vary from one airline card to another and may include free or discounted checked luggage, lounge access, in-flight foods and drinks, companion passes, and upgraded services.

Priority Boarding and Seat Upgrades

If when you board and where you seat during the flight matters to you, certain airline credit cards give you just that; an opportunity to not only be among the first to board but also get a seat upgrade.

Rewards on Non-travel Related Categories

Some airline credit cards can earn you bonus rewards on your other spending areas, like hotel bookings, which helps maximize your earnings. In addition, this feature helps to not only accumulate your miles but also keep them from expiring should you halt your traveling for some time.

Travel Support and Protection

Certain airline credit cards will offer coverage in situations like flight delays or cancellation, trip interruptions, lost luggage, rental car accidents, and access to medical care.

The Cons of Airline Credit Cards

Limited to one Airline

As their name suggests, airline credit cards limit you to one carrier and in some instances, its partner airlines. This can further complicate the reward redemption process due to competition-you may not always redeem your rewards for what you want from what the reward program offers or get flexibility with travel dates.

Limited Opportunities to Earn Rewards

This is especially so if you end up with cards that only offer rewards on airline/travel-related purchases and none on everyday spending.

Hefty Annual Fees

Annual fees for airline credit cards can be anything from a few dollars shy of a $100 to amounts over $500. The more the perks you stand to get the higher the fees. If your rewards exceed the fees, then the credit cards are worth it, otherwise they are an unnecessary expense.

Reward Programs can be Devalued

Airlines can devalue their programs or do away with them at their discretion as has happened with many airlines before. With the limitation of a single airline, there’s no guarantee that your earned miles will be useful.

Are Airline Credit Cards a Good Idea?

You could benefit from an airline credit card if you:

  • Fly often
  • Always or mostly use the same airline
  • Have good credit and can pay off your credit card balances on time

If most of the above doesn’t apply to you, then you are better off without airline credit cards.

The Final Take

It is apparent that airline credit cards can be a good or bad idea depending on your flying habits. Admittedly, they are only a worthy investment if the value you draw from them outweighs the associated expenses. Where do you lie? The above information can help you figure that out.

Source: creditabsolute.com

Apache is functioning normally

Zillow is introducing changes to its Premier Agent program that it first announced in April which it said should be beneficial to consumers. However, agents themselves are still uncertain if that’s the case.

Before, under the old rules, real estate agents could purchase leads from Zillow which would be delivered either by email or phone. If the agent didn’t answer the phone in time, they’d be able to call the lead back at a later time, HousingWire reports.

However, Zillow reckons there were a number of problems with this system, the main one being that consumers didn’t always get an instant connection to a real estate agent when trying to get information about a specific listing. Meanwhile agents themselves often complained about the value of the leads, saying that many times they found callers were already working with another agent and only wanted questions answered. The old system also allowed several agents to buy the same zip codes, which meant that if they missed the call and another agent called the consumer first, that lead was lost.

To remedy these problems, Zillow is introducing its own representatives to screen incoming calls. Their job is to ensure the caller is actively looking to buy or sell a home, that they’re not already working with an agent, and are ready to speak to one whom they will consider working with. Only callers who pass the screening process will be connected with agents. Should the first agent not pick up, the caller will automatically be transferred to a new agent.

“We’ve implemented these changes to deliver higher quality leads to agents while also ensuring a great experience for consumers looking to connect with agents,” a Zillow spokesperson told HousingWire. “This will allow potential buyers to schedule time to speak to an agent when it’s convenient for them and the agent. And, when an agent misses a call for any reason, they don’t lose their place in the queue, they receive the next connection.”

Consumers can also request specific agents, in which case they’ll be passed onto that agent first and stick with that agent regardless of whether or not the initial call is answered. However, these cases are likely to be rare, Zillow said.

“Our data shows the majority of home shoppers do not specifically select an agent when submitting an inquiry on a listing,” the company said. “However, when a home shopper does select an agent, that lead is much more likely to convert.”

Zillow also warned agents that its lead volume might change, though it said those it does provide will be of a higher quality.

“We’re now focusing on quality over quantity,” the company said. “Each lead you receive will be validated, ready to speak to you and directly connected to you by phone.”

Zillow says the new program will be introduced in the U.S. throughout this year.

Mike Wheatley is the senior editor at Realty Biz News. Got a real estate related news article you wish to share, contact Mike at [email protected].
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Source: realtybiznews.com